'PNoy turning his back on Cory's legacy'

by Kathlyn dela Cruz, ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA - A political analyst said President Benigno Aquino III seems to be turning his back now on the legacy of his mother, the late former President Corazon Aquino, known as an icon of Philippine democracy.

Speaking to radio dzMM on Friday, Roland Simbulan criticized Aquino for saying that he is now open to amending the 1987 Constitution.

Aquino said he is considering constitutional changes, which may include the lifting of term limits of elected officials.

"Itong biglang pagbabago ng hangin sa panig ng ating Pangulo ngayon ay isang pagtaksil at pagtalikod dun sa legacy po ng kanyang yumaong ina," Simbulan said.

The 1987 Constitution was passed during the term of Mrs. Aquino. It restricts the President to a single term of six years to prevent a repeat of the 20-year regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Simbulan said Aquino should respect the legacy of his mother, who unified the Filipino people to fight for the restoration of the country's democracy, and not give in to the temptation of clinging to power.

He said Aquino should not agree with the Liberal Party's (LP) declaration that he is their top candidate for the 2016 presidential elections in case the single-term limit is lifted.

"Yun po yung tukso at temptation eh. Parang nasasarapan na sa kapangyarihan, mga pribilehiyo, yung mga pwede niyang gawin... Yun ang sakit," Simbulan said.

He added that it is "not a very good excuse" to say that Aquino is the only person who will be able to continue the reforms that his administration has started since he assumed his post in 2010.

He stressed that holding a position in public office is not supposed to be for life.

"Hindi naman life term ito. Nung pinasukan natin itong public office na ito, fixed po yung term natin," Simbulan said.