Beijing’s cold caught up with PNoy?

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday suffered a coughing fit while delivering a speech lauding the Araneta family of Quezon City.

 

In an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Araneta Center, Aquino, a known smoker, had to stop his speech five times to cough and drink water.

 

"Beijing's weather might be catching up on me," the President, who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in chilly China two weeks ago, said after his coughing fit.

 

Aquino then recalled spending his childhood in Quezon City, and noted how the area has changed throughout the years.

 

The President, who called himself "Batang QC," credited the Araneta clan for transforming Quezon City.

Industrialist J. Amado Araneta is a grandfather of the President's close ally, Liberal Party leader and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

 

Ranking members of the ruling party, including House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon, were present during the event.

 

Drilon, LP vice chairman, earlier said that Roxas was his preferred LP presidential candidate in 2016.—NB, GMA News