Asked to comment on Vice President Jojo Binay’s wish that he be considered as President Benigno Aquino III’s bet for president in 2016, Malacanang said candidates for the highest office should be measured based on their ability to continue the platform and reforms of the recent president.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the president has mentioned the qualities he wants from a leader before he endorse someone.
“Somebody who will continue the reforms in daang matuwid… Does a candidate follow that standard? And I won’t be able to speculate on who the candidate is, but that would be a fair way of benchmarking all the presidentiables (sic),” Lacierda said.
However, Lacierda added it would be best when Aquino make his official announcement.
“It’s far too early for us to say anything. It’s the prerogative of the President to make his choice, and until such time, everything will be speculation,” he said.
Binay also earlier said he wants to lift the term limits of the president for four-year term with reelection, however, the palace speaker disagreed reiterating Aquino’s position that six years would be enough for a leader to fulfill his promises of reforms.
“We don’t share the opinion of Vice President Binay, especially (because) the President firmly believes on a single term. Because the logic in a single-term presidency is that the President can focus on all that needs to be done within the six-year term.
“His responsibility after the six years is to ensure that good governance prevails during the six years, so that the people will want to see an extension of those six years by way of his successor, and for that particular reason we ask the question: Have you seen the benefits of ‘daang matuwid?’ And if so, would you like ‘daang matuwid’ to continue?”
H/T: ABS-CBN News; Photo lifted from Google.