Noy: Term extension will depend on the people

MANILA, Philippines - While he is looking forward to stepping down in 2016, President Aquino said it would still depend on the wishes of the people if he would change his mind and seek reelection.

“Sinabi ko naman noong una akong tumakbo, hindi ako masokista. Pero at the same time, tila – sabi ko nga makikinig ako sa anumang utos ng mga boss natin (As I said when I first ran, I am not a masochist. But at the same time, I guess I have to follow the dictates of our bosses, the people),” Aquino said in an interview with Bombo Radyo at Malacañang last Wednesday and aired yesterday.

The Chief Executive said nobody wants to prolong one’s agony, referring apparently to the challenges he was trying to surmount as the nation’s leader.

He said he and just about anyone else wouldn’t want to assume such an immense responsibility out of sheer ambition.

Aquino hinted he is looking forward to July 1, 2016, especially the prospect of spending time and dining with Communications Undersecretary Rey Marfil and Assistant Secretary Jun Delantar.

But he said he still wants to check on the real pulse of the people, citing an instance during the inauguration of the 42-meter Ninoy Aquino bridge in Tuao, Cagayan when someone from the crowd shouted “Isa pang termino (one more term)!”

Another case was when he visited a wake, where an unidentified female begged him to stay on as president as he still had many things to accomplish.

He said these people apparently want assurances that his reforms would continue.

“So we’re continuing our consultations with the different sectors and we’re trying to pinpoint ways that would ensure everything that we have achieved would become permanent,” he said.