With 914 days left in his term, Noy has no time for Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines - No distraction will stop the administration from fulfilling its promises to the people with only two and a half years left before it steps down, Malacañang said yesterday while again ruling out a term extension for President Aquino.

Asked whether Aquino or any of his allies had ever raised the possibility of extending his stay in office, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told The STAR: “None whatsoever.”

The issue of term extension had bedeviled past presidents during their last years in office.

“If you ask him today about his presidency, he will tell you there are exactly 914 days left of it. Like his mother (former president Corazon Aquino), he will leave office at the exact time he is required to do so: noon of 30 June 2016,” Coloma said.

He expressed confidence that Aquino would not be a lame duck president because of the people’s continued support for him.

“He stands on solid ground: the overwhelming trust, confidence and support of the people even past mid-term, and despite successive calamities and crises,” Coloma pointed out.

“The people are keeping faith with him because they know he is steadfast in remaining trustworthy.  With such a bedrock of strength, it would be extremely difficult for detractors or enemies to undermine his credibility or erode his support base,” he said.

As a “joyful servant-leader,” the President has set high standards for himself and those working with him, Coloma said.

“Yet he is not a harsh taskmaster. He is a gentle persuader. When one works with him, one feels the passion and compassion that drive him toward the goals he has set for the country,” Coloma said.

“He knows and believes he was called to serve and he means to do his best every day. Instead of ‘power’ I think he believes more in drawing strength from the people’s trust and support,” Coloma said. “He often reflects, ‘How could we have done better?’’’ Coloma said.

He lashed out at those wanting to see the President go before the end of his term.

“The President is determined to complete his term and fulfill the people’s mandate. He is grateful to the Filipino people for their continued trust and confidence in his leadership,” Coloma said.

While the approval ratings for Aquino have dropped based on surveys, he still enjoys considerable support from the public – even after the devastation of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Cebu and of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

“The President and the members of his Cabinet are determined to pursue and complete the priority programs of the Philippine Development Plan, regardless of survey results, as the President emphasizes we will do right by our people and endeavor to fulfill their aspirations for a better future,” Coloma said.

Earlier, Coloma said the Palace position on Charter change, even only in its economic provisions, was unchanged, stressing that progress could be achieved without tinkering with the Constitution.

It was through Cha-cha proposals that lifting or extending the terms of office of elected officials were discussed and pushed during the Ramos and Arroyo administrations.

The President’s mother had vigorously opposed such initiatives when she was still chief executive.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, for her part, said the Aquino administration would continue to focus on improving the economy, alleviating poverty and fighting graft in 2014.

She said over radio dzRB that attaining inclusive growth has always been the thrust of the administration.

Valte cited the administration’s bigger budget for next year for social services, which would cover high school education for the beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer program.

She also noted numerous livelihood programs as well as infrastructure projects aimed at boosting tourism and generating jobs.

She also said the government is intensifying its anti-graft program, citing its correlation to poverty alleviation.

Funds and plans to address possible calamities in 2014 are already in place, she added.

The government is still rehabilitating areas devastated by Typhoons Santi, Pablo and Sendong.