The plan of Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to convince his family to relinquish control over the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac is “a step to the right direction”, and if the Cojuangco-Aquino clan will support him, more so will the Liberal Party, a party official said.

Former Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, the party’s campaign manager, said Sunday that Aquino’s bold statement Saturday during his visit to a squatters’ colony in Quezon City is a positive development that will address public qualms about his fairness and independence.

Earlier, a group advocating farmers’ rights dared the only son of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and martyred Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. to scrap the October 30 ultimatum set by his family for some 500 families in Hacienda Luisita to leave the vast sugar plantation.

Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno challenged the senator to prove his promise of a “working democracy” by “giving land to those who till it” and “ordering the military to stop harassing the farmers.”

“This is a positive development that paves the way to resolve certain controversial issues being thrown against Senator Aquino. It is certainly a step in the right direction that is still subject to the approval of his family.

“If the family rallies behind his stand, more so will his party mates,” Abad told the Manila Bulletin.

On Saturday, Aquino said he would prefer it if his family will give up ownership of Hacienda Luisita after incurring debts due to major labor disputes with protesting farmers. He, however, owns only a 1/32 share in the property, whose remaining incorporators include the siblings of his late mother.

Aquino’s maternal uncle, former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping" Cojuangco, Jr. was mum when asked to react on his nephew’s intention of giving up his rights over the property.

“That’s his opinion eh. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin.”

Abad said Aquino’s stand has all the more earned him the respect of various civil society groups and peoples’ organizations outside the Liberal Party that are campaigning for him in the community level nationwide.

“The increasing number of people campaigning for Noynoy is a good development. As Senator Aquino said, he wanted the people to mobilize the campaign for him. He wanted a non-traditional campaign where the party is only one of the players in a group composed of urban poor groups, religious organizations, and supporters working in an unconventional, decentralized and non-hierarchical system,” he said.

But Abad said that the “people campaign” will only go full throttle after the Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II finally decides to be Aquino’s running mate.

“As soon as we settle the president-vice president tandem, the filling up of the senatorial lineup down to the local levels will follow. Only then can we mobilize the campaign,” he said.

Roxas, who earlier sacrificed his presidential ambition in favor of Aquino, is a shoo-in for vice president in the party’s ticket. He, however, declined to accept the invitation on the same day that Aquino announced his presidential bid so as not to steal the limelight from Aquino.

“Senator Roxas should be the logical choice for Senator Aquino’s running mate after all the sacrifices he had made. Furthermore, the choice of a running mate is personal. Both of them should be able to think the same way and possess the same values.

“That kind of relationship we have already observed from their long years of friendship,” Abad added.

As for a possible coalition with other opposition parties, Abad said that “although there are no talks yet, our lines of communication are always open.”