Press Release
September 8, 2009

REFORM COALITION CONVENED IN SUPPORT OF NOYNOY

The broadest gathering of middle forces met Monday afternoon in support of senator Noynoy Aquino's presidential bid.

"We are here to protect senator Aquino's candidacy from forces that even as we speak are manipulating the Aquino groundswell to work in their favor," Jim Paredes, who was appointed as the group's official spokesperson. "We cannot allow that to happen."

The coalition met at the Ateneo University's School of Government. The coalition includes Akbayan, Akbayan Youth, Aksyon Demokratiko, the Aquino Foundation, Black and White Movement, Kaya Natin, Kubol Pag-asa, Liberal Party, Noynoy Aquino for President Movement, Register and Vote Group, Supreme Court Appointments Watch, Transparency and Accountability Network, and other private groups. It was attended by senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, congresswoman Rissa Hontiveros, governor Grace Padaca, governor Ed Panlilio, representative Erin Tanada, Paco Alcuaz and Father Robert Reyes of Kubol Pag-asa, Ed Roces of the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement, Bam Aquino, Liberal Party's Chito Gascon, Aksiyon Demokratiko's Sonia Roco, Bill Luz of the Ayala Foundation, Juana Change, Black and White Movement's Leah Navarro, Artists' Revolution's Jim Paredes and Danny Javier, Kaya Natin's Harvey Keh, , Transparency and Accountability Network's executive director Vince Lazatin, JJ Soriano, and other reform-minded individuals.

"We want to make it clear that we are not pre-empting senator Aquino's decision to run," adds Paredes. "We respect his time to meditate upon this very important decision. We formed this group to give him strength and support. We are here to make sure his candidacy remains with the public and their clamor for genuine change and political reforms."

The group is set to launch various activities to further strengthen Aquino's political machinery and gather additional support for a true reform agenda.

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