President warns against foes of ‘reform agenda’

ILOILO CITY—President Benigno Aquino III said his administration had achieved many things but urged the people “not to be complacent because there were still those who oppose our reform agenda.”

Speaking at the provincial capitol during a visit at the weekend, Mr. Aquino cited the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, under which cash is given out to the poorest families, but said an administration proposal to increase the program’s budget to P20 billion had been opposed by his critics.

“Despite our good intentions, many are still opposing,” he said. “I ask those who complain: What is wrong in helping our poor countrymen?”

Mr. Aquino also said: “It is noticeable that those against our budget proposal for the CCT were the same ones who blocked the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. We are not surprised that they are the same ones who frequently criticize us.”

The President spoke in the presence of Iloilo Representatives Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco and Ferjenel Biron, who voted against the impeachment complaint. The two legislators were seated a few meters from the stage.

“We are fortunate that we have a friend like Sen. Franklin Drilon who fought for the CCT funds,” Mr. Aquino said.

Drilon, who comes from Iloilo and a close ally of the President in the Liberal Party, was seated beside him on the stage.

Tupases vs Syjuco

During the voting on the impeachment complaint at the House of Representatives last week, Syjuco, an ally of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, lashed at Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., chair of the House committee on justice.

The Tupas family members, including the congressman’s father, former Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr., are fierce political rivals of Syjuco.

Mr. Aquino praised the younger Tupas, who was also seated near him.

“It’s good that we have (Tupas) and other congressmen who are with us in treading the path of reform. The impeachment complaint would have failed to reach the Senate if not for them,” the President said.

Mr. Aquino joked that Tupas coached him in parts of his speech that were delivered in Hiligaynon.