VP Binay: Term extension proposal for PNoy 'selfish'

MANILA - Vice President Jejomar Binay has branded as "selfish" a proposal to extend the term of President Benigno Aquino III.

In a statement on Friday, Binay said the proposal was also unfair to Aquino who has never expressed any intent to seek another term.

"It was a selfish proposal to begin with, motivated more by personal rather than national interest. It was also unfair to the President. The proposal put him on the spot and made him the object of criticisms, which he doesn't deserve," Binay said.

It was Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas who suggested that Aquino should stay longer in Malacañang so that he could continue his "tuwid na daan" governance.

Some people, through the "One More Term for PNoy" page on Facebook, have also been calling for the "re-election" of Aquino.

The Constitution limits the president to only one 6-year term.

According to Binay, "this politically-divisive initiative" must be stopped now. He said Aquino is not the type of person who will cling to power.

"Those who made the proposal don't know the President. He is a decent person and will not cling to power. He is a student of history, and he won't tarnish his mother's good name just to please some personalities," he said.

He also noted that the President, through Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma, has already said that he is not interested in seeking another term.

"President Cory rejected a similar move to extend her term. As a private citizen, she opposed similar moves by succeeding administrations. I am certain President Noynoy will follow the sterling example of his mother," Binay said.