Interior Secretary Ronnie Puno acknowledges the contribution of former President Aquino in restoring the country’s democracy but the nostalgic feelings alone will not help Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino win in his presidential bid for the 2010 national elections. This statement was given when he attended the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City. Some may contend this assessment of Puno but his experience in the last three presidential campaigns have given him enough knowledge on how Filipinos choose their candidates. As what others call him, he is the master political strategist of his generation. For this, Puno is more than competent to issue his analysis and observations for the forthcoming elections.
Puno said that nostalgic feeling and other sympathetic feelings toward the former president and the family will not last until Election Day. He added that euphoria is not enough for Noynoy to grab the presidential post. Puno said that a candidate must possess certain characteristics in order to win and to focus on the more important issues at hand and of course, offers solutions to the country’s growing problems. These statements from Puno must be given great consideration by the electorate. Remember that he is responsible for the wins of deposed President Joseph Estrada and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Though he said that euphoria will not last, Puno still clarified that a proper understanding of the “Noynoy” phenomenon is important and this can be vital for the success of the ruling party. Noynoy’s popularity be also be the cause of the people’s discontentment with the present administration but according to him, there is miscommunication about what the government does and what he intends to do.
