DAET, Camarines Norte – Why don't they also remove "Ninoy Aquino" from NAIA?
This was the reaction by Liberal Party standard bearer and Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to government moves to remove banners that had pictures of his parents along Roxas Boulevard in Manila because these supposedly helped his campaign.
The only son of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and president Corazon Aquino said the authorities were "stretching" the meaning of the Omnibus Election Code in claiming that the banners, put up by the city government of Manila to honor his parents violated election rules.
"That's stretching it too far. If we follow the line of argument perhaps they should remove the Ninoy Aquino in name of NAIA [the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila]...Perhaps they should change [the name] of the municipality of Ninoy Aquino," Aquino said.
"Their position is somewhat absurd," he added.
Aquino said the Metro Manila Development Authority removed the banners even as the Commission on Elections issued a statement that the banners might be helping Aquino’s campaign.
"It looks like they are singling me out. That is really unique...I know the Comelec has jurisdiction over candidates. Everything that has to do with Omnibus Election Code," Aquino said.
"Obviously the law no longer applies to deceased individuals. So I don’t see, apart from being petty and diminutive, why this should be done," he added.
He said he first heard about the removal of the banners form Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. He said Lim was supposed to have a meeting with MMDA Oscar Inocentes.
"Mayor Lim wants to find out what Comelec resolution was used to justify this move," Aquino said.
"Obviously the law no longer applies to deceased individuals. So I don’t see, apart from being petty and diminutive, why this should be done," he added.
He said he first heard about the removal of the banners form Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. He said Lim was supposed to have a meeting with MMDA Oscar Inocentes.
"Mayor Lim wants to find out what Comelec resolution was used to justify this move," Aquino said.
