MANILA, Philippines?Contrary to what many make him out to be, presidential aspirant Benigno "Noynoy? Aquino III does not seem to be the meek and mild pushover type, according to some of the country?s top business executives.

Delivering the keynote at Thursday?s Makati Business Club general membership meeting, Aquino spoke to a full house.

Minutes before the scheduled noon meeting, the line to the registration table snaked from the foyer of the Manila Peninsula?s Rigodon Ballroom all the way to the lobby entrance. And those on queue were some of the best and the brightest in both business and politics.

The ballroom itself was packed with around 450 of the country?s business luminaries, the biggest attendance registered for one of the group?s meetings in years.

In his speech, Aquino confidently stated his economic agenda, focusing on the country?s tax structure, smuggling, leveling the playing field, public-private sector partnership, education, and good governance.

"I think we are all aware of the problems facing our country. We share the same statistics. We probably even share the same conclusions about the need for better governance. To rehash all of these problems at this forum would be a waste of your time,? he said. "But what we have now is an opportunity for you to get to know me, to find out the advocacies that I champion, the perspective and philosophies I bring to the equation and some of my proposed solutions to give insight into my inner persona.?

He challenged the status quo, in a bid to live up to his reputation as a transformational politician. He promised free and fair competition, with no crony-related business concessions. He even promised not to impose new taxes or increase current tax rates. He vowed to curb smuggling and run after tax evaders.

Ambitious, and maybe even already heard from other politicians before, many of Thursday?s attendees felt that Aquino actually knew what he was talking about.

"I was impressed with the way he answered the questions. He didn?t stammer. He was confident. He didn?t seem to be the pushover that people are making him out to be. He obviously knew what he was talking about,? Manuel Lopez, chair of power distribution utility Manila Electric Co., said after the speech.

Peter Wallace, president of the Wallace Business Forum, said he was "pleasantly surprised? with how Aquino answered the businessman?s questions.

"He showed depth of knowledge and went beyond trite statements. He gave frank, specific answers and he didn?t evade questions. I was quite impressed with the way he handled himself,? Wallace said.

Former Central Bank Governor Jose Cuisia Jr. pointed out not only Aquino?s confidence but also his sincerity.

"Sincerity on the part of a leader is very important,? he said. "He addressed what the business community wanted addressed. It was a fairly comprehensive speech.?

He said Aquino, however, should make sure to put together a Cabinet that would be able to follow through on his economic agenda.

Aquino declined to reveal his "dream team,? although present at the meeting were former Cabinet members, particularly some of the famous Hyatt 10: Florencio Abad of Education, Cesar Purisima of Finance, and Juan Santos of Trade and Industry.

Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association chair Fernando Martinez said it was but understandable for Aquino to leave his Cabinet list under wraps at this point, as names on that list could also be subject to attack.

"(Aquino) may not be as fiery as some other presidential candidates, but his message is clear. The electorate will decide on a candidate?s degree of honesty and integrity,? he said.

Outside the Manila Peninsula, however, militant and farmer groups lined Makati Avenue to express their disgust over the failure of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and to commemorate the 23rd year of the Mendiola massacre.