Aquino against ‘unlimited term’ for presidents

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III delivers his speech during the LP event, “A Gathering of Friends,” at the Function Room 1 of the SMX Convention Center, Agdao District, Davao City on Wednesday.
(Photo from the Malacañang Photo Bureau/Benhur Arcayan/Robert Vinas/Benjamin Basug)

MANILA – In one of the ruling Liberal Party’s (LP) “gathering of friends,” President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III cautioned the Filipinos to vote wisely and opt for a succeeding president who would not seek ‘unlimited terms’ which could lead to another dictatorship.

“Sa palagay ko parang mali  ata ‘yan. Iaasa natin sa isang tao… Tapos bibigyan pa natin ng tulay o pagkakataon ‘yung iba na tulad na noong 1972, di ba? Natapos na ‘yung dalawang terminong puwede niyang takbuhan, nagkaroon ng Martial Law,” Aquino said, referring to the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

(I think that may be wrong. We will entrust it to one person… We will also give a way or an opportunity like in 1972? He already completed the two terms he could run for, and then declared Martial Law.)

The President encouraged continuity of the programs and projects rather than the term in office.

“Parang may tatakbo diyan, naghahanda na ng hahalinhin sa kanya. Maganda na yata one term… Gawin mo ‘yung dapat mong magawa at ‘yung kaya mong magawa, tapos ipasa mo ‘yung renda para mapakita naman na kaya ng sambayanang Pilipinong magpatuloy sa tamang direksiyon,” he added.

(It’s like there’s someone running, preparing someone else who can take over. One term may be good enough… Do what you need to finish and what you can accomplish, and then pass the rein to show that the Filipino nation can move ahead in the right direction.)

Rallying support, Aquino instead praised LP’s standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II who was already tried and tested. The President, elected in 2010, will step down from office next year.