JALAJALA, Rizal, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has again made a reference to his love life that he has repeatedly asked the media to lay off from and keep private.
In a speech before national officials, local government executives and fisherfolk during the annual seeding of the Laguna Lake here on Tuesday, Mr. Aquino wished that he be married by the time he stepped down from office in 2016.
President Aquino made the remark as he promised a better Philippines by the end of his term ends if Filipinos looked after each other rather than always trying to pull a fast one on the other.
“The thousands of fingerlings that we released to the lake are a symbol of our sheer concern to ensure that the Laguna Lake would continue to be a source of life today and would remain a lake of hope for future generations,” President Aquino said.
“Have faith. As long as we have genuine concern for one another and not look to dupe others, when I go down from my post in 2016, I hope I’m already married by then, you would wake up to a Philippines that is more progressive, more dignified and one that we can be proud of before the whole world,” President Aquino said.
President Aquino’s dating activities came to fore again last week when he was photographed during a concert with teacher Bunny Calica. Days after, Mr. Aquino publicly complained about intrusions by the media into his private life, saying he felt violated and encroached upon.
A reporter on the Malacañang beat then suggested to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda during a Palace briefing that Mr. Aquino refrain from speaking about his romantic life, as he had repeatedly done in past speaking engagements, and ask his sister, TV host Kris Aquino to also refrain from leaking information to the media, as she did with the Bunny Calica episode.
Sought to comment on the latest development on his love life, President Aquino asked that it be left alone by the media.