THE FILLING

Liberal Party standard-bearers Senators Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and Mar Roxas flash the Laban sign as they hold their certificate of candidacy filed before the Commisssion on Elections this morning. Aquino and Roxas pledged to continue to heed collective thirst and hunger of people for change, and to fight the crooked and corrupt. "Sa harap po ninyong lahat, sa harap po ng sambayanang Pilipino, hinding-hindi po namin bibiguin ang tiwala na ipinagkaloob po ninyo sa amin. Sama-sama tayo, lalaban po tayo. Una kayo, bago ako. Una ang bayan, bago ang sarili," Roxas said. (Photo by Pia Ojeda)

Noynoy Aquino signs his certificate of candidacy at COMELEC. (Photo by Jay Morales)

Liberal Party standard-bearers Senators Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and Mar Roxas, together with senatorial candidates under the "People's Reform" coalition, pledge to supporters to continue the "laban na tapat, laban ng lahat (the communal fight of all for what is right)" before filing their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections today. "Sa harap po ninyong lahat, sa harap po ng sambayanang Pilipino, hinding-hindi po namin bibiguin ang tiwala na ipinagkaloob po ninyo sa amin. Sama-sama tayo, lalaban po tayo. Una kayo, bago ako. Una ang bayan, bago ang sarili," Roxas said. (Photo by Gil Nartea) In the picture are (l-r) Senator Kiko Pangilinan; Senatorial candidates Dr. Neric Acosta, Sonia Roco, former Sen. Ralph Recto (with son Ryan Christian), Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon and former Senate President Frank Drilon; Aquino and Roxas; Manila Mayor Fred Lim; senatorial candidates Akbayan! Rep. Riza Hontiveros and Bukidnon Rep. TG Guingona; Aika Lim (daughter of senatorial candidate Brig. Gen. Danny Lim) and Pia Lacson (wife of senatorial candidate Alex Lacson).

Liberal Party standard-bearers Senators Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and Mar Roxas, together with senatorial candidates under the "People's Reform" coalition, bow their heads in a minute of silence top remember the victims of the Maguindanao massacre before filing their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections today. Aquino, Roxas and the LP slate condemn the murders in the strongest possible terms, and pledges to work for the redemption of democracy and lasting peace in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao. (Photo by Gil Nartea) In the picture are (l-r) Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, Ryan Christian Recto, former Sen. Ralph Recto, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon and former Senate President Frank Drilon; Aquino and Roxas; Manila Mayor Fred Lim; senatorial candidates Akbayan! Rep. Riza Hontiveros and Bukidnon Rep. TG Guingona; Aika Lim (daughter of senatorial candidate Brig. Gen. Danny Lim) and Pia Lacson (wife of senatorial candidate Alex Lacson).

Noy It Forward': Aiming for 100,000 in 100 days

While most people in the country were busy enjoying the long All Saints' and All Souls' Days weekend or coping with Typhoon Santi, about 20 people, mostly college students and other young adults, gathered at the Barangay Loyola Heights covered courts on Monday evening to join the launch of what they consider as a tool for change: the “Noy It Forward" movement.

Organized by the Youth for Noynoy (Yo!Noy!), the movement aims to contribute to the election campaign of Senators Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III and Manuel “Mar" Roxas II – the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the Liberal Party – by recruiting 100,000 volunteers in a span of 100 days.

Youth for Noynoy is the youth arm of PiNoy Power, an organization that has been working for the electoral campaign of Aquino and Roxas since they confirmed their candidacy last September.

'One should recruit three'

Karl Satinitigan, Yo!Noy! area manager for the National Capital Region (NCR), explains that each volunteer is encouraged to recruit at least three of his or her friends until the target is reached.

Satinitigan says that the recruits would not only serve as campaign volunteers, but also as poll watchers in the May 2010 elections. The volunteers would also be oriented to ensure that the reform agenda is sustained beyond 2010 “no matter who wins in the presidential elections."

“Honestly," Satinitigan says, “we need to be ambitious (because) 100,000 is a minimum to ensure that every precinct has a poll watcher, that every family (or) barangay is informed when it comes to implementing actual platforms."

He also says the groups supporting Aquino and Roxas should not be complacent even if their candidates usually top the presidential and vice presidential surveys, because there are so many vying for the two highest posts in the country.

The youth will be the main target of the strategy, he explains, primarily because the outcome of next year’s elections would greatly affect this sector, adding that it is also the youth that has the idealism to actually effect change for the betterment of the country.

“Tayo yung hindi pa masyadong jaded, tayo yung idealistic pa. (We’re the ones not yet too jaded, we’re the ones still with idealism.) We wanted to turn that idealism into something concrete and meaningful," he says.

School chapters to be formed

Erick Reyes, 32, one of those who attended the Noy It Forward launching, told GMANews.TV that he showed up at the event because he believes that Noynoy Aquino is “the change" that the country needs.

During the event, devoted supporters of the Noynoy-Mar tandem are urged to speak out their thoughts through a "freedom wall." Photos by Aie Balagtas See

Among the presidential candidates, Reyes explains, only Aquino has “the credibility and the integrity" to lead the nation.

A teacher by profession, Reyes plans to recruit people initially by informing his students and their parents. “Pag hindi sila pumayag, ibabagsak ko sila (If they don’t agree, I’ll fail them)," he says in jest.

Aside from using the Internet, Satinitigan says the group plans to further spread the word by forming chapters in schools where people can volunteer. These chapters would likewise serve the district where the particular school is located.

“For example, in UP (University of the Philippines), hindi lang sila magfo-focus sa UP students but sa district na ‘yon ng Quezon City (they will not just focus on UP students but on that whole district of Quezon City)," he explains.

'Time, energy, ideas'

Harvey Keh, lead convenor of Kaya Natin, a movement advocating ethical leadership and supporting PiNoy Power, clarifies that the volunteers are not required to pay anything. Instead, a volunteer is required to invest their “time, energy and ideas."

“For example, they can write about Noy on their blogs, on Facebook. It's the language of the young," Keh says. “They can also invest time in terms of going precincts to watch the votes."

Keh exudes confidence about the role of the youth in fueling the Aquino-Roxas campaign. “I’m sure a lot of young people want to be involved," he says. “It's really just giving them the opportunity to become part of the change that we all want to see."

To register, a volunteer will need to submit his or her name, city or municipality of residence, mobile number, and the email addresses of his or her three recruits to noyitforward@gmail.com.

Each recruit will then have to register online at http://pipolpower.org or http://youthfornoy.ph or by texting the following: PIPOL POWER NIF <>, <>, <>, <>, /NIF and sending it to 2966.

Satinitigan says that an online mosaic of the volunteers will be updated weekly by the core group to show the progress of the campaign. – Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV

Noynoy recruits groups, mulls local political alliances

By Dale G. Israel, Doris C. Bongcac
Cebu Daily News First Posted 07:11:00 10/17/2009

CLAD in yellow shirts and sporting “Laban” signs, scores of Cebu City and Mandaue City yesterday turned up for Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who visited volunteer groups and met with urban poor associations.

About 500 people showed up at the Sacred Heart Center in Cebu City, singing “Bayan Ko,” which Aquino plans to use as his presidential campaign's theme song.

Florencio “Butch” Abad, Liberal Party campaign manager, said while they are banking on civil society to run a “people’s” campaign for Aquino and other LP candidates here, they will also forge alliances with local political families in Cebu.

“This is a peoples campaign and therefore we should give priority in organizing with this huge response from the citizenry,” he said.

Aquino said he hopes Cebuanos will be in the forefront in the fight for change similar to the pre-Edsa 1 years.

“Here in Cebu a lot of people aspire for change, to a return for good governance. Most likely Cebu will lead this fight for change, the fight for what is right,” he said in Filipino.

He credited Cebu for propping up the country's economy during his mother's administration and providing her refuge during her flight from the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

Among those who pledged support were businessman Augusto Go, chairman emeritus of the Noynoy-Mar Volunteers–Cebu City.

Aquino administered the oath of volunteer groups consisting of urban poor settlers from the cities of Talisay and Mandaue clothed in yellow T-shirts.

He also took five questions from the crowd.

A question on if he intends to get married brought laughter to the crowd.

Aquino, 49, replied: “yes”, but added that it may not be the right time yet to do so.

He later visited Mandaue City Hall where he was greeted by City Hall officials and employees and headed to AC Cortes Avenue to meet with urban poor groups.

Abad said they remain upbeat over Aquino's standing in Cebu based on surveys they conducted.

He said forging alliances with local officials would be seriously considered in their next visits in the province.

“We are just simply trying to understand what is the political situation here. Who are the forces, who are running in 2010 and which group would be in the best position to advance the principles of the campaign,” Abad said.

Aquino said they were also in talks for a Cebuano candidate in their Senate lineup.

Abad said he was confident that the LP could still revive its friendship with the local political families like the Osmeñas and Cuencos in Cebu City and the Martinezes in Bogo City.

Abad said LP officials are in discussion with former senator John “Sonny” Osmeña, one of the movers for the revival of the Panaghiusa party, to campaign for Aquino's candidacy.

For Cebu officials, sentiments were mixed.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said that while he is still part of the administration Lakas party, his advisers were seen wearing yellow ribbons—a sign used by Aquino's supporters.

In Cebu City, Barangay Guadalupe chairman Eugenio Faelnar said they will wait for the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan leadership to decide on whom to support for next year's elections.

Faelnar, Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president, said the barangay officials had not yet to decide whom to support.

Sangguniang Kabataan president Catherine Joy Cabildo of barangay Guadalupe said they will also wait for the decision of their elders before making a choice.

However, Cabildo said among the youth voters, Sen. Francis Escudero is the most popular followed by Aquino.

She said Escudero was visible and a known proponent of education while Aquino was recognized following the death of his mother former president Corazon Aquino. With a report from Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla

It's Noynoy-Mar for LP in 2010

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II officially declared his vice-presidential bid in 2010, formally teaming up with Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Speaking before a jam-packed crowd that included LP stalwarts and supporters at the Kalayaan Hall of the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City today (Sept. 21), Roxas announced he has accepted the challenge to be Aquino’s deputy “in our fight for change.”

“Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na isulong ang tunay na reporma sa ating bansa. Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago (I am wholeheartedly accepting the challenge to pursue true reforms in our country. I am wholeheartedly accepting the responsibility to be Noynoy’s partner in our fight for change),” he said.

Mga kababayan, taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino (My countrymen, I am wholeheartedly accepting to be the running mate of Noynoy Aquino), he added.

“But this fight is not just about Noynoy and me. Tungkol ito sa matuwid laban sa baluktot. Tungkol ito sa tapat laban sa tiwali. Tungkol ito sa tama laban sa mali (This fight is to right the wrong, to fight corruption, to fight the wrong),” Roxas said.

Roxas, who earlier abandoned his own presidential ambition to support Aquino, vowed that their tandem is hell-bent on spurring change and promoting good governance.

"We are up against forces who will fight tooth and nail, fair and unfair, legal and illegal, against us. Sa kanila yata, tuloy ang ligaya; sa atin naman, tuloy ang laban (For them, the good life will continue; for us, the fight will continue),” he said.

"Kailangan nating isulong ang bandila ni Noy at ng reporma. Mahirap ang laban na ito, pero nasa kamay natin ang ating kapalaran (We need to raise the flag for Noy and reform. This is a difficult fight, but our fate is in our hands),” Roxas added.

The LP president, however, pointed out that their political rivals will do anything to win the elections, including through massive fraud.

"This is going to be a tough battle," he said, citing certain "dirty tricks" during the campaign periods.

Aquino, in an earlier speech, cited Roxas’ accomplishments as Senator, including the latter’s drive to slash down the price of medicines through the Cheaper Medicines Act, and his efforts in probing scams by pre-need firms.

Roxas, during his speech, was met with chants of “Noynoy-Mar!” from the audience, most of whom were clad in yellow.

By Dennis Carcamo and Dino Maragay (The Philippine Star) Updated September 21, 2009 12:00 PM

DFA's Romulo backs Noynoy

By Danny Buenafe, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau | 09/21/2009 10:21 AM

LONDON - Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo is supporting the presidential bid of Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, making him the first Arroyo Cabinet member to openly declare his support for the Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer.

In an interview with ABS-CBN's Europe News Bureau, Romulo cited his deep ties with the family of former President Corazon Aquino, saying Aquino supported him since his early days as a congressman until he became a senator for 12 years.

Romulo also served as Aquino's budget secretary.

The foreign affairs secretary said he sided with Aquino during the first People Power revolt in 1986 and again in the 2001 "EDSA Dos" revolt. He said he also backed Noynoy Aquino's senatorial bid in 2007.

Romulo refused to comment on the presidential bid of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who is being touted as the administration Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) standard-bearer.

He said he has no plans of embarking again into politics after his term ends since he has spent a long time in government service. Aside from the DFA, Romulo also served as finance and executive secretary under President Arroyo.

His term as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs ends on June 30, 2010.

Roxas accepts Aquino’s veep offer

It’s official: LP goes Aquino-Roxas in 2010

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:10:00 09/21/2009

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Monday announced that he has accepted the offer to become the running mate of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in next year's elections.

At a jampacked room in Club Filipino in Greenhills, Roxas’s announcement paves the way for making official the Liberal Party tandem Aquino-Roxas for 2010.

"Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na isulong ang tunay na reporma sa ating bansa. Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago (I am wholeheartedly accepting the challenge to pursue true reforms in our country. I am wholeheartedly accepting the responsibility to be Noynoy’s partner in our fight for change)," Roxas told LP stalwarts and members, and their supporters, most of them were wearing yellow shirts.

"Mga kababayan, taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino (My countrymen, I am wholeheartedly accepting to be the running mate of Noynoy Aquino)," he said.

"But this fight is not just about Noynoy and me. Tungkol ito sa matuwid laban sa baluktot. Tungkol ito sa tapat laban sa tiwali. Tungkol ito sa tama laban sa mali (This fight is to right the wrong, to fight corruption, to fight the wrong)," he said.

Roxas said the fight was about the people's thirst for change finally overcoming those who want to continue the "tayu-tayo (we) system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all."

Admitting that this fight would be a tough battle, the senator then urged the public not to be lulled into complacency.

"We are up against forces who will fight tooth and nail, fair and unfair, legal and illegal, against us. Sa kanila yata, tuloy ang ligaya; sa atin naman, tuloy ang laban (For them, the good life will continue; for us, the fight will continue)," he said.

"Kailangan nating isulong ang bandila ni Noy at ng reporma. Mahirap ang laban na ito, pero nasa kamay natin ang ating kapalaran (We need to raise the flag for Noy and reform. This is a difficult fight, but our fate is in our hands)," he further said.

After declaring his presidential bid last September 9, 2009, Aquino disclosed that he had offered the vice presidential post to Roxas, who gave up his presidential ambition for Aquino

Mar formally accepts offer to be Noynoy's running mate

Vowing to end the "greed" that has been dominating Philippine politics, Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Monday formally accepted the offer of Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to be the party's vice presidential bet in the 2010 national elections.

Roxas, who abandoned his own presidential bid to give way to Aquino after several groups called on the latter to seek the presidency, made the announcement at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, on the 37th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

"Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago. Taos-puso at buong pakumbaba ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino (I wholeheartedly accept the responsibility to be Noynoy's companion in his fight for change. I wholeheartedly and humbly accept the offer to be Noynoy Aquino's running mate)," Roxas said, his statement met with applause from mostly yellow-clad supporters.

"This fight is not just about Noynoy and me. It’s bigger than the two of us. It’s bigger than the Liberal Party. It’s bigger than anyone of us. It is about our collective thirst for change. It is about finally overcoming those who want to continue the tayu-tayo system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all," he added.

Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said Sunday that Malacañang knew Roxas would settle for a vice presidential bid when he dropped his presidential ambition last month. Claudio wished the tandem well, saying Aquino and Roxas "have a natural synergy of political beliefs and ideology because of their friendship and shared party loyalties."

In his Monday announcement, Roxas said he and Aquino were up against "forces who will fight tooth and nail, fair and unfair, legal and illegal," but that he is "honored" to join his party mate in the "tough battle."

"I am honored to join him in this field of battle. To all of us who are fighting alongside him, make no mistake about it: We will not back down from this fight, not now, not ever," he stressed.



Joker's remarks hit

Aquino, who earlier introduced Roxas at the event, was all praises for his fellow senator.

"Ang sakripisyo po niya ang nagbigay daan sa paglunsad at pagpapatupad ng isang pambansang kilusan ng ating mga kababayan na talagang uhaw sa panunumbalik ng isang disente at malinis na pamamahala sa ating gobyerno (His sacrifice gave way to the rise of a nationwide movement of Filipinos thirsty for the return of a decent and clean government)," Aquino said in his opening remarks.

Aquino even took a swipe at administration Senator Joker Arroyo, who, according to Aquino, once said members of the Liberal Party can be fitted into compact car Volkswagen Beetle.

"Sinabi kasi ni Senator Joker na kasya ang Liberal sa isang Volkswagen (Senator Joker said all Liberals can be fitted into a Volkswagen)," Aquino said. "Pakihanda na ang lahat ng Beetles sa Pilipinas (Please prepare all Beetles in the Philippines)."

Arroyo once served as executive secretary of the late President Corazon Aquino, Noynoy's mother.

In an earlier interview at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, Senator Aquino said that the LP chose September 21 as the date of Roxas' announcement because of its significance to the party.

"Ito ang nag-shape kung sino kami ngayon, yung eksperyensyang yan, may significance doon, and again nung pinaabot sa atin ni Senator Mar na ready na siya e bakit pa natin patatagalin (That was what shaped who we are today, that experience was significant. When Senator Mar told me he was ready, I said, why prolong the announcement)?" he said.

The two senators' fathers, the late senators Gerardo Roxas and Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., were both LP leaders who fought against Martial Law.

Among those present at the Club Filipino announcement were Mar's mother Judy Araneta-Roxas, LP chairman Franklin Drilon, Senator Rodolfo Biazon, Senator Aquino's sister Viel Aquino-Dee and uncle Agapito "Butz" Aquino, Zambales Governor Amor Deloso, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, and former Peace adviser Teresita Deles.

"I'm very happy about it. I think they will make a wonderful team, super team," Mrs. Roxas said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan was also there to express his support for the LP tandem. Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, Noynoy's girlfriend, was not around. Mar's girlfriend, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, was also absent from the event.

All set for Aquino-Roxas campaign

In an earlier interview over GMA News' Unang Hirit, Drilon said the LP is all set for the Aquino-Roxas campaign.

Drilon said Mar's announcement did not violate the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits any political party from holding “political conventions or meetings to nominate its official candidates earlier than the period fixed in" the law. According to the Comelec calendar, the schedule for holding political conventions to nominate official party candidates for all elective positions in the 2010 elections will start on Oct. 21, 2009 and end on Nov. 19, 2009.

"Wala kaming nilabag dahil wala namang botohan. Sila lang naman ang kandidato namin sa partido kaya hindi kailangan ng convention. Ina-announce lang namin ang kanilang kandidatura (We are not in violation of the election law because there was no voting. They are the only candidates in the party so we need no convention. We just announced their candidacy)," the former Senate President said.

Drilon said the LP’s campaign will center on issues, and not on personalities. He added that they are still forging alliances in order to complete the party's senatorial line-up.

"Alam mo [ang] realities sa politics, maraming alliances ang mangyayari dyan. Sa Senado talagang magkakaroon ng alliances, mahirap naman magbuo ng puro Liberal sa linyada ng senador kaya may mga alliances kami diyan (In reality, there will be a lot of alliances in politics. For the Senate we'll have a lot of alliances because it will be difficult to complete a senatorial slate full of Liberals)," he said.

Mar was being groomed as LP standard bearer until clamors for Noynoy to run for the highest elective post emerged after the death of the latter’s mother, former President Aquino. Mrs. Aquino died on August 1 after more than a year of battle with colon cancer. Noynoy is seen by some quarters as the one who could continue the legacy of good governance and transparency of his parents, both of whom stood firmly against Martial Law.

Noynoy announced his presidential plans on September 9, more than a week after Mar gave way, following a spiritual retreat and consultation with the some groups.

Both Noynoy and Mar made their announcements at Club Filipino, where Mrs. Aquino took her oath as president on Feb. 25, 1986 during the final day of the EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the 20-year rule of strongman Ferdinand Marcos. - GMANews.TV