Son of Philippine democracy icon Aquino to run for president (Roundup)

Sep 9, 2009, 8:12 GMT

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

   Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III declared his candidacy 40 days after 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 at the Club Filipino in Manila's suburb of San Juan, where his mother took her oath of office in 1986.

   '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.

   Her husband, former senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, was a staunch rival of Marcos and was assassinated in 1983 upon return to Manila from exile in the United States.

   Noynoy Aquino, who went on a religious retreat before announcing his bid, promised to be build on the democracy that his parents fought for.

   'I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and the well-connected but for everybody,' he said.

   The 49-year-old bachelor added that if he wins, he would be 'a president who will be missed the time I step down.'

   Lorelei Fajardo, a spokeswoman for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, said Noynoy Aquino's candidacy was a 'welcome addition' to the presidential race in 2010.

   'We need strong contenders and Noynoy has emerged as one,' she said. 'We wish him luck and fortitude.'

   Noynoy Aquino, a graduate of economics, was a three-term congressman before he was elected senator in 2007. He joined politics in 1992, when her mother stepped down from the presidency.

   According to his aides, his key legislative initiatives were anchored on the protection of human rights and good governance through increased transparency and public accountability.

   His possible rivals to the top post are Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, real-estate magnate Senator Manuel Villar, corruption-convicted former president Joseph Estrada and Vice President Noli de Castro.