President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III has kept his private cellular phone paid out of his own pocket for better security against wiretapping.

The President, speaking to reporters in the Palace, said he opted to retain his old mobile line rather than get a new one funded by the government to keep his privacy.

President Aquino said having a government-funded phone would compel him to submit the phone bills for liquidation, allowing the public to get a peek of his private phone conversations. The country's first bachelor president admitted that he doesn't want people to know the length and frequency of his calls or the content of his text messages to a “friend."
 
His security aides have also checked his phone lines, including those in Bahay Pangarap, his official residence, and found them clean of bugs and other wiretap devices. President Aquino has moved into Bahay Pangarap, located inside the Malacañang Park, admitting that he is still getting used to the new surroundings.

President Aquino, who recently got his first paycheck as President, said a portion of his salary goes to paying his cellular phone bills and car mortgages. The rest of his salary went to his savings in the bank.

"Wow," he said when he got his paycheck last week, especially when he learned about the huge tax cuts. 
 
The President has a monthly salary of P95,000. But Aquino received a net amount of P63,000, after a hefty deduction of P32,000 especially being single taxpayer.

After getting his salary, Aquino said many of his friends have asked him for a blowout but jokingly said all he can afford is an "eat-all-you-can" buffet of fish balls. He said his cash inflow has changed especially since he has to divest from some businesses when he assumed the presidency.