Aquino not resigning–Palace

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER file photo.

MANILA, Philippines—Despite calls for his resignation, President Benigno Aquino III is resolute in finishing his term, Malacañang said on Friday.

“The President will step down on June 30, 2016. I can tell you that. Any reports or stories of any other exit plan apart from that are fictitious,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over state-run radio.

Valte said they did not agree with groups claiming that Aquino should resign for the poor handling of the botched Mamasapano operation.

“We do not share the same perception that it is gaining ground. The President is no stranger to calls for resignation. In the course of [the] more or less five years that he has been in office, we have seen these sporadic calls from different groups, and they always have not resulted in a situation that would please them—or, at least, it has not been—it has not resulted favorably for them,” she explained.

The statement came amid various groups and personalities calling for the President’s ouster or resignation. There were also reports of a coup plot but the ones allegedly involved have denied backing such efforts.

Valte said that while they disagree with the “calls to action,” she pointed out that it’s part of the democracy.

“Even if he is a former government official, he is free to adopt any position that pleases him or suits his liking. That’s all I can say about that,” she said of the personalities involved.

Among them was former MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol who attended the press conference of EDSA 2/22 Coalition, which is pushing for Aquino’s resignation and the establishment of a transition government.

The group is not only blaming Aquino for the Mamasapano operation, which left 44 policemen dead, but also for past controversies such as the Zamboanga siege, the “mismanagement” of the recovery of provinces affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and the pork barrel fund scam.

Valte said they did not believe that the ouster movement is “gaining ground.” Instead, she was confident that the Aquino administration will be able to survive it.

“Some of them have made these calls years ago, and as I mentioned earlier, it has not borne fruit favorably for them,” she said.