House of Representatives minority leader Danilo Suarez and President Benigno Aquino III . INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – For his honesty, President Benigno Aquino III has gained the admiration of House of Representatives minority leader Danilo Suarez .
“There is no iota of doubt on his honesty. Admirer ako, bihira ang leader na honest tulad ni PNoy [Aquino’s monicker]. Kung hindi siya honest matagal nang nagcollapse ang bansa [If he’s not honest the country would have collapsed a long time ago],” he said but added that this was his personal view and not of the minority bloc.
Suarez said, however, that Aquino also had weaknesses.
“He has to be determined, sharp and ruthless both to his enemies and friends. Yun ang weakness ng pangulo [That is the weakness of the president],” said Suarez, pointing out that Aquino should exhibit the same tenacity in ensuring that issues on erring officials under his administration whether close to him or not are resolved.
He described Aquino as being a “compromised candidate” when he ran for president in 2012 and said that it was because Aquino was ill-prepared at the time that he lacked “vision” for his leadership.
“This may hurt some of my friends in the administration but some of them are out to get even with those who made their lives miserable during the past administration.”
“Sad to say a weakness of the President may be in the selection of proper offices,” said Suarez.