RESPECT PNOY’S DECISION; STOP PUSHING FOR TERM EXTENSION

RESPECT PNOY’S DECISION; STOP PUSHING FOR TERM EXTENSION

VP Binay

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said the people behind the campaign to extend President Benigno Aquino III’s term should respect the President’s decision.

“President Aquino, through Secretary Coloma, has made known his sentiments on term extension. We must respect his decision and end this politically-divisive initiative,” Binay said.

Binay also questioned the motive of those behind the proposal after it caused undue criticism of the President.

“It was a selfish proposal to begin with, motivated more by personal rather than national interest.  It was also unfair to the President. The proposal put him on the spot and made him the object of criticisms which he doesn’t deserve,” added Binay.

“The President will not seriously consider running again because doing so would damage the legacy left by his mother former president Corazon Aquino,” Binay pointed out.

“Those who made the proposal don’t know the President.  He is a decent person and will not cling to power. He is a student of history, and he won’t tarnish his mother’s good name just to please some personalities,” he said.

“President Cory rejected a similar move to extend her term. As a private citizen, she opposed similar moves by succeeding administrations. I am certain President Noynoy will follow the sterling example of his mother,” Binay added.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. made it clear that the President has no plans to extend his term.

He also reminded the public of the provision in the 1987 Constitution that a Philippine president could only serve a six-year term.

Aquino could only be re-elected if Congress would amend the Constitution, but the President himself has repeatedly rejected proposals to amend the Charter./MP