The son of Philippine democracy icons Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino and Corazon Aquino will run for the highest position in the country.
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III recently broke his silence over his decision to join the presidential race for 2010. For weeks, there have been speculation over the united opposition’s plans to field a contender for the presidency.
Just a few weeks ago, there were a handful of candidates vying for the office of the president. The political landscape in the Philippines is expected to change dramatically in the coming months as opposition leaders expressed support to Aquino, or Noynoy as he is fondly called. Aquino’s decision to run for president was bolstered when a key opposition candidate, Senator Manuel Roxas II, relinquished his goals of becoming the Philippines’ 15th president. Roxas then went on to express his support for Aquino but declined to formally endorse the popular legislator.
Aquino’s popularity was boosted after the death of his mother, Corazon Aquino, the country’s first female president. Corazon, known by many Filipinos as Cory, died of colon cancer in August. In one of the largest and longest funeral processions witnessed by the country, an estimated half a million Filipinos accompanied her funeral convoy before she was laid to rest beside her martyred husband, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. Benigno was the face of political opposition during President Ferdinand Marcos’ 24-year dictatorship from 1972 to 1986. Aquino’s assassination in 1983 triggered massive peaceful protests in 1986 which ushered his wife, Corazon into power.
After Noynoy Aquino’s decision was made public, volunteer groups across the nation went on the offensive, campaigning for the 49-year old lawmaker using social networking media like Facebook and Twitter. The sudden appearance of support groups has also boosted Aquino’s ratings, with the latest surveys placing him in front of the pack. The most recent independent surveys suggest overwhelming support for Aquino with some 50 percent of respondents choosing Aquino over other candidates.
Meanwhile, administration bets and political figures have regularly criticize Aquino’s decision to run for presidency. According to seasoned politicians allied with current president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino should stop using his parents’ contribution and legacy to fuel his political ambitions. Some outspoken political analysts and columnists have called on Aquino to prove himself capable of the highest position in the country.
Other aspiring presidential candidates, however, have refused to give way for Aquino’s bid. Among them are Senators Manuel Villar, Francis Escudero, and ousted former president Joseph Estrada. The Arroyo administration’s bet, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, is expected to offer tough competition in the upcoming national elections in May of next year.
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