Noynoy ready to debate with Gibo

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Benigno Aquino III is ready to engage other presidential aspirants in a debate, including his cousin, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.

Meanhile, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile warned Aquino against supporters who were the same people behind the ouster of President Joseph Estrada and a plot to  overthrow the Arroyo administration.

Aquino said he would like to join the presidential debates proposed by presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio so the elections would focus on issues rather than personalities.

“I’m okay with that,” Aquino said.

Aquino said it would also be good to have a debate with Claudio, even if he is not running for office.

“We will come to that,” he said.

“But maybe it’s better if we will do that after the filing (of certificates of candidacy) so we would not have to debate with those who would not really be in the scene.”

Speaking in defense of Estrada against the allegations of Sen. Panfilo Lacson at the Senate, Enrile said he could see the same people who were involved in Edsa 2 that toppled Estrada in 2001 in the inner circle of Aquino.

“Today, I see these same faces parading themselves as leaders and supporters of the candidacy of my dear colleague (Aquino),” he said.

Enrile said these were the same people who asked Estrada to support them when they wanted to oust President Arroyo.

“Evidently, they have no more use for Erap,” he said.

The leaders of the so-called civil society also asked him for help in their protest actions against the Aquino administration, Enrile said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said he would like to watch Aquino and Teodoro engage in debate.

“We will know all these things once debates are held in time,” he said.

“We want major news networks and print (media) to come out with a nationwide debate so we will find out the best among the candidates who deserve our votes.”

Aquino supporters

Supporters are shelling out change for the presidential candidacy of Aquino.

Residents of Lupang Pangako in Payatas, Quezon City each gave a P1 coin for Aquino, who they believe will bring about the change they have always wanted.

Ed Roces, Noynoy Aquino for President Movement spokesman, said it was the local leaders in Payatas who approached their group about their intention of supporting Aquino’s presidential bid.

“They said they would support by giving money and we were so touched,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of the “Piso at Puso sa Pagbabago,” Roces said around 200 residents dropped a P1 coin into cans that would be delivered to Aquino’s residence on Times Street in Quezon City on Nov. 27.

“These people are sharing money for the campaign instead of the other way around. This is a revolution of the masses,” he said.

“This is the real change, very unusual thing.”

Roces said the residents of Payatas are investing in Aquino.

“That’s a different thing because the peso here is very significant,” he said.

They would be replicating the movement in other areas of the country, particularly in President Arroyo’s bailiwick in Pampanga, Roces said.

– With Reinir Padua