DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 03 September) – They both wore yellow to welcome Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III — the entrepreneur flashing the “L” sign, the mayor saying “destiny.”
Aquino spent six hours in the city Thursday to meet with allies before flying to Zamboanga City for his spiritual retreat at the Carmelites in Zamboanga City, to seek guidance on whether or not he would run for President.
Entrepreneur Jesus Ayala, his wife Mafe and son Miguel, wore yellow shirts as they welcomed him to the office of the JVA Management Corporation and into their residence in the same compound where his mother always spent the night while in Davao.
Employees chanted “Noynoy, Noynoy” as they took turns to pose for souvenir photos with Aquino.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte came to the Marco Polo Hotel’s 17th floor in striped yellow and blue shirt, his close-in aide, Bong Go, also in yellow.
“Only one letter,” Ayala steered his wheelchair towards Aquino as he replied to a question on what he pledged Aquino during their hour-long closed-door meeting before the noontime press conference at the Ayala compound’s Bulwagan.
Ayala then smiled as he flashed the “L” sign for “Laban” (fight), the symbol and battlecry of Aquino’s mother, Corazon,
Aquino had said the Ayalas “will support me regardless of the decision.”
In his senatorial bid in 2007, the Ayalas here were his “primary supporter, the initial, the persons who were there constantly.”
Aquino landed second place in Davao City, even as campaigned only “once or twice.”
Before visiting the Ayalas, Aquino was at Bistro Rosario as guest of the Lizada family, a known ally of former President Fidel Ramos.
Aquino met with civil society representatives after the Ayala visit before meeting with Mayor Dutere.
At the meeting with Duterte, the media was asked to leave after the customary “photo opportunity.” Duterte, Aquino and their close aides, talked behind closed doors for about 15 minutes.
“We were just talking computers,” he said, although he quickly added, “in connection with next year’s elections,” Duterte said after the meeting.
“I wore yellow because yan ang color ng nanay nya,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he believes in destiny. “I am a child of destiny,” stressing he “never wanted to be a mayor.”
“Alam mo (You know), if you believe in God, you believe in destiny.
“I was happy being a prosecutor until one day, I was yanked out of my position and was appointed (OIC) vice mayor,” he said. People Powerdrove the Marcoses out in 1986; all local government seats were declared vacant and OICs were named.
Then opposition leader Zafiro Respicio was named OIC mayor while Duterte was named OIC vice mayor.
It was actually his mother, Soledad, who was initially named for the vice mayoralty but she begged off in favor of her son, Rodrigo.
He said he thinks Aquino is also a “child of destiny.”
Aquino will announce his decision after the 40th day of his mother but not on September 11, the birthday of Marcos.
“Ayaw ko naman sigurong gumawa ng decision na birthday ni Marcos,” (I don’t think I’ll make a decision on the birthday of Marcos.”
Asked if he was going to be the Obama of the Philippines, Aquino replied, “Obama is not yet a proven entity. I’d rather be a follower of my parents.”
But he quickly added, “ It’s too early for (US) President (Barack) Obama. Hindi ko naman sinasabing wala siyang nagawa” (I am not saying he has done nothing). [Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews]