Aquino hits new ‘nasty’ rumors about ‘collapse’
President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO
QUEZON, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday accused his political rivals of spreading nasty rumors against him and denied that the erroneous news of his collapse came from within his camp.
“Ang sabi daw po nag-collapse ako sa Malacañang, na may malubha daw akong karamdaman. Ang iba naman nagsasabing nasa ICU (intensive care unit) na ako,” (They say I collapsed in Malacañang, that I have a serious illness. Others say I was in the ICU) Aquino told an audience in Quezon province.
The President was in the province to attend the briefing on the South Luzon Expressway (Slex) Toll Road 4 Project (TR4) in Tiaong, Quezon.
Aquino was rumored to have “collapsed” Friday night, according to a tweet of a TV reporter who quoted an anonymous source. It was immediately denied by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.
READ: Palace denies rumor Aquino ‘collapsed’
“Nang makita nila ako ng Sabado ng gabi na wala namang problema sa kalusugan, may panibagong tsismis naman na lumabas,” (When they saw me on Saturday night and confirmed that I had no health problem, a new rumor surfaced) he said.
Aquino explained, “Kami raw ang nagkalat ng kathang isip na ito para lang makakuha ng simpatiya sa publiko,” he explained. ([They] claim we were the ones who made it up to get sympathy from the public.)
Although he cancelled an informal meeting with reporters on Saturday afternoon, the President was spotted by a Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter in Quezon City as he was having dinner with friends. This helped quell the rumor that he was ill.
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READ: Amid rumored collapse, Aquino calls for, then cancels meeting with press
Aquino reminded the public that people will not gain anything from believing and spreading gossip.
He said his political rivals continue to sow discord and confusion.
“Sila po ang gumagawa ng tsismis na wala namang katuturan o basehan upang isulong ang sariling agenda,” (They are the ones who are creating rumors that are meaningless and baseless so they can put forward their own agenda) Aquino said.
“Sila po ang nagnanais na makuha ang kapangyarihan at makinabang muli sa baluktot na kalakaran,” (They are the ones who want to gain power and to benefit again from their crooked ways) he continued.
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