YOKOHAMA, Japan ? Due to the frenzy that resulted from his confirmation two days ago that he has been dating his stylist Liz Uy ? which even the Japanese media picked up ? President Benigno Aquino III is now asking people to just let him enjoy his love life without much scrutiny.

The President made the appeal on Sunday before a gathering of the Filipino community here at the Futaba high school auditorium.

Mr. Aquino said his five-day visit here had been worthwhile because he was among others, able to take up with United States President Barack Obama his concern about the US terror alerts on the Philippines that resulted in the string of travel advisories by other allies that have been hurting Philippine tourism.

``But what is being published in newspapers here is my love life,'' the President said unexpectedly, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd of 1,000 Filipinos who packed the auditorium.

President Aquino then turned serious again, saying that he was able to get big investments from Japanese companies, which would translate to thousands of jobs for Filipinos.

``Baka puede naman yun love life ko ay ipaubaya na lang ninyo sa akin. Maraming salamat (Maybe, you can just leave my love life be),'' President Aquino said, drawing more cheers and whistles.

President Aquino had been made aware by his officials in the delegation that Sunday's issue of The Japan Times had carried his statement to the media that he has been dating Uy.

The story titled ``Aquino confirms new romance" and which was posted by the Agence France Presse landed on page 5 of the Japanese newspaper.

The story carried Aquino's statements to the media who covered his trip here that he and Uy have been spending some time together.

On Saturday, Mr. Aquino spoke more about his interest on Uy in an interview with TV 5 reporter Jove Francisco. The 50-year-old bachelor said he began liking the 28-year-old Uy before he left for the United States last September.

President Aquino had confirmed in his trip here that he had broken up with Valenzuela City councilor Shalani Soledad as well.