Aquino takes a swipe at early campaigners

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm welcome from the locals during the Inauguration of the Ninoy Aquino Bridge and its Connecting Road Networks in Barangay San Luis, Tuao, Cagayan on Monday, August 18, 2014. Malacanang Photo Bureau / Gil Nartea

MANILA, Philippines – Do your job, “now na.” That was President Benigno Aquino III’s comment on those who are already campaigning for the 2016 elections.

During the inauguration of a bridge partly funded by the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Aquino said that instead of focusing on politics, election hopefuls should think of ways to help the Filipino people.

“’Pag nagbabasa tayo ng diyaryo araw-araw, tila marami nang nangangampanya. Parang nakalimutan nila may problema tayo ngayon,” he said.

(When we read the newspaper every day, it seems many are already campaigning. It’s as if they are forgetting that we are facing problems now.)

“Ngayon, tugunan muna natin ‘yung problemang bumabalot sa atin pong sambayanan, dahil obligasyon natin, maski saan tayong panig,” Aquino added.

(Now let us first address the problems of the nation because that is our obligation, whatever political party we belong to.)

“Kung tayo’y may magagawa naman sa kapwa, hindi puwedeng ‘somewhere down the line.’ Dapat ho, ‘Now na!’” he said.

(If we can do something for our fellowmen, let’s not do it ‘somewhere down the line.’ We should do it now.)

Although Aquino didn’t mention any name, Vice President Jejomar Binay has been publicly tackling his presidential bid for 2016 and his openness to working with the Liberal Party despite being fielded by the opposition.