PerryScope
by Perry Diaz
The declaration of Sen. Noynoy Aquino to run for president last September 9, 2009 has caused reactions from people who strongly support his candidacy as well as from those who believe that he is not qualified nor winnable. The other day, an Internet blogger told me bluntly, “I have already explained why Noynoy is not winnable, but you have not cited a single reason why he is.”
I thought about it and I have many reasons why I believe Noynoy is winnable. However, since he asked me to cite a “single reason,” I weighed all my reasons — and there were many — and selected a “single reason.” And here’s what I told him:
“You asked me for a ‘single reason’ why Noynoy is going to win and that is CHANGE. Noynoy is the only candidate that can truly say that he’s for CHANGE. His ‘inexperience’ would even help him. He is a ‘virgin’ candidate who would not sell out to special interest groups. And best of all, he gives HOPE to our people who have suffered too long under Gloria’s corrupt regime.”
I call Noynoy a “virgin” candidate not because he is a bachelor but because of his “virgin” political life — clean and free of scandals.
Born Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, on February 8, 1960, “Noynoy” was born into an old political family. However, his early life was insulated from politics because of the incarceration of his late father, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., when the dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in September 1972. Noynoy was only 12 years old then. In 1980, Ninoy was released from prison on the condition that he and his family will go to exile in the U.S. and never return home. But after a few years in exile, Ninoy decided to return home to lead the fight for freedom and democracy. On August 21, 1983, an assassin’s bullet killed him instantly as he stepped down from the airplane at the Manila International Airport, now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
His widow, Cory Aquino, went home to pick up the pieces. In 1986, the “People Power” revolution toppled the Marcos dictatorship and Cory ascended to the presidency. The following year, Noynoy nearly lost his own life during one of the seven coup attempts by rebel soldiers. He was hit by five bullets but survived. However, three of his four escorts were killed and the fourth was wounded. A bullet is still embedded in his neck today.
In 1998, Noynoy was elected to the House of Representatives. He was reelected in 2001 and again in 2004. He served the House as Deputy Speaker from 2004 to 2006. In 2007, Noynoy was elected to the Senate for a six-year term.
Noynoy demonstrated his leadership in various capacities with the Liberal Party. He served the party as Secretary General from 1999 to 2002, Vice-President of the Luzon Liberal Party from 2002 to 2004, Secretary General again from 2004 to 2006, and Vice Chairman of the party from 2006 to the present.
It was not an easy road that Noynoy took to reach where he is today. The road was pockmarked with banishment, tragedy, and other setbacks. But it was an experience that tempered his psyche, strengthened his character, and emboldened his determination to succeed in all endeavors that he pursued in life.
And it all began on August 25, 1975, when Ninoy wrote his son Noynoy a letter from his detention cell in Fort Bonifacio. Ninoy wrote, “You are my only son. You carry my name and the name of my father. I have no material wealth to leave you. I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people. For this I am very sorry.
“The only valuable asset I can bequeath to you is the name you carry. I have tried my best during my years of public service to keep that name untarnished and respected, unmarked by sorry compromises for expediency. I now passed it on to you, as good, I pray, as when my father, your grandfather passed it on to me.
“Forgive me for passing unto your young shoulders the great responsibility for our family. I trust you will love your mother and your sisters and lavish them with the care and protection I would have given them.”
Ninoy concluded his letter by saying: “The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience. There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength. Lovingly, Dad.”
It was a covenant between father and son. For 34 years, Noynoy kept and treasured his dad’s letter. He carried the name he inherited from his father, untarnished, respected, and unmarked by compromises. And should he be elected the next president, Noynoy will serve our Motherland and our people with all his heart, with all his might, and with all his strength — just like the way Ninoy wanted it to be.
Indeed, Noynoy will become the instrument of CHANGE, just like Ninoy could have been had he not died in the hands of military assassins on that fateful day in 1983. Four years later, Noynoy was shot five times by rebel soldiers. But fate spared him from death. It wasn’t time for him to die yet. He still had an unfinished task to accomplish. And he was prepared to carry out that task.
The passing of his mother, former president Cory Aquino, on August 1, 2009, put that task squarely on Noynoy’s shoulders. There was no turning back. It was his calling and on the 40th day of Cory’s death, Noynoy stepped up to the plate and declared his run for the presidency.
It couldn’t have happened at a more opportune time. With poverty level at 40%, hunger at 60%, unemployment at 25%, and the poor eating “pagpag,” the Philippines need a leader who would truly make a change, not only in terms of economic progress, but would also change the character of the nation. And what a better way to achieve that than to have a leader with moral integrity and impeccable character.
In a recent survey conducted last September 5 and 6 by Social Weather Stations (SWS) among 1,200 respondents in vote-rich Luzon, an overwhelming 50% of the respondents said they would vote for Noynoy. And that was before Noynoy formally announced his presidential bid. Indeed, the wind of change is now blowing in Luzon and will soon reach the Visayas, Mindanao, and the far-flung Sulu archipelago.
And there is no doubt in my mind that Noynoy would manifest the character that the people would expect — nay, demand! — of their leader. The people have suffered long enough that promises made by the presidential candidates are not good enough. They want a “virgin” candidate — untarnished, respected, honest, and someone who will change the character of our nation. Noynoy is that man.
Despair has always blanketed my heart everytime I go home. Looking at the politicians and who would lead us out of this quagmire made me lost hope for my motherland. All the sacrifices, all the deaths of martyrs and heros seemed to be discarded with every corruption that you read in the papers. I could not see anybody different from the so called trapos. We know that we have a rich country and hard working people who are in need of a leader or more of a redeemer to lead us out of this disgraceful corruption and rape of our country.
Noynoy seems like a breath of fresh air and the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope and pray that he will be the leader who will lead our country and make it reach its destiny as the pearl of the orient seas.
Despair has always blanketed my heart everytime I go home. Looking at the politicians and who would lead us out of this quagmire made me lost hope for my motherland. All the sacrifices, all the deaths of martyrs and heros seemed to be discarded with every corruption that you read in the papers. I could not see anybody different from the so called trapos. We know that we have a rich country and hard working people who are in need of a leader or more of a redeemer to lead us out of this disgraceful corruption and rape of our country.
Noynoy seems like a breath of fresh air and the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope and pray that he will be the leader who will lead our country and make it reach its destiny as the pearl of the orient seas.
I am with you on this. We need a ‘virgin’ courageously saying “YES”, putting his faith in the ONE HIGHER
and wiser than anyone our mind could conceive.
In his quiet ways, he will make a good leader. People are waking up to empty promises of candidates who sold their integrity from the start by buying votes and people who sold their votes have learned their lessons.
I live in California. Recently I met Filipinos who have decided to go home and help Noynoy.
So if people here are leaving comfortable nests where there is ‘law and order’ [vs where many are 'pinupulot ang lifeless body nila sa kangkungan' ] to go back to Inang Bayan, it is because they agree with Ninoy that the Philippines, dear Motherland is ‘worth dying for…”
I have no material wealth but I have strong faith and believe that are still many good people left in our native land. Pearl of the orient seas it was. I join you in prayer for miracles to happen. Let us pray the Orient seas return this pearl, wash it clean and let it shine again…
Peace and blessings for a new government, and better governance!
Yloy
Mr. Perry Diaz,
What acomplishments has Noynoy achieved in his elected offices, as a member of the House and of the Senate that will show us that he will be a dynamic, effective President?
Ninoy’s letter to him that implores him to be decent and honest does not mean anything. It does not tell us that when he becomes president, he will be anything but a member of the Cojuangco clan, to which his mother belonged, and a bona fide oligarch in the oligarchic political system that is the Philippines.
Fred Montenegro
I am 71,retired FilAm who left the Phil. in ’73. We have tried different kinds of politicians. Very seldom that we get lucky in electing good people, most of them serve themselves first. Among the candidates, Noy noy is the only one that have a name that need to be protected from ANY corruption. He have siblings that will remind him NOT to mess-up their parents name. He would need good people around him. An intelligent President is useless if her advisers are not smart. Good luck to Noynoy and the Philippines.
Virgin untainted untainted future President Noynoy Aquino hindi ka nag i i s a ituloy ang laban sa kahirapan at katarungan upang itayo ang tunay na prinsipyo ng iyong Amang nagbigay ng kalayaan ng ating democratikong Bansang Pilipinas.
Eterio Herrera
Perry,
Di ba iyong “virgin” ang “ideal” ng marami, hindi iyong “gamit” na…tulad ng isang “trapo”? Given the crop of leaders we have seen so far, leaders and public officials who are not only arrogant but totally kurakot and kawatanes – shouldn’t we be paying more attention to character? Ayaw ba ng iba kay Noynoy, dahil siya’s malinis, low-key, at hindi KSP na laging naghahanap ng “photo op”? O, tingnan mo iyang “pangulo” sa kasalukuyan – habol nang habol doon kay Barack para lang makipag-”pose”, at pa-display pa doon sa Le Cirque.
May iba naman diyan na critica nang critica, dahil daw si Noynoy ay baduy kung magdamit, at wala daw “personalidad”. Aha, now they’re reducing this all to charisma and personality! But if I were Noynoy…and going bald anyway…baka magpakalbo na lang ako, mag-”Yul Brynner look”…para lahat ng kalbo sa ‘pinas ay bumoto sa akin. He, he, he!
On second thought, Noynoy is not 100% a virgin – he has already taken a bullet, but survived. Now, who among the current presidential aspirants has, or is willing to…take a bullet?
Addi Batica
Reading the Filipino news and listening to the ANC & TFC, I do conclude and do believe that Sen. Noynoy Aquino is the best presidential candidate among the latest presidentiables. He, indeed, has the moral integrity and character that our dear Philippines urgently need for a real change for the better, especially in the prevention of grafts and corruptions among our leaders and public servants. With President-to-be Noynoy Aquino, there is, indeed, that hope, desire and optimism for real and faster progress in the Philippines. So, let’s help uplift our beloved motherland, the Philippines, and our fellow Filipinos, by campaigning for and electing Noynoy Aquino for President this 2010 elections, as well as other candidates for vice president, senators, representatives and other local candidates … also with the urgently needed moral integrity, character and proven track record. Then and only then shall we stop complaining of corruptions, poverty and miseries in the Philippines, and give back something good and rewarding to our beloved motherland and kabayans. Why not?
Hi Addi,
You said, “On second thought, Noynoy is not 100% a virgin – he has already taken a bullet, but survived. Now, who among the current presidential aspirants has, or is willing to…take a bullet?”
You’re right, Noynoy is no longer a virgin, he has made his “rite of passage” to manhood. That makes all the other candidates, “bading.” Ha ha ha…
Cheers,
Perry
Perry,
He may be the harbinger of CHANGE, as anyone who will assume the leadership shall bring.
Is the change good or bad for the country — not the incoming leadership. Nonynoy will always be a Cojuangco, and this was what deraiiled what Cory had hoped to do.
The Cojuangcos need not give away what the family has accummulated through the ages. There should be reasonable and just compensation for what may have to be given up “voluntarily” by the giver. Others may follow suit. BUT MUST BE FOR THE RIGHT REASON — what is best for the country.
He must have strong leadership quality which his mother lacked. A strong conviction that is believed by his supporters who will stand behind him, follow and accomplish most if not all glorious ideals he spouses.
Tough to deliver !?! TOUGH is what is needed in the Philippines in order to deliver the country from the rut or rot that it is IN. The time is NOW, not 5 – 10 years from now. The country and people suffered enough.
JUSTICE, respected, must prevail. Law and order must reign. CORRUPTION must END.
Ben Oteyza
Hi Ben,
Per your own criteria, Noynoy would be the best candidate. The other day, he mentioned that he’s willing to give Hacienda Luisita to the farmers. To me that’s good enough to prove his sincerity in regard to his family’s landholdings. However, the Cojuangcos should be compensated equitably for the hacienda.
Best,
Perry
NOYNOY is qualified because he already served as congressman, and senator. when
he speaks you get to realized that he is intelligent than ERAP, than most
senators, and congressman and governors. he finished Economy at the Ateneo. And
lsitened to his programs. But above all, he is honest he will manage our
government honestly. He is diligent, he comes from decent family, he is the kind
who will not steal from his own people.
Cita Garcia
from Ang Bagong Pinoy
AMEN!
The secret of your success is definitely your amazing amount of commitment,
patience, and staying power. You never falter and give up! You are the one who
succeeds in the end, while others have dropped out long time ago.
Â
BE HONEST – Even if others are not; Even if others will not; Even if others
cannot
“He who walks honestly walks securely.”
Proverbs 10:9
yob
from Ang Bagong Pinoy
NOYNOY got to where he is now not because of himself. His pedigree carried him
to memberships at both houses of Congress
GIBO shone/still shines on his own. He graduated from DLSU and UP Law.
NOYNOY may be honest and diligent and may not steal from his own people, but the
country needs someone who can bring to the table a lot lot more than just
honesty, diligence and an aversion to stealing
NOYNOY is not (yet) proven to be a decisive, action-oriented man in the mold of
a BAYANI and GORDON
back in 1986, the need of the hour was just get rid of Marcos. By the time FVR
assumed office in 1992, we realized that “honesty, diligence and an aversion to
stealing” can only go so far. YES THEY ARE ESSENTIAL, but if those 3 are all
there is to the leader, di rin uusad ang bansa
(pero don’t worry, NOYNOY is still in my very short list of presidentiables to
choose from)
Egenias
from Ang Bagong Pinoy
To be realistic, Gibo is na “giba” na, Bayani is no longer a Bonifacio with his bolo, and Gordon can’t even fly like Flash Gordon.
So, that limits the field to Aquino, Villar, Estrada, and, maybe, Escudero. The rest have already been pulverized by the Noynoy blitzkrieg.
The recent SWS poll in Luzon showed Noynoy is the preference by 50% followed by a distant second, Villar at 14%. Eara was third at 13%. What happened? And it’s not even campaign season yet.
Cheers,
Perry
Good, funny jokes, Perry. These, you should have more. Thanks for the laughs.—cip
Hi, Perry!
I recently moved back to the Philippines after more than 33 years working in the USA. I just retired and am now living a quiet, contented and wonderful life here at Camella Cerritos, Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite.
I read your write-up regarding Noynoy Aquino’s bid for the presidency and I proudly commend what you have said about him, and I quote, “Indeed, Noynoy will become the instrument of CHANGE…..” I left the Philippines back in 1Hi, Perry!
I recently moved back to the Philippines after more than 33 years working in the USA. I just retired and am now living a quiet, contented and wonderful life here at Camella Cerritos, Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite.
I read your write-up regarding Noynoy Aquino’s bid for the presidency and I proudly commend what you have said about him, and I quote, “Indeed, Noynoy will become the instrument of CHANGE…..” I left the Philippines in 1976 after witnessing the tyrannical rule of the Marcoses. I was very much ashamed of my Ilocano heritage because of the fact that Marcos is an Ilocano, such that I left my nativeland and went to the USA, where I have lived since.
Now I’m happily retired and am also now a registered voter. I will definitely vote for Noynoy Aquino since he is the ONE PERSON, who can truly bring the CHANGE
Hi, Perry!
I recently moved back to the Philippines after more than 33 years working in the USA. I just retired and am now living a quiet, contented and wonderful life here at Camella Cerritos, Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite.
I read your write-up regarding Noynoy Aquino’s bid for the presidency and I proudly commend what you have said about him, and I quote, “Indeed, Noynoy will become the instrument of CHANGE…..”
I left the Philippines in 1976 after witnessing the tyrannical rule of the Marcoses. I was very much ashamed of my Ilocano heritage because of the fact that Marcos is an Ilocano, such that I left my nativeland and went to the USA, where I have lived since.
Now I’m happily retired and am also now a registered voter. I will definitely vote for Noynoy Aquino since he is the ONE PERSON, who can truly bring the CHANGE that this country really and badly needs.
And may I sincerely say that with Noynoy as the President of the Philippines, we will never be alone!!!!!
Mabuhay and Best Wishes,
Rodel Quines
Nothing much to say about Aquino and good luck to him. But my main concern in the Philippines is to lessen the number of Politicians since we have a small country. the less politicians we have the more money we have in our budget and if we more budget the less poverty we have and less criticism and intrigues we have. I hope these people in the government should realized that the more bullets (money) we have in our armory(safe/budget) the more power then we can do the best for our country than more soldiers (Politicians) with less bullets and we can’t do anything to make our country better because all the politicans ate them. Hoping that whoever will be the next President of the RP please open your eyes and your heart and be realistic, wish you all the best.