Son of late Philippine democracy icon Aquino to run for president

Sep 9, 2009, 1:16 GMT

Manila - The only son of late Philippine democracy icon Corazon Aquino announced Wednesday that he will run for president in next year's elections.

Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III declared his candidacy on the 40th day since the death of his mother, who toppled the 20-year dictatorship of former president Ferdinand Marcos.

'I accept the responsibility to continue the fight for the nation,' he told a press conference packed with supporters.

'I accept the challenge to lead this fight. I am running for president in the coming elections. We will continue the fight.'

Accompanied by his four sisters, Aquino said he has asked Senator Mar Roxas, chief of their opposition Liberal Party, to be his running mate.

Roxas had initially planned to contest the presidency in 2010 but stepped aside on September 1 to throw his support behind Noynoy Aquino.

On August 1, former president Corazon Aquino died after battling colon cancer for more than a year. Hundreds of thousands of people went to her wake and joined the funeral march, triggering public clamour for Noynoy Aquino to run for president.

Corazon Aquino was credited with restoring democracy to the Philippines when she led a four-day 'people power' revolt against Marcos in February 1986.