Noynoy supporters in Negros raise funds for barangay chief’s barong

The barangay (village) chairman who is likely to swear in the next Philippine president and who claimed he has no Barong (official Filipino wear for men) for the occasion, may get one soon. Supporters of leading presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III have started raising funds for the barong to be worn by a Tarlac barangay chief Edgardo Aguas who is expected to swear in Aquino on June 30. The Bacolod City-based "Negrenses 4 Noy Mar" (N4NM) said the fund-raising stemmed from village captain Aguas' claim that he does not have his own barong for the occasion. Negros-based news site Visayan Daily Star reported volunteers already pledged cash donations for "Project Barong Tagalog." N4NM's Alex Ozoa said one member offered to donate barong cloth from her home collection while another offered to donate the interest from their time deposit. Three volunteers also pledged P500 each, he added. He also said those who want to contribute to Project Barong Tagalog may call or text 09173011627 or 09064381844. Last weekend, Aquino announced in Tarlac he would likely take his oath before a village captain instead of before Chief Justice Renato Corona. Aquino had questioned the appointment of Corona, who formerly served as President Arroyo's chief of staff and spokesman. Amid the appointment controversy, Corona, in an interview on dzBB Wednesday, admitted he was hurt by criticisms and vowed to do a good job. But while many groups urged Aquino to show respect for the judiciary and rethink his stance, the N4NM said Aquino's gesture was a show of humility. “Aquino’s swearing in before the head of the basic political unit of our country shows the humility of the incoming president and symbolizes his being the people’s president," said Delia Locsin, a member of the group. - LBG/RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV