REINA MERCEDES, Oct 8, 2010 (AFP) - Bachelor Philippine President Benigno Aquino pleaded with the press Friday to keep his love life out of the public sphere amid rumours of a split from his girlfriend.
The 50-year-old leader gave a testy reply when journalists who accompanied him on a visit to the northern farming town of Reina Mercedes quizzed him about the reported break-up.
"You don't need to know about my private life," Aquino said.
Aquino was dating Shalani Soledad, a local official in northern Manila during the campaign for the May presidential election, often inviting her on stage along with singers and local film stars. He won the polls by a landslide.
After he began his six-year term on June 30, however, Aquino was reported to have complained he no longer had the time to date.
His girlfriend was noticeably absent from a town hall-style meeting Thursday during which Aquino reported on his first 100 days in office.
She was also a no-show when Aquino gave his first state-of-the nation address to parliament in July.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the public should respect Aquino's private life.
"This is a private matter of which the president has chosen to remain mum about. Let’s respect the little privacy he may have," Lacierda said.
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