‘I can tell whoever nation got better’
SOURCE: Norman Bordadora
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III will not seek election for any other political post in 2016.
Download our free toolbar here
SOURCE: Norman Bordadora
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III will not seek election for any other political post in 2016.
The President, who will be only 56 when his term ends on June 30 of that year, made the declaration in the course of calling on city mayors to be cognizant of the concerns of investors to the Philippines instead of subjecting the latter to red tape while looking after their own short-term electoral plans.
“I understand that there’s a problem. I’m also a politician although this would probably be the last position I will occupy. I will no longer campaign in the future. I understand that you have to think about the next election,” Mr. Aquino said Saturday afternoon in remarks at the 58th general assembly of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).
“The problem is when a conflict develops between looking after the next election and our current job,” he said.
Mr. Aquino also told the city mayors that if his appeal for reforms in the local government would result in more investments for the country and more jobs for Filipinos, he’d step down and see that the Philippines had indeed become better.
Nearing the end of her first term as President, which was made possible by the ouster of Joseph Estrada from Malacañang in 2001, Mr. Aquino’s predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also said she would not seek election to a second term.
But she went on to run and win a second term in the 2004 presidential election that continues to be marked by accusations of massive fraud.
Arroyo is now the representative of Pampanga’s second district, having sought and won the post in May 2010 as the end of her second term as President neared.
Might go elsewhere
Mr. Aquino warned that foreign investors might leave the country and go elsewhere if they were made to hurdle a gauntlet of procedures before being able to do business in their respective areas.
He gave as example the time when his authority was asked for the building of a special economic zone.
He said that when he went through the documents, he saw that there was only a provision for one building—a business process outsourcing facility.
“When I asked the secretary of trade and industry ... I was told that businessmen were wary of building their facilities here if these were not part of a special economic zone,” the President said, referring to the uncertainties experienced by businessmen having to deal with local government units (LGUs).
Mr. Aquino noted that local government processes also required fees which were used for the cities’ upkeep and maintenance, and that the way mayors delivered on the demands of their constituencies would spell their victory or defeat in the next elections.
“Let this be our agreement, if you would allow it. No. 1, I will ask your league leadership, along with [Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse] Robredo [for us to] sit down and discuss how we can resolve the conflict between the short-term needs and the long-term requirements of the state,” Mr. Aquino said.
“Let us talk about how we can make it more enticing for the already enticed investors [to come to the country],” he said.
On right path
The President said he wished to make the LGUs stronger, but indicated that it would only happen with reduced corruption and red tape.
“Let’s no longer go into the amendment of laws. I really want to strengthen the authority of our LGUs. Just let us see that we are already on the right path and that we no longer need to change,” he said.
Mr. Aquino said prudent spending of taxpayer money would give his administration the capability to help the LGUs meet their needs if and when their resources proved insufficient.
“It’s my obligation to you. Send in what you need until it reaches my attention,” he said.
He also told the city mayors that the Philippines’ economic development would proceed at a faster pace if everyone paddled in the same direction.
He made an appeal for changes at the LGU level, and said he would not pressure the city mayors or move for the amendment of laws for needed reforms.
“In the end ... wouldn’t it be nice to see change after we have served?” the President said.
He said that if everything fell into place, he would step down and, “looking back, with head held high, I can tell whoever I come across that the Philippines has indeed gotten better.”
Among those in attendance were Secretary Robredo, LCP president and Mayor Oscar Rodriguez of San Fernando City, LCP chair and Mayor Recom Echiverri of Caloocan City, LCP secretary general and Mayor Hernani Braganza of Alaminos City, and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.
Former Senator Manuel Roxas II, Mr. Aquino’s defeated running mate in the May 2010 elections and prospective “chief troubleshooter,” was also in the audience.
“I understand that there’s a problem. I’m also a politician although this would probably be the last position I will occupy. I will no longer campaign in the future. I understand that you have to think about the next election,” Mr. Aquino said Saturday afternoon in remarks at the 58th general assembly of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).
“The problem is when a conflict develops between looking after the next election and our current job,” he said.
Mr. Aquino also told the city mayors that if his appeal for reforms in the local government would result in more investments for the country and more jobs for Filipinos, he’d step down and see that the Philippines had indeed become better.
Nearing the end of her first term as President, which was made possible by the ouster of Joseph Estrada from Malacañang in 2001, Mr. Aquino’s predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also said she would not seek election to a second term.
But she went on to run and win a second term in the 2004 presidential election that continues to be marked by accusations of massive fraud.
Arroyo is now the representative of Pampanga’s second district, having sought and won the post in May 2010 as the end of her second term as President neared.
Might go elsewhere
Mr. Aquino warned that foreign investors might leave the country and go elsewhere if they were made to hurdle a gauntlet of procedures before being able to do business in their respective areas.
He gave as example the time when his authority was asked for the building of a special economic zone.
He said that when he went through the documents, he saw that there was only a provision for one building—a business process outsourcing facility.
“When I asked the secretary of trade and industry ... I was told that businessmen were wary of building their facilities here if these were not part of a special economic zone,” the President said, referring to the uncertainties experienced by businessmen having to deal with local government units (LGUs).
Mr. Aquino noted that local government processes also required fees which were used for the cities’ upkeep and maintenance, and that the way mayors delivered on the demands of their constituencies would spell their victory or defeat in the next elections.
“Let this be our agreement, if you would allow it. No. 1, I will ask your league leadership, along with [Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse] Robredo [for us to] sit down and discuss how we can resolve the conflict between the short-term needs and the long-term requirements of the state,” Mr. Aquino said.
“Let us talk about how we can make it more enticing for the already enticed investors [to come to the country],” he said.
On right path
The President said he wished to make the LGUs stronger, but indicated that it would only happen with reduced corruption and red tape.
“Let’s no longer go into the amendment of laws. I really want to strengthen the authority of our LGUs. Just let us see that we are already on the right path and that we no longer need to change,” he said.
Mr. Aquino said prudent spending of taxpayer money would give his administration the capability to help the LGUs meet their needs if and when their resources proved insufficient.
“It’s my obligation to you. Send in what you need until it reaches my attention,” he said.
He also told the city mayors that the Philippines’ economic development would proceed at a faster pace if everyone paddled in the same direction.
He made an appeal for changes at the LGU level, and said he would not pressure the city mayors or move for the amendment of laws for needed reforms.
“In the end ... wouldn’t it be nice to see change after we have served?” the President said.
He said that if everything fell into place, he would step down and, “looking back, with head held high, I can tell whoever I come across that the Philippines has indeed gotten better.”
Among those in attendance were Secretary Robredo, LCP president and Mayor Oscar Rodriguez of San Fernando City, LCP chair and Mayor Recom Echiverri of Caloocan City, LCP secretary general and Mayor Hernani Braganza of Alaminos City, and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.
Former Senator Manuel Roxas II, Mr. Aquino’s defeated running mate in the May 2010 elections and prospective “chief troubleshooter,” was also in the audience.
