Binay: End ‘selfish’ proposal to extend Aquino term

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar Binay called an end to what he described as a “selfish” proposal to extend President Benigno Aquino III”s term.

“President Aquino, through Secretary Coloma, has made known his sentiments on term extension. We must respect his decision and end this politically-divisive initiative,” Binay said in a statement on Friday.

He was referring to Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, who made it clear Thursday that the President would step down from his post in 2016.

This, despite proposals by some of the President’s allies that he should stay longer in office.

Binay described the proposal as “selfish” motivated by personal interest.

“It was a selfish proposal to begin with, motivated more by personal rather than national interest,” he said.

“It was also unfair to the President. The proposal put him on the spot and made him the object of criticisms, which he doesn’t deserve,” said the Vice President.

It was Binay’s arch enemy, Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who first expressed his opinion that Aquino should stay longer in office.

“Those who made the proposal don’t know the President.  He is a decent person and will not cling to power. He is a student of history, and he won’t tarnish his mother’s good name just to please some personalities,” Binay said.

He noted that Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon C. Aquino, rejected a similar move to extend her term.

“As a private citizen, she opposed similar moves by succeeding administrations. I am certain President Noynoy will follow the sterling example of his mother,” Binay added.

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