Presidential aspirant and Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III will be speaking Friday at 10 a.m. in a forum in the Student Training Center (STC) lobby of Xavier University.

Aquino, together with Liberal Party president Butch Abad, Akbayan Party-list Representative Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel, and former social welfare secretary Dinky Soliman, had arrived in Northern Mindanao Thursday but had proceeded to Iligan City to induct local officials to the Liberal Party.

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Aquino's itenary Friday includes a guesting in ABS-CBN's morning show "Pamahaw Especial" to be followed at the 10 a.m. forum at Xavier University dubbed "Conversations with Senator Noynoy Aquino."

"If you still believe that there is still hope in this country, this forum is for you," said Nestor Banuag, Jr. of Change Politics Movement in Cagayan de Oro (CPM-CDO), one of the groups organizing the event.

"This is not a political campaign for the candidates' own consumption. Rather, a commitment and an opportunity to share vital information about your possible candidates in 2010 elections. Sit down, listen and share," Banuag said.

The forum will include a brief message from Aquino on the political future of the country, and feedback from the host multi-sectoral Groups for Noynoy and Mar in 2010.

The highlight of the forum will be the reading and signing of a Manifesto of Support for NoyMar in 2010 led by CPM-CDO.

"We enjoin everyone who joins us in this forum to wear a yellow shirt to honor our beloved late President Cory Aquino and as a symbol of our commitment to continue the good fight she and Ninoy started through her son Noynoy and his friend Mar," former City Councilor Roy Raagas said.

"You may also show your support for Noynoy and Mar by tying a yellow ribbon in your house or in your vehicle," Raagas said.

Raagas said the organizers are also encouraging the people to bring along a can to be used as a piggy bank or "lugi" for the Piso for Noynoy (PiNoy) fund raising campaign, which will be launched in Cagayan de Oro during the forum.

"We were touched by the gesture of scavengers in Payatas who contributed P1 to the drive," said former Bukidnon Representative Nereus Acosta in a press conference held earlier in Cagayan de Oro.

"All they told us is that it would be their taya or bet on the Ninoy-Mar tandem and all they're asking for is for the duo to lift them out of their misery should they win the presidency," Acosta said. (Sun.Star/Press Release)