Despite the perceived popularity of Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III, the 2010 presidential elections will likely be a race between two presidential aspirants other than him, the son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos said Monday.
In a statement, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Aquino's announcement of his presidential bid came a little too late, and that each of former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Senator Manuel Villar Jr. already got a head-start in their respective campaigns among the masses and the professionals.
"There is no doubt that Noynoy has pure intentions and that he is really willing to serve the public with all his heart. But I think Erap and Manny are already miles ahead of him," said Bongbong.
Noynoy’s father, Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and Bongbong’s father were bitter political rivals during the 1970s and up until Ninoy’s assassination on Aug. 21, 1983.
Reconciliation among the two families appeared imminent when Bongbong and his sister Maria Imelda or Imee visited the wake of former President Corazon Aquino last August in a show of sympathy.
The congressman’s latest statement came on the heels of a television report saying that pollster Social Weather Stations found Aquino leading other presidential aspirants by a wide margin in some vote-rich Luzon provinces.
But Bongbong said: "Noynoy needs to double his efforts. He has to reach out to farmers and fishermen."
"I know he has strong appeal, and he should work on this more," he added.
For his part, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino congratulated Aquino for his reported lead in the surveys but said the senator should not let his guard down.
“Ang survey ay snapshot or litrato ng pangkasalukuyang sitwasyon at maaring magbago sa daan ng panahon (A survey is only a snapshot of the current situation, and it may change over time)," Angara said in a statement.
In response to clamors that intensified after his mother’s death, Noynoy announced that he would be running as the Liberal Party’s standard bearer in 2010.
The move came after LP President and Senator Manuel “Mar" Roxas II announced that he was giving up his own presidential ambition to support Noynoy.
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