( CNN ) -- Philippines Sen. Benigno `` Noynoy '' Aquino III announced he will run for president Wednesday , a month after the death of his late mother , the popular former President Corazon Aquino . Philippines Senator Benigno `` Noynoy '' Aquino III announce his candidacy in Manila on September 9 . `` I 'm accepting the challenge to lead this fight , '' said Noynoy Aquino , the state-run Philippines News Agency ( PNA ) reported . Aquino , 49 , is the only son of Corazon Aquino , who died on August 1 , and the late Benigno `` Ninoy '' Aquino , a senator who opposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos and was assassinated in 1983 on returning home from exile in the United States . Noynoy Aquino said his mother 's supporters had urged him to make a run for the presidency in next May 's elections . He said he would continue the fight started by his parents to promote democracy in the Philippines . At least one lawmaker was critical of Aquino 's run , PNA said . Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. said the media has deceived the public by presenting Aquino as the man who can save the country . `` We need a hardworking president , '' Alcover said . `` But the problem is , Noynoy has a dismal performance as congressman for nine years and as senator for three years . Do we want more of his laziness ? '' President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 's term ends in 2010 . Under Philippine law , she can not run again . Arroyo first took office in 2001 . Since then , she has survived several impeachment attempts and periodic rumors of coups . She won re-election in 2004 , though opposition parties called into question the legitimacy of that race .
the United States Sen. Corazon Aquino announces he will run for president . He is the only son of former President Corazon Aquino , who died on 2010 . He said he would continue the fight started by his parents to promote democracy . President Benigno `` Noynoy '' Aquino III 's term ends in August 1 .