No fire in smoking impeachment plan

A proposal that the Philippines’ President, Benigno S. Aquino III, should be impeached because of his tobacco smoking seems unlikely be realized, according to a story in the Manila Bulletin.

While the president had not quit smoking, he had followed the smoking ban in government offices and other public areas, presidential communications secretary, Herminio Coloma Jr, was quoted as saying.

Coloma made his remarks after a Civil Service Commission (CSC) official had warned that Aquino’s smoking in government premises could be grounds for impeachment.

CSC assistant commissioner, Ariel Ronquillo, reportedly claimed that the president had violated the smoking prohibition in government buildings.

But Coloma countered that the president had always been supportive of the MMDA’s (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) efforts to reduce the hazards of smoking. “The president is following all of the laws of the land regarding this matter,” he said.

“The president has not violated any of these rules.”

Aquino has repeatedly rejected calls by concerned groups to lead by example and quit his smoking habit, saying that for him smoking is a way to relieve stress.