Palace mum on President's rumored breakup with girlfriend

Has President Benigno Simeon Aquino III broken up with his girlfriend, Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad? Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda neither confirmed nor denied that the couple have broken up, but admits that he has not seen Soledad in Malacañang since the President assumed office on June 30. However, Lacierda noted that his office is far from the office of Aquino and he would have to check with the staff who are always around the President. “I would have to confirm with the appointments secretary dahil hindi ako same building with the President. If you ask me, I haven’t seen her yet. But we are not in the same building. That would depend on the appointments secretary, hindi ko alam ang schedule ni Presidente buong araw," he said.
Soledad was last seen with the President and his family when she attended the Mass commemorating the death anniversary of the President's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, at La Salle Greenhills on August 1. Together with some volunteers, she planted some yellow flowers along the side streets leading to the Aquino house to commemorate the death anniversary of Mrs. Aquino. She also attended the inauguration of the President at the Quirino Grandstand on June 30 but was not present when he delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives on July 26. She later visited the President at the Aquino residence in Times Street in Quezon City, where she reportedly gave him some cookies. Shalani denies rumors In a text message sent to media on Thursday, Soledad denied the split. “Not true. Thanks," the message read. Earlier on Thursday, an entertainment blog site called Mr. Blind Item said: "The Filipino people will not see a presidential wedding in the next six years according to very reliable sources in Malacañang Palace." Mr. Blind Item, quoting an official close to the President, said this explains the absence of the councilor in official and social functions attended by the President. He said since Aquino assumed office, the President has rarely sent text messages or called Soledad. He also denied that presidential sister Kristina Bernadette “Kris" Aquino, who was earlier rumored to be at odds with the councilor, had a hand in the split. However, by mid-afternoon, Mr. Blind Item posted this item on his blog: "A reporter named Celerina del Mundo Monte just posted an update in her Facebook wall, Shalani Soledad reportedly texted her denying that she has broken up with President Noynoy Aquino. "NOT TRUE," Shalani reportedly texted Monte. Not of national importance Lacierda said like everyone else, he is also curious about the President’s love life but he does not feel that it is of national importance, which is why he never asked Aquino about it. “Alam nyo po hindi kami nag-uusap tungkol diyan. Hindi po iyan matter of national importance. Kapag hindi mahalaga iyan para sa bayan, hindi ko tinatanong sa Pangulo… Damang-dama ko ang inyong curiosity, pareho tayong lahat," he said. Lacierda assured reporters that if the break-up was true, it will not affect the President’s fulfillment of his mandate. He said Aquino remains “optimistic" about the country and described the President's mood as “upbeat" and even “inspired." “We have always discussed matters of state. His demeanor has never changed. He is always level-headed. I don't know where that question is coming from. Maayos po ang kanyang disposition. Hindi ko po alam ang kanyang pribadong estado kaya hanggang doon lang ang aking masasabi," he added. Lacierda added that the emotional state of the President is “very good right now" after receiving a lot of positive developments. He cited the record-level highs posted by the Philippine Stock Exchange and the “good news coming from the US (United States)." He said there are favorable expectations from the President's first official trip to the US next week. In the meantime, Lacierda promised that he would ask Aquino about the "breakup issue" the next time they meet “in the spirit of transparency." He added that there is no effort to discourage talks about the President’s personal life. “Di ba, sa panel interview, tinanong siya ni Mel Tiangco tungkol kay Shalani, so walang nagbabawal sa kanya kung ano puwedeng tanungin," he said. No time to go on dates Aquino last week admitted that he rarely has time to go on a date and that he has no privacy to enjoy it. He said if he finds time to go out, a lot of people would be accompanying him, whether it is to eat at a restaurant or watch a film. When asked if this would mean that there would not be any wedding soon, or if he would have a First Lady during his term, the President answered, “Sabi nga ng mga Amerikano, hope springs eternal’." Aquino is the first bachelor president of the country. He has relegated the usual functions of the Office of the First Lady to his sisters Ma. Elena “Ballsy" Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon “Pinky" Aquino-Abellada , Victoria Elizabeth “Viel" Aquino-Dee, and Kris. –VVP/JV, GMANews.TV