Bachelor Aquino has no time for love

MANILA, Philippines – Does President Aquino still have time to date as he attends to the affairs of the state?

This question was posed to the 50-year-old bachelor President by GMA 7’s news anchor Mel Tiangco during Aquino’s televised no-holds-barred interview Thursday.

Aquino admitted that he can hardly find time for his personal life, noting that he even has to work on Sundays. He also lamented that if he does go out, there’s no privacy.

“Sa totoo lang ho kung saka-sakaling magkaroon ng oras, wala naman pong privacy maski anong puntahan natin - supermarket, restaurant, sinehan. Marami pong makikisama sa pagda-date [namin]. Picture taking, sasamang kwentuhan. Pati ho Linggo kinukuha na din sa atin. So, medyo talagang manipis na manipis ang free time,” he said.

On Thursday, Aquino faced a panel of TV news anchors, composed of Tiangco, ABS-CBN’s Ted Failon and TV 5’s Paolo Bediones, to answer all the issues involving the botched handling of the tragic hostage drama at the Quirino Grandstand.

The hostage crisis resulted in the deaths of 8 Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker, police officer Rolando Mendoza.

The question asked by Tiangco, a self-confessed hopeless romantic, provided a brief breather to the President as he tackled the tragedy that caused tension between the Philippines and Hong Kong.

In a follow up question, Tiangco asked if Aquino was ruling out the possibility of having a First Lady during his term and holding a grand wedding.

Aquino replied: “Sabi po sa akin ng mga Amerikano, hope springs eternal.”

Aquino’s girlfriend is 30-year-old Valenzuela councilor Shalani Soledad. The high-profile couple has been tightlipped whenever they are asked about their relationship.

In a previous interview, Soledad said she is willing to wait for Aquino.