MANILA, Philippines?Even before he has established himself in Malacañang, President-apparent, Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III is already being swamped with unsolicited advice from thousands of visitors to a new Facebook page, telling him he should choose upright Cabinet members and also quit smoking.
Aquino?s promise to wage war against rampant corruption that has plagued the Philippines has raised hopes, especially among the young, who made up almost half the voters in Monday?s elections.
As of 4:45 p.m. Thursday, 24,263 people have visited the Facebook site, ?Dear Noynoy Aquino,? and indicated they ?like? it.
The page was set up Tuesday by Rock Ed Philippines, a volunteer group of young professionals promoting alternative education and ?thoughtful suggestions? for the new president.
Some Facebook users urged Aquino to distribute his family?s vast sugar estate to landless farmers and workers, while Anna Ylagan wrote: ?Quit smoking, President Noy. We need you to be healthy.?
Writing on the page, Patricia O. Loanzon warned Aquino that Filipinos will repeat the ?People Power? revolts that ousted Marcos in 1986 and President Joseph Estrada in 2001 ?should you renege on your promises to change/erradicate corruption in our government.?
Wilfred Alipat said he still had doubts about Aquino, ?but I hope you prove them wrong.?
Referring to two popular video game consoles, Freddie Cortez wrote: ?dear Noynoy... IPAMANA mo na kay Joshua yun PSP ? WII naman ang laruin mo ? (Bequeath your PSP to Joshua ? Just play with WII).
Jake Antonio Lazo said: ?You were never my choice as president. I do not think you have what it takes to make this country better. But since you won fair and square, we are left with no other choice but to recognize you as the next president of this country. But WE WILL BE WATCHING YOU. I hope you do not become a puppet President. Mr Aquino, P ? lease prove us wrong. Wag mo sana sayangin ang binigay na tiwala sayo ? (Do not squander the trust given to you).
Jerome Alcantara advised Aquino to jail the corrupt politicians and to enlarge the Muntinlupa national penitentiary.
From Carlo Santa Cruz: ?Sir Aquino ? I really didn?t want you to win ? But I congratulate you ? I hope you really know what you?re doing.?
?Dear Noynoy, Could you turn the pyramid up side down? poverty sucks!!!? wrote Sheila Lubangco-Montilla.
The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) didn?t have to go to Facebook to offer its own advice. In a statement, it challenged Aquino to prioritize the prosecution of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Associated Press with reports from Nikko Dizon and Inquirer Research