Cory's rift with Danding over, daughter says

Former President Corazon Aquino believed her long feud with cousin Eduardo “Danding" Cojuangco was over before she succumbed to colon cancer last Saturday, her daughter Kris Aquino said. In an emotional interview with GMA News’ Jessica Soho, Kris said her appearances in commercials for Cojuangco’s San Miguel Corporation (SMC) convinced her mother that everything was already behind her and the businessman. “When San Miguel gave me commercials, in my mom’s mind it was peace. She said the fact na kinuha ka nila, siguro everything is already behind us," Kris said. Cojuangco is a known crony of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, whom Mrs. Aquino and her supporters ousted from Malacañang through the historic EDSA People Power revolt in 1986. Cojuangco, along with other Marcos-time officials, allegedly bought United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) using coco levy funds. Coco levy is a tax exacted from coconut farmers from 1973 to 1982. In 1983, the Cojuangco-controlled UCPB acquired shares in SMC. The Aquino family had earlier said reconciliation with the Marcos family would also be welcome. In a report by GMA News' Oscar Oida aired on QTV's Balitanghali Monday, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said his family has always been open to the idea of patching things up with the Marcoses even before his mother passed away. The senator said he does not think anyone in the family would object to a possible reconciliation with the Marcoses, adding that he is actually thankful for the statement of support and prayers from Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. "Kami ay napapasalamat at siguro nga ho pwede maging isang daan yan na baka magkalapitan ng pananaw para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa [We are thankful, and perhaps this can be a way for us to understand each other more for the sake of the country]," he said. - GMANews.TV