Nancy Binay to PNoy: Remember Ninoy, Cory

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition Sen. Nancy Binay on Thursday expressed hope that President Aquino will soon be enlightened over the issue of term extension.

“PNoy witnessed history from the point of view of his parents. Senator Ninoy and President Cory fought a regime that believed it had the sole franchise to make the country great,” Binay said in a text message.

“President Noy would honor what his parents stood and died for by continuing their crusade,” Binay added.

Binay also took potshots against possible presidential wannabees who are hoping for the President’s annointment but unlikely to win. Binay did not directly name presumptive Liberal Party presidential candidate, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas II.

“I am praying na 'di dudungisan ni PNoy ang pangalan ng mga magulang niya para lang mapagbigyan ang mga taong medyo walang pag-asang manalo sa isang malinis na eleksyon,” Binay said.

Senate acting minority leader Vicente Sotto III said he “seriously doubt if the President will cross the legacy of President Cory.”

Sen. Sonny Angara, meanwhile, said that President Aquino and his allies at the Liberal Party may be testing the waters as they work for a possible term extension.

“It is difficult to decipher the President’s intentions when he says he is open to a second term but he and the LP may be testing the waters, so to speak,” Angara said.

He added: “They may be floating a trial balloon of term extension to see if it will fly with the public. Whether it will fly or not well that remains to be seen and only time will tell.”

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas initially cited the possible term extension for Aquino last week.

Roxas' statement was met with mixed reactions from both administration and opposition allies, but President Aquino's statement on Wednesday showed the Palace's real intent on term extension.

Angara expressed belief that the President sees that he needs more time to continue the reforms he has started for the country. The chief executive’s statement is open-ended, the senator added.

“Perhaps as he nears the end of his term he realizes he wants to do more. The statement that he is open to a second term does not necessarily mean he will run again, as he has also repeatedly said he is looking forward to stepping down in 2016,” Angara added.

On the President’s statement on the Supreme Court, Angara said the Constitution has given the SC “vast judicial review powers” under the 1987 Constitution.

“It’s not the first time that view has been expressed and others have said that in the past, though perhaps in a different context, that of economic decision making,” Angara said, referring to Aquino’s statements that charter change can clip the immense power of the Supreme Court.

He cited as precedence the decision on the Bataan plant location case involving Garcia versus BOI, and the decision on the Manila Hotel.

“It’s a recurring argument that occurs every now and then since the SC was vested with vast judicial review powers under section 8 of the 1987 Constitution,” Angara said.