Malacañang advised Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr. on Friday to be “realistic” in making promises, including his intention not to impose new taxes or increase taxes if elected President.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar warned that all candidates in this May’s elections should make “responsible” campaign statements.

Aquino told the other day members of the Makati Business Club that if elected President, he would refrain from imposing new taxes or increasing tax rates, but he would be serious in curbing and punishing tax evasion and smuggling.

“When you promise no new taxes, as you said given our deficit issues then you may risk doing what happened to the elder George Bush read my lips less than a year later nag-raise, so mahirap magsalita ng patapos tungkol sa issue ng deficit and taxes,” Olivar, an economist, said.

He said Aquino needs “to listen to enough lawyers” before reacting to any issues concerning governance and economy.