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





Friday, September 4, 2009

Mar-Noynoy talks on 2010 polls done the ‘non-trapo’ way

No negotiations, no exchange deals unlike the way scheming politicians do their talking. The four-day discussion between Manuel “Mar" Roxas II and Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III about the 2010 elections was just like a banter between friends, according to people privy to last week’s talks between the senators.

“Some people might think it’s too good to be true, but that’s how the talks happened. Hindi nga siya matatawag na negotiations, it was just a continuing conversation, walang quid pro quo, (It can’t be called negotiations, it was just a continuing conversation, no quid pro quo)," says Jose Luis Martin “Chito" Gascon, director-general of the Liberal Party (LP).

NOT YET. Sen. Benigno Aquino III holds back his announcement to run for president in the 2010 polls during a news conference Wednesday at Club Filipino. AP
Gascon says that although Roxas was confident of his leadership capability, the senator took account of the events that unfolded after the death of President Corazon “Cory" Aquino, which made him realize that Noynoy was better suited to continue the fight for democracy started by the latter’s parents.

“It was Mar who approached Noynoy and told him in their first meeting pa lang, ‘Noy, mukhang ikaw ang tawag ng panahon.’ Leader si Mar pero alam niya na hindi siya ‘yon. Masyadong malaki kasi ‘yung talon kung siya at hindi si Noynoy ang magpapatuloy ng laban ni Ninoy at Cory," Gascon says.

(It was Mar who approached Noynoy and told him in their first meeting, ‘Noy, it looks like time is on your side.’ Mar is a leader but he knows he is not the one. It will be a long shot if he will be the one, and not Noynoy who will continue Ninoy and Cory’s fight.)

Gascon says it wasn't easy for Noynoy to be convinced by Mar. "He wanted to reflect. Parang tinatanong niya ang sarili n'ya kung totoo ba itong nangyayari (He was asking himself if what's happening was true)."

Calls for Noynoy to run for president in next year’s elections have snowballed after Cory’s death last August 1 and the 26th death anniversary of martyred Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino on August 21. On Tuesday, September 1, Roxas pulled out of the presidential race and endorsed Noynoy as LP’s standard bearer.

Gascon dismisses claims that Roxas had decided to back out of his bid either due to pressure from LP members or his low ranking on popularity surveys. Roxas was fifth in the Pulse Asia survey of presidential aspirants conducted from July 28 to August 10, 2009. Roxas also placed fifth in the June 19 to 22, 2009 poll of the Social Weather Stations.

“No pressure from the party. In fact, most (LP members) were supporting Mar. Survey results were not also a consideration. Mar was at par in the surveys. He was where we wanted him to be at the time," he says.

Rico E. Puno, Noynoy’s consultant since the 80s, confirms Gascon’s claim. “Mar’s decision was voluntary, no party intervention. There was no party meeting about the issue. The last time that the LP convened was in July."

GIVING WAY. Sen. Mar Roxas II gave way to Sen. Noynoy Aquino III as the Liberal Party's standard bearer in the 2010 elections. GMANews.TV file photo
Puno says Mar and Noynoy started their dinner talk Saturday, August 29, at the residence of LP campaign manager Florencio “Butch" Abad. This was followed by a merienda meeting at Puno’s house in Quezon City, Sunday, August 30.

The third was held the next day at the Aquino ancestral house in Forbes Park, Makati City. The two had lunch Tuesday, hours before Roxas made his announcement endorsing Noynoy for president at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

“The talks were done in private. Madalas sila lang dalawa ang nag-uusap. Para lang silang magkabarkada kung mag-usap. Walang taasan ng boses, walang argumento, (The talks were done in private. Most of the time, it was only the two of them talking. They talked like buddies. They did not raise their voices, there were no arguments)," he says.

During their conversation at Puno’s residence, Roxas told Aquino that he really wanted to become president and in fact had prepared for it for two years.

“But Mar told Noynoy that he was willing to give up his dream because he felt that Noynoy was the right person for the job and that people were clamoring for him to lead the nation," says Puno. - GMANews.TV
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