The Philippine Online Chronicles

How does one prove himself worthy of the Presidency? How exactly does one continue the legacy of one’s hero-parents? How does one prove himself to be his own man to critiques and a watchful and expectant public? Such is the burden Noynoy Aquino carries on his shoulders.

Having the Aquino crest sure has its perks but it also has its downsides.  What presidential candidate wouldn’t want to have a fair (and permanent) dusting of Cory magic to aid his campaign? Noynoy’s mother, Cory Aquino as we all know only happens to be the first female President in Asia and the Philippines for that matter. She is dubbed the mother of Philippine democracy. The potency of Cory magic could not have been more apparent than at her funeral. Her death was a tremendous loss for the Aquino family and the nation, yet it happend at the same time when people were clamouring for Noynoy’s presidency, their rallying point. Before this time, Noynoy kept a very low profile as a public figure.  It was the height of Cory magic, further snowballed by the backing out of Grace Padaca and Ed Panlilio from the presidential race to support the then very reluctant Noynoy.  And yes—the backing out of Mar Roxas to give way to Noynoy.

Noynoy’s father Ninoy Aquino is a martyr for democracy, the profound and charming “it” boy of Philippine politics during his time, seen as everything Marcos could have been had he not turned to the dark side.

A lesser human being would have crumbled under the pressure of living up to a family legacy such as Noynoy’s, and being questioned for his sister Kris’ latest marital woes (as if this has anything to do with serious national interests!). To his credit, Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (that’s Noynoy) has not crumbled under these pressures and seems to be managing as best as he can. Noynoy has been compared to his parents countless of times over and was found wanting.  I can only imagine what it must be like to read or hear people say words to the effect that, “No matter how much you love and are rightly proud of your father, your father is much more brilliant, much more eloquent, much more charming and better looking than you. Ninoy was the youngest mayor, governor and senator in Philippine history—Noynoy entered the realm of politics much later as the Representative of the 2^nd District of Tarlac at 38 (his dad was only 34 when he became the country’s youngest senator). And this is only one downside to having to live up to the Aquino family name.

In terms of experience and contributions as a relatively young politician, his records are relatively unimpressive. In his native Tarlac (which happens to be mine, too), many seem to complain that he has not done enough for his hometown in terms of legislative measures. To this critique he says he instead focused on being a fiscalizer and that there are enough laws already in place.  As a Senator, he has authored only a few legislation, enough to be counted with the fingers, mostly related to the Senate Committees he is a part of, namely (1) the Committees on Local Government and Oversight Committee on ARMM Organic Act, (2) the Budget Impoundment Control Act, (3) the Department of Interior and Local Government Act, (4) the Government Procurement Reform Act, (5) the Superior Responsibility Act of 2008, (6) the Wage Rationalization Act, (7) the Public Works Reform Act of 2008, (8) the Appointee Ineligibility Act of 2007, (9) the Judiciary Independence Enhancing Act of 2007 and (10) the Workers Productivity Incentives Act of 2007.

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Noynoy is perceived by many as riding on the coat-tails of his revered parents and his sister’s popularity. His political infomercials from the time he entered into politics up to this date play up the fact that he is his parents’ son.  Notice that his “Hindi Ako Magnanakaw” infomercial seems to have been shot in their Times Street residence, in the room where the late President stayed during her last days battling colon cancer. The moving “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa” infomercial is a show of star power, no doubt in part mustered by Kris’ showbiz connection and the Aquino legacy to free speech.  Yet if he does not take advantage of these, I seriously doubt his ability to win the election on his own. He is damned if does, and damned still if he doesn’t—the classic double edged sword.

Even the Cory magic seems to be losing part of its luster. Noynoy’s popularity rating has gone down, while the popularity of the other candidates seems to be going up.

His handlers have now come up with a new infomercial with Baby James to boot. Watch his new infomercial where he raps—yes, he RAPs! Briefly toward the end Baby James playfully endears himself saying “Noynoy” toward the end.

Noynoy with Baby James:

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Pinoy…. (NOYNOY!)

Pag-asa at ginhawa (NOYNOY!)

Para sa atin kanyang dala-dala (NOYNOY!)

Mahal ang kapwa di puro salita. (NOYNOY!)

Di magnanakaw

Sa kanya’y magtiwala

Hey kabataan

May liwanag ang daan

Edukasyon sa bagong henerasyon

Gabay ni President Cory

at ni Ninoy na bayani

Katiwalian ay hindi na mangyayari

Noynoy raps:

Baguhin ang buhay

Maglilingkod sa inyo

Buong mundo ipagmalaki mo

Tayo’y Pilipino!

(NOYNOY!)

Sa paglaban di ka nag-iisa

(NOYNOY!)

Siguradong lahat ay sama-sama!

(NOYNOY!)

Sa paglaban di ka nag-iisa

(NOYNOY!)

Siguradong lahat ay sama-sama!

NOYNOY: Mga Pinoy, Laban na ‘to!

Baby James: NOYNOY!

Will his platform of a corrupt-free government, with focus on education and the youth bring hope to the Filipino through this new infomercial? Or will the people remember it for the charm of the cute Baby James?

Again, to his credit however, he does seem to be independent-minded with respect to some policy issues. I recall that he was one of those few senators who decried the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). He also broke his political ties with the Arroyo administration over the Garci tapes (as a result of which, I think, he lost his position as Deputy Speaker for Luzon) and with Erap over the plunder and corruption charges (although he and his family still regard Erap as a friend).

In terms of his performance in various presidential interviews and forums, Noynoy has not exactly been doing so well, unlike his cousin Gibo who has a gift for gab—a gift Noynoy does not seem to possess. For all his sincerity in answering the questions thrown at him, he is lacking in substance—his answers seem to miss the point or lack in specifics. Okay, so some questions thrown were actually pointless and had nothing to do with platform, but he could have at least approached them better. Still, what a waste of media exposure his so-so performances were.

I go back to where I began. How does one prove himself worthy of the Presidency? How exactly does one continue the legacy of one’s hero-parents? How does one prove himself to be his own man to critiques and a watchful public? There are only a few session days in the Senate left, many interviews to go, and a few more months to May. My challenge and unsolicited advice to Noynoy is this—Work on the platform of governance (I checked it out and it is not informative enough), improve on the interviews, mention your parents less and make good on that promise if you do win, for we will hold you to it. Be Noynoy, and not just your great parents’ son.

And say with a lot of pride and conviction, “I am NOYNOY!”

Photo by Noemi Lardizabal Dado. Some Rights Reserved.