Former President Benigno Aquino III would rather support candidates who share his beliefs than run for a Senate seat in the coming 2019 midterm elections.
“Marami pa naman akong supporter. Malamang mananalo ako. [Pero] tapos manalo, mag-isa ako. Anong gagawin ko? Parang every day kailangan present [sa Senado] ako para kung solo akong opposition, may tututol,” Aquino told reporters Wednesday at the Manila Memorial Park Sucat in Parañaque, where he and relatives were commemorating the ninth death anniversary of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.
[I still have many supporters. I will probably win. But after winning, I will be alone. What will I do? I may have to be present every day at the Senate in case I’m the lone oppositionist. So that someone will object.]
Former President Benigno Aquino III talks to reporters on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque where his parents – former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino – are buried. The former president was there with relatives to mark the ninth death anniversary of his mother. (Photo from a video by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net)
Aquino said he believed it would be more important to help elect candidates, particularly in Congress, who truly prioritize their constituents.
“Kung mas marami ang mapaupo natin na may parehong pananaw, lalo na sa Kongreso, kung maparami natin dyan ang talagang tinitingnan ang utang na loob sa kaniyang constituent na pangunahin, baka naman mas may kabuluhan,” he said.
[If we can elect more people with the same views, especially in Congress, if we can increase those people who will really prioritize their constituents, maybe it will be more meaningful.]
“Sa palagay ko, importante na maparami yung mga handang manindigan. Magagawa yun kung tutulungan natin silang malagay sa pwesto,” he added.
[I think it’s imporant that we increase the number of those who are ready to serve. That can happen if we can help put them in place.] /atm