Coalition formed to back Noynoy’s presidential bid

Several groups from both the public and private sectors on Tuesday formed a “reform coalition" supporting the possible presidential bid of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in next year’s elections. The coalition, which calls itself Noynoy Para sa Pilipinas (Noypi), gathered at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City to pledge support for Aquino, the Liberal Party (LP)’s leading presidential prospect. "We formed this group to give him strength and support. We are here to make sure his candidacy remains with the public and their clamor for genuine change and political reforms," said singer Jim Paredes, the group’s spokesperson. Included in the coalition are the LP, the late Senator Raul Roco's Aksyon Demokratiko, party-list Akbayan, reform-oriented groups Black and White Movement and Kaya Natin; and other private groups that have earlier expressed support for Aquino. The coalition vowed to be a "middle force" to protect Aquino’s candidacy from "political manipulation" if ever the senator decides to run for president in the 2010 polls. "We are here to protect Senator Aquino’s candidacy from forces that even as we speak are manipulating the Aquino groundswell to work in their favor. We cannot allow that to happen," Paredes, a member of the famed Apo Hiking Society singing group, said. He added that the group would launch various activities to strengthen Aquino’s political machinery once he declares his intention to run for president. He did not elaborate. Aquino, the only son of the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino and slain Senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., has yet to announce his plans for next year's polls. He went on a "spiritual retreat" in Zamboanga City over the weekend to seek guidance for his decision. Paredes said the coalition is not preempting Aquino’s decision on whether or not to seek the highest post in the country next year. "We respect his time to meditate upon this very important decision. We want to make it clear that we are not pre-empting Senator Aquino’s decision to run," he said. Calls for the senator to run for president grew after his mother died on August 1 after battling colon cancer for over a year. Last week, LP’s standard bearer, Senator Manuel “Mar" Roxas II, announced he is abandoning his presidential bid to support Aquino. [See: Mar gives way to Noynoy as Liberal Party standard bearer] Aquino had earlier said he would announce his plans for 2010 within the month. - GMANews.TV