Benigno Aquino III
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| His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III |
|
|---|---|
| 15th President of the Philippines | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2010 |
|
| Vice President | Jejomar Binay |
| Preceded by | Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo |
| Secretary of the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government Acting |
|
| In office June 30, 2010 – July 9, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Ronaldo Puno |
| Succeeded by | Jesse Robredo |
| Deputy Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives | |
| In office November 8, 2004 – February 21, 2006 |
|
| Preceded by | Emilio Espinosa |
| Succeeded by | Eric Singson |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010 |
|
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Tarlac's Second District | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | Jose Yap |
| Succeeded by | Jose Yap |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III February 8, 1960 Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | Liberal Party (1995–present) |
| Residence | Bahay Pangarap (Official) Quezon City (Private) |
| Alma mater | Ateneo de Manila University |
| Profession | Businessperson |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Website | Official website |
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Benigno Aquino III
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Aquino is a fourth-generation politician: his great-grandfather, Servillano "Mianong" Aquino, served as a delegate to the Malolos Congress; his grandfather, Benigno Aquino, Sr., served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1943 to 1944; and his parents were President Corazon Aquino and Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. Aquino is a member of the Liberal Party.[7] In the Liberal Party, Aquino held various positions such as Secretary General and Vice President for Luzon. Aquino is the Chairman of the Liberal Party.[8]
Born in Manila, Aquino finished his Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1981 and joined his family in their exile in the United States shortly thereafter. He returned to the Philippines in 1983 shortly after the assassination of his father and held several positions working in the private sector. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province. He was subsequently re-elected to the House in 2001 and 2004.[3] In 2007, having been barred from running for re-election to the House due to term limits, he was elected to the Senate in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.[3]
Following the death of his mother on August 1, 2009, many people began calling on Aquino to run for president.[3] On September 9, 2009, Aquino officially announced he would be a candidate in the 2010 presidential election, held on May 10, 2010.[3] On June 9, 2010, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino the winner of the 2010 presidential election.[3] On June 30, 2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila,[3][9] Aquino was sworn into office as the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Conchita Carpio-Morales.[3][10]
In 2013, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.[11]
Although the official residence of the President is the Malacañang Palace, Aquino actually resides in the Bahay Pangarap (House of Dreams), located within the Palace grounds.[12][13]
Early life and education
Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III was born on February 8, 1960 in Manila. He is the third of the five children of Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., who was then the Vice Governor of Tarlac province, and Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, former President of the Philippines. He has four sisters, Maria Elena (Ballsy) Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon (Pinky) Aquino-Abellada, Victoria Elisa (Viel) Aquino-Dee, and Kristina Bernadette (Kris) Aquino. He attended Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City for his elementary, high school, and college education.[14] He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics.[3][14] He was one of the students of former professor of economics at Ateneo de Manila University, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.In September 1972, Aquino's father, who was then a senator and prominent opposition leader to President Ferdinand Marcos, was arrested for subversion. In August 1973, Aquino's father was brought before a military tribunal in Fort Bonifacio.[15] On August 25, 1973, Aquino's father wrote a letter to his son from Fort Bonifacio, giving advice to his son;
"The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.In 1980, after a series of heart attacks, Aquino's father was allowed to seek medical treatment in the United States, where Aquino's family began a period of self-exile. In 1981, shortly after graduation, Aquino joined his family in the United States.
There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.
Son, the ball is now in your hands."[15]
In 1983, after three years in exile in the United States, Aquino's family returned to the Philippines, shortly after the assassination of his father on August 21, 1983.[14] He had a short tenure as a member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, working as an assistant of the executive director of PBSP.[14] He later joined Mondragon Industries Philippines, Inc. as an assistant Retail Sales Supervisor and assistant promotions manager for Nike Philippines, Inc.[14]
From 1986 to 1992, during the presidency of his mother, Aquino joined the Intra-Strata Assurance Corporation, a company owned by his uncle Antolin Oreta Jr., as vice president.[14]
On August 28, 1987, eighteen months into the presidency of Aquino's mother, rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasan staged an unsuccessful coup attempt, attempting to siege Malacañang Palace. Aquino was two blocks from the palace when he came under fire. Three of Aquino's four security escorts were killed, and the last was wounded protecting him. He himself was hit by five bullets, one of which is still embedded in his neck.[16]
From 1993 to 1998, he worked for Central Azucarera de Tarlac, the sugar refinery in charge of the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita, as the executive assistant for administration from 1993 to 1996, then he worked as manager for field services from 1996 to 1998.[14]
