Was President Benigno Aquino III giving guidelines for the 2016 polls in his holiday greetings this year?
In his penultimate Christmas message as President, Aquino asked Filipinos to be on the side of people who are honest and who would prioritize the public’s interest.
“Sa araw-araw nating pagharap sa sangandaan, nawa’y piliin natin ang mabuti, ang tapat, ang maka-katarungan,” the President said in a video released online by Radio TV Malacañang.
“Pumanig tayo sa mga taong tumotoo sa kanilang salita at pumapanig sa makabubuti sa kapakanan ng kapwa,” he added.
Aquino also asked for prayers for strength to continue reforms started by his administration.
The President has remained tightlipped on his preferrred successor, although ranking officials of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) have earlier identified Interior Secretary Mar Roxas as their standard-bearer for the 2016 national polls.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, the opposition’s presumptive standard bearer, is facing investigation on allegations of corruption before the Senate and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Binay, however, has repeatedly described these accusations as politically motivated. He continues to lead in surveys on the public’s preferences for President. —NB, GMA News
