Noy hopeful ‘bosses’ will change mind on 2nd term

BALI – The “bosses” can still change their mind, and President Aquino has not given up on seeking a second term.

 “There is still the 18 percent undecided, but what if I get about 13 percent (in favor of term extension)? That means an absolute majority. And that’s not hard to get,” Aquino told reporters here yesterday after attending the 7th Bali Democracy Forum.

He was referring to the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing 62 percent of Filipinos against changing some provisions in the Constitution to remove term limits for officials and allow him to seek the presidency in 2016. The same poll showed that 38 percent of the respondents were in favor of political Charter change and 18 percent were undecided.

Aquino earlier said he would “consult and listen to his bosses” after he and his officials floated the idea of Charter change to allow him to seek another term and clip the powers of the Supreme Court.

Several of Aquino’s allies in the Senate and House of Representatives have repeatedly made known their opposition to political Charter change.

He recalled that he won the 2010 presidential race by obtaining 42 percent of the votes, which is close to the 38 percent in the survey that favored a term extension for him.

He said there would always be a portion of the voting population not supportive of him.

Aquino disclosed that while his closest supporters have admitted to being cool to the idea of him running again, they nevertheless have committed to support him fully if he finally decides to throw his hat in the ring in 2016.

He also cited a casual remark from a taxi driver a few days ago – as told to him by a friend – that his administration deserves another term given its achievements.

“I don’t think anybody can say that those who said ‘no’ said they don’t like me but rather, you know, there is that possibility that I myself (respondent) have not stated that ‘I really want this.’ How many of them are like that?” Aquino said.

“So for those who said ‘no’ that means that either they were content with what I’ve done, and for my supporters, they already pity me,” he said.

“So, if we pull six (percent) from those who said ‘no’ (term extension), and another six from those undecided, then it’s close to what you need to have an absolute majority (in the surveys),” he said.