Senate President Franklin Drilon. FILE PHOTO
Statesmanship.
That鈥檚 what President Aquino should aspire to when his six-year term ends, in Senate President Franklin Drilon鈥檚 opinion, instead of running for a lower office after leaving Malaca帽ang.
Drilon, a close ally and party mate of Aquino鈥檚, said there had been no discussions on seeking a lower post, but he didn鈥檛 think that this would happen.
鈥淚f you ask me, I think the President will not seek a local position鈥攖hat is my assessment,鈥� he said at Thursday鈥檚 Kapihan sa Senado media forum.
He said he thought Aquino should do one better.
鈥淧ersonally, I will prefer that鈥� he will become a statesman, not being engaged in day-to-day debates on certain issues of the country,鈥� he said.
In Japan on a state visit, Aquino reportedly told the Filipino community that some people wanted him to remain in government.
He said they were urging him to run for another position so he could lead them if they needed his help.
The President is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, but is not prohibited from running for other positions.
Aquino鈥檚 two predecessors ran for local positions after stepping down from office.