PNoy bares threats

MANILA, Philippines – “They want me out of the picture so that no one will prosecute them.”

President Benigno S. Aquino said on Thursday, March 1, that there are those who are working to unseat him to restore the “old system” that had benefitted them.

At the 26th founding anniversary celebration of the Presidential Security Group, the President said in Filipino that because of the success so far achieved by the administration “there are those who want to revert to the old system, where they made loads of profits.”

“Knowing that we will not let them, they want me out of the picture so that no one will prosecute them,” he said, but expressed confidence that the PSG will continue to “serve as my shield against those who are attempting to block our pursuit of reforms.”

Asked about the threats to the President’s life, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in text message to reporters, “There are the same threats that are already known by the President even before his assumption to office.”

Valte said that the PSG “continues to render the highest level of security for President Aquino on a round-the-clock basis.”
Mr. Aquino said that since he took over, he has sought to correct the “crooked system” that he had inherited, and cited, the rice importation system that had placed the country in more debt, and stopping government contracts that are not only overpriced by faulty.

“To counter the status quo, we laid out reforms. We fixed the system and provided the needs of the agriculture sector. We supported their programs so that by 2013, we would not have to import rice. We are also holding accountable those who have abused their authority and we are not letting through anomalous government contracts,” he said. – Rappler.com