The closely-knit Aquino family played a key role in the decision of Sen. Benigno “Nonoy” Aquino III to join the presidential derby in 2010, and initiated a series of consultations and prayers to enable him to come up with a sound and firm judgment on his political plans.

This was disclosed by former Sen. Agapito “Butz” Aquino, brother of slain Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., saying that members of the Aquino family have been consulting with each other during the past week on 49-year-old Noynoy’s previous dilemma on whether to go for the presidency next year or not.

In an interview, Butz Aquino admitted that there were hesitations from some members of the family to support Noynoy because of the burden of responsibility he will carry if elected to the presidency.

The former senator also disclosed that he neither “dissuaded nor encouraged” Noynoy to go for the presidency amid mounting calls from various sector for him to join the presidential race and carry the torch of leadership left by his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

“It was his own decision. But we discussed in the family that whatever decision he would make, we will support him. And we told him about it,” Butz said in an interview.

Butz, who is among the leaders of the August Twenty- One Movement (ATOM) that actively campaigned for Cory Aquino in the January, 1986 snap elections against then President Ferdinand Marcos, said that he was consistently consulted by Noynoy’s sisters – Ballsy, Viel, Pinky, and Kris – about his decision on the presidential race.

Meanwhile, if ever Shalani Soledad could be one of the more beautiful First Ladies or the most charming, the country will have.

With due deference to former First Ladies, this is how people close to Shalani "Lani" Soledad described the Valenzuela City lady councilor, mindful of the prospect of a possible presidential wedding in Malacanang.

Soledad, the girlfriend of Senator Benigno "Noynoy"Aquino III who announced Wednesday his candidacy for president, maintained her silence about any marriage plans but close relatives admitted that there was really a plan but this was overtaken by recent events.

"First was the death of former President Cory Aquino and then the clamor for Noynoy to run as president," a very close relative has intimated.

He also revealed that after Lani and Noynoy became sweethearts September of last year, marriage was included in their plans considering that they are actually past marrying age.

Lani who is 29 years old and Noynoy, 49, first met at Alfredo's Restaurant along Timog Avenue in Quezon City during one of the official meetings of the lady councilor.

Soft spoken, charming but witty, Soledad in a recent interview said that although she is into politics she is low-key by nature and wanted her relationship with Noynoy as quiet and as private as possible.

"We can always talk about my political plans, my accomplishments as city councilor but please not my personal life," she begged this writer.

A former broadcast journalist of UNTV in the early 90s, Soledad said that she understands the work of journalists but preferred to be silent on her relationships with Noynoy considering his political stature.

"She is just cautious that whatever she will say might be subjected to various interpretations especially those who are bent on harming the Aquino family," her favorite uncle said.

A native of Catanduanes who grew up in Valenzuela City, Soledad has also plans to run as representative of the Second District of Valenzuela City in the but this could also be put in the back burner.

"She could run or just concentrate on helping the presidential campaign of Noynoy," said Jing Hernandez, the councilor's aunt.

Hernandez said Soledad has the potential to become a good legislator as she is a two-term city legislator and a former staff of Senator Panfilo Lacson at the Senate.