Duterte camp hits Grace for defending Danding
By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
The camp of presidential aspirant Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte hit Senator Grace Poe for defending businessman Danding Cojuangco Jr., uncle of President Beningno S. Aquino III, over the controversial coco levy fund.
In a statement, Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) spokesperson lawyer Paola Alvarez said Poe’s remarks were spoken by someone “deeply indebted and wants to payback the businessman accused of amassing wealth by forcing coconut farmers to pay tax 40 years ago.”
It said, the coconut farmers’ funds were allegedly used by Cojuangco to acquire United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and other businesses.
“The statement could only be coming from one who is not only a lapdog but at most a puppet, someone who clearly is only in the running for the highest position because of being beholden to her benefactor,” said Alvarez.
She said Poe and her vice presidential running mate Chiz Escudero were recently chosen as the candidates of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the party founded and headed by Cojuangco. The tandem is also using the private aircraft of San Miguel.
Alvarez said it was immoral for Poe to exculpate Cojuangco — and blame the government — given the injustice committed against the coconut farmers across the country.
“Absolving Danding, who is your backer, is protecting his interests. It also means that the injustice committed against Filipino coconut farmers continues. It means you allow that,” Alvarez said.
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that coco levy assets should benefit coconut farmers.
