Palace: Feedback on Charter change ‘balanced’ not negative

President Benigno Aquino. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – While President Benigno Aquino III continues to listen to the “voices of his bosses,” Malacañang on Sunday said they have so far received a mix of both positive and negative feedback on proposals to amend the Constitution.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it was not true that Aquino has been receiving mostly flak for considering a term extension.

“Sa amin pong tinatanggap na feedback—dahil nga po meron pong mga social media platforms ang official website ang ating Pangulo—balanse naman po ’yung daloy ng opinyon,” he said. “Kung meron pong hindi sumasang-ayon ay marami din po ang sumasang-ayon.”

(Based on the feedback we received – through the social media platforms and the official website of the President – the opinions are so far balanced. If there are some who disagreed, there are also others who agreed.)

Coloma said what was important was the President’s intention to hear the sentiments of the people and to recognize their different opinions.

Nevertheless, he said many also expressed continued support for Aquino and the continuation of his reforms.

Aquino earlier admitted that he was considering the calls for his term extension or re-election through amending the Philippine Constitution. Following posts online for “one more term,” his allies told media that they are also backing the suggestion.

Malacañang denied that the issue of term extension was being entertained because of the poor showing of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II in the electoral surveys.

Critics, on the other hand, said Charter change would undo the legacy of the President’s mother, the late Corazon Aquino.

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