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





Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Noynoy delays announcement of 2010 poll plans

The public and his supporters would have to wait a little longer: Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said Tuesday he would announce his decision on a possible 2010 presidential bid next week yet.

"Within a week by tomorrow [Wednesday], I’ll come up with a public statement to announce my decision. Tomorrow is the 40th day (of the death of his mother President Corazon Aquino). A week from that time, barring any unforeseen circumstances," Aquino told Senate reporters in a chance interview.

Mrs. Aquino died on August 1 after battling colon cancer for over a year.

The senator said he is just finishing some of his earlier commitments with other groups, such as talking with certain political leaders, and with his sisters.

He is set to talk with former President Joseph Estrada, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

"I want to make it as easy for all those who are supporting me especially my family whom I know have been as stressed as I have been [or] maybe even more," Aquino said.

He added: "Let me just finish all of the things so that wala naman akong bibitawang salita na babawiin ko. Ang sabi ng tatay ko pag binitawan mo, mahirap o madali, panindigan mo."

(Let me just finish all of the things so that I won't say something now that I'll later withdraw. My father told me, "If you give your word, you stand by it however difficult.")

Aquino, the only son of Mrs. Aquino and the late former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., said he is also waiting for a position paper from a group of lawyers whom he asked to help study the problems of the justice system in the country.

"Gusto ko 'yung (I want) things that you want to do, you have to concretize that these are in fact doable and all it lacks is the correct political will," Aquino said.

The senator said he had a talk with two of his sisters Monday about certain "mechanics," which he did not clarify. He also received a text message from his sister Victoria Eliza "Viel" A. Dee, who seemed the most vehemently opposed to his presidential bid.

"She did say that if it is my discernment, although she is still hoping for a miracle that there is somebody else but if not, I have her wholehearted support," Aquino said.

He said his sisters are not eager about his possible candidacy, but at the same time, "they see that there is clamor and there is an obligation. They leave it up to me. If I do so decide, I think I can count on all of them."

Asked if his recent spiritual retreat helped him decide, the senator said the silence inside the monastery and his talk with one Sister Agnes cleared his mind.

"Ang laking difference. Pagbukas ko ng telepono yung mga text na nakakadagdag sa ingay at sa gulo, pagkatapos ng retreat pati iyon ay nalinawan," Aquino said.

(It spelled a big difference. When I opened my phone and read the text messages that had added to the noise and racket, even those became clear to me after the retreat.)

He added that his talk with his sisters and people he met in his trips to Davao and Zamboanga and the people on the street who have been asking him to run also helped in his decision making.

Mar as running mate

The senator also said that if he decides to run, he will get Senator Manuel Roxas II as his running mate.

"In our discussions, I did broach the idea that if my discernment says to accept this, I really would be very comfortable with Sen Roxas. In fact, a lot of the platforms we have in common, he is the one who has been articulating it," Aquino said.

He also dismissed those who have been belittling their tandem.

"Their criticisms will not stand the test of scrutiny. The mere fact that they are commenting on us indicates that they take us very seriously. Kung kami ay napakadaling kalaban e hindi na siguro kami pinapansin. Hindi ganito yung publicity namin. (If we were a weak rival, we would no longer be paid any attention. That isn't how we do publicity.) So again, my only response is thank you to all of them."

Last week, Roxas gave way to Aquino to be the standard bearer of the Liberal Party in the upcoming 2010 polls. The decision was painful for Roxas since he had long been groomed to carry the party's torch in the presidential polls. [See: Mar gives way to Noynoy as Liberal Party standard bearer]

But instead of accepting the challenge to lead the LP in 2010, Aquino told a news conference on September 2 that he was going on a spiritual retreat before making any decision. [ See: Noynoy to go on 'retreat' before baring 2010 plans]

Earlier in the day, several groups from both the public and private sectors formed a "reform coalition" supporting the possible presidential bid of Aquino. The coalition called itself Noynoy Para sa Pilipinas (Noypi).

"We formed this group to give him strength and support. We are here to make sure his candidacy remains with the public and their clamor for genuine change and political reforms," said singer Jim Paredes, the group’s spokesperson. [See: Coalition formed to back Noynoy’s presidential bid] - GMANews.TV
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