BALI, Indonesia, (PNA) — Getting re-elected for another term as President of the Philippines remains farthest from the mind of President Benigno S. Aquino III who said on Sunday that he will continue implementing his style of good governance in order for Filipinos to get used to his leadership style and serve as a basis the people may use when they decide on who will lead them by 2016.
Speaking to the attendees of the 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit being held here from October 6 to 8, the President said he would rather remain as a “one-term” President and be free from the temptation of having to please everybody in order to sustain a re-election bid.
“My father used to say that in the pre-Martial Law days, this was before 1972, if they had to raise fuel prices by five centavos he would have nationwide strikes that were difficult to govern. Now, if you make an unpopular decision, but it is necessary for the future good, you are not worried about the next election. Whereas, if you are concerned about the next term, everything you do has to be in the backdrop of how to secure your next years in office, which probably will be such a temptation to any leader to try and please the people all the time regardless whether or not it is good,” the President said.
He pointed out that once people get used to good governance, they will ultimately seek it out from their leaders.
“Now, beyond 2016, the belief is, 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,” the President said.
“So, 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 instituted,” he added.