PNoy not interested in longer Palace stay

MANILA - President Aquino is just not interested in seeking another term, a Palace spokesman said, despite a statement from Secretary Mar Roxas that Aquino should stay longer in Malacañang so that he could continue his program of good governance.

"Malinaw iyong kanyang deklarasyon na kung saan ay binibilang na lamang niya iyong buwan at araw na nalalabi at ni minsan ay hindi po sumagi sa kanyang isipan na maghangad o humingi ng terminong karagdagan dahil malinaw naman po ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon hinggil diyan," Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said in a Malacañang press conference.

Coloma said Roxas's statement should be taken as a mere exercise of his freedom of expression.

He said Roxas, Aquino's running-mate in the 2010 elections, should be treated like any ordinary citizen who can exercise his freedom of expression.

"Kaya wala naman pong partikular na atensiyon na binibigay diyan para iyan ay i-encourage o gumawa pa ng anupamang pagkilos. Kinikilala lang iyan na kasama sa free expression in a free society," he said.

Coloma said the government does not have the capacity to monitor each and every individual who exercises their constitutionally guaranteed liberties.

"Hindi naman Big Brother ang gobyerno na lahat ng pagkilos ng mga mamamayan ay kailangang subaybayan at pagsabihan sila," he said.