MINDANAO GROUP STARTS AQUINO CAMPAIGN

Sen. Noynoy flashes Laban sign with supporters

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—A colorful motorcade with streamers saying "We love you Noynoy" and "Noynoy para sa Bagong Pinoy" began here at the historic Magsaysay park in Davao City on Wednesday, minutes after Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III declared his intention to run for president in 2010.

Members of civil society, including students, teachers, businessmen and leaders of people's organizations have formed the "Mindanaoans for Noynoy Movement" (MNM) to usher in what they describe as a "new beginning" for Mindanao.

"We are now starting a persistent campaign to install Noynoy as our next president and we enjoin all people who are for reforms to support him. Political affiliation does not matter here, so long as you are truly for reforms," said Ednar Dayanghirang, former coordinator of the Mindanao Business Council and convener of MNM.

MNM also formally launched the "Piso-piso para kay Noynoy" fund drive at the Matina Town Square here. The fund drive aims to reach out to the poorest sectors who, according to Dayanghirang, will be involved in the campaign once they pitch in the cost of having a presidential campaign.

Dayanghirang said all the funds they could collect would go to Aquino’s campaign kitty.

Dayanghirang added that they have been using the facilities of the Ayala family based here for the campaign's launch.

Senator Aquino paid a visit to Ayala patriarch Jesus Ayala in Davao City before proceeding to a retreat in Zamboanga City recently.

In Zamboanga City, Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo welcomed Aquino's political plans with reservation, saying the senator has become "popular because of his parents but leading a country and bringing in order and development for the Filipino is not through popularity."

Aquino’s father is the martial law martyr, former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and his mother is the country’s democracy icon and People Power heroine, former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, whose death on August 1 galvanized forces for change to rally around Noynoy’s candidacy.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat saw the 2010 election as "a fight among friends."

Lobregat said most of those who showed intention to run for the country's highest post "are my colleagues at the 11th and 12th Congress, they are close friends."

"We have still eight months (before the elections) and it's too early to make a reaction or a comment," Lobregat said.

In Tagum City, former Davao del Norte Vice Governor Antonio Rafael del Rosario said Senator Aquino's proclamation "was the answer to my prayers."

Del Rosario was the first local politician to throw his support for Aquino, saying the senator would be the best pick in effective change in government.

Del Rosario said his decision to support Noynoy Aquino wasn't easy as it meant severing ties, politically, from his father, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, who had served as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's campaign manager in Mindanao in the 2004 elections.

The elder Del Rosario is the chairman of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in the province.

"Now there is hope for reforms," the former vice governor, who is reportedly gunning for a comeback as an independent candidate next year, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a text message. "Now I am hopeful for my children's future."

And in an apparent snowballing support for Aquino, a businessman in Tagum City has offered his developed SMS (short messaging system)-based technology to help rally the public for the senator.

Sean Gellangarin, an electronics engineer, said his "text broadcast" program could spread the message of support for Aquino, by sending text messages to up to three million cell phone users in the region.

Gellangarin said his group has a database of mobile phone numbers obtained through an exchange deal system from SMS retailing and loading stations in southern Mindanao.

"I'm offering this technology for free as a way of helping achieve change in the country by supporting Senator Noynoy," Gellangarin said, admitting he had originally conceived the technology to be sold to interested politicians, among them Senator Mar Roxas.

He said he believed Noynoy could bring good change in government, "which the country really needs." Reports filed by Ma. Cecilia L. Rodriguez, Dennis Santos, Julie S. Alipala, Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao [Inquirer Mindanao, First Posted 16:31:00 09/09/2009]