Source: GMA News
A close political ally of the late former President Corazon Aquino has expressed dismay over President Benigno Aquino III’s recent announcement that he was now open to calls for an extension of his term as Chief Executive, a report on GMA’s “24-Oras” said Friday.
“I won’t support Noynoy if he runs again. If it happens I probably will campaign against him,” said lawyer Rene Saguisag, who was Cory Aquino’s first presidential spokesperson when she came to power after the EDSA Revolution in 1986.
Saguisag was also one of her senatorial candidates that dominated the first post-Marcos congressional elections in 1987.
“I want him to be like his mother, not hungry for power,” said Saguisag, now 75.
Saguisag said that Aquino should instead retire from politics and enjoy fatherhood while the 54-year-old bachelor was still young.
Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, who was the first Secretary of the Interior and Local Governments of Cory Aquino, said the President staying in office longer would be a stark contrast to the view of his mother.
Pimentel said Cory Aquino rejected calls that she run again for President to give chance to others.
“In all honesty, hindi ako naniniwala na gagawin ni Noynoy ‘yon,” Pimentel said in an interview with News To Go.
“Number one, alam niya, sinasabi ng taumbayan na legacy ng nanay niya, ‘wag naman niyang sirain. Pangalawa, siya mismo alam niya, he does not have the monopoly of knowledge of what is good for the people. That’s what democracy is all about — bigyan mo ng pagkakataon ‘yung iba.”
Cory Aquino was always on the frontlines of protests against the charter change campaigns of previous administrations. These were in 1997 under then President Fidel V. Ramos, 1999 under then former President Joseph Estrada, and in 2006 and in 2009 under then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Another close family friend who opposed the idea of Aquino seeking a longer term was Vice President Jejomar Binay.
According to him, Aquino shouldn’t force the issue since charter change might cause a divide between the Filipino nation like in previous administrations.
Binay added that it may also result in a political and Constitutional crisis.
“Sana wag siyang magpadala doon sa mag aadvise sa kanya na may self-interest at tsaka merong preservation” he said.
Binay, a leader of the opposition, has been leading the presidential surveys.
Some members of the ruling Liberal Party, which Aquino chairs, are saying many people are already supporting the notion of the president seeking a second term.
“Marami ang nagsasabi na para masiguro yung daang matuwid wala nang mas mabuti kungdi ipagpatuloy ni Pnoy ‘yung kanyang pamumuno at mangyayari lamang ito kung magkaroon ng second term,” Interior Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said.
Quezon City Representative Bolet Banal said the Aquino’s allies in the House of Representatives could expedite the process of passing the charter change before the president’s term ends in 2016.
“Kayang kaya kasi na prove naman namin before na pag merong challenges, may mga demands kahit may mga time constraints, kahit may mga obstacles na aaccomplish naman,” Banal said. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News
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