Aquino sisters on Noy's official home: Better Bahay Pangarap than Times

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino may still be in a quandary over where to reside once he's president, but if three of his sisters are to be asked, they'd prefer that he leave the family's Times Street home so the neighbors won't be bothered. Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, and Viel Aquino-Dee said Bahay Pangarap inside the Presidential Security Group's compound near Malacañang seems to be a good place to stay for Aquino, who is set to be proclaimed president-elect by Congress within the day. Eldest Aquino sister Ballsy said Noynoy, a 50-year-old bachelor, is old enough to decide on his official residence once he's president. "Sabi nga namin, 50 years old na siya para desisyunan niya kung saan niya gusto pero parang mahirap ata yung gusto niyang tumira sa Times (He's 50 years old, he's old enough to decide where he wants to live but his wish to stay at Times seems to be difficult)," Balsy said when asked by GMANews.TV where she would prefer Aquino to stay. Pinky said that while staying at the Aquino home along Times Street is ideal, Noynoy should take consideration of his neighbors who might be disturbed because of the president's presence. "Ako yung Times Street, I think ang mommy rin gusto rin niya talaga dun magstay, pero di talaga kakayanin e. At saka nakakahiya na sa mga mga kapitbahay, I think masyado silang naaabala (I think mommy also wanted to stay at Times Street but it's just not possible. And it's embarrassing because the neighbors would be disturbed)," Pinky said. Their mother, the late former president Corazon Aquino, had stayed at the Arlegui mansion near Malacañang. Strangers have been going to Noynoy's Times Street home to hand in job applications and request favors even though he had yet to be proclaimed president. "He cannot abuse yung kindness nila," Pinky said. Pinky said Bahay Pangarap seems like a good choice because the Arlegui mansion was too big, and staying there could bring too many sad memories for Noynoy. Mrs. Aquino passed away only last August 1. "Arlegui is too big. Masyadong malaki at masyadong malungkot for him kasi masyadong maraming maaalala dun eh. I think for now sa nakita ko sa pictures siguro yung Pangarap, one lang naman sya, there's a bedroom I think kelangan lang lagyan ng room for his staff," Pinky said. Ballsy expressed the same sentiments. "Nag-iisa naman siya, binata siya, parang okay na nga yung Pangarap. Ang problema lang ata ay yung kasama niya sa bahay kung san matutulog (He's alone, he's a bachelor, I think Pangarap's okay. The only problem I think is where his staff will sleep)," Ballsy said. Viel also supported the choice of Bahay Pangarap, saying the place "seems to be well secured area naman, convenient, katapat ng Malacanang." "Pero of course it's up to him to decide," she quickly added. — RSJ, GMANews.TV