NOYNOY FOR PRESIDENT

“Tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan. Tinatanggap ko ang tagubilin ng aking mga magulang. Tinatanggap ko ang responsibilidad na ituloy ang laban para sa bayan. Tinatanggap ko ang hamon na mamuno sa laban na ito. Tatakbo po ako sa pagka-pangulo sa darating na halalan
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Benigno Aquino III

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (born February 8, 1960), popularly known as Noynoy Aquino or Benigno S. Aquino III, is a Philippine statesman. The only son of Benigno Aquino, Jr., a Senator imprisoned (and later assassinated), and Aquino's wife Corazon Aquino, who served as President from 1986 to 1992. Aquino was named after his father and his grandfather, Benigno Aquino, Sr., a one-time Speaker of the House of Representatives. He is also the brother of TV host and actress Kris Aquino.

Education

Aquino holds a BA in Economics degree from the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University.

Wounded in 1987 coup attempt

Aquino was wounded during the 1987 failed coup attempt against his mother and was almost killed by a grenade. Specifically, on August 28, 1987, rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasan attacked the Malacañang Palace. Noynoy was hit by 5 bullets (one is still embedded in his neck), and 3 of his 4 escorts were killed (the fourth was wounded) protecting him.

Political life

Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III has always viewed politics as a necessary vehicle for change, a perspective he formed early in life through the examples set by both of his parents.


In 1998, he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives and won. He would serve as Congressman of the 2nd District of Tarlac until 2007.


In his nine years at the Lower House, Noynoy focused on the fiscalizing role of a legislator. He felt that there were already too many laws, and good ones at that, but they seemingly lacked proper implementation. He concentrated on crafting laws that would help create opportunity rather than impose additional burdens to those who are already disadvantaged. He actively took part in budget deliberations to ensure that government initiatives do address the plight of the people who need help the most.


His commitment to continue the legacy of his parents was evident in his performance. In November 2004, he became Deputy House Speaker of Luzon, but he relinquished the post when he joined leaders of the Liberal Party (LP) in calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the height of the “Hello Garci” scandal. To him, it was easier to give up the position than abandon his duty to hold accountable those who do wrong.


In May 2007, he ran for Senator and won, placing 6th in the national elections. He chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government, and is also the vice-chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. He had been determined to ensure that his key legislative initiatives would bear fruit and to see them through until the end of his term.


However, fate had other plans for him. The passing of his mother, former President Cory Aquino, stirred a long-dormant yearning for good leadership. Filipinos from all walks of life, here and abroad, began to look at Noynoy as the new hope for a better Philippines. The groundswell calling for him to run for President became too loud to ignore, and eventually overcame his reluctance.


In his letter from prison many years ago, Ninoy said to Noynoy, “Son, the ball is now in your hands.”


Today, the people want the future back into their own hands and Noynoy will not let them down.


His critics say he merely trades on his good name and skeptics consider him a lightweight. Rivals accuse him of wrongdoing despite a clearly unblemished record. Noynoy’s detractors have been busy trying to bring him down, but their efforts have only allowed him to improve his popularity.


Noynoy is an economist by education, a lawmaker by vocation. He is an audiophile, history buff, marksman and self-taught billiards sharpie. He is a loving brother and uncle, and a steadfast friend. He is also destined to be the one to finally lead our country towards a brighter future.


“There is no greater nation than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.” – Ninoy Aquino in a letter to his only son Noynoy





Thursday, September 17, 2009

Erap-Noynoy meeting set next week

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada and Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III are meeting next week to discuss the possible unification of the opposition behind a single presidential bet for the May 2010 general elections.

Estrada believes the opposition must have a single candidate for next year’s polls to win against the administration candidate. On Wednesday, the administration coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD picked Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as its standard bearer.

“I have a scheduled meeting with Sen. Noynoy Aquino next week. I am still hopeful that we will be able to unite the opposition,” Estrada said without elaborating.

Estrada said earlier that he was hesitant to talk with Aquino and his camp, which is composed mostly of people from civil society that played key roles in the move to oust him through the EDSA II People Power in January 2001.

Makati Mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay has consistently been proposing the talks between Aquino and Estrada after the senator announced his plan to run for the presidency.

Binay initially wanted to run for president but dropped out of the race after Estrada announced his candidacy. He said he plans to run for vice president if Estrada invites him as his running mate; otherwise, he will return to private life.

Binay is a close friend of the Aquinos, being the first local official appointed by former President Corazon Aquino under the revolutionary government in 1986. He also defended the Aquino regime from several coup d’état attempts.

Under the Estrada administration, he was chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and remained allied with the deposed president even after his removal from power in 2001.

The PDP-Laban, which Binay heads as national president, is allied with Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino.

Binay yesterday welcomed Estrada’s statement to sit down with Aquino.

“I am very happy that former president Estrada is willing to meet with Senator Aquino. It is a welcome development,” said Binay.

No date has yet been set for the meeting but Binay said the Estrada-Aquino talks “will be between friends.”

“The former president and Senator Aquino go way back. There will be no preconditions and no expectations for this meeting. It will be just two friends sitting down to talk,” he said.

Aside from Aquino, Estrada said he might also talk with other presidential candidates including Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party, and Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Estrada said he is still “99.9” percent sure of running for the presidency in 2010 but needs the unification of the opposition to make a full commitment.

The former president said his legal team led by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Andres Narvasa assured him that there is no hindrance to his political plans for next year’s elections.

By Cecille Suerte Felipe and Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star) Updated September 18, 2009
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