Give “Noynoy” the benefit of the doubt.

This was the call made by Liberal Party (LP) senatorial bet Rep. Risa Hontiveros even as she urged Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles not to pre-judge LP standard bearer Senator Bengino “Noynoy” Aquino III as anti-poor and that the prelate should first look at their platform of governance.

Hontiveros’ statement came after Arguelles openly declared in a recent interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas that Aquino might be the one who will destroy the good reputation of his parents, democracy icons – former President Corazon Aquino and ex-Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

He said he has not been a supporter of Noynoy and his runningmate Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II for their being "insincere" in their actions, particularly their abstaining in the passage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform law.

“I know that the good archbishop has chosen to support a rival of Sen. Noynoy for the presidency, and I respect his choice,” Hontiveros said.