He may be campaigning hard for the “Daang Matuwid” candidates but President Aquino has not at all neglected his usual work duties, Malacañang assured yesterday.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. allayed concerns that the President may have been too preoccupied with campaign work, saying the President continues to serve the Filipino people to the best of his ability.
“Pinaninindigan ni Pangulong Aquino ang kahalagahan ng patuloy na pagtaguyod sa Daang Matuwid at buo ang kanyang paniwalang sina Secretary Roxas at Rep. Robredo ang pinakamahusay na magpapatuloy nito,” Coloma said.
“Habang ikina-kampanya sila ng Pangulo, patuloy pa ring naglilingkod nang puspusan ang Pangulo sa ating mga Boss – ang mga mamamayang Pilipino,” he added.
Since the start of the campaign period early last month, the President has traveled to Capiz, Iloilo, Camarines Sur, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija to convince voters to support the Roxas-Robredo tandem in the May elections.
In his recent provincial tour, Aquino attended “governance” events such as inauguration or inspection of infrastructure projects in the morning before attending the Liberal Party campaign rally in the afternoon. Aquino’s attendance to the administration political event has been described as “meeting with local leaders and community” in the President’s schedule.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also defended the President’s active participation in the LP presidential campaign, saying Aquino wants to ensure a continuity of his reform program.
“The Daang Matuwid coalition is campaigning on a platform of continuity of improving the lives of our countrymen. In the past five-and-a-half years, President Aquino has improved the lives of our countrymen thru the 4Ps, Philhealth, and Pamana, he has allowed a robust business environment for our businessmen to prosper,” Lacierda said.
“It is inconceivable that he will allow all that he has done for the past five-and-a-half-years, of providing, improving, and expanding services to our countrymen and a sound business environment be reversed,” he added.
