Palace on Noy: Smokers can exercise, too

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang defended yesterday President Aquino’s participation in the Department of Health’s nationwide fitness program dubbed “Ehersisyo Pangkalusugan Para sa Lahat 2011.”

Wearing a yellow shirt, black cycling shorts and a safety helmet, Aquino led 100 bikers in driving around Quezon Memorial Circle for 10 minutes in a bid to promote exercise to keep a healthy body.

Even if Aquino is a smoker, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it should not stop him from exercising.

“The President, regardless of what his personal preference is, realizes the importance of good health. What we’ve been trying to focus is the fact that the President is smoking but he has also taken other steps to promote his own health. He does exercise, he has a swimming pool in Bahay Pangarap but because of too many work, he cannot go swimming. But he can do biking,” Lacierda said.

“A lot of people really value exercise even if they are smoking or not. It is important to have exercise and he does that,” he said in a press briefing in Malacañang.