MOST people are okay about having a bachelor for a president. Some even believe President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III will have more time to address the nation’s needs since he has no wife or children to worry about.
Raquel Aldave, a sidewalk vendor, said she voted for P-Noy since he is the son of two great Filipinos, referring to Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former president Corazon Aquino.
Although most other presidents were married, she said P-Noy’s civil status did not discourage her from voting for him.
“It’s okay even if he doesn’t have wife. At least, he has a girlfriend,” said Julie Pearl Padilla, a 22-year-old cashier at a bakeshop on Colon St., Cebu City. Padilla was referring to P-Noy’s girlfriend Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad.
She hopes the new president will pay more attention to addressing poverty in the country.
Jason Casquijo, a 20-year-old security guard, also believes the president’s civil status does not matter, saying he trusts P-Noy can perform his duties.
“He should help the street children, address joblessness and increase the salary of security guards,” he said.
Like Casquijo, Marife Cabada, a 21-year-old saleslady at a pharmacy, was not able to vote during the May 10 elections since she had to work.
But if she had the chance, she said she would have voted for P-Noy.
"It's better that he is single so he could focus on running the country," she said.
Murphy, a 17-year-old nursing student, said: "It doesn't matter whether he has a wife or none; what matters is his service to the nation."
She hopes P-Noy will be able to curb corruption in government.
"His parents were able to set a good example to him," she said.
Vann, also a 17-year-old nursing student, shared Murphy’s view.
"Having no wife will not affect the way he is going to run the country," he said.
He also hopes the new president will focus on addressing graft.
Emely Villagonzalo, a 19-year-old sidewalk vendor, said P-Noy is better off without a wife so he would have nothing else to worry about except the country.