Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III officially announced this morning, September 9, his decision to run for president in the 2010 elections.The presidential scion delivered his announcement at the historic Kalayaan Hall in Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City, on the 40th day of the death of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. Filipino tradition heralds the 40th day as the end of grieving period for relatives.
Like Cory Aquino, Noynoy also made the announcement as an answer to the overwhelming demand of the Filipino people for him to join the 2010 presidential race. If elected, Aquino will become the country's 15th President.
"Tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan. Tinatanggap ko ang habilin at tagubilin ng aking mga magulang... Bayang Pilipinas, tatakbo ako sa pangpanguluhan sa 2010," Aquino said.
Noynoy, who will be the Liberal Party's standard bearer, also asked the president of the political party, Senator Mar Roxas, to be his running mate. Roxas still has not made any reply whether he would accept the offer or not.
Present in the announcement were 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, singer-composer Jim Paredes, former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, and Leah Navarro of the Black and White Movement.
Noynoy’s four sisters, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris, were also present.
Watch Noynoy's announcement below:
Video source: ABS-CBN 2