Aquino Makes Historic Vow in Cavite

At the window where Philippine independence from foreign rule was first proclaimed, leading presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino vowed to bring about freedom from corruption, the foremost cause of injustice and poverty in the country.

Seemingly reenacting the independence day proclamation of Emilio Aquinaldo, the country's first president, Aquino raised the Philippine flag on Friday at the Aguinaldo shrine in Kawit, Cavite, where the banner was first unfurled.

Aquino and running mate Senator Mar Roxas were in Cavite to lead the Liberal Party motorcade from Imus to Kawit.

Caviteños braved the sweltering heat to welcome the frontrunner in all national presidential surveys, whose lead over the second placer surged to 19 percent in the latest Pulse Asia survey. Many supporters shouted "Noynoy! Noynoy!", and flashed the Laban sign when Aquino raised the flag.

Cavite governor Ayong Maliksi said Aquino had the people's support because he is seen as an honest leader who is needed to end corruption, different from the current administration which has diverted government funds that could have been used for services for the poor such as healthcare and education.

"Yung number one na pinanggagalingan ng kurapsyon ay ang liderato," Maliksi said. "Kung ang liderato sa itaas ay nagpapakita ng kalinisan, siyempre hindi maaring hindi sumunod yung mga nasa baba."

Maliksi added: "Noynoy is the right person to become the president dahil siya ay malinis, talagang hindi magnanakaw. Sa panahon na ito ang katulad ni Noynoy ang kailangan ng bansa."

Several Caviteños said they would vote for Aquino because he was "down to earth" and "trustworthy." "Siyempre iboboto ko si Noynoy," said one of the people watching the rally. "Siya lang ang kandidatong hindi magnanakaw."