Second term for P-Noy to preserve democracy – Mar

MANILA, Philippines - Threats to democracy and good governance made President Aquino change his mind about Charter change and consider another run for the presidency in 2016, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II said yesterday.

“Nakikita ni P-Noy yung mga  threats sa kalusugan ng demokrasya, sa kagandahan sa pagpapatakbo sa ating bansa (P-Noy sees the threats to the health of democracy, threats to good governance in our country),” Roxas said.

“Kabahagi ng trabaho ng bawa’t leader ang tugunan ang tawag ng panahon. Halimbawa  trouble ng panahon sa Middle East na nadadamay ang ating mga kababayan (It’s the duty of every leader to respond to the call of the times, like for example the trouble in the Middle East, which is affecting our people),” he said.

He stressed that the President is listening to his bosses, the people and that he continues to come up with programs for them.

When asked to comment on reports that the Liberal Party (LP)’s batting for a second term for Aquino was an admission that the administration party has no winnable presidential candidate, Roxas said only the opposition was making such claim.

Roxas, who was the first to float the possibility of Aquino seeking a second term, said he was only making a personal opinion.

“I did not talk to the President about it. It was not discussed in the party,” he said.

Roxas noted that several groups are using the Internet and social networking sites to call for a second term for the President.