Security tightened for Noynoy in Tarlac

TARLAC CITY — Security for leading presidential candidate Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was tightened on Thursday even before the official canvassing of votes for president and vice president has started. The usually accessible Aquino has not appeared before the media since he was egged on by reporters to conduct a press conference last Tuesday. [See: Noynoy won't claim victory yet, but is looking for prospective Cabinet members] With a five-million lead over his closest rival, former president Joseph Estrada, based on partial and unofficial tallies, Aquino seems headed to winning the May 10 presidential race. [See: Eleksyon 2010 dashboard] Before he voted last Monday in Tarlac City, Aquino said he'll be staying in his family's home in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac in the meantime unless he is needed in Manila. "Emphasis ng security, limited visibility," Aquino said. The chief of Aquino's security detail is former Armed Forces spokesman Major General Jose Angel Honrado. Related to the Aquinos, Honrado also served as the late former President Corazon Aquino’s close-in security during her term. Because of the tight security, Aquino won't be with his running mate Senator Mar Roxas on the latter's birthday Thursday, said Danny Gozo, head of Roxas' communications bureau. Gozo said Aquino's absence was understandable since the threat level is higher when one has not yet been proclaimed president. He also said Aquino and Roxas are regularly communicating via cellphone. In Manila, LP campaign manager Butch Abad said Aquino has seemingly cloistered himself because he is pondering about a lot of things as he continues to lead in the presidential race. "Maraming pinag-aaralan, maraming pinag-iisipan. Binabantayan rin niya yung kay Senator Roxas," Abad said, referring to Roxas' close fight with Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay for vice president. Abad said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's controversial appointment of the next chief justice is among the issues Aquino is evaluating. — with Sandra Aguinaldo, GMA News, and Sophia Dedace/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV