MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino appealed again to the media yesterday to give him some privacy, as he complained that the few times that he was seen going on dates were being treated like a “circus.”
“A reporter once asked me what has changed in my life since I assumed the presidency. My answer was simple enough: I think it is easier to say what has remained unchanged. For instance, I think all of us from time to time would eat meals at a restaurant, meals have become impossible to even consume without having to look around if there are cameras pointed at me wanting to take a photo of me taking a bite,” the President said in a speech at the 104th annual convention of the Philippine Medical Association in Davao City.
Aquino made the statement a day after his date with an unidentified woman during the Hotdog band reunion concert Monday night came out in the media.
“As you know, I am still single. If ever I get the chance to go out on a date, it seems I invited the entire Filipino people to join me on that date. And I wonder who gave them the right and I wind up apologizing to whoever had the misfortune of joining me in that circus,” Aquino said.
He said change in the lives of the Filipino people more than his love life is the real issue.
“Perhaps the more important question is this: what has changed in the lives of our people this past year? This is what we have continuously toiled for - that we be able to help our fellow Filipinos unshackle themselves from poverty by providing them access to medical care or support legislation that will take us a step closer toward true social justice,” he said.
In an interview with reporters after his speech, the President said there was no new answer to questions about his date.
“There’s a portion that is private, that is my business. And maybe I can answer it this way. Can I be treated like any other ordinary Filipino because there are times that my rights have been diminished. Is it too much to expect?” he said.
He said he missed the old days, such as when he was still campaigning for senator when he was allowed to eat and have some peace.
“But now, everyone who passes has to take a picture, when you take a bite, whether you are just starting or your food has become cold, their only concern are the pictures,” Aquino said.
He also lamented that some people feel they have the right to investigate the person he went out with when she “was not even accused of committing a mistake” or “being involved in a controversy.”
“Why do we have to disturb her life? Is that right?” Aquino asked.
‘Nothing wrong’
Opposition lawmakers see nothing wrong in the President going on dates with different women for as long as he does not neglect his duties.
“It doesn’t matter how many (girls) President Aquino dates, as long as he does his work as president,” Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay told reporters. “What’s important to the people is the result or his output as a president.”
“What he does on his free time, on his personal time, is his own business. What he does for the country is all our business,” she said.
She said the people are only interested in whether the result of his dating is “good or bad for us” or “it will affect his presidency or not.”
House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the President is entitled to his own free time in the same way that the presidency “demands full time.” - With Edith Regalado, Paolo Romero