By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Oct. 29 (PNA) – Senate President Franklin Drilon and his colleagues welcomed on Wednesday the decision of President Benigno S. Aquino III to end speculation on the possible term extension.
”Our President always listens to his bosses. He looks at the survey results. He acts based on the interest of the people and he found that term extension is divisive,” Drilon said.
In a forum with business executives in Makati City on Tuesday, President Aquino said that having six more years in office was not “the right solution” to sustain the economic growth achieved under his leadership.
The President instead urged the business leaders to choose the next leader “who not only says the right things but who you can trust to deliver the same.”
Senator Grace Poe said she has no doubt that the President would listen to his bosses to keep the legacy of his parents unblemished despite efforts of some administration allies to persuade the President to run again in 2016.
”I have no doubt with the President. I mean the easiest is to have him there because at least we know his style of leadership but I know, with the legacy of his parents, this is something that would not permit,” Poe said.
Senator Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito said the President is correct in stating that efforts by some quarters to have a presidential second term is not the “right solution” towards economic growth.
”I concur with the President that a second term may create political turmoil and divisiveness, and is counter-productive in attaining economic development,” Ejercito said.
”I hope the group who called themselves “More 2 Come” headed by a certain Melvin Matibag, RJ Echiverri and several individuals behind these efforts for a second term will now refrain from campaigning,” Ejercito added.
Ejercito said people in the administration and their supporters who are advocating for term extension should bear in mind that the parents of President Aquino themselves — the late President Coraron C. Aquino and Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. — were against presidential term extensions. (PNA)