President Benigno S. Aquino III. Malacañang Photo Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Eat delicious food. That’s the first thing President Benigno Aquino III will do if he does step down in 2016.
“One year and ten months from now, palagay ko kasama ko si (Media Relations) Usec. (Rey) Marfil at saka si (Office of the Appointments Secretary) Asec. (Jun) Delantar sa July 1, the day after bumaba tayo sa puwesto, at kakain kami ng masarap talaga tapos may streamer na nakalagay sa likod namin: Kalayaan,” Aquino said in jest during an interview with Bombo Radyo on Thursday.
(One year and ten months from now, I think I will be with Usec. Marfil and Asec. Delantar on July 1, the day after I step down from office, and we will eat delicious food while there’s a streamer posted behind us with the word: Freedom.)
The President was responding to the radio anchor who asked him to say what first comes into his mind when he hears a certain phrase.
The phrase mentioned that merited that answer was “PNoy in less than two years from now.”
However, at the start of the interview, Aquino’s statements revolved around the possibility of a term extension.
The President did not categorically answer the question on whether his openness to Charter change had anything to do with calls to extend his term.
“Ako ba ang nag-aambisyon na pahabain (Do I want my term to be extended)?” he asked in clarification.
“Sinabi ko naman noong una akong tumakbo hindi ako masokista. Pero at the same time, sabi ko nga makikinig ako sa anumang utos ng mga boss natin (When I first ran for President I said, I am no masochist. But at the same time, as I said, I will listen to whatever command my bosses give),” he said.
Aquino and his representatives have long been hounded by media for answers on whether Charter change will push through and if it will involve extending the term of the President.
But Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said there are still no moves from Malacañang to push for Charter change.
Aquino said he will continue to listen to the voice of his bosses.
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