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Chapter 1

TORCHBEARER

BENIGNO SIMEON NOYNOY COJUANGCO AQUINO III

Age on Election Day: 50 years old Birthday: Feb 8, 1960

Party afliation: Liberal Party (LP)

Previous position/occupation: Senator; congressman, 2nd district of Tarlac Strengths: Aquino name, clean image, articulate in Filipino, keen memory

Weaknesses:

No impressive track record as legislator, no extensive management experience, comfortable working mostly with trusted friends, serial dater

Handlers/Campaign managers: Florencio Butch Abad, Sergio Serge Osmea III, Manuel Mar Araneta Roxas II (at various stages of the campaign)

Campaign taglines: Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap Daang Matuwid

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RUMBLINGS of Noynoy for President began to reverberate
just days after the nation buried its beloved Corazon Aquino. The groundswell came with little effort, like it was an intrinsic part of things that owed naturally, given the outpouring of affection and respect from an incredible number of people who lovingly carried her to her last home. That this grief and grieving of August 2009 would parallel the anguish of August 1983 when Corys husband Ninoy was escorted to his grave would not be lost on those who witnessed both events. A force tangible yet inchoate was felt in the air. Yet Corys only son was dismissive of what was percolating in the minds of many an old hand in politics. For most of his life almost always in the shadow of his parentsone, an icon of democracy; the other, a hero who inspired an uprisingBenigno Simeon Noynoy Aquino III was content to be ordinary. Laidback and easygoing, he felt no pressure to be other than what he truly was. He had, after all, an amazing connection with the man on the street that helped sharpen his political instincts. Comfortable hanging out with his drivers, aides, and ordinary folk, he was in his element in politics. He could be stubborn when he wanted to, had a long memory, and was quick to pick up and remember the minutest of details. To his close friends, he was known to have a predilection for combat shooting, to love a good smoke, cola, burgers, Chinese and Japanese food, and even a good laugh. He was an audiophile as well.

4 Ambition Destiny Victory

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As a legislator, he had led and sponsored bills here and there, could recite the details of the budget bill, and boast of an impressive attendance record in the Senatenext only to the Senate president and the majority leader. Still, whether in Congress or the Senate, he was not regarded as a standout by his peers. He was simply Noynoy, the son of Ninoy and Cory. Following the footsteps of his mother and being president of a nation was farthest from his mind. To him, that position had long been reserved for his party mate, Manuel Mar Roxas II who, for the past two years of his life, had been preparing for his candidacy in 2010. But fate would have it otherwise. The numbers from an internal survey conducted in late August showed that six out of ten were inclined to vote for the man who didnt want to be president, while four of ten would surely vote for him.1 At around this time too, a Pulse Asia survey on comparative presidential preferences showed that in early August, Roxas ranked a low fth after Sen Manuel Villar Jr, former President Joseph Erap Estrada, Vice President Noli de Castro, and Sen Francis Chiz Escudero.2 Consisting of members who were quick to decipher political hieroglyphics, the Liberal Party (LP) was torn between those who wanted Noynoy for president because victory was almost certain, and others who preferred to stay the course and pursue a Roxas candidacy as planned. Seasoned politicians knew that while the numbers of Noynoy were promising, it was wise to proceed with caution. Roxas, after all, had already invested heavily in his candidacy and was better prepared for the presidency. In contrast, Noynoy to them was lackadaisical, his legislative record mirroring no strong advocacies even as two bills, which he authored, passed the Senate.3 He was, in reality, regarded as a party backbencher. Yet some opinion-makers like Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros were effusive in their endorsement of a Noynoy candidacy. The explosion of love and gratitude that accompanied Cory to her nal resting place was more than a Pacquiao victory, Christmas, and the prospective ousting of a hated gure combined. The natural political beneciary of that avalanche of goodwill is Noynoy.4