He has constantly begged the media to respect his right to privacy—particularly when it comes to his love life—but President Aquino on Tuesday volunteered, whether seriously or in jest, that he may get married by the end of his term.

Mr. Aquino mentioned this at a lake-seeding activity in Jala-Jala, Rizal, as he wrapped up his speech on the need to revitalize Laguna de Bay.

“For as long as we take to heart compassion and not take advantage of others—when I step down in 2016, hopefully I would be married by then—you would awaken to a Philippines that is more progressive, more respectable and one that you can be more proud of,” he said.

Asked why the President made the comment, when he had repeatedly asked the media not to write about his love life, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte said in a news briefing that “sometimes, the President may want to share or would like to joke about, the status of his love life.”

“Perhaps there are things that he can share and there are also things that he would like to keep to himself,” she said.

Mr. Aquino was seen last week at the Hotdog reunion concert with a new woman by his side; she was later identified as Bunny Calica, a 27-year-old teacher whom he had known for four years.