Palace rejects calls by group for Aquino to resign

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has rejected demands by a private sector movement that President Benigno Aquino III step down “at the soonest possible time,” saying that the Chief Executive is determined “to serve and implement the reforms he promised to the people.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said on Sunday that the call of the National Transformational Council (NTC) was but “the opinion of one sector” and did not “mirror the opinion of our people who continue to support the leadership of our President and who continue to trust him.”

“The President is duty-bound to fulfill his mandate from the people. He remains firmly committed to pursue the reforms aimed at achieving stable and inclusive growth for the country,” he said over Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma cited the country’s “transformation” from being considered the “Sick Man of Asia to being Asia’s fastest-growing economy” on the strength of “reforms” founded on “the platform of good governance.”

“Moving forward, the government will continue to invest in improving the quality of life and developing the fullest potentials of its most valuable resources: the Filipino people,” he said, echoing the promise made by the President during his four-nation visit to Europe and then the United States more than a week ago.

The Palace earlier rejected the possibility of a dialogue with members of the NTC, which includes a number of Catholic bishops.

Among them is Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, but he denied calling for Aquino’s resignation.

“At least at this point, we will respond to the concerns raised in the NTC, but we would be reluctant to use the stand of the NTC as reflective of [that of] the Catholic bishops,” Abigail Valte, President Aquino’s deputy spokesperson, said Saturday.

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