Second term? Remember the legacy of your mother, PNoy told

Remember the legacy of your mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

 

This was the call Thursday of opposition senators to President Benigno Aquino III following his admission in a television interview that he is now keeping his options open on calls to extend his stay in power.

 

In a text message, acting Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III said he seriously doubts if the President will cross the legacy of his mother.

 

“Naalala ko tuloy yung sinabi ni President Cory kay FVR (former President Fidel V. Ramos' initials) when he was pushing for Cha-cha (Charter change), President Cory said, 'Eddie, do not believe people around you who say you are indispensable',” Sotto said in a text message to GMA News Online.

 

For her part, Senator Nancy Binay said the President witnessed history from the point of view of his parents, ex-Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and President Cory, who both fought a regime that believed it had the power to make the country great.

 

“President Aquino would honor what his parents stood and died for by continuing their crusade,” she said.

 

She hopes Aquino will not tarnish the legacy of his parents just because of the interest of the people around him.

 

“I am praying na hindi dudungisan ni PNoy ang pangalan ng mga magulang niya para lang mapagbigyan ang mga taong medyo walang pag-asang manalo sa isang malinis na eleksyon,” she said.

 

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said those who advised the President about term extension are putting him on dangerous grounds.

 

“Inilagay siya sa alanganin ng mga nagbubuyo sa kanya. I am surprised and at the same time disappointed that that thought entered his mind, pinag-uusapan natin ang term extension gayung napakaraming problema na dapat pag-usapan,” he told reporters.

 

He said he was surprised that Aquino seemed to be turning his back on the legacy of his mother.

 

“Bumaligtad siya sa pinaglaban ng kanyang ina. I was expecting na magiging consistent siya sa pinaglalaban niya dati, kasama ko siyang tinutulan ang term extension ni former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” he said.

 

But Ejercito expressed doubt the people would support Charter change to extend the term of the President.

 

“Sa tingin ko isang divisive na issue na naman ito sa bansa natin. Sa palagay ko ay maraming hindi pabor dito,” he said.

 

He added that he would also oppose Charter amendments that would clip the powers of the judiciary.

 

“The Supreme Court provides for check and balance which the Constitution provides,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News