PNoy warns against electing next president who seeks term extension

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday warned against electing a next president who wishes to prolong his stay in power.

During the Liberal Party's "gathering of friends" in Davao City, Aquino maintained that he is not in favor of extending the president's term, saying this could lead to another dictatorship.

"Sa palagay ko parang mali  ata 'yan. Iaasa natin sa isang tao," Aquino said in his speech.

"Tapos bibigyan pa natin ng tulay o pagkakataon 'yung iba na tulad na noong 1972, di ba? Natapos na ‘yung dalawang terminong puwede niyang takbuhan, nagkaroon ng Martial Law," he added.

Aquino was referring to the late President Ferdinand Marcos who ruled for 20 years.

He said a president should perform his best in just one term and let his successor continue or complete the work.

"Parang may tatakbo diyan, naghahanda na ng hahalinhin sa kanya. Maganda na yata one term," Aquino said.

"Gawin mo 'yung dapat mong magawa at 'yung kaya mong magawa, tapos ipasa mo 'yung renda para mapakita naman na kaya ng sambayanang Pilipinong magpatuloy sa tamang direksiyon," he added.

Aquino made the remarks as he rallied support for the administration's presidential candidate, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Roxas will be facing his old rival, Vice President Jejomar Binay, in the 2016 race.

Binay had said that he would seek an unlimited term if he will get elected as president next year.

However, his camp later clarified that what Binay wanted was a return to a four-year presidential term with reelection.