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





Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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
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