Noynoy starts campaign for opposition to Duterte

Former President Benigno Aquino III on the 35th anniversary of his father's death started to campaign for the opposition’s candidates for next year’s midterm elections.

After saying he would not seek an elective post in 2019, Aquino on Tuesday called on those disgruntled by the Duterte administration’s performance to support opposition bets.

“Kung sang-ayon po tayo sa takbo ng bansa ngayon, iboto po ang kakampi ng administrasyon," Aquino said at the Sto. Domingo Church after a mass in connection with Benigno Aquino Jr.'s death anniversary.

"Pero kung di ka sang-ayon, wag niyo lang iboto ang ating mga kandidato, ikampanya mo pa sila, palakasin niyo ang mga magdadala ng tinatawag na checks and balances sa gobyerno,” he added.

“Kayo ang dapat masunod. Klaro po, nasa inyong mga kamay ang ating kapalaran, nasa inyo kung gagamitin ninyo ang kapangyarihan na ‘yun,” Aquino said.

Earlier in the day, Aquino said he planned to help candidates who shared his views and advocacy instead of himself running for office.

"Gusto natin magparami ng bilang. Siguro naman dapat tumulong tayo na meron tayong oposisyon na talagang constructive na magpo-provide ng tamang check and balance,” he said.

Aquino is chairman emeritus of the former ruling Liberal Party, whose 2019 senatorial slate includes re-electionist Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino, former Quezon Representative Erin Tañada, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman Chel Diokno, Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano, and former Akbayan party-list Representative Barry Gutierrez.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Liberal Party president, has said that the group was still trying to convince actress Agot Isidro to run for the Senate. —NB, GMA News