Retired generals support Noynoy's presidential bid

A group of retired military generals who helped in the ouster of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1986 on Tuesday endorsed the presidential bid of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III (Liberal Party). “We believe that Senator Noynoy has the strength of character, the moral uprightness and the selfless love for the Filipino people to lead and unite all Filipinos in this crucial struggle for survival against the forces of evil and return the dignity and honor to the public service," the group said in a manifesto. The manifesto was signed by retired Constabulary chief Maj. Gen. Ramon Montano, who said the group includes retired generals Raul Urgello, a former Army chief, and Edgardo Batenga. Aquino is the only son of the late President Corazon “Cory" Aquino, who was catapulted to Malacañang through the historic EDSA People Power Revolution, which also ushered the downfall of the Marcos regime in February 1986. “Our beloved President Cory is now in the heavens but the torch of this crusade is now passed to her son, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, who is seeking the presidency in 2010 to effect the true reforms that all Filipinos are longing for," the manifesto read. Mrs. Aquino died August 1 last year after months of battling colon cancer. The group claimed to speak “for the legion of retired and still active [military and police] officers and soldiers" who joined in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. In the 2004 presidential election, Montano and Urgello supported the late Fernando Poe Jr. The group also appealed to military and police officers “to join us in this crusade for reforms by remaining true to the Constitution and resist the present cabal of political leaders and vested interest to frustrate the people’s will in the 2010 elections by the use of guns, gold and naked abuse of political power." Aquino has been topping surveys, but his lead is slowly being challenged by Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party). - KBK, GMANews.TV