Bongbong: NP needs celebrity endorsers to get even with LP

Senator Manuel Villar Jr.'s Nacionalista Party should get celebrity endorsers such as singer-actress Sarah Geronimo if he wants to match the star-studded campaign machine of Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III. Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, the only son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, offered the advice Wednesday as he admitted that the endorsement of "showbiz heavyweights" – the likes of Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, and Vilma Santos - is an "advantage" for Noynoy's campaign. Kris is Noynoy's youngest sister. Sharon Cuneta is the wife of LP stalwart Sen. Francis Pangilinan, while Vilma Santos (the incumbent governor of Batangas province) recently moved to the LP from the administration's party Lakas-Kampi-CMD along with her husband, former Socioeconomic and Planning Secretary Ralph Recto. Marcos, who is running as a guest candidate under the NP's senatorial slate, said having celebrity endorsers such as pop star Sarah Geronimo - who he described as "a role model for the youth because of her wholesome image" -would boost Villar's campaign. “We can expect an equal fight if NP will get popular young stars to endorse Manny’s candidacy," Marcos said in a statement. “Aside from Ms Geronimo, the NP may also ask for the endorsement of Ms Ginger Conejero of ABS-CBN or Ms Pia Guanio of GMA 7." Aquino’s television advertisement last month featured major showbiz personalities from rival television networks GMA 7 and ABS-CBN. The ad featured GMA 7’s Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Ding-Dong Dantes, and Marian Rivera. ABS-CBN stars in the ad, meanwhile, included Kris, Cuneta, Boy Abunda, and Ai-Ai Delas Alas. Marcos’ father was the bitter political rival of Noynoy’s father, martyred Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr. The late strongman was replaced by Noynoy’s mother Corazon Aquino through the “People Power" uprising in 1986. - LGB, GMANews.TV