Expired passport and other PNoy quirks as told by longtime staff

Owing perhaps to an aversion to overseas travel, President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III has kept his passport expired for six years, or since he was a member of the House of Representatives. This — as well as other quirks of the man who a year ago was hardly headline material — was bared by Aquino's longtime secretary in an exclusive interview with GMA News reporter Lei Alviz. "Siguro noong congressman siya, mga two times lang (siyang lumabas ng bansa), isang States at isang Japan (I think he left the country only two times when he was still a congressman, one to the United States and one to Japan)," said Undersecretary Rochelle Ahorro, who has been with Aquino since 1987. The interview was aired over GMA News' "24 Oras" Monday. Ahorro was Aquino's secretary, executive assistant and chief of staff during his nine-year stint as Tarlac representative, and senior executive assistant and appointments secretary when he was a senator. She said they have yet to work for the renewal of Aquino's passport, which she said expired in 2004.

PNoy vs branded clothes Ahorro said Aquino, despite being a scion of an affluent political clan, also has a liking for inexpensive clothes. She recalled during the interview Aquino's reaction when, one time, she bought for him pants worth P8,000 each. "Nagulat siya sa price. Gusto niya yata akong patayin 'nun (He was so surprised with the price that I think he wanted kill me)," she said in jest. The same frugality, however, is not applied on food, as Aquino is known to prefer steaks, and crabs over chicken, Ahorro said. The appointment blunder Nicknamed "Sexy" by Aquino himself, Ahorro remembered one major mistake she committed in her job in 1987 that resulted in Aquino attending a function that was scheduled a week later. She said up to now, Aquino still teases her about the incident. "Nagkamali ako ng schedule. Gusto ko nang tumalon sa building. Pumunta siya sa isang function na one week pa pala. Naalala pa niya, that's how many years ago na," she said. (I made a mistake on his schedule. I wanted to jump off a building back then. I made him go to function a week earlier than it was scheduled. He still remembers that, even if that happened many years ago.) Apologies are enough The schedule blunder apparently irked Aquino, according to Ahorro, but he was appeased by a simple gesture of apology. "Sa kanya kasi, 'wag kang magde-deny, magtuturo o mandadamay. Kung kasalanan mo, kasalanan mo, mag-apologize ka (He doesn't want you to deny your faults or blame other for it. If it is really your fault, admit it and apologize)," she said. On a more serious note, Ahorro described Aquino as a hands-on boss who would personally choose which functions he wants to attend. He is also known for finishing whatever task he has started no matter the odds. "Pag sinabi niya, sinabi niya. May paninindigan (He stands by what he says. He is principled)," said Ahorro. - KBK, GMANews.TV