Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca Friday said they have decided to abandon their plans to run for president and vice president, and instead called on all reform-minded local government officials to throw their support behind Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

In Davao City, leaders from among students, professionals, youth, and indigenous peoples also convened Wednesday to form a movement that will push Aquino for president under the Mindanaoans for Noynoy Movement (MNM).

Anchored on the slogan, "Tuloy Noynoy, Ipatuloy ang Laban ni Ninoy”, the group expressed confidence on the capacity of Aquino to lead the nation. Their move further strengthened the growing clamor for the senator to consider seeking the highest post in the land.

Panlilio and Padaca, both labeled as “non-traditional politicos” from the ranks of the religious and media before seeking elective positions, were joined by at least three local officials from Northern Luzon who bolted the administration party Lakas-CMD-KAMPI to join the Aquino bandwagon.

The 49-year-old Aquino is now in Zamboanga City for a spiritual retreat and a “period of discernment” before deciding whether or not to vie for the presidency.

Noynoy said he would make a decision by September 10, two days after the 40 days of mourning for her mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.

“If Senator (Manuel) Mar Roxas has made a big sacrifice (in giving up his presidential ambition), then it should be easier for us to make a similar sacrifice for the sake of our country,” Panililio said in a speech at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

“We are appealing to other reform-oriented presidential aspirants to do the same.”

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, a member of Liberal Party which is pushing the presidential bid of Noynoy, also showed up as a gesture of support for the governors of the two vote-rich provinces in declaring their political alliance with the son of Mrs. Aquino, considered by many as the country’s “icon of democracy.”

Panlilio said Padaca failed to attend the media conference due to health reasons. Nonetheless, he said both of them have decided not to seek higher office and instead support Noynoy after undergoing weeks of self-reflection and spiritual guidance.

Both Panlilio and Padaca will not also slide down to the vice presidential race to ensure the victory of Noynoy and his possible running mate, according to Kaya Natin Movement convenor Harvey Ke.

Panlilio said he will focus his attention on the election protest he is facing before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Panlilio, a Catholic priest on leave while he is Pampanga governor, said they are joining Noynoy in his prayers in seeking spiritual guidance.

“This (declaration of support) should be an inspiration for him,” he emphasized.

Clad in a pin-striped light yellow sports shirt, Panlilio said they are eyeing a “yellow coalition” to ensure the victory of Noynoy against any administration presidential bet.

“We believe that among the (presidential) choices, Noynoy is better, if not the best choice,” he said.

Other local government executives who threw their support for Noynoy were Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, Mayor Roque Verzosa of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, and Mayor Florante Herdan of Nueva Vizcaya, all former Lakas-Kampi-CMD members.

In Davao, Datu Mussolini Lidasa, national president of Aksyon Mindanao, also stressed that Aquino is the better alternative.

"It is because we see in Noynoy the principles of our organization. There's hope that Noynoy can be who we advocate," he said, adding that the senator's clean record is a boost to his candidacy.

Lawyer Gluce Jayma of the professional sector is confident about Aquino's ideals.

"As a senator he is firm on the opposition and this firmness is a signal to good leadership," he said.

Ednar Dayanghirang, former executive director of the Mindanao Business Council, revealed that the new movement started as a loose organization formed during the death anniversary of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino last August 21, 2009.

"The movement strengthened when Senator Mar Roxas gave way, which stirred people's emotions," he said.

Frank Alipan, chair of the Mindanao Young Leaders Parliament in the region, said: “The good thing with pushing him to run for president is that it is not him but the people who wants him to be president”.

Joel Accion, internal vice president of the Youth Against Hunger, and Rimo Espanola, head of PAGLAUM, a student-indigenous peoples organization in the University of Mindanao, also envisioned Aquino to be a leader who will combat poverty and focus on the rights of the indigenous peoples.