Roco party wants Noynoy to be standard bearer

The political party of the late Senator Raul Roco on Monday urged Senator Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III to be its standard bearer for the 2010 elections. "As raw and unassuming as he is, he is the best bet for president. It is our duty to help him become better enabled," said Aksyon Demorkratiko (AD) chair Sonia Roco, Raul’s wife, during a press conference at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City. In explaining the party’s decision, Mrs. Roco said the son of former President Corazon Aquino and opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. "has the moral character and the emotional strength to withstand the slings and arrows of the outrageous breakdown for our sociopolitical systems." In an open letter dated August 26, Mrs. Roco said she formally invited Noynoy to run for president. "We are ready to proclaim you (Aquino) as standard bearer for President of the Philippines. If by God’s good grace, you accept, then we can meet and plan the details together," she said.

Noynoy had been coy about his plans for the 2010 elections. On Sunday, the senator did not show up at GMA-7’s “Eleksyon 2010 na, Tatakbo Ka Ba?" fun run because he said he was "still undecided" on his political plans. The gathering, which drew about 5,000 people, was attended by 13 presidential and vice presidential hopefuls who vowed they would ensure clean and honest elections in 2010. The event was broadcast live on television and via livestream on GMANews.TV. Senator Aquino, who belongs to the Liberal Party, is reportedly being eyed to be the running mate of would-be standard bearer Senator Manuel Roxas II. [See: Noynoy: Mar Roxas still LP standard bearer] But Noynoy, whose term will expire in 2013, hinted he did not have any intention of seeking a higher position yet. [See: Noynoy wants Kris spared from politics] "I do not relish aspiring for a higher office at this point in time. The focus should be on performing my functions and my duties and responsibilities in this present mode and I have to highlight that given the current administration, we are not in a normal situation," he said. Failed bid for the presidency In 1997, then Senator Raul Roco founded Aksyon Demokratiko to serve as his vehicle in aiming for the presidency in 1998. Then Vice President Joseph Estrada won the race with a huge margin over the other contenders. In 2004, Raul Roco again aspired for the presidency. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo emerged winner in what her critics would later described as a fraud-ridden electoral exercise. Roco, who once served in Mrs. Arroyo's Cabinet as education secretary, succumbed to cardiac arrest in August 2005 after battling prostate cancer. Mrs. Roco herself sought a Senate seat during the 2007 elections but failed to make it to the winning circle. - with Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV