No extension of term for P-Noy

BALI – President Aquino is determined to step down after his fixed six-year term expires in June 2016.

At a “summit conversation” yesterday, Aquino said he expected to hand over the presidency to a successor whom Filipinos want to continue the reforms he initiated.

A Taiwanese businessman, noting the difference in the Philippines between the early 1990s and the present, asked the President how the improving economy could be sustained if pro-poor programs would be halted if he failed to seek a second term.

Aquino replied that he would “probably not” try to seek re-election.

He had the summit conversation with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala at the Westin Hotel here, where heads of state are attending the annual 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit.

“Beyond 2016, if our people are so used to this type of governance, then whoever will portray themselves as continuing the policies we have set, will be the one to get into office,” Aquino said.

“At the end of the day, our mantra is, the bosses ultimately are our people, and they will decide and they will choose the person and the entity that will hopefully continue the policies we have started,” he added.

Aquino also cited the risks of being in power for a long time, pointing to the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos who kept himself in power for 20 years until 1986 - the reason the next government prohibited extending terms of office.

“What is the best reason for a one-term presidency? There are decisions especially for an emerging economy like ours, an emerging country like ours that may not be political, shall we say, palatable or politically correct but are necessary,” Aquino said.

He explained that a president should not be preoccupied with pleasing everybody to ensure reelection.