MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential bet Senator Manny Villar are set to file their certificates of candidacy (CoC) on November 28 and 30, respectively, spokesmen said on Monday.
Aquino will formalize his presidential bid at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with his running mate, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Aquino’s campaign manager and former congressman Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
Aquino and Roxas will be accompanied by their respective families during the filing, Abad said.
“Merong maikling programa, magmimisa muna, tapos maglalahad ng plataporma de gobyerno bago mag file (We will hold a short program where we will present our platform of government before the actual filing),” he said over the phone.
Asked about Aquino’s choice of the date of filing, Abad said, “Maraming bilog. Swerte. (There are many circles in the number, they say it’s lucky).
Villar will file his CoC on November 30, a Monday, which also coincides with the country’s commemoration of Andres Bonifacio’s birthday, his spokesman and former congressman Gilbert Remulla said in a separate interview.
Remulla could not say, however, why Villar picked that date.
“Because it’s Bonifacio Day? And Bonifacio came from Tondo?” he said.
In his infomercials, Villar has made use of his experience growing up in Tondo in showing how he hurdled and challenges to become a successful businessman and politician.
Before the filing, Abad said Aquino’s team will hold a proclamation rally in Tarlac on November 26 to present their complete ticket for 2010.
At present, those included in Aquino’s senatorial ticket are former Senators Franklin Drilon and Sergio Osmena III, former Socio Economic Secretary Ralph Recto, Muntinlupa Representative Rufino Biazon, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, Akbayan party list Rep. Risa Hontiveros , former congressman Nereus Acosta, Sonia Roco, wife of the late Senator Raul Roco and detained Brigadier General Danilo Lim.
Remulla said Villar will also reveal his complete senatorial slate at a proclamation rally in Tondo on November 29.
