Aquino chooses to ignore ‘hopeless’ critics

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 11 years ago

President Benigno Aquino III. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III is looking forward to a less stressful year by ignoring “hopeless” critics and giving his Cabinet members “more breathing room.”

Asked by a group of students what his New Year’s resolutions are, he said in Filipino, “Maybe one of the most important resolutions would be to pressure my Cabinet members less.”

“We have a cottage industry of people who make a living criticizing me… just ignore people who (are) hopeless,” Aquino said of his second resolution, during a forum with high-school students from Miriam College on Tuesday.

Elaborating on his answers, Aquino said he wanted to apologize to some of his Cabinet members who he called on January 1 for work.

“The Cabinet is very hardworking, very dedicated. Perhaps I should begin to give them a little more breathing room. Baka ma-burnout,” he said, pointing out that many came from high-salaried jobs in the private sector but eventually chose to serve the government.

He also mentioned Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla who attempted to resign after failing to restore energy in all areas affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Aquino said Petilla met 99 percent of his target “but some still called for his resignation.”

Other topics discussed during the Question-and-Answer forum were Aquino’s experiences in high school, rehabilitation of “Yolanda” affected areas, and his day-to-day activities.
At one point, a student asked him who he thought was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.

“There’s no good answer,” the President answered in jest, after narrating his experience as a beauty contest judge. He said only the winner was happy and the others looked at him with “menacing eyes.”

He said he hopes the country “will have a pass” this year, especially after the many calamities that struck the Philippines in 2013.

Aquino said the government is trying to be as transparent as possible when it comes to the funds used for the rehabilitation of calamity areas.