P-Noy sells 'risky' Porsche

MANILA, Philippines -  President Aquino disclosed yesterday that he had parted ways with his Porsche, not because it was seen as a reason for his declining ratings but because it became a security nightmare.

“It was putting an unnecessary risk for the people who are guarding me,” the President said, referring to the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

He said he sold the car because “you (media) over-exposed it.”

The President purchased the white luxury car last year after selling his dark blue BMW.

Asked if it was true that he had sold his Porsche, the President said “yes” and admitted that the decision was “a bit difficult.”

“So it was like an advertisement that hey, I am here. I am most vulnerable here so I just relegated it to the garage and it would deteriorate if it’s not used. So it’s like it was time to let somebody experience it also,” the President said in an ambush interview at the Department of Foreign Affairs, which celebrated its 113th anniversary yesterday.

Aquino said “I sold it for exactly the same price that I bought it for” and refused to take any further questions.

“I hope that’s the last question on the car that is no longer in my possession,” he said.

Asked if he missed having it, the President replied: “I think I’ve answered enough questions on the car. Anything of more substance?”

PSG chief Col. Ramon Mateo Dizon said he had not seen the car for about “three weeks to a month now.”

“He already let go of it,” Dizon said, but refused to give other details on the car’s sale.

The President, when teased about giving a blowout for having sold an expensive car, said: “Walang kinita (No profit).”