Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010 Election

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

Mar Roxas Withdraws from His 2010 Presidential Bid in Favor of Noynoy Aquino

Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II formally announced his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race to support his Liberal partymate, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

He said his decision to withdraw his 2010 bid was placing the interests of the country above his own.

Roxas said that he and Aquino share the same "outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution--clean, honest, selfless public service."

Read below transcript of Senator Manuel Roxas' speech at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan:

Country above self. Bayan bago ang sarili.

Iyan ang habilin ng aking lolo, President Manuel Roxas.

Our nation is in trouble. Leadership is bankrupt. Institutions are in disarray. People are hungry.

Noynoy Aquino and I share the same outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution-clean, honest, selfless public service.

Marami at matindi ang mga problema ng bansa. Kailangan nating ayusin. Matindi ang kalaban. We need a determined force for good far stronger than the festering evil around us.

We need to fight just as our own fathers fought dictatorship, and just as both died believing that good will conquer evil.

Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want.

I am the President of the Liberal Party.

It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change. I choose to lead unity, not division. Bilang pinuno ng aking Partido, magdedesisyon ako.

Mahal ko ang Partido Liberal. My grandfather founded it. My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso-hindi siya sumuko.

He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe.

Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents.

But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon.

Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.

The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil.

Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na.

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him.

At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma!

Kay Noy, at sa aking mga kababayan: Country above self! Bayan bago sarili!

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan! Lalaban tayo!

Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino Passes Away

Former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, an icon of democracy around the world and leader of people power in the Philippines, passed away at 3:18 a.m. Saturday.

According to her son, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the official cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest.

The 76-year-old former president was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of 2008 and was treated with chemotherapy. Last May, she underwent surgery to remove parts of her colon and was brought to the Makati Medical Center in June due to loss of appetite.

"She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country," Senator Aquino said.

Watch Senator Noynoy talks about her mother's death: