SEN. NOYNOY VISITS SQUATTER AREA IN QUEZON CITY

MANILA, Philippines—Liberal Party standard-bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Saturday visited a squatters’ colony in Quezon City and revealed he has received some survey results showing he was doing very well even among the D and E classes.“There were those conducted nationwide while others were specific areas and largely they are agreeing with each other,” Aquino told reporters after his visit to the slum area near the SM Centerpoint on Araneta Avenue Extension in Quezon City.“I’m not going to blow my own horn (but) I’m smiling and my allies and supports will also have big smiles,” he said.He said the surveys were not sponsored by LP, and one even “came from the enemy.” He said these “independent groups” will soon release the results.He denied that his trip to the slum area, which came before he visited the Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila, was meant to poach traditional supporters of former president Joseph Estrada“This has been one of my constant advocacies. (The urban poor) have been an on-going concern,’ he said.Aquino also said that he was giving up on holding unity talks with Estrada and that there were also initial talks with members of the Rebolusyunaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM), which launched coup attempts against his mother, and a major political party that was once the biggest in the land. “(Talks with Estrada are) not out of the picture. If I’m ready to talk with the group that launched coups against my mother, I think I will even be readier to talk with President Estrada,” he said.“Of course, because he’s a former President, he’s older than me, and he’s been in politics longer, I have to be sensitive so that I don’t offend anyone,” he added.Aquino declined to identify the “major political party,” especially when asked if this was the group of former Speaker Jose de Venecia. “Could I skip that because we really haven’t initiated formal talks?” he said.

Aquino said that he also had no problem running against his “friend,” Senator Francis Escudero, and his cousin, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.“From the time of the (failed) impeachment attempt, I have really been friends with Senator Escudero. We shared the same position in most issues. Maybe we might reach a new level of politics. Maybe we won’t end up mud-slinging,” he said.Aquino said that while he differed with Teodoro on many issues while they served as Tarlac congressmen, these disagreements did not become personal and the defense secretary even helped him solve some problems in their province.“If I could have a higher level of politics with Chiz, then most probably I’ll have the same with my cousin. I don’t see them criticizing me with baseless issues,” he said.Aquino met the temporary settlers living under the bridge Araneta Avenue Extension and promised them that he would bring up their concerns to the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.A cheering crowd of more than 150 people welcomed Aquino with yellow ribbons and placards saying “We love you President Noynoy Aquino,” “You Are Not Alone,” “The Fight Goes On,” and “Take Us Out of Poverty.” [By Philip Tubeza, Philippine Daily Inquirer - First Posted 19:19:00 09/12/2009]