Noynoy C. Aquino Decides to Run

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino, III has spoken. He is one of the protagonists of the presidential race in May next year representing the Liberal Party.

It should be made clear that “Noynoy” never intended to run for a higher office. He preferred to be in the Philippine Senate to continue his term so as not to displease the people who elected him.

The death of her mother, an icon of democracy, dramatically changed the political atmosphere. Thought as fading if not a thing of the past, the luster of the spirit of the People’s Power Revolution in 1986 flashed anew when a grateful nation bid farewell to Cory Aquino who succumbed to cancer. In letting her go, just like in EDSA 86, the people in yellow flashing the Laban (fight) sign renewed the camaraderie and brotherhood forged during those critical days in February 86. Once more, they believe, it is imperative that there must be unity and even sacrifice to offer to free again the suffering country and its people from the shackles of a bad government.

Those who were not yet born or too young to remember the saga of Cory joined her funeral as well despite the inclement weather for they believe what yellow and “L” stand for --- fight for good government and good governance.

In death, Cory seems to have united again the Filipinos to rediscover if not to reinvent their future. Cause-oriented groups and individuals have pushed Noynoy to run for president, a position he did not desire. Deafened by calls, Noynoy took a retreat for discernment while Sen. Mar Roxas gave up his presidential ambition and supported his friend Sen. Aquino.

Even before he made known today his decision to run for the highest office in response to the call of the citizenry for him to run, many wanted to know if Sen. Aquino is capable to perform the duties of a president.

I believe he can do it.

Noynoy can afford to have a phalanx of advisers and political confidants in running a government that espouses the rule of law and decency. As president, he can apply the break to slow down the massive and endemic graft and corruption plaguing the country. He will not be the best president but it is inconceivable to assume that he will be a corrupt or corruptible president. He is not a fool to tarnish the legacy of his parents who gave too much for this country. I do not see Noynoy as a man to turn his back and totally put into ashes the sacrifice and the good name Ninoy and Cory bequeathed.

Whoever the next president is, s/he must restore the people’s trust in the new government by prosecuting those who broke the law while in office or out. The new president must work extra hard to do house cleaning and sanitizing to show the world that from the rubbles, the Philippines have to move on and start anew. Hopefully, we can win back the respect of the international community they gave us when Mrs. Aquino was president.

To my belief, only Noynoy Aquino can make this country better as president. I do not campaign for him. First, he has yet to divulge his program of government to be studied but character-wise, I hope he is a good president.

This is my initial opinion. Let us see what comes next.-30-