Was Aquino joking? Listen to the tone, says Palace

By: Nikko Dizon - 10 years ago

Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A spokesperson for President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday denied that Mr. Aquino was hinting at going for a second term in his speech at the “Agenda Setting Dialogue” he conducted with Liberal Party allies, civil society groups, and members of the “responsible opposition.”

“I think we should reread and revisit the President’s speech to see the context—how the President said it—and not just focus on a specific sentence or specific words,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

“Let us listen to the tone of voice of the President to appreciate what he said yesterday (Friday) in its entirety,” Valte added.

Media reports interpreted the President’s speech differently.

Some like the Inquirer took note of the President’s statement that “the time will soon come when the straight path will choose a new candidate.”

“I hope it isn’t me,” the President said in Filipino.

While it may have sounded like it was being said in jest, particularly as it was in Filipino, the President’s speech was taken as a serious call to administration allies to spread the word about the gains of the straight path policy so they would not be drowned in the noise of current political controversies.

The President emphasized the need to continue these reforms that these would be improved on and “made richer.”

Mr. Aquino also repeated what he had said before: that he had been told that “the surest way to secure the straight and righteous path is if I myself continue leading the country.”

“I am told that it is my duty to look for the person who would replace me, and to prepare him for the job. That it is my duty to make sure that what we have started will continue,” he said in Filipino.

“There are those who say that the best way to ensure that the straight path will continue is if I myself stay on as President. I cannot just ignore these suggestions of people with open minds and who have a sincere desire to promote the common good,” he said.