Political Party: Liberal Party
Target Position: President of the Philippines

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III
Alias: Noynoy
Religion: Roman Catholic
Date of Birth: February 8, 1960
Place of Birth: Manila
Age: 50 (on coming 2010 election)
Parents: Former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and Former President Corazon C. Aquino
Civil Status: Single
Spouse: N/A
Children: N/A
Prominent Relatives: Kris Aquino-Yap (Sister – Actress), Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski (Cousin – Actress), Jackie Aquino (Cousin – Actress), Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV (Cousin – TV Host, Actor and Civic Leader), Peping Cojuanco (Uncle – Businessman / Former PSC Chief), Tessie Aquino – Oreta (Aunt – Former Senator), Agapito “Butz” Aquino (Uncle – Former Senator / Covenor of ATOM), Danding Cojuangco (Uncle – Businessman / Former Marcos Crony), Gilbert Teodoro (Cousin – Arroyo Cabinet)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• AB Economics – Ateneo de Manila University (1977-1981)
• Secondary Education – Ateneo de Manila University (1973-1977)
• Primary Education – Ateneo de Manila University (1965-1973)

PROFESSION / OCCUPATION

• Senator of the 14th Congress

NON-POLITICAL WORK EXPERIENCE

• Manager, Central Azucarera de Tarlac, 1996-1998
• Executive Assistant for Administration, Central Azucarera Tarlac, 1993-1996
• Vice President, Intra Strata Assurance Corp., 1986-1996
• Vice president and Treasurer, Best Security Agency Corporation, 1986-1993
• Retail Sales Supervisor and Youth promotion Assistant, Nike Philippines 1985 -1986
• Assistant for Adsvertising and Promotion, Mondragon Philippines, 1985-1986

ADVOCACY

• Continous fight for Democracy

POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATIONS AND POSITIONS

• Vice Chairman – Liberal Party of the Philippines - (March 17, 2006 to present)
• Secretary General – Liberal Party of the Philippines - (1999 – 2002; 2004 – 2006)
• Vice-Pres. for Luzon – Liberal Party of the Philippines - (2002-2004)
• Secretary General – Liberal Party of the Philippines - (1999-2002)
• Chairman of the Board – Central Luzon Congressional Caucus

GOVERNMENT SERVICE

• Senator – Senate of the Philippines - 14th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines
• Member – House of Representatives - (1998-2001; 2001-2004; 2004-2007)
• Deputy Speaker – House of Representatives - 13th Congress of the Philippines (November 8, 2004-February 21, 2006)

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

(House of Representatives – 11th Congress)

• Public Order and Security
• Transportation and Communications
• Agriculture, Banks and Financial Intermediaries
• Peoples’ Participation
• Suffrage and Electoral Reforms
• Appropriations
• Natural Resources
• Trade and Industry committees

(House of Representatives – 12th Congress)

• the Civil, Political and Human Rights
• Good Government
• Public Order and Security
• Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy committees

(House of Representatives – 13th Congress)

• Banks and Financial Intermediaries
• Energy
• Export Promotion
• Public Order and Safety committees

(Senate of the Philippines – 14th Congress)

• Local Government – Jurisdiction: All matters relating to autonomous regions, provinces, cities, special metropolitan political subdivisions, municipalities and barangays.
• Oversight Committee on ARMM Organic Act

LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND

Senate of the Philippines (14th Congress)

• Senate Bill No. 3121 - GENERAL SANTOS CITY CHARTER - AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5412, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS

• Senate Bill No. 3121 - BUDGET IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT - This bill seeks to increase congressional oversight and to limit executive influence over specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. This undertaking is urgently needed in the light of the current economic crisis confronting the whole world, the consequences of which are deemed to severely affect our country in the coming years.

• Senate Bill No. 2978 - DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT - AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 51 (A) (1), SECTION 51 (A) (2), SECTION 51 (B) (4) (I), AND SECTION 52 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1990′. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

• Senate Bill No. 2325 - AMUSEMENT TAX EXEMPTION - AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 140 (A) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

• Senate Bill No. 2160 - GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT REFORM ACT - AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9184, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT REFORM ACT

• Senate Bill No. 2159 - SUPERIOR RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2008 - AN ACT ADOPTING THE DOCTRINE OF ‘SUPERIOR RESPONSIBILITY’ TO ALL ACTIONS INVOLVING MILITARY PERSONNEL, MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE AND OTHER CIVILIANS INVOLVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Senate Bill No. 2036 - WAGE RATIONALIZATION ACT - AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE PRESCRIBED INCREASES AND ADJUSTMENTS IN THE WAGE RATES OF WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6727, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘WAGE RATIONALIZATION ACT’, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

• Senate Bill No. 2035 - PUBLIC WORKS REFORM ACT OF 2008 - AN ACT REQUIRING THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF ALL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURES, ESTABLISHING MECHANISMS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

• Senate Bill No. 2006 - POSTING OF SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES (LGUS) - AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 352 AND 513 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

• Senate Bill No. 2005 - LGUS CHOICE OF DEPOSITORY BANK - AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 311 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

• Senate Bill No. 1719 - APPOINTEE INELIGIBILITY ACT OF 2007 - AN ACT LIMITING THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES BY-PASSED BY THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS (CA)

• Senate Bill No. 1710 - JUDICIARY INDEPENDENCE ENHANCING ACT OF 2007 - AN ACT BANNING THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL (JBC) WHO HAS ALREADY SERVED THE FULL TERM

• Senate Bill No. 1370 - WORKERS PRODUCTIVITY INCENTIVES ACT OF 2007 - AN ACT GRANTING AN ANNUAL PRODUCTIVITY INCENTIVE TO ALL WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ESTABLISHING MECHANISMS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

House of Representatives

*One of Aquino’s key legislative initiatives was to make requiring the procurement of the petroleum, oil and lubricants requirements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be done by public bidding

• House Bill No. 4251 – granting annual productivity incentives to all workers in the private sector
• House Bill No. 4397 – strengthening the regulatory power of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to effectively enforce consumer laws
• House Bill No. 4252 – increasing the penalties for non-compliance of the prescribed increases and adjustments in the wage rates of workers
• House Bill No. 3616 – extending the reglementary period for the educational qualification for PNP members
• House Bill No. 1842 – providing for the codification of criminal laws
• House Resolution No. 65 – inquiry in aid of legislation into the policies and processes of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in granting rate increases to electric utilities
• House Resolution No. 788 – creating a select Congressional Oversight Committee on intelligence funds to check and study the use of intelligence funds by government agencies to ensure that funds allocated therefor are utilized for the purpose they are intended

ISSUES, CONTROVERSIES AND SCANDALS

• Plagued since his mother’s administration, the Hacienda Luisita has been the subject of scrutiny by activists, farmers  and concerned citizens. The Hacienda Luisita has been the sour legacy of the Aquinos especially when the Mother failed to include the 6,400 hectare property in the Agrarian Reform. Aquino later said that they are willing to give up the land. Source

• In 2005, the Aquinos was once again rocked by controversy when two protesters were shot during the Hacienda Luisita workers protest. Though Noynoy have already condemned such acts yet it was not clarified who instigated the shooting. On the protester’s side, it was Noynoy who orchestrated the crime. But it was unfounded and no evidence has been linked to the Aquinos. Source

• Malacanang and other Critics of Noynoy accused of the latter of using his mother and father’s legacy in catapulting himself to popularity. In a statement, Malacannag Megaphones called Noynoy to “be his own man” and step out of the shadows of his parents. Source

• Cardinal Vidal who was glad that Noynoy finally decided to run, was dismayed after a few weeks when he found out that the latter co-authored the highly protested and contested Reproductive Health bill which will promote openly, the use of Contraceptives. Noynoy is the Chair of the Committe of Local Government and in his mandate, requires him to co-sponsor the bill. Cardinal Vidal however reminded Aquino that he was vocal in urging the faithful not to vote candidates who are likely to support the reproductive health bill. The strongest statement against Noynoy so far by Cardinal Vidal is that “he has a tendency to be an anti-life”. Source

KNOWN POLITICAL RIVALS

• Imelda Marcos and Children – Stemmed from the imprisonment of his father, the late Benigno Aquino Jr and later his assasination
• Gringo Honasan – Coup attempts led by Gringo and Ram resulted to his ambush at Malacanang gate which almost cost his life, embedding five bullets, one of which is still lodged on his neck
• Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Family – Started when Mother, Cory Aquino called for her resignation in lieu of the Hello Garci scandal, and later on the issue of PSG removal while his mother is on her deathbed.

PLATFORM

• None so far (to be posted once available)

STRENGTHS

• No Stains of Corruption
• Solid Stance on Democracy and Good Governance
• Clean and Untarnished Background
• High Level of Integrity and Credibility
• Majored in Economics
• Has Managerial Experience in private companies
• Diligence
• Straightforwardness, what you see is what you get
• Low profile
• Simplicity
• Not self-absorbed with image and appearance
• Spiritual
• Known for his sincerity
• Non-Traditional Politician
• Consultative
• Has no debt of gratitude to any businessman and political allies
• unbridled political will

WEAKNESSES

• Lackluster Legislative performance
• Poor public speaking skills
• Did not finish his term as Senator
• From a political Dynasty
• Not yet blossomed

SURVEYS

• SWS Survey on September 5 – 6 covering NCR, Pangasinan, Central Luzon and Calabarzon – Top 1 garnering 50% from 1200 respondents