- Title: PHILIPPINES: Philippines' "Noynoy" Aquino says he will run for president
- Date: 10th September 2009
- Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (FILE - AUGUST 5, 2009) (REUTERS) PEOPLE SHOUTING "CORY! CORY! CORY!" AS CORAZON AQUINO'S FUNERAL PROCESSION PASSES AQUINO'S COFFIN IN PROCESSION MANILA, PHILIPPINES (FILE - AUGUST 3, 2008) CORAZON AQUINO'S COFFIN PASSING THROUGH CROWD FLOWERS AND MESSAGES OUTSIDE AQUINO FAMILY HOME
- Embargoed: 25th September 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Philippines
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA9IW6M6CDIHGHAMKCQMQ4I2N9N
- Story Text: The son of former Philippine President Cory Aquino, revered for restoring democracy through a popular revolt, says he will seek to follow his mother's legacy by running for office next year.
The only son of former Philippine President Cory Aquino, hailed for returning democracy in a bloodless popular revolt, said on Wednesday (September 9) he will seek to follow his mother's footsteps by running as president in the May elections.
Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino's decision to join the presidential race is expected to narrow the currently wide-open fight, with various opposition groups likely rallying behind him as he is expected to be among the front-runners in next year's polls.
"I accept the plea of the nation. I also accept the instructions of my parents," Aquino told a news conference at the same hall in a country club where his mother was proclaimed president more than 23 years ago.
"I accept the challenge to lead this fight. Philippines, I will run for president in the coming elections," he said to a crowd of supporters and party members chanting "Noynoy! Noynoy! Noynoy!"
Analysts have said he will have much to do to translate the affection and respect for his parents into votes for himself, as he has not had an impressive record in his 11 years as a lawmaker.
Pressure on Aquino to run has been immense since his mother died last month, with hundreds of thousands of people pouring out onto the streets for her funeral -- the biggest crowd seen in the Philippines since the 1986 "People Power" revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos and swept Cory Aquino to power. Commentators have dubbed it the "Cory Magic."
Analysts say the May election race is wide open and Aquino has joined too late, as other presidential aspirants started campaign preparations as early as 2007.
Funding and organisation could also be a problem since Aquino's Liberal Party is a small organisation, although his decision to run for president may persuade other groups to align with his party.
The Liberal Party is strongly centrist, and has been likened to the Democratic Party of the United States.
He has been opposed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, once an ally of his mother, after she became enmeshed in charges of corruption and election fraud.
Supporters are hoping the outpouring of emotion at Corazon Aquino's funeral last month will translate into support for Noynoy's presidential campaign.
"It is a magic that resonates not just because it comes from one family or from Ninoy and Cory and on to Noynoy, it is because it's a magic that lives in every Filipino. That is really the beauty of the People Power Cory magic."
Given the status of both his mother and father, Aquino could be riding the crest of a huge popularity wave, analysts said.
"The only thing people want is for the person who will lead the Philippines to be a good president, not a thief," market vendor Cecilia Edurot said.
His challenge will be to keep that support intact until the elections in May and garner more grassroots support.
"His mother has a lot of followers. And politics is in their blood. Maybe he could win," jeepney dispatcher Arthur Mendez said.
Noynoy's father, who was also called Benigno Aquino, was a senator who staunchly opposed Marcos and was killed when he returned home from political exile in 1983.
In 1987, during an attempted military coup when his mother was in office, Aquino was shot by rogue soldiers at the Malacanang Palace in Manila. Three of his bodyguards were killed and he sustained five bullet wounds. One bullet is still embedded in his neck.
Days and weeks after Cory's death, people had left hundreds of flowers and dozens of messages outside the family home where Noynoy resides, urging him to run and continue his parents' legacy of a good and honest government.
At least half a dozen other candidates, mostly senators, have also said they will contest next year's polls, but analysts say no one has a clear edge. Nominations close in November. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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