Noynoy, Mar kick off Mindanao sortie

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The tandem of Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar” Roxas II of the Liberal Party (LP) kicked off their sortie in Southern Philippines here yesterday.

Aquino, who admitted that he lacked the financial resources to mount a full-blown political campaign for his presidential bid, said the one-peso donations of the people across the country to fund his campaign would definitely be a big help.

Aquino said the small gestures offered by the people here simply reflect their desire for change and their mindset to bankroll his presidential campaign.

“It is not just the money aspect. It is the volunteerism that would see us through the campaign,” Aquino said.

Aquino said this kind of support touches him deeply, as he sees how people from all walks of life would shell out even their precious savings to help him meet the financial requirements of the campaign.

Aquino also revealed that he had been receiving many encouraging letters, citing the letter of a young boy who wrote in an unsteady hand to express his desire to give his savings to the campaign fund.

“I am really overwhelmed by the support I am getting from everyone, everywhere, which inspires me to work even harder,” Aquino said.

A group of Filipinos based in San Francisco in the US also launched the “US Pinoys for Noynoy” to support Aquino’s candidacy.

Roxas, who flew in yesterday to join Aquino in the sortie, also noted the overwhelming support of the people.

“Their support really overwhelms me that I wanted to meet the people in the countryside to also personally thank them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aquino confirmed he would be meeting with former President Joseph Estrada.

Opposition leader Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay has been arranging the meeting between Estrada and Aquino in the effort to unify the opposition and come up with a single standard bearer.

Aquino declared last Sept. 9, on the 40th day after his mother’s death, that he was accepting the popular call for him to continue the legacy of his renowned parents, the late former President Corazon Aquino and martyred senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

But Aquino said he would still meet with Estrada in what he described as a “meeting of the minds” which would involve an exchange of ideas. He also said he would seek advice from Estrada, being an elder statesman.

Aquino stressed the meeting would be transparent.

“There will be no conditions. We will meet and whatever will be discussed will not be based on prior conditions,” Aquino said. – With Artemio Dumlao