MANILA, Philippines?With a bullet in his neck, national heroes for parents and a much-talked about bachelor status, Sen. Benigno Aquino III is not your average presidential candidate.

But in the personality-charged atmosphere of Philippine politics, the man affectionately known as ?Noynoy? has quickly become a star and a leading contender in next year?s elections.

Many of the unassuming 49-year-old senator?s credentials come from his famous parents.

His mother, former President Corazon Aquino, who died last month, is virtually worshipped throughout the nation for leading the Edsa People Power Revolution that overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

His father, former Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr., was murdered by soldiers on his return from US exile in 1983 to lead the opposition, becoming a political martyr who remains much loved today.

?It is in his bloodline. It is in his heritage,? trumpets the aspiring president?s official biography.

Low-profile politician

Noynoy Aquino said he had no intention of running for president until he witnessed the immense public outpouring of affection for his family after his mother died of cancer last month.

Prior to his mother?s death, the bespectacled, balding Aquino was best known as a low-profile politician with no major legislative achievements after nine years in the House of Representatives and two in the Senate.

Born to one of the wealthiest and most high-profile of the landed political clans that rule the Philippines, Aquino was better known as the former boyfriend of broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, and the brother of TV celebrity Kris Aquino.

Aquino even admits he used to let his mother pick his wardrobe for him, while much gossip centers on whether he will finally end his bachelor days and marry if he becomes president.

After an education at Ateneo de Manila University, the economics graduate spent the next 17 years working part-time for his mother and as a volunteer outreach worker for impoverished communities.

Bullet in the neck

The bullet in his neck stems from the tumultuous days when his mother ruled the country after Marcos.

As he drove back to Malacañang in 1987 during one of the many bloody coup attempts against his mother, right-wing soldiers tried to kill him in an ambush.

A grenade blast killed three of his four bodyguards. He was also hit with five bullets, and one of the slugs is still embedded in his neck.

Aquino served three terms in the House of Representatives before winning a Senate seat in 2007.

Although he has achieved little politically, he is seen by many in the Philippines as being untarnished by the corruption that pervades domestic politics.

Lack of executive experience

While economists have applauded Aquino?s likely platform of clean government, they have also pointed to his lack of executive experience and doubts about his ability to bring economic reform.

Said a currency trader from a local bank: ?In our market, we?re after concrete measures that can translate to economic reality.?

Translate respect to vote

Analysts say he has some way to go to translate the respect for his parents into votes, pointing to his less than impressive record as a legislator.

Peter Wallace, head of Wallace Business Forum consultancy, said Aquino?s entry had ?stimulated this election and put a new dimension to it which I believe we needed.?

?On the negative side, he doesn?t have a very impressive record in Congress, he has achieved little over his nine years in (the lower chamber of) Congress and two in the Senate. One would be a little concerned that should he become president, would he be an active and effective president?? Wallace asked.