Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Senator JV Ejercito. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines— “Divisive” was how two senators described on Thursday President Benigno Aquino III’s call on the public to wear yellow ribbons to show support for his administration.
“Divisive yung mga ganyang panawagan (That call is divisive),” Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, an administration ally, said in a text message.
“Presidente siya ng lahat ng Pilipino at hindi lang yung bumoto sa kanya (He’s the President of every Filipino, and not only of those who voted for him),” Trillanes added.
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, an opposition member, said Aquino’s call only aggravated the “divisiveness among our people.”
“As President, he should have been magnanimous as he is the father of the nation,” Ejercito said in a separate text message.
“PNoy’s (Aquino’s) asking his supporters to wear yellow ribbon only worsens the divisiveness among our people. This has been the story of his administration, if you are not wearing yellow, you are considered an enemy of the administration. How can people try to unite, when it’s the President himself causing the divisiveness?” he asked.
Aquino, whose trust and approval ratings plunged to an all-time low, made the call when faced with the question: “So what exactly do you want from us to help you?” during an open forum in Malacañang early this week.
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