MANILA, Philippines – It's been called "Sister Power".
On the June 9, as Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino was proclaimed president, all his four sisters: Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris were in Congress to support him.
A bachelor, Aquino has said that he will need the help of his family in his work as the country's 15th chief executive.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN in the Aquino family's post-proclamation celebration, the Aquino sisters said they vowed to support him all the way ever since the former decided to run for President in September 2009.
But they also admitted they are both happy and concerned about their brother's new role.
As children of a former president and democracy icon Corazon Aquino, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz said they know the huge responsibility on their shoulders.
“This time kay Noy, I guess iba kapag magkapatid, kasi feeling namin inaalagaan namin ‘yung pangalan ng aming mga magulang, at saka sinabi namin sa kanya na tutulungan namin siya ng buong-buo, 100%, noong napagdesisyunan siya na kakandidato siya bilang Pangulo. Ngayon na nanalo siya, ganon pa rin ang gusto namin gawin… matulungan siya,” Aquino-Cruz said.
A bachelor, Aquino said he will need the help of his family as he works as the country's 15th chief executive.
Sister power
Although they have no official positions in the incoming government, the youngest of the brood, host-actress Kris Aquino-Yap, has decided to lie-low in her talk shows and volunteered to help in the administration's education programs.
“Pinaalam ko sa kanya may advocacy nga ako na tumulong sa mga mag-aaral lalo na sa mga grade 1 up to grade 3 students, starting tomorrow,” Aquino said.
She also said she would visit Tarlac to give school supplies to 2,000 students.
“I am happy to be able to do that, tapos sinabi ko kay Noy na namimili ako [sa districts] kung saan siya malakas [nung eleksyon]. Pinaanlalahan ako ni Noy na: No Krissy, kailangan magreach-out ka sa lahat dahil ikaw ‘yung may kakayanan. As Ate said nga, dahil ako yung napapanood sa TV, araw-araw mas madali na makapunta at makalapit sa kanila,” Aquino-Yap said.
Meanwhile, Viel Aquino-Dee wants to look after the welfare of indigenous communities while Cruz and Pinky Aquino-Abelleda will be on top of their brother’s schedule.
“Marami ang nagtatanong kung sino ang magiging First Lady. Ang sinagot naman namin, ang Mom naman ay naging pangulo, wala naman siyang First Gentleman. Pero kung meron mga lugar na hindi mapuntahan ni Noy at kailangn ang miyembro ng pamilya, siguro aatasan na lang niya ang isa amin kung sino ang pwede. Malamang, si Kris dahil siya ang gustong makita ng tao,” Cruz said.
In the last 20 years, Filipinos have voted two Aquinos to the highest post of the land.
The Aquinos said they will do their best not to tarnish their name.