Noynoy distances self from sister Kris in debate

Presidential aspirant Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday distanced himself from his youngest sister, television personality Kris Aquino, saying she won't be calling the shots if he gets elected president of the country. “I'm sure she would not stop talking to me about my clothing, in particular my sense of style, etcetera, but she recognizes that there are differences between us," Noynoy said during the Philippine Daily Inquirer's first presidential debate held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Noynoy, the only son of the late President Corazon “Cory" Aquino and slain Senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was replying to the question, “How powerful is Kris in shaping your political life?" Noynoy’s response elicited laughter from the crowd. Kris, known for her frankness, is one of the most influential female personalities in show business who has been in and out of several controversies herself. The standard-bearer of the Liberal Party (LP) assured that he would not let anyone dictate on his actions if he gets elected president. “My mother, I think if she were alive, she'd be the first to tell you that I speak my mind and I follow my own guides, my own leads," Noynoy said. He added that he is “open to opinions even if they're the complete opposite of mine." “But at the end of the day I have to be responsible for all of my own actions," he said. Before questioning Noynoy, PDI columnist Michael Tan noted that families play a significant role in Philippine politics, usually influencing the political decisions of public officials. Senator Jamby Madrigal - one of the staunchest critics of the Arroyo administration - said that if elected president, her husband would not have a role in government. “My husband will have a supportive role of me but I would not want him to be involved." Madrigal is married to Jean Claude Dudoignon Valade, a French citizen. “Being a foreigner, he cannot be involved with anything with regards to the country," Madrigal said, adding that she would not let her other half be like First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, who had been embroiled in several corruption controversies. “He is an FG because he is a French gentleman," Madrigal said in jest. - KBK, GMANews.TV