Noynoy wants Dingdong and Ogie, too

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
June 5, 2010, 5:56pm

It looks like the incoming Aquino administration could be the most star studded in history, with more celebrities being eyed for government posts.

President-apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III revealed two more names from showbizlandia to whom he wants to offer government positions: Ogie Alcasid and Dingdong Dantes.

“Kung papayag sila (Dingdong at Ogie) bakit hindi? Si Dingdong alam ko may youth foundation. Si Ogie ganun din yata plus ‘yong OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit)," Noynoy said in a GMANews.TV interview.

Dingdong is the founder and chairman of Yes Pinoy Foundaton, a youth empowerment organization that also grants educational scholarships, as well as of Ayos Na (Advocates of Youth and Students for Noynoy Aquino), a “volunteer-powered youth movement” that helped during Noynoy’s campaign.

The Kapuso hunk-actor is also an advocate of the National Youth Commission and was tapped as the spokesman for the youth by the Department of Education.

Ogie, meanwhile, organized the “Kaya Natin ‘To” benefit concert for the Typhoon Ondoy victims last year. He also penned “Di Ka Nag-iisa,” the jingle of Noynoy’s first (and star-studded) campaign advertisement.

While both openly declared their support for the solon during the most recent elections, Noynoy maintained that it was not his sole basis for considering them to be part of his administration.

“Matagal din naman natin silang nakasama sa kampanya. Nalaman natin ang mga advocacy nila, ano ‘yong mga tinutulungan nilang sector. Sayang naman kung hindi magtutuloy-tuloy," he related.

Albeit he has made this pronouncement on national TV, Noynoy clarified that he is yet to talk to the two.

“Baka magulat sila, hindi ko pa sila nakakausap tungkol diyan. Si Dingdong yata nasa abroad (same with Ogie),” he said.

Prior to Ogie and Dingdong, Noynoy declared his desire to appoint King of Talk Boy Abunda as Tourism Secretary. While Boy already declined the controversial offer, saying he is not yet ready—for now, at least—the only son of Cory and Ninoy Aquino stands by his earlier announcement that the host-talent manager is qualified for the position.

“Narinig ko ‘yong interview [niya]. Mukhang ayaw yata… Pero ako naniniwala na qualified si Boy, may pinag-aralan naman siya," he said.

Aside from the three, there are also rumors that Grace Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr., and Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde are being considered to be the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board) chairman and OMB (Optical Media Board) chief, respectively.

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