The Filipino Profiles

Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III (born February 8, 1960) is a Senator of the Philippines. He is a member of the Liberal Party.

Aquino is the only son of former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino. A graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, he was seriously wounded by rebel soldiers in a failed coup attempt during his mother’s presidency. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province in the 11th Congress of the Philippines; he was reelected twice, eventually becoming Deputy Speaker. In 2007, he was elected to the Senate of the 14th Congress of the Philippines. He has also been rumored as a potential candidate for President of the Philippines in the 2010 election.

He is also the brother of TV host and actress Kris Aquino.

Benigno Aquino III was born on February 8, 1960. He is one of five children of Benigno Aquino, Jr., who was then Vice Governor of Tarlac province, and Corazon Aquino. He has four sisters, Maria Elena (“Ballsy”), Aurora Corazon (“Pinky”), Victoria Eliza (“Viel”), and Kristina Bernadette (“Kris”).

Aquino studied in Ateneo de Manila University for his elementary, high school, and college education, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After graduation, Noynoy joined the Philippine Business for Social Progress as a member in 1983. From 1985 to 1986, he was retail sales supervisor and youth promotions assistant for Nike Philippines and later an assistant for advertising and promotion for Mondragon Philippines.

On August 28, 1987, eighteen months into the presidency of Aquino’s presidency, 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 his four security escorts were killed, and the last was wounded protecting him. Aquino himself was hit by five bullets, one of which is still embedded in his neck.

From 1986 to 1993, he was vice president and treasurer for Best Security Agency Corporation, a firm owned by his uncle Anolin Oreta. After, he was executive assistant for administration (1993-1996) and fields service manager (1996-1998) for Central Azucarera Tarlac.

Aquino is a leading member of the Liberal Party. He currently holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Liberal Party, having assumed the post on 17 March 2006. He was previously Secretary General of the party (1999-2002), Vice-President of the Luzon Liberal Party (2002-2004), and Secretary General of the party (2004-16 March 2006).

Aquino is associated with a faction of the Liberal Party which opposes the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, citing alleged human rights violations.

Other Information

• Birth name : Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III
• Birthday :  February 8, 1960
• Birthplace : Manila, Philippines
• Father : Benigno Aquino, Jr.
• Mother : Corazon Aquino
• Siblings :
  • Maria Elena (“Ballsy”)
  • Aurora Corazon (“Pinky”)
  • Victoria Eliza (“Viel”)
  • Kristina Bernadette (“Kris”)
• Nationality : Filipino
• Political party : Liberal (1998-Present)
• Other political affiliations :
  • Vice Chairman,Liberal Party (17 March 2006)
  • Secretary General,Liberal Party (1999-2002)
  • Vice-President, Luzon Liberal Party (2002-2004)
  • Secretary Genera, Luzon Liberal Party (2004-16 March 2006)
• Schools Attended :
  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Ateneo de Manila University (1981)
• Religion : Roman Catholic

Career Highlights

• Senator (2007)
• Congressman, 2nd district of Tarlac (1998)
• Fields service manager, Central Azucarera Tarlac (1996-1998)
• Executive assistant for administration,Central Azucarera Tarlac (1993-1996)
• Vice president and treasurer, Best Security Agency Corporation (1986 to 1993)
• Member, Philippine Business for Social Progress (1983)
• Retail sales supervisor and youth promotions assistant, Nike Philippines (1985 to 1986)
• Assistant for advertising and promotion, Mondragon Philippines

Notable Events

• House of Representatives (1998)
• Senate (2007)
• 2010 election plans

Links

• Official Website