THE  AQUINOS  OF  TARLAC: CONVERSATION  WITH  BUTZ  AQUINO

[PHOTO AT LEFT - FORMER SENATOR AGAPITO 'BUTZ' AQUINO: “I’ll support Noynoy for what he represents, which is the opportunity for change, for the country to be set aright,” says former legislator Butz Aquino. “I am certain that Noynoy will not steal.”]

MANILA, OCTOBER 1, 2009 (STAR) CRAZY QUILT By Tanya T. Lara - Depending on the point of his life when you first heard of him, Butz Aquino to you would be: an actor (he was Sharon Cuneta’s dad in the ‘80s teen movie To Love Again and began all his dialogues with the Megastar with “Iha…”), an activist (he led the August 21 Movement in demonstrations across the country after his older brother Ninoy Aquino was assassinated), a senator, and a congressman.

In familial terms, he would be: father to Jackie Aquino (who also dabbled in showbiz), sister-in-law to President Cory, uncle of Kris and now Noynoy.

Unlike his brother Ninoy, who never lived to be on friendly terms with the Palace’s resident (except for Magsaysay who made him an emissary to the Hukbalahap rebels), Butz has had three recent ringside views to the position. First there was Cory, but he rarely visited Malacañang when she was president because “she was very careful about inviting kamag-anak over to the Palace.” The second was when Fidel Ramos became president in 1992, when then Senator Butz would be there more often because Ramos “had no hesitation in inviting whomever he wanted.” And third — and perhaps his closest view — was when his Ateneo High School classmate Erap became president in 1998.

“Even when Erap was vice president, he was already taking me on official visits abroad that he got invited to,” Butz says. “I remember going to Guam with him and going to the APEC meeting in New Zealand, also in Argentina and Chile.”

Butz Aquino’s — and his siblings’ — politics are just as colorful. He was allied with Ping Lacson but when Lacson declared his non-candicacy, he aligned himself with presidentiable Manny Villar who originally put him on the Nacionalista Party’s senatorial slate.

Then on Sept. 9, the 40th day of Tita Cory’s death, Noynoy announced in Club Filipino, where his mother was sworn in 23 years earlier, that he would run for president.

Another Aquino will soon be stumping to get to the Palace.

Now what is this Aquino to do?

1. How do you feel about Noynoy running?

Of course, he has my sympathies. I know what kind of a job he’s entering. Let’s say I’ve had three ringside seats with three presidents: Cory, Ramos and Erap.

2. Are you going to campaign for Noynoy?

When Lacson decided not to run, my group shifted to Manny Villar. What’s funny is that they had me on the list of the Nacionalista senatorial slate as the No. 2 senator. I said, who’s No. 1 on the list? Villar said, “Pia Cayetano.” Oh, then I accept.

3. How long have you been out of politics?

Only since 2007, when I ended my three terms as congressman. I was about to go back to the Senate until they declared Noynoy as the candidate of the Liberal Party. That changes my plans.

4. How so?

I don’t think I can run in the Nacionalista Party when my nephew is running for president under the Liberal Party. So if Mar Roxas can sacrifice, so can Butz Aquino. I’ve decided not to run anymore for senator.

5. But as far as the presidential campaign is concerned, who are you supporting?

I’ll support Noynoy. I’m not supporting Noynoy as Noynoy, but for what he represents.

6. Which is what?

The opportunity for change, for the country to be set aright. I am certain that Noynoy will not steal. I warned him that if he does any foolishness, his father and mother would be after him — I’ve no doubt about that. As far as truth or honesty is concerned, I am counting on him. I know him to be a very honest person. Plus, I guarantee that he will not steal.

7. Did he consult you when he was struggling with the decision to run or not? It must have been a struggle for him.

Yes, of course, it was, and no, he didn’t. I talked to the sisters more. What can I say that he doesn’t know? It’s a difficult job that he’s entering. You have to think about it very deeply, seriously, but whatever his decision is, we will back him up. We were all supportive of his decision — no matter what it would have been. Of course, when Mar Roxas decided to slide down, I already knew. I was sure they had talked already, I was 90 percent certain that Noynoy would accept the challenge.

8. What’s your reaction to comments that if Noynoy wins, Kris would be like his Imeldific, a liability to the presidency?

No, I don’t think so. You know, the five siblings all have their respective roles to play. It just so happens that Noynoy, who’s in the middle of the five, just like Ninoy was in the middle of the five boys in the family…. Ballsy is the mother hen, she really takes the place of President Cory; plus her temperament, her equanimity and her serenity. Pinky makes a very good chief of staff or the equivalent thereof. Viel is an organizer. And, of course, Kris is the star. Since Noynoy at the moment has no first lady, well, Kris can be acting first lady. It’s a matter of maybe just toning down because she’s too vivacious and volatile as an acting first lady.

9. Have you met Noynoy’s girlfriend Shalani Soledad?

No, I have not.

10. How’s your relationship with Ninoy and Cory’s children?

Very warm.

11. Do the Aquinos still hold family reunions?

Yes, almost always during Mama’s (Doña Aurora Aquino’s) birthday, which is March. We meet with relatives at least every quarter. We are closer with the Aquinos on the mother’s side than the Aquinos on the father’s side. My mother was also an Aquino.

12. Aquino Aquino kayo?

Yes. Ninoy was Benigno Simeon Aquino Aquino. But he didn’t use the other Aquino. From what I heard, my parents were distantly related. That’s why it can get confusing trying to determine whether an Aquino relative is from the mother’s side or the father’s side. They were originally from Magalang, Pampanga. The town Concepcion was originally a part of Pampanga — it was a barrio of Magalang, but Concepcion grew big.

13. TV personality Bam Aquino looks so much like Ninoy. Which branch of the family is he from?

My youngest brother Paul’s. People think he’s Ninoy’s son because of the resemblance, but Bambam is different. I remember talking to Fr. Nebres who said, “He’s a summa cum laude.” I said, “What’s so different about that? We all come from a smart parentage.” Then he said, “He’s summa cum laude but he’s humble.” I said, “Oh, that’s what makes him different.”

14. What would you say is an Aquino trait?

The gregariousness of the Aquinos — everybody is gregarious.

15. From which Aquino side is that?

(Laughs) That’s difficult to say… but I would probably credit it more to my mother’s side because my relatives on her side are all noisy!

16. How’s your relationship with your ex-wife Popsy?

We get along very well now — much, much better than when we were together. The relationship is very good that I said, “Let’s not change the system” (laughs). We already had an ecclesiastical annulment and a civil annulment.

17. What’s the Aquinos’ relationship with the Cojuangcos? Do you have a good one?

It’s a good, formal relationship. We’re different, you know.

18. In what way?

The Cojuangcos are a serious group. Maybe like this: At a Cojuangco party, if you try to get a Cojuangco as an emcee, you will have a hard time looking for one. At an Aquino party, everybody is an emcee. These Aquinos, they’re all loud and noisy; the Cojuangcos are reserved and conservative.