Lacierda believes Aquino’s 2016 endorsement is lethal

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Whoever President Benigno Aquino III will endorse for 2016 will most likely win. At least that’s what the Palace said in response to whether the accusations being hurled against the President were meant to discredit him.

“The power of the President’s endorsement is lethal. It is effective and that’s the reason why the—whoever the President would anoint, would certainly have an advantage. So why are people doing this? There are a number of reasons,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a Palace press briefing.

Lacierda boasted of Aquino’s “unprecedented” approval ratings and his “Tuwid na Daan (Straight Path)” campaign.

“We have been on the path of good governance…the President’s approval ratings have been unprecedented. Way past midterm, his numbers are still in the 70s,” he said, pointing out that other heads of states usually have low ratings past the first half of their term.

He said it shows that the people trust and support him.

“If you look at 2016, there may be a number of reasons why people are trying to degrade the approval rating of the President. That’s understandable for those who are not on his camp,” he said.

Asked if the President already has an “anointed one,” Lacierda said he did not know and that the media should ask Aquino instead.

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