Noynoy can be a taray king, too

MANILA, Philippines - President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, considered the darling of the press since he was a youngster, is candid, sometimes funny. But he can also be frank, and yes, even snooty, or mataray in local parlance.

During the press conference after his official proclamation as the country’s 15th president, for instance, Aquino refused the request of a Japanese journalist to repeat in English his answers about his plans for his first 100 days in office because he had repeatedly answered the question in Filipino.

“I have answered the question several times already. Can I just ask them to provide you with the translation in English? I am sorry I am not a jukebox that has to repeat his statements already. I hope you understand,” Aquino said during the live broadcast press conference.

Aquino was also irked when he was asked again about his marriage plans now that he is president.

“I will consult Madame Auring if she has a prediction. You know that even during the campaign, that is the one question that I cannot answer. I will try to answer that in the soonest possible time,” he said in Filipino.

Madame Auring is a fortune-teller who has achieved celebrity status.

Another question that is repeatedly asked Aquino is if he would appoint relatives to government positions, a question that he practically dismissed as invalid.

“If we are going to read the Constitution, nepotism is not allowed. Appointing relatives to government offices is prohibited. Your question, I’m sorry, is a non-issue,” he said.

A supposed source of stress for the Aquino presidency is his youngest sister Kris Aquino-Yap, the actress and talk show host who has figured in controversy several times.

Kris promised not to be a source of intrigue.  

“I feel Noy is the perfect person for this (presidency) because he will stay simple and grounded. I will try my best to be of help and not to be the source of stress,” she said.

Aquino-Yap said she would keep herself busy with a feeding program for students, a job that her brother thinks suits her, being a mother of two young children.

She has been helping Aquino with his wardrobe, recruiting stylist Pin Antonio of Salon de Manila to give him a haircut before the proclamation and also couturier JC Buendia to create his working clothes.

Before the proclamation, Aquino-Yap asked her brother to apply powder so his face would not be shiny before the cameras but he did not like it.

“He said, no powder,” Aquino-Yap said.