PNoy’s decision is final, no more 2nd term

President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions during the Coffee with Media held at the Maritem Hotel. The President arrived here on Friday (September 19) for the last leg of his four-nation tour of Europe to meet top Geman officials and business executives. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Aquino is truthful when he said that he is not eyeing for a second term which would require a constitutional amendment, Malacañang said yesterday.

“The President is known to be a leader who always speaks truthfully,” Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office was quoted in a report for the Philippine Star.

Aquino made a lengthy speech about making the most of one’s time during an impromptu speech during the 45th Armed Forces of the Philippines Sergeant Major and 19th Non-Commissioned Officers Day in Malacañang.

“Let me repeat my philosophy: we will pass by this life once. If we are not able to contribute anything by the time God says, ‘finished or not finished, pass your paper,’ what would you feel? Versus (the confidence) to say ‘I did everything I could’,” Aquino said.

“And if that is our attitude, why would we be far from where we want to go?” Aquino added.

The President earlier spoke in front of a group of businessmen saying that having his term extended is not the “right solution to maintain the country’s economic growth.

He added that, choosing the next leader wisely is what the people should do.

“After 2016, then perhaps I will vote for the right candidate and if I can ask you also to discern properly as to who is extolling populist sentiments with no substance as opposed to those who not only say the right things but whom you can trust to deliver the same,” Aquino told the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) during its 13th CEO Forum and 118th General Membership meeting in Makati City.

Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda agreed with the statement of Secretary Coloma saying, “The President has stated that term extension is not the right solution.”