Lawyer Jesus V. Ayala has expressed his full support for the presidential candidacy of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

“I am here to help Noynoy and I am willing to give full support to him,” said the industrialist, who was instrumental to the campaign of Aquino’s mother Corazon Aquino in the 1986 snap elections.

In an interview with the Mirror, Ayala said he will give Aquino the same support he gave to the former president.

“I will help him for the sake of our nation,” he said.

As presidential legal adviser, Ayala was one of those Mrs. Aquino consulted on various issues.

Ayala said like his mother, Noynoy is untested as a leader, “but if his team is composed of good people, people with integrity, then we expect good governance from him.”

Ayala played down his role as “king-maker,” a moniker he earned as all candidates he supported have come out victorious.

“Those candidates won because people want their kind of leadership and they are really working for the people,” he said.

“I don’t want this country to go down the drain. The leaders we elect must know and have a feel for the genuine sentiment of our people, especially now that the crisis is hitting the world. We need to work together for the good of our economy and our nation,” he added.

“Our country needs a God-fearing leader, a leader the next generation can depend on, a leader who can bring the nation back to its trust to government,” Ayala said.

“I am here for Noynoy and my family is with him in whatever he needs,” he added.