Aquino's son declares Philippines presidential run
Thursday, 10 September 2009 23:40
Edgar Nerosa Alegre
The son of late Philippine president Corazon Aquino called Wednesday for another round of "people power" as he announced he would run for president to continue his mother's work.
Vowing to fight against corruption that pervades the impoverished Southeast Asian nation, Benigno Aquino said he would be a leader for all sectors of society and not just the rich.
"I will be there because of the people, I will stay there because of the people and hopefully I will be true to my word to serve the people," Aquino, 49, told a crowd of cheering supporters as he declared his presidential bid.
Aquino made the announcement at Manila's historic Club Filipino, where his mother "Cory" was sworn in as president in 1986 after leading the "people power" revolution that ended dictator Ferdinand Marcos's 20-year reign.
Aquino will represent the opposition Liberal Party in next year's elections, hoping to end the reign of President Gloria Arroyo's ruling coalition.
The Liberal Party has been a fierce critic of Arroyo, who is mandated by the constitution to step down, alleging widespread corruption in her administration.
Arroyo's spokesman Lorelei Fajardo conceded Aquino has emerged a strong contender for the presidency, while calling him a "welcome addition to the race".
Aquino said he would rely on the help of ordinary Filipinos to become president, just as they propelled his mother to power.
"The reason why I am on this path is because I believe the public will support and help me in the campaign," he said.
"I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and the well-connected, but for everybody."
He also promised to give the nation "closure" by going after stolen wealth controlled by the Marcos family.
Although Aquino has been a member of parliament for 11 years, he said he only began seriously considering a presidential bid after seeing the massive outpouring of support following his mother's death from cancer last month.
His father, also named Benigno, is held in equally high esteem by many throughout the nation of 92 million people.
Marcos' gunmen shot him dead at Manila airport in 1983 as he returned from exile.
His assassination led to Cory reluctantly moving into politics and becoming president for six years, a period that has been widely acclaimed for restoring democracy after a generation of martial law.
Aquino called on Filipinos to recall his mother's achievements when they considered who they wanted to be their next president.
"During my mother's time, she was not corrupt. Even the policeman on the street had second thoughts of being corrupt," he said.
Nevertheless, his family belongs to one of the powerful clans that have dominated Philippine life for generations, and observers have pointed out that a win for Aquino would be another victory for the elite.
Corazon Aquino was born into the Cojuangco family, which continues to play a major role in the economy.
Her cousin, Eduardo Cojuangco, is majority owner of brewing giant San Miguel and, according to the latest Forbes rich list, the seventh wealthiest man in the Philippines.
Aquino's decision also opens the tantalising prospect of a two-way race for the presidency against his first cousin, Gilberto Teodoro, who is a leading candidate to run for the ruling coalition.
The first challenge for Aquino, known by his nickname of "Noynoy," is to unite a fractious opposition.
Former president and movie star Joseph Estrada wants to run again, while property tycoon Senator Manuel Villar has been leading recent polls of potential opposition presidential candidates.
As of the 2000 census, Zamboanga Sibugay has a population of 497,239 people, and a population density of 161/km². It is ranked 29th among the provinces of the Philippines in terms of both population and population density. The annual population growth rate is 2.09%.
The leading industries are in the areas of bakery, rice and corn milling, food processing, and rattan and wood furniture production. New industries include concrete products, garments, wax and candle factory, and other cottage industries.
Major crops produced include rice, corn, coconuts, rubber, fruit trees, vegetables, tobacco, coffee, cacao, and root crops. Livestock and poultry productions are predominantly small-scale backyard operations.Coal mining is also present in some areas of the province.
Geography
Zamboanga Sibugay has an approximate total land area of 3228.3 km² accounting for about 37.82% of the mother province of Zamboanga del Sur. It is geographically located at 123o 04’ 49.75” longitude and at 7o 42’ 14.89” latitude. To the north it intersects the common municipal boundaries of Kalawit, Tampilisan, and Godad in Zamboanga del Norte. In the west, it is bounded by the municipalities of Siraway, Siocon, and Balinguian, and the province of Zamboanga del Norte. On the south it is bounded by Sibuguey Bay. In the east, the municipalities of Bayog and Kumalarang both in the province of Zamboanga del Sur bound it. It is further bounded on the southwest by Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga Sibugay has a land area of 3,087.9 km². It is geographically located at 123°04'49"N and 7°42'14"E. It is bounded on the north and west by Zamboanga del Norte; on the east by Zamboanga del Sur; on the south by the Sibuguey Bay; and on the southwest by Zamboanga City.
The climatic condition of the province is moderately normal (climate type III). Annual rainfall varies from 1,599 mm to 3,500 mm. Temperature is relatively warm and constant throughout the year ranging from 22o C to 35o C. The province is situated outside the country's typhoon belt.
History
The area of Zamboanga Sibugay was formerly a part of Zamboanga del Sur. Attempts to divide Zamboanga del Sur into separate provinces date as far back as the 1960s. Several bills were filed in congress, but remained unacted. The new province was finally created by Republic Act No. 8973 on February 22, 2001.
History of the Creation of Zamboanga Sibugay Proviince
The son of late Philippine president Corazon Aquino called Wednesday for another round of "people power" as he announced he would run for president to continue his mother's work.
