PNoy won't do a Marcos
November 19, 2014 | 10:40am
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III insisted on Tuesday night that he will not seek another term after 2016.
In his keynote interview with The Economist in Singapore, Aquino was asked why he is now opposing term extension after fueling speculations that he is keen on amending the Constitution to lift the president's term limit.
Aquino explained that he does not want the Philippines to have another Ferdinand Marcos who placed himself in power for about 20 years.
"There will always be somebody who will not be able to let go of the tail of the tiger, who thinks they're God's given son to this world, and will always seek ways and means to perpetuate themselves in power to the detriment of our country," he said.
Aquino also believes that an incumbent president will be able to serve the country better if he is not worrying about reelection and survey ratings.
"If you are not looking towards reelection, then you can do the unpopular decisions when they're needed. You're focused to find the solutions that are in direct answer to the question rather than how will my poll numbers be affected by these," he said.
Aquino pointed out that the proposals to amend the Constitution were made by some quarters.
He reiterated that he will be stepping down in 2016 and that he has been counting his remaining days in office.
When asked about his personal plans after his term, Aquino said he would "recharge" during the one-year ban on taking any government post imposed on a former president.
Aquino also recalled that his late mother Cory continued to help people through microfinancing after she left the presidency in 1992.
Asked about his possible successor, Aquino said the next president must convince the electorate that he or she has the track record on pursuing reforms and battling those with vested interests.
Earlier this year, the President sent mixed signals on the possibility of running for reelection. Last month, however, Aquino said seeking a second term is not the right solution for the country's problems.
Malacañang had brushed aside speculation that Aquino would change his mind against term extension.
"The President is known to be a leader who always speaks truthfully," Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office told The STAR.
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