Height story miffs Aquino: I’m not 5’6″ and I’m not into 5-6

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday made one thing very clear—he is taller than 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters).

“Masyado na akong pinipersonal nito (This is getting too personal),” a smiling but apparently not amused President said at a news briefing in Malacañang.

“Hindi ako 5’6″ at hindi rin ako tumatangkilik ng 5-6. Para klarong-klaro ’yon (I’m not 5’6″ and I’m also not into 5-6. I want to make that very clear),” Mr. Aquino said. His mention of “5-6” appeared to be in reference to the notorious system of lending money at a high 20-percent interest.

Mr. Aquino’s remarks were apparently triggered by an Inquirer cartoon story the other day about his meeting at the Palace with Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.  The story said that Yingluck was a bit taller than Mr. Aquino and gave the President’s height as 5-foot-6, compared to Yingluck’s 5-foot-7.

The Inquirer based Mr. Aquino’s height on what appeared in his curriculum vitae as published on the website of Congress when he was still a member of the House of Representatives. The website put his height down as 5 feet 6 inches. He was then 39 years old. He is now 51.

The President’s deputy spokesperson, Undersecretary Abigail Valte, said he is actually 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall.