By Alex P. Vidal/ PNS
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — He is now his own man after the death last year of his number one spiritual adviser and mother, Corazon Aquino. Therefore, president-apparent Simeon Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino must do away with “political debt of gratitude” and must not kowtow to businessmen and political forces that backed his candidacy in the recent polls.
Thus was the gist of the statements made by some Filipino-Canadians here who followed the son Aquino’s meteoric rise to political stardom starting from congressman of Tarlac, to senator; and now his ascension as president-elect of the Republic of the Philippines.
BEATRICE ZIALCITA, 27, student: “Marami kasi ang nagbigay ng tulong sa kanya (so many people extended help to him) financially and these people will really demand for a return of their investment so-called in whatever means. He should be firm and start distancing himself from them.”
JOSELITO PENALOSA, 36, telecom employee: “Noynoy told the BBC World in a recent interview that he would get rid of his weakling image and would be tough against criminals and grafters in government. Panindigan po dapat nia ang kanyang sinabi dahil narinig ito ng lahat ng tao sa mundo (He should honor his promise because it was heard by people from all over the world).”
MANG RUDY, 73, retiree: “Much will be expected of him dahil anak siya ng isang dakilang tao na nagging hero noong panahon ni (former Philippine president Edralin) Marcos. Our new president should maintain his independence because that is where he became known, aside from the fact that he is the son of (the late former president) Cory Aquino.
DIOSDADA ADVINCULA, 44, caregiver: “Kahit sino po ang tanungin nio dito (Philippine Consulate Office on Pender St.) umaasa lahat kay Noynoy na taposin na ang kahirapan sa ating bansa at ipakulong nia ang mga korakot. At dapat huwag na niyang pansinin ang mga uhaw sa puewsto sa gobierno na pumipila at humihingi ng pabor dahil sila lang makakasira sa kanya kapag sila’y nangurakot. Di ba?” (Most of us here are expecting from Noynoy to end poverty in the country and send to jail corrupt public officials. He should snub those hankering for government positions because they will be the ones who will give him problem if they start stealing from public coffer.)
JOJO, 24, graphic artist: “Noynoy should sit down with Kris (Aquino, his sister) and tell her frankly and seriously to maintain a low profile role in society because whatever kalokohan (naughtiness) she does will affect the image of her brother.
RICHIE ELITO, Sky train passenger: “I have no comment. My family did not vote for him. We went for Gibo (Gilberto Teodoro, Noynoy’s cousin who wound up fourth in the presidential race).
WENNONA, Starbucks coffee server: “I have no idea. Let’s just talk about sports; the Habs (Montreal Canadiens hockey team playing in Stanely Cup versus Philadelphia Flyers) lost again, oh my.”