News Makers

Aquino maintains popular appeal

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, son of Philippine democracy icon Corazon Aquino, was mobbed by evacuees during his visit to distribute relief goods at the evacuation center in Cogon elementary school, Albay province, south of Manila yesterday. "Noynoy" Aquino maintained his lead in the latest opinion poll for next year's presidential election, but his three key rivals showed improved ratings. The poll by the independent Pulse Asia, issued on Monday, showed 45 percent of 1,800 respondents prefered Aquino, standard-bearer of the opposition Liberal Party, for next May's national and local elections.

Murphy's death 'apparently' natural