Noy News: Bagong Pagkakataon

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Sen Noynoy Aquino demanded that Malacanang explain why sea shipping firms involved in maritime accidents are allowed to continue operations despite being unable to take the necessary measures to ensure safety as mandated by the Civil Code. He noted that the Philippines has seen "too many people die as a result of this administration’s inability or unwillingness to enforce the law." »People's Journal

Aquino tops another poll

A third December poll, this time by the Manila Standard, places Sen Noynoy Aquino as the top presidential pick at 47 per cent, mirroring the December Pulse Asia and SWS surveys. The Manila Standard poll, conducted face-to-face, gathered data from 2,500 respondents. The pollster noted that most people stated it was important to vote for candidates in the same ticket. The survey also reflected results similar to other surveys for other presidentiables: Villar at 27 per cent, Estrada at 14 and Teodoro at 5. »Manila Standard »Philippine Star

Aquino margin sure sign of victory

Analyst Ramon Capisle of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms said that Sen Noynoy Aquino's consistently wide lead is "very significant" and a sure sign of victory, and that it is no longer an effect of "emotional outpouring," as critics say. He predicts that if Aquino does not make any "major blunder" in the next few months, his lead will remain unchanged. Last month, separate polling outfits that have historically predicted wins correctly released virtually identical results that place Aquino as the top contender by wide margins. »GMA News

Aquino ahead online

Sen Noynoy Aquino's number of supporters on his official Facebook page breached the 201,000 mark in the first hours of 2010, after a 20-day campaign by volunteers and supporters to parallel the frontrunner's lead in recent surveys. In a wave of support, Aquino "fans" initiated sign-up brigades, e-mail forwarding and personally invited friends to reach the 201k goal, setting Aquino far apart from his closest rivals by more than 50,000. »Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lopa: no hand in surveys

In response to insinuations that their family had a hand in Aquino's consistently high rankings in Pulse Asia surveys, Rapa Lopa, first cousin of presidential frontrunner Sen Noynoy Aquino, clarified that he divested from Pulse Asia when his cousin decided to run for the presidency. He added that he is not surprised by the doubts raised by Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, as she is a staunch administration ally and public supporter of their bet, Gibo Teodoro. »Philippine Daily Inquirer

Aquino: komisyon sa private armies, panakip ni Arroyo

Ayon kay Sen Noynoy Aquino, nakapagtataka ang inilikhang komisyon na susugpo sa private armies dahil matagal na itong nangyayari sa pamahalaan ni GMA, ngunit ngayon lamang natuklasan ng Pangulo ang problema. Itinuturi ito ng senador bilang isang panakip ng administrasyon, upang maitago sa publiko ang buong katotohanan at hindi ito masisi kung bakit dumami ang mga pulitikong nagtataglay ng mga private army, tulad ng mga Ampatuan. »Abante

2010 budget tagilid sa eleksyon

Nangangamba si Sen Noynoy Aquino na mapapakialaman ng administrasyong Arroyo ang 2010 budget. Ayon kay Aquino, madaling mapapakialaman ng Malacañang ang budget, partikular ang mga realignment ng mga pondo. Bilang aksyon, nagbabala si Aquino na sisilipin ng Senado ang mga posibleng realignment sa 2010 national budget kapag nagbalik-sesyon ang Kongreso ngayong Enero 18 upang mahadlangan ang paggamit nito para sa interes ng mga kandidato ng administrasyon ngayong eleksyon. “Kailangan bantayan iyan at dapat tingnan ng Kongreso. Taun-taon na lang puro ganito ang nangyayari,” giit ni Aquino. »Abante

Aquino sisters: Noynoy won't tarnish parents' names

BACOLOD CITY -- While helping volunteers set up headquarters around the country together with their brother and his running mate, Sen Mar Roxas, Aquino sisters Pinky and Ballsy said that they stake their life on the fact that their brother would never tarnish the family name and steal in office. They said that they are unintimidated by the political machinery supporting their brothers' rivals, and that the family wants to give back to a country that had given them much love. Meanwhile, Roxas said that the "demolition job" against their candidacies would continue because their tandem consistently tops surveys. »Philippine Daily Inquirer

Christmas without Cory

Because of the pain of not having their mother around, the Aquino siblings did away with some traditions and celebrated Noche Buena at sister Kris's home, instead of on Times Street, feasting without Tita Cory's special dishes: spaghetti and corned beef. The Aquinos share how they spent their first Christmas without Tita Cory. »GMA News

2009's Top 10

GMA News lists the top 10 news stories in 2009, including Ondoy/Pepeng, Martial Law and the Maguindanao Massacre, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's lavish dinners, as well as the overwhelming mourning over the passing of Tita Cory, and the clamor for Sen Noynoy Aquino to take the torch and lead the Philippines, revitalizing election fever. »GMA News

Let's talk about it

Aquino firmly holding on to lead in polls

Capping the end of 2009, veteran political journalist Amando Doronila of the Inquirer that Aquino's spectacular performance in the polls is unmatched by any contender, and approaches the swell of support seen only twice since independence from the Americans: Ramon Magsaysay's 1953 sweep and Cory Aquino's 1986 victory. Attributing his surge to mere support for his mother, Doronila argues, is insufficient. The attacks from his rivals don't seem to whittle away his support base either. Setting off a "political earthquake," Doronila posits that Noynoy Aquino will set the tone and agenda for presidential discourse from here on. »read more

Noynoy Aquino, Man of the Year

From relative obscurity to political rockstardom, what has got Filipinos aflutter about Noynoy Aquino? Conventional wisdom holds that it all could be the legacy of his parents, but Marlen Ronquillo of the Manila Times suggests that conventional wisdom could be wrong. The undisputed leader of the pack of presidentiables, Aquino is forcing his closest contender to desperately scramble to close the gap. "Unless he blunders horrifically," Ronquillo writes, "nothing can stop his march to the presidency." The senator rocked a lethargic political landscape. Without dispute, Noynoy Aquino is the man of the year. »read more

Who will be the real economic emancipator?

William Esposo of the Philippine Star traces the falling history of hunger and poverty in the Philippines since the 1970s, and worries what the next generation of Filipinos will become if 25 per cent of the people are down to eating less than two meals, mostly on empty carbohydrates that carry no vitamins or other essential nutrients. While pointing to corruption as the root of this crisis, most Filipinos attribute the problem solely to the Wealth Gap. Esposo argues it is also due to gaps in Information, Education and Opportunity. Only two candidates offer any inkling of addressing the whole spectrum of gaps: Gordon and Aquino. But in the end, people empowerment is the mightiest antidote to our woes, something Aquino strongly espouses. To Esposo, Aquino is popular not only because he is trustworthy, but because he has the right solution that will start unlocking the problem. »read more