Presidential race frontrunner Benigno Aquino III should be given enough time to find his "comfort zone" as the country’s first bachelor president confronts concerns about his preference to live outside Malacañang and his smoking habit, according to a Palace official.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said the next president is entitled to create his governance style at least during the “honeymoon period,” or his first 100 days in office, so he could run the country more effectively.

“I will have to defer to the practice and custom which I think is a good one of giving the new president, every new president enough time and space to locate his comfort zone, if you will, within the requirements of his new office. Because if he is not in his comfort zone, he will not be as effective as if he were in his comfort zone,” Olivar told reporters in the Palace.

“To the extent possible, he should be supported, that new president should be supported in being able to define and sustain his governance style as soon as possible,” he said.

Aquino earlier disclosed plans to live outside Malacañang, preferably in his family residence in Times St., West Triangle, Quezon City, to stay in touch with the people.

The putative winner of the presidential polls also claimed he would rather stay in a condominium than live in the Palace with negative vibes. Some of his neighbors however have expressed concern about their security as well as inconvenience once Aquino converts his home into the seat of government power.

In an apparent defense of President Arroyo’s successor, Olivar pointed out Aquino is obviously still in the process of “finding himself and locating himself” in preparation for his ascension into office.