“Previous contacts with Senator Aquino, often accompanying his mother... left the impression of a diffident, unassertive man continuing a political tradition handed on by his parents but not carving his own legacy”
~ Former U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 001901 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM RP SUBJECT: SENATOR AQUINO DECLARES PRESIDENTIAL BID REF: A. MANILA 1856 (MOMENTUM FOR AQUINO PRESIDENTIAL BID GROWS) ¶B. MANILA 1845 (DEFENSE SECRETARY DISCUSSES ELECTION PROSPECTS) Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)...
COMMENT
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¶10. (C) Senator Aquino's confident, energetic announcement today was a stark contrast to his diffident performance last week, when he appeared unwilling or unable to sustain the momentum created by Senator Roxas' decision to abdicate in favor of his colleague. Aquino's spiritual retreat with the
Catholic nuns who served as his mother's spiritual advisors appears to have strengthened his conviction to launch a full-fledged campaign. It remains unclear whether Aquino can turn his shy, reserved qualities into strengths, appealing to
voters by portraying himself as a man drawn reluctantly into the race by the will of the people rather than by ambition.
However, in the span of just one week following his personal sequestering, he seems to have grown in confidence to carry out a grassroots campaign in the spirit of his mother and father, who are the most widely cherished figures in Philippine politics. Aquino may be perceived as having had a
lackluster political career, but he also appears to have a relatively clean record with no baggage of scandals, which could be a distinct advantage.
