President Aquino visits INC’s Eduardo Manalo, thanks him for supporting Aquino admin

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III flashes the LABAN sign during the Freedom Memorial Launch at the Bulwagang Ninoy Aquino of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in North Avenue, Quezon City. (Photo: Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III had a meeting with Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo on Monday to thank him for his support to the Aquino administration.

In an interview by the INC media group after the meeting, the President said the meeting went well and he has “no complaints but to say thanks for all the support.”

“First nagpasalamat muna ako dahil talaga namang nadama natin ang suporta throughout the administration and even before I have been in office,” he said.

INC endorsed the candidacy of Aquino and his running mate, Mar Roxas, in the 2010 national polls.

The President said they were also able to discuss their visions after his administration ends on June 30, 2016 as well as the “usual appeals and political appeals.”

Asked what he thinks would be his legacy, the Chief Executive said he hopes that it would be the change in people’s attitude “from parang apathy to one of hopeful or being very hopeful.”

He said changing people’s attitude to become positive is a real challenge as shown in the number of people who wanted to work abroad before his term compared to the present situation.

“Now one of the dailies today, I really was very pleased to see people are looking for jobs here as opposed to preferring to look for work abroad. So there is a belief that there are jobs available, there are good jobs, so the idea of, yes we can progress in this country rather than having to go abroad, will get that sense of progress,” he said.

A week before the May 9 national polls, the President said he hopes people would see the gains of his administration’s Daang Matuwid (Straight Path) theme.

“Nasasainyo kung ipagpapatuloy ito at lalo pang mapapalakas. So ang dulo, parati naming sinasabi, boss namin ang taong bayan, hintayin naming ang hatol ng taong bayan kung ano ang gusto ng mga boss natin,” he added.