Drilon sees Aquino as statesman after term

Senate President Franklin Drilon. FILE PHOTO

Statesmanship.

That’s what President Aquino should aspire to when his six-year term ends, in Senate President Franklin Drilon’s opinion, instead of running for a lower office after leaving Malacañang.

Drilon, a close ally and party mate of Aquino’s, said there had been no discussions on seeking a lower post, but he didn’t think that this would happen.

“If you ask me, I think the President will not seek a local position—that is my assessment,” he said at Thursday’s Kapihan sa Senado media forum.

He said he thought Aquino should do one better.

“Personally, I will prefer that… he will become a statesman, not being engaged in day-to-day debates on certain issues of the country,” he said.

In Japan on a state visit, Aquino reportedly told the Filipino community that some people wanted him to remain in government.

He said they were urging him to run for another position so he could lead them if they needed his help.

The President is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, but is not prohibited from running for other positions.

Aquino’s two predecessors ran for local positions after stepping down from office.