Chocolates sweeten Aquino’s days, says deputy spokesperson

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino has a sweet tooth, but his preference lies more in chocolates than in other sugary treats.

Chocolates are what “energize” the President, according to his deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte.

Valte told state radio dzRB on Sunday that President Aquino would share his love for chocolates to those dropping by his office, including Cabinet secretaries.

“If you enter his office, there is always a big bowl of small chocolates there – these are what (the President) offers to his visitors and his Cabinet secretaries,” Valte said.

She said the Chief Executive would also be “thoughtful” enough to offer these chocolates when he had meetings that would stretch for hours with his officials.

“If he has long meetings, he would excuse himself for two minutes and would get the small chocolates and pass them around,” Valte said.

She said President Aquino would always tell them the sweet treats “energize” him.

Valte told the Inquirer that the President liked the bite-sized chocolates like Nestle Crunch, Snickers and Baby Ruth—which are usually displayed in a bowl sitting on top of his coffee table.

But currently, she said President Aquino has taken a liking for Daim chocolates.

She also said she would not go as far as saying the President was a chocoholic. He also likes sugar-free candies, according to Valte.

Valte admitted she and other officials would sometimes ask for some of the treats from the President.