Mixed signals from Aquino on term extension

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III remains indecisive on the issue of term extension and admits that he is now consulting various sectors on how to ensure that his reforms are sustained.

In an interview with Bombo Radyo aired on Thursday, Aquino clarified that his openness to amend the Constitution is due to the need to clip the powers of the Supreme Court.

Aquino sent mixed signals, however, when asked whether his new stand on Charter change is related to the possibility of lifting the term limits for the president.

"At the end of the day, meron bang taong talagang magsasabing ibigay n'yo lahat sa akin ang problema n'yo from now until the indefinite future? Sinabi ko naman nung una akong tumakbo, Hindi naman ako masokista e," Aquino said of the possibility of seeking re-election.

"Pero at the same time, sabi ko nga makikinig ako sa anumang utos ng mga boss natin," he added.

Aquino said there are ordinary Filipinos who have told him to stay in power.

The President said he is tasked to find his successor, but the issue on whether this leader can continue his reforms still needs to be addressed.

"Puwede ko bang sabihin sa kanilang... meron tayong hangganan. Ang trabaho natin ay hanapin 'yung kapalit na magpapatuloy," he said.

"Sinasagot naman sa akin doon, 'Paano niyo magagarantiya na itutuloy nga 'yung ginawa ninyo?'" Aquino added.

The President admitted that there are ongoing consultations on the matter.

"Sa ngayon, talagang nagkokonsulta tayo sa iba't ibang sektor... tinatanong natin paano ba natin masisigurado na magpapatuloy na lahat ng naumpisahan natin na maging permanente na," he said.

On Wednesday, Malacañang urged those speculating about the prospect of term extension to just wait the President's decision.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Filipino people should trust the President when it comes to Charter change.

"The President has, again, not made any moves. He's just in the consultation stage so let’s just wait for the decision of the President. And if there’s one thing that I’d like to impart to the Filipino people, you know, the President has kept faith with the Filipino people for the past four years. We ask you to trust that the President will do the right thing," Lacierda said.