Aquino coys on fresh mandate

Speaking to his Cabinet members and congressional allies at an “agenda-setting” meeting held at Malacañang on Friday, the President remained  to be quiet about his political plans after his term ends in 2016. 

Amid the suggestions from many of his allies that the time was running out to lift the constitutional  prohibition against the political term extensions, President Aquino expressed his  openness to seek a fresh mandate. Despite the fact that  the constitution allows only one term, Aquino allies and cabinet members still push him to go  for the second term.

“Isn’t there a saying that nothing is impossible if you want something, but if you don’t want it, it’s impossible?” he asked when the issue was brought up in a press conference on board his chartered flight to Belgium.

“So if the vast majority [of the people] think this is the route that has to be taken, then there should be a way based on the Constitution to afford that opportunity.”

So the question aroused, if  the current president really wants another term or not?

“The consultations continue,” he said, referring to  the advantages and disadvantages of remaining in office for another six-year term.

Aquino also said that he start with the fact asking himself  “ What do you want? What is our intention here? Then we will agree by consensus where we will all go.”