President Aquino eager to feel the pulse of the people, says Palace official

President Aquino takes time out for a photo-op while inspecting the controversial bunkhouses (Photo : getrealphilippines.com)

MANILA — President Aquino’s major concern is to feel the people’s pulse to make sure that the reforms he has spearheaded in recent years would become permanent and would benefit all Filipinos, a Palace official said on Thursday.

“What is essential for the President is to know the sentiments of his bosses, the Filipino people,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“He will continue to listen to them so he will know their views on how to ensure that the reforms and transformation that he has begun will continue and will become permanent,” he added.

Coloma was responding to questions on what made the President change his mind on Charter Change.

Asked how the President would gauge the people wishes, Coloma said many channels of information could serve as relevant sources of information for the President.

In a television interview on Wednesday, President Aquino said that the Constitution is not perfect and some of its provisions are already obsolete and may need fine-tuning.

He said amending the Constitution can put limits to the powers given to the Supreme Court, which appears to be frequently using its power to check the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

He has to listen to his “bosses”, the Chief Executive said, clarifying however that his statement did not necessarily mean that he would automatically go after a term extension.

He explained that “listening to his bosses” means asking them how the reforms he had begun would remain beyond his term of office.

The President had rejected moves to amend the Constitution in the past, saying the country has done well even without changing the Charter, especially its economic provisions.