NOYNOY STRONG IN SURVEY

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has rated strongly in a survey of presidential contenders conducted shortly before the announcement of his intention to run in the 2010 elections under the Liberal Party.

Makati Business Club president Ramon del Rosario Jr. said the unreleased survey, conducted by a prominent polling group, showed “hopeful results” for Aquino’s presidential bid.

But another source who declined to be named said Aquino rated significantly higher than consistent survey topnotcher Sen. Manuel Villar, former president Joseph Estrada, Sen. Francis Escudero, and Vice President Noli de Castro in a Social Weather Stations survey in Metro Manila and in some vote-rich regions in Luzon. The details of the survey are yet to be released.

It was not clear whether Del Rosario and the other source, who is from the business community, were talking about the same survey.

LP stalwart and former Batanes Rep. Florencio Abad said the party is aware of the survey.

Del Rosario was a speaker at the US Embassy-sponsored seminar on “Strengthening Democracy Through Ethical Leadership and Effective Citizen Participation” held in Tagaytay City.

In the question and answer portion of the program, Del Rosario voiced his preference for Aquino among the presidential wannabes and told his audience about the existence of the survey.

The STAR source, on the other hand, said the SWS survey was done between Sept. 5 and 6 or before Aquino announced his presidential plans after partymate Sen. Manuel Roxas II withdrew for the sake of party unity.

“I just want to say that this survey was not commissioned by (Senator Aquino). This is not self-serving,” the source, who is from the business community, said.

He said Aquino has already been made aware of the results of the survey.

“I think this will be announced very soon,” the source said, referring to the survey results.

“Someone signed an agreement with SWS and only that person can authorize the release of the results,” the source added.

Del Rosario, who had been active in rallies against the Arroyo administration, said Aquino could best lead the country following the legacy of his parents, former senator and national hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the late former president Corazon Aquino.

Del Rosario stressed his support for Aquino is personal and does not reflect the position of the Makati Business Club, of which he is a director.

“We now have renewed hope that we can look forward to a new dawn where accountability and good governance prevail over abuse and deceit,” he said in his speech.

“From apathy, we now see a reinvigorated citizenry,” Del Rosario added.

“With the outpouring of our people’s support for President Cory and all she stood for, it is as if we have looked the enemy in the eye and served notice: ‘Your time is near. You can no longer mislead, deceive, or intimidate us. We will build a better nation and will sweep aside anyone who tries to stop us’,” Del Rosario said.

The businessman said he would see in the coming weeks how Aquino would present himself as the next president through his platform and position on various issues.

Del Rosario said various movements were being formed and though they were disparate and unorganized, there was a common thread running through them.

“There is a shared assessment that the state of governance in the country has become intolerable and that people must act now on their own to bring back the good and fight corruption, injustice and abuse,” he said.

“In short, people are calling to bring back ethical leadership and are willing to participate as citizens to bring this about. This is one of the most significant developments as far as protecting and enhancing Philippine democracy is concerned,” he said.

He said the greater threat to democracy is not an openly acknowledged dictator but a “dictatorship masquerading as democracy.”

“And this lie can only be maintained if the people remain unthinking, uncaring and fearful,” Del Rosario said. [By Aurea Calica and Elisa Osorio (The Philippine Star) Updated September 13, 2009 12:00 AM ]