Aquino Volunteers Rock "Araw na Dilaw"

Leading presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III thanked thousands of volunteers on Sunday for throwing their support behind his vision of a clean and compassionate government to put an end to corruption, which he believes is the foremost cause of injustice and poverty in the country.

A crowd of more than 10,000 people jogged 2.5 kilometers from the Araneta Center to the People Power Monument to hear Aquino's address. Artists such as Ogie Alcasid, Sharon Cuneta, Noel Cabangon, and the Ryan Cayabyab singers staged a free concert for the supporters.

Aquino in his speech criticized the Arroyo government for allowing corrupt transactions such as the Fertilizer Fund Scam and the ZTE Broadband Deal to thrive during its term. Diverted resources due to large-scale corruption deprive the poor of services such as education and healthcare, thereby worsening their condition, he said.

"Pinili natin ang tuwid na landas, upang iwasto ang halos isang dekada ng katiwalian sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang gobyerno. Ito ang pinatunayan ng ating People's Campaign, at ng ating pagtutulungan upang makamit ang ating pinapangarap na pagbabago," Aquino said.

Aquino called on supporters to be vigilant against election fraud, and help ensure clean and credible May polls .

"Magtulungan tayo upang ang tunay na boses ng sambayanan ang manaig, sa gitna ng problema sa poll automation at posibleng dayaan sa darating na halalan," Aquino said.

The volunteers were heartened by Aquino's speech. Many affirmed their support for Aquino and his running mate Mar Roxas - who, with barely a week before elections, hold sizable leads over other candidates in all national presidential and vice-presidential surveys -- by flashing the Laban sign and chanting "Si Noynoy," the song composed by Ogie Alcasid for the campaign.

"This is not a show of force, but mainly a show of support for the Noy-Mar tandem," said Egay Zaragoza, one of the volunteers who organized the event.