Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – While he said he respects President Benigno Aquino III’s openness to listen to the voice of the people on the issue of extending his term, Vice President Jejomar Binay said the President should refrain from listening to some quarters, which have “vested interests” and “driven mainly by self-preservation.”
“I respect the statement of the President. Any national leader would want to hear the voice of the people on issues that will have far-reaching consequences,” Binay said in a statement on Thursday.
“What is important is that the voice he hears is an authentic and genuine voice, not one manufactured by quarters with vested interests [which] are driven mainly by self-preservation.”
“We also need to keep our focus on pursuing our goal of improving the lives of the people for the remainder of the President’s term and beyond,” the Vice President added.
Calls for Aquino’s term extension have been floated on social media the past few weeks, with Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II even agreeing to the possibility in a televised interview.
The 1987 constitution created under the post-Martial Law administration of Corazon Aquino, mother of the incumbent president Aquino, limits the term of the president to a single six-year term.
The constitution would have to be amended to allow a second term for the president.
Aquino said he is considering amending the constitution to check the power of the Supreme Court as well as to allow a second term so that the reforms his administration started will continue.
The Vice President noted, however that Aquino himself was quoted to have said that his statements did not automatically mean that he would seek another term.
Binay previously announced that he would run for president in the 2016 elections.
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