Aquino on verge of poll triumph in Philippines

BENIGNO “NOYNOY” Aquino looked set yesterday to secure a solid mandate after a hard-fought election in the Philippines.

Senator Aquino is on the verge of winning a working majority for his anti-corruption platform and, like his parents before him, striking a blow for “people power” in a country where democracy remains a fragile idea.

The 50-year-old senator, whose parents are icons of the pro-democracy movement for toppling the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, faces significant challenges. These include shoring up the country’s disastrous public finances and tackling a culture of corruption that has left the Philippines trailing its southeast Asian neighbours, despite its highly educated workforce and its abundant natural resources.

His election platform was largely built on his parents’ legacy. Senator Aquino’s father, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, was an opposition leader assassinated during the Marcos era, and his mother Corazon replaced the dictator in 1986.

He has not made much of an impression personally as a senator, though his popularity was boosted when his mother “Cory” died of cancer in August and prompted an outpouring of emotion and memories of the People Power revolution in 1986.

With nearly 80 per cent of votes counted yesterday, Senator Aquino had more than 40 per cent of votes, way ahead of second-placed Joseph Estrada, the former president who was ousted by outgoing president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Senator Aquino has promised to investigate the outgoing president for graft once in office.

There were fears that the election would founder on a new automated system, which was troubled with glitches during the polls.

In the end it was a relatively peaceful election, with just 12 deaths reported. Turnout was 75 per cent among about 50 million eligible voters.

Jose Abueva, former president of the University of the Philippines, described the election campaign as “impressive”.

“I am 82 years old, and I have seen many elections. I can say that this is one of the most exciting ones, not just because it’s the first automated elections but also because of the involvement of young voters, the set of candidates and the presence of modern communications that engaged the citizens,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

In the end, Senator Aquino’s mandate was clear, but even though he has strong support, he will have a tough job fending off pressure from powerful interest groups, such as the landowning families which retain much of the real power in the Philippines.

His mother had to face down numerous coup attempts during her time in office, although the military appears to back Senator Aquino and insists it is now a “mature” organisation.

Ms Arroyo won a seat in the senate, from which she is liable to contest any efforts to investigate her period in office for corruption, and is also expected to lobby to limit the powers of the presidency.

The family of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos did well at the polls. His shoe-loving widow Imelda won a seat in congress, while his daughter Imee won a local governor’s position and son Ferdinand jnr was on track to be elected one of 12 senators.