Noynoy ready to shake hands with detractors after polls

URDANETA, Pangasinan — Despite the criticisms and troubles he went through, Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III is ready to shake hands with his detractors after the elections. But Aquino also told his rivals to assert their control over their parties instead of just allowing their subordinates to hurl attacks at him. “Why should we get personal? If you are the subject of a text brigade, smile and bear the criticisms. Be ready to deal with falsehoods especially during the campaign. I am aware I represent the hopes of people, and all my decisions will affect them," he said in Filipino at a press conference here. He was referring to text brigades targeting not only him, but also his parents, grandparents and even nephews Joshua and Baby James. Aquino had also been the subject of several emails and reports questioning his mental health. “Ngayon, kamayan sa kalaban natin [ay] napakasimple lang siguro sa dami nating dinaanan (Shaking the hands of my detractors is a simple matter, considering what I have been through)," he added. In the meantime, Aquino said he continues to “cram" for the presidency, studying all subjects he is not familiar with. He said all free time during his sorties will include briefings on topics that he said is “part of making me rounded to be able to decide correctly." Aquino dares Villar Aquino dared Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) to assert his leadership in his party by controlling his subordinates from attacking rival candidates. “I am not sure exactly what he has done to stop his members from being so careless and reckless and I don’t think he has said anything publicly about inhibiting his members from doing the same. As a leader you think your members are doing something wrong it is incumbent on you to stop them if not you are supporting them," Aquino said. He also contested reports that Villar claimed the supposed documents questioning his mental health are “true." “I think we will just have to pray for him [Villar]," he said. Moreover, he said that while he remains open to legal action against the Delgado couple for spreading doubts about his mental health, he did not consider it a priority for now. Former National Power Corp. head Guido Delgado had spread in the media rumors claiming Aquino underwent psychiatric tests. Aquino said his camp traced to Delgado's wife Joy the first supposed reports questioning his mental health. "Swerte lang mas maraming problema na dapat talakayin at tayo pagpasok dito dapat ihanda natin ang sarili sa ganyang mangyari kung anu-anong kawalanghiyaan. Pero ang hinahabol natin interest ng taumbayan eh. Di pwedeng manguna ang sariling interest sa paglalaban natin. Kung magdemanda ako, saka na yan (We have many problems to attend to so I cannot put my personal interests above the nation. If I will pursue the charges, that will have to come later)," Aquino said. — LBG, GMANews.TV