Noynoy to stop debating on personal matters with fellow presidential bets

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union , Philippines  – Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III disclosed here Thursday that he would stop debating on personal matters with fellow presidential candidates so he could focus his campaign on the lapses of President Arroyo’s administration.

“It’s hard to be always a punching bag. I think it’s enough that we have already exchanged some personal matters. Our campaign now should focus on the administration lapses of Mrs. Arroyo,” Aquino said referring to his recent debate with Nacionalista Party presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar and Bagumbayan Party standard-bearer Richard Gordon in a televised presidential forum.

Aquino told The STAR that he would not prevent his opponents if they won’t stop making destructive statements against him.

“Destruction po itong mga sinasabi natin. Pero kung ayaw nila tumigil, di ko sila masisisi. Gawin nila ang gusto nilang gawin, okay lang sa akin,” he said. (It’s okay with me whatever tactics they use to bring me down, I can’t blame them).

Aquino said he criticized the recent personal attacks against him but realized later that he should ignore them and instead focus on his presidential agenda.

“When I contemplated about it (the personal attack), bakit ko naman titirahin yong puno na walang bunga eh nangunguna tayo sa survey. Kung hindi mo mapabango ang sarili mo o mapaakit yong iba eh siraan mo na lang ng siraan ang kalaban mo,” he said. (Why should I dignify something which is baseless by reacting to it? Besides I’m leading the surveys. If you can’t improve your rating then put down your competitors.

Asked why he and other opposition candidates should focus their campaign against the administration of Mrs. Arroyo, Aquino replied that the best measurement for a leader is to think for the greater good, for the greater number and not what will keep one in power.

He slammed the Arroyo presidency for the rampant corruption, poor education system, improper used of government funds, among others.

Aquino, along with several LP senatorial bets visited various schools in La Union and attended a forum with businessmen at the Oasis Hotel here.

LP seeks disqualification of KBL bet

Meanwhile, Aquino yesterday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) presidential bet Vetallano Acosta from the 2010 polls.

Through his lawyer Sixto Brillantes Jr., Aquino had filed a motion for intervention and reconsideration with the Comelec, asking the agency to set aside the candidacy of Acosta.    – With Sheila Crisostomo