Leave my nephew alone—Aquino

by Maila Ager (INQUIRER.net)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100223-254877/Leave-my-nephew-aloneAquino

MANILA, Philippines—Leave Joshua alone. Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III made this appeal as he protested at how his political enemies were using his nephew to attack his person.

Joshua is the son of the senator's youngest sister and popular TV host, Kris Aquino.

"Noong isang araw po may text na dumating sa telepono ko. Sa dami nilang pera, tatlo beses pong pumasok sa telepono ko. Nakalagay po dun, yung pamangkin ko raw hong si Joshua, adviser ko sa kasalan (The other day, I received a text message in my phone. Because they had a lot of money, I received it three times. It said there that my nephew is my adviser for my wedding)," he said during a political rally in Bulacan Monday night.
"Alam nyo naman po si Joshua, special child. Yan po inaaruga, minamahal. Pero itong mga kalaban natin pati yung special child pinapatulan, hindi naman kasama dito. Anong klaseng mga tao naman yan? (Joshua is a special child who needs care and love. Our enemies are using a special child who is not party to politics against me. What kind of people are they)" he said.

"So wala pa ho tayo sa election, talaga hong gagawin nila lahat para tayo magkaroon ng hidwaan, pagdududahin kayo (So even without the election, they will use everything to cause strife and doubt)," Aquino said, without naming these political enemies.

After five months since he accepted the challenge to run for president, the senator said he could still not match the money that the administration or its allies has against him.

"Hindi po natin mapapantayan yung ads sa TV dahil kelangan ng salapi (We cannot match the TV ads because that entails money)," he said.

"Ang mapagmamalaki ko lang po, tinuro sa akin ng mga magulang ko, sumandal ka sa taumbayan. Yan ang pinakamatatag, yan ang hindi kayang hintuin ng salapi, yan ang hindi kayang harangin ng kasinungalingan at kaya naman po matapang ako (What I’m proud of, my parents taught me, trust on the people. That is the most durable that money can’t buy, that lies cannot defeat. That’s why I’m courageous)," Aquino said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Aquino is the only son of the late President Corazon Aquino and martyred Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

At this point, Aquino sought the support of the people to ensure his victory in the May elections.

While he was happy with his more than 10 percent lead with closest rival, Senator Manny Villar, in various surveys, Aquino said it would be better if he could further widen the lead from 20 to 40 percent.

"Kailangang iparamdam natin sa kanila na ang dami nyong lolokohin. Huwag nyong subukan at tatayo kami at maninindigan at may kalalagyan kayo (We need to show them that they need to fool more people. Don’t test us or we will stand and you will know it)," the senator added.