MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III has kept his simple lifestyle despite having some luxury vehicles in his garage, a Palace official said Monday.
Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) insisted that nothing has changed about the modest leader since he assumed the presidency last year.
Coloma issued the statement after the President admitted having an armored Lexus LX 570 sports utility vehicle apart from his recently purchased 2007 Porsche. The white security vehicle was supposedly leased by his brother-in-law for the President.
“There has been no change in the lifestyle of our President,” Coloma said in a radio interview, adding the Chief Executive remains a simple person. Apart from having Lexus 570 and Porsche, the petrol-head President owns a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Ford Everest.
Coloma insisted that the Lexus sports vehicle, which the President was seen riding in recent days, was not purchased by the Chief Executive.
“One of the President's brothers-in-law helped him lease the vehicle, which is used for official functions. There is no truth that the Lexus is one of his toys,” he said.
When asked if the Office of the President was paying for the lease of new security vehicle, Coloma said in Filipino: “It could be that way.”
But when sought for clarification, Coloma claimed there was nothing illegal if the OP pays for the lease of vehicles used for official purposes.
“The context of my statement is that it is okay for (the) Office of President to pay for the lease of vehicles that are being used for official functions,” he said in a text message.
He said the Lexus has ample security features to ensure the safety of the President when on the road. The old presidential limousine, a Mercedez Benz, was no longer reliable since it was damaged during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy in 2009.
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