MANILA, Philippines—Given two versions, perhaps one is inclined to believe that of a woman in love.
Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad Thursday shot down the claim of an entertainment and gossip blogger that she and President Benigno Aquino III had split up.
Malacañang, for its part, said the matter was not of state importance to warrant a comment and that it was better left to the 50-year-old bachelor-President.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was asked by the media to comment on the claim of a blogger calling himself (or herself) Mr. Blinditem that President Aquino and his girlfriend had called it quits.
The blogger claimed to have spoken to a Palace aide who supposedly said he could not confirm or deny the split but that “there maybe truth†to it.
No talk about love
“We have not seen Shalani lately. Let’s just wait for the President to give his official statement,†the Palace aide was quoted in the blog as saying.
At a Palace briefing, Lacierda said he and Mr. Aquino did not talk about his love life.
“For me, that’s not a matter of national importance. So if this is not important for the country, I don’t ask the President,†Lacierda said.
In the same breath, Lacierda said he could understand the curiosity of reporters.
“I fully share what you feel. We’re all alike in this,†he said in Filipino.
‘Happy and inspired’
Asked whether the personal life of the President would affect his work, Lacierda said it would not, “most definitely.â€
He said Mr. Aquino’s “demeanor has never changed†and described the President as “always level-headed.â€
Lacierda said the President was a “happy person†and was now also in a “very good emotional state†because of positive developments, such as a record-high stock market surge and expectations of “good news†during his forthcoming trip to the United States.
“He remains inspired, remains determined,†Lacierda said.
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