'Noynoy for President' signature drive launched

MANILA - A group has launched a signature campaign to convince Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to run for president in 2010.

The Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM) is intent on garnering 1 million signatures for the cause.

Leading the NAPM is Ed Roces, son of Joaquin "Chino" Roces, the former Manila Times publisher who launched a "Cory Aquino for President" signature drive on October 15, 1985.

Chino Roces garnered 1.2 million signatures in just 41 days (35 days ahead of their self-imposed deadline), which encouraged Cory to run for president against dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

To get a pulse of the public's sentiments on Sen. Aquino's possible bid for the presidency, the NAPM gathered signatures at the Baclaran Church on Wednesday. The group said they got over 2,000 signatures.

The group plans to put sign-up booths in schools and strategic locations in the regions to prove that Sen. Aquino has the public's vote of confidence.

Public good

Just like his father before him, Ed Roces said the NAPM's only motive is to support a candidate whom they think will do good for the country.

"We believe that this guy Noynoy will not betray us. May tiwala sa kanya ang mga tao, he cannot turn his back on this," said Ed Roces in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

Political analyst Edna Co, meanwhile, believes that the public's support for Sen. Aquino's possible 2010 bid stems more from his clean political track record rather than from sympathy over the recent death of his mother, former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino.

"The people who are not hungry for power are better suited for positions of power," she said.

Sen. Aquino, however, still has not decided on the issue. Aside from the number of signatures that the NAPM gets, he said his decision will also depend largely on his family's support.

Despite the public's initial support for the campaign, the Aquino family still wants to pray and think hard on the issue, not only for their brother's own good, but also for the public good. Report by Jing Castañeda, ABS-CBN News.