Aquino warns against leaders who lie, are selfish

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER.net/KRISTINE SABILLO

With talks of the 2016 electoral race heating up, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday warned against candidates who may not have the interest of Filipinos at heart.

“Ito na lang po ang panawagan ko: Piliin n’yo ang pinunong tototoo rin sa inyo,” Aquino said at the briefing of the project strengthening the Angat Dam System.

(This is my call: Choose leaders who will be true to you.)

“Hindi sinumang magbibitiw ng mga pahayag at pangakong walang laman. Hindi sinuman na may kaunting duda tayo na magsasamantala at manlalamang,” he added. “Hindi sinumang may ambisyong parating pang-sarili imbes na para sa buong bayan.”

(Not someone who will give empty promises. Not someone whom we have doubts about being abusive and taking advantage of others. Not someone who only has ambitions for personal interests instead of for the nation.)

READ: Aquino tells Filipinos: Choose next leader wisely

Aquino said the people should choose someone who will continue his reforms and his “tuwid na daan” campaign.

For the past weeks, Aquino has been meeting with potential standard-bearers of the administration’s coalition—Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero. It is not yet clear who the ruling Liberal Party will field as its top bets in the 2016 elections.

READ: Aquino hosts make-or-break dinner meeting

Earlier reports said the President wanted to keep the coalition intact. LP members also expressed hope of a single ticket. Recently, Poe has overtaken opposition standard-bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay in the electoral surveys. IDL