Manila News Today: 09-09-09

Restoring Hope for the Nation

Sen. Benigno Aquino III, known to many as “NoyNoy”, the only son of former President Cory Aquino and national hero, Ninoy Aquino, officially announced this morning his acceptance of the people’s call for him to run for president in 2010.

Sen. Aquino made the announcement of his candidacy at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City –the very same site where former President Aquino took her oath as president in 1986.  It was also the same venue where Sen. Mar Roxas held a press conference to announce that he is making the ultimate sacrifice to give way to Sen. Aquino. September 9, 2009, is also the 40^th day after the death of his late mother, the icon of faith and democracy.

Sen. Aquino, who looked calm and strong-willed, declared that he is accepting the voice of the people and will continue his parents’ fight to restore “real” democracy in the country.  He accepts the challenge to lead in this fight by running in the coming elections.

NoyNoy’s sisters, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris along with their families were present during the announcement, a strong sign of their full pledge support for NoyNoy’s decision.  

Liberal Party members Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Francis Pangilinan, former Sen. Franklin Drilon, Quezon Representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III, former congressmen Florencio “Butch” Abad and Nereus Acosta, former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz and Leah Navarro of the Black and White Movement were also present.

Sen. Aquino generously welcomed a few questions from the media, to which he answered fearlessly and with conviction.  He also mentioned that he has offered Sen. Roxas to be his vice-presidential running mate and is only awaiting the latter’s decision on the matter.  Other items he mentioned that he will look at is education and the repetitive traditional books we feed the youth, re-establishing the justice system across all classes (poking at the current justice structure for the rich and well-connected) and restoring hope for the nation.

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