Philippine President Aquino says not even a bomb can stop the reforms he's begun

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III pauses as he delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address during the joint session of the 16th Congress at the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday July 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (The Associated Press)

MANILA, Philippines – An emotional Philippine president has called his opponents desperate and says many people will carry on his reforms even if he was stopped by a bomb.

Benigno Aquino III said in his annual state of the nation address before Congress Monday that he could not avoid thinking somebody may make an attempt on his life because of the kind of people he has crossed in his anti-corruption crusade and other government reforms.

Aquino asked in his nationally televised speech: "Will there be a time when I climb a stage and it will be the last day? Will somebody succeed in planting a bomb?"

Aquino did not say who he feared could threaten his life.

Aquino's father, an activist against the Marcos dictatorship then in power, was assassinated in 1983.