Mar: Noy reelection up to the people

MANILA, Philippines - The “bosses” will decide if President Aquino deserves six more years.

This was the contention of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who clarified yesterday that he was seeking the reelection of the President rather than the automatic extension of his six-year term by amending the Constitution.

“In the end, it’s still the ‘bosses’ who must decide,” said Roxas, the presumptive standard bearer of the Liberal Party (LP) in the 2016 presidential elections.

Roxas said Aquino must be allowed to seek re-election to continue the reforms he started in government.

Roxas earned criticism for floating the issue after Vice President Jejomar Binay said the LP was planning to adopt him as candidate and coalesce with the umbrella opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Roxas, along with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, said the administration coalition must define its position on Charter change that could allow the President to serve one more term.

Abad, for his part, said he indeed proposed that a meeting should be held but could not tell when it would happen.

“That’s the call of the party leadership. I am not an official of the party,” Abad said.

Malacañang said it could not comment on the dynamics involving LP and its allies even if talks were about Aquino’s term and his stand on Charter change.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, also of the LP, said there was no scheduled meeting yet but he endorsed Abad’s proposal.

Drilon said the meeting should be about Aquino clarifying once and for all if he was interested to have a second term or to change the Constitution at this time.

However, Drilon is now floating the idea of Charter change after the term of President Aquino, with the possibility of lifting term limits.

“My impression is that Aquino was averse to any constitutional change during his term and so let us leave it at that. Malacañang also said the President is not interested in amending the Constitution,” he said.

His statements apparently run counter to the remarks made by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, his deputy Abigail Valte and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., who all insisted Aquino would listen to what his bosses will say.

“The President said he is not open to amending the Constitution. Malacañang, through its spokespersons, also said the President is not open to a second term of office and amending the Constitution,” Drilon stressed in Filipino.

As per suggestion of Abad, the Senate chief said he “endorsed” the idea of holding a meeting of all LP members for that purpose.

Drilon, however, was also unsure about his stand on Charter change, saying they will leave it all up to their counterparts in the House of Representatives, who have been pushing for amendments to prohibitive economic provisions in the charter.

“Our discussion here is that once the House of Representatives is done with deliberations on Charter change and has passed the proposal, then they will bring it to the Senate,” Drilon said.

Drilon stressed he could not discuss Charter change yet – whether for amendments of the economic or political provisions to allow Aquino to stay in office beyond 2016.

‘Straight but narrow path continues’

Earlier, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said Aquino was still LP’s best bet for the 2016 presidential elections and that he should run for a second term.

Roxas was Aquino’s running mate in the 2010 elections but lost to Binay in the vice presidency.

LP member and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said there was an ongoing consultation among the party’s constituents and many were in favor of Aquino’s re-election.

Binay, on the other hand, said it was important for the President to listen to the real voice of the bosses, not those who only wanted personal gain.

Among those who wanted Aquino to continue is the chaplain of the Presidential Security Group.

In a Mass at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, Monsignor Daniel Tansip said, “If I were to be followed, I’m just an ordinary priest, but on this personal note: I hope our President stays on so that the good that has been started in ensuring a straight and narrow path continues.”

Tansip commemorated the 31st death anniversary of the Chief Executive’s father, the martyred former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whom he said was surely proud of his son.

Tansip said a long time has passed since Ninoy died but people would always remember how he contributed to the beginning of change in the country.

Tansip said Ninoy would remain in the hearts and minds of the people, most especially his children.

“In his desire for change for the good of the country, your beloved father risked his life and so he belongs to the heroes and martyrs,” Tansip said.

He said it would be good to look at the lives of those who had passed to deal with the problems at hand.

“Maybe if Sir Ninoy were still alive, he will be very proud of his son… especially since there had been many changes towards the straight path that he was pushing,” Tansip said.

“Our loved ones who (have) gone ahead of us are happy and joyful in heaven when they see us here on earth helping and contributing our efforts to make others’ life better. To make the life of our countrymen better by moving forward towards the right direction – the straight path,” he said, adding “that right at this very moment, the late senator, your father, and of course your mother as well, are very happy with the achievements of their children.”

Aquino said he was open to Charter change in the context of judicial reforms and better check and balance among branches of government.

The President also said he was willing to listen to the voice of the people with regard to term extension, but he did not provide a timeline meant to cover him. – Delon Porcalla, Edith Regalado