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Palace: No hand in newspaper ads calling for PNoy's 2nd term


Malacañang is not behind the full-page advertisements in national newspapers calling for a second term for President Benigno Aquino III, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Tuesday.
 
At a press conference, Coloma also said the Palace is not familiar with the group called Movement for Reform, Continuity and Momentum (MORE2COME), which published the advertisements in national dailies.
 
"Wala kaming kinalaman sa mga patalastas na ‘yan," the Palace official emphatically told reporters during the briefing.
 
He nevertheless admitted it would be "impossible" for Malacañang to ignore such efforts calling for another term for Aquino.
 
"Nakikita ‘yan ng mga tao at nagiging hayag ‘yan na patalastas. Imposible namang hindi mapansin," Coloma said.
 
In the print ads, MORE2COME sought to gather 8 million signatures to convince Aquino to run again for the presidency, despite a constitutional ban on reelection.
 
Section 4, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution – which was drafted and approved under the watch of Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino – limits the presidency to a single six-year term. 
 
The group also called Aquino "the best and only successor," and trumpeted his economic gains.
 
'Voice of his bosses'
 
Coloma maintained that the President will listen to public sentiment on how his reform programs can continue beyond 2016.
 
"Patuloy niyang pinakikinggan ang tinig ng kanyang mga boss, ang mga mamamayang Pilipino," the Palace official said.
 
"Ang kanyang pangunahing layunin ay malaman sa kanila ang kanilang mga suhestiyon kung paano magiging permanente ang transpormasyon o ang pagbabago ng lipunang Pilipino," he added.
 
Aquino has so far given mixed reactions to the issue of term extension.
 
The President first floated the idea in a television interview last month, where he said he is willing to listen to the public clamor for him to stay in power.
 
In a separate radio interview, however, Aquino said he is ready to celebrate the end of his term
 
During a gathering of administration allies earlier this month, the President said that he hopes his supporters will not pick him as their presidential bet for the 2016 polls.
 
During his European trip two weeks ago, Aquino said he can still find a way to amend the Constitution if most Filipinos want him to stay in power. – VS, GMA News
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