Aquino hits back at ‘desperate’ opponents

NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY President Aquino delivers a short message at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City during the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines–President Aquino on Monday declared war on opponents of his so-called campaign for good governance, saying they were “becoming desperate.”

“There are still a select and selfish few who remain determined to bring back the old and abusive political systems,” the President said in a speech on National Heroes’ Day at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

“This is the fight that confronts us today: To remain vigilant against those who seek to sow doubt and lies; to stand firm and refuse to allow ourselves to be manipulated by those who only pretend at reform; to reject the crooked and resolve to stay on the straight path.”

To drive home his message, Aquino highlighted the words of 13-year-old Francesca Santiago of Bacolod City, who had profusely defended him in an Inquirer article on Aug. 21, the death anniversary of his late father and namesake.

In the article, the student decried what she called the overwhelming hatred for the President. “Are you people so desperate that you have sunk to the level of bringing down a man who has done nothing but what he could for the country?” she asked.

For defending the President, the student got special mention in his speech, which was delivered a few hours before thousands of protesters gathered at Rizal Park in Manila for a signature drive to abolish the pork barrel system.

A prime target of the protest was Mr. Aquino, the alleged “pork barrel king,” who has apparently kept huge lump-sum appropriations in the proposed P2.606-trillion national budget next year.

Still to be identified

The P20.8-billion allocation under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process alone contained several projects “still to be determined” or “to be identified.” A detailed list was later uploaded on the Department of Budget and Management website.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio earlier squealed on the administration’s efforts to restore P20.7 billion in disallowed pork barrel in this year’s national budget, as shown by recorded conversations at the House appropriations committee.

Aquino also came under fire for attacking the Supreme Court after the tribunal declared his Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional. He later entertained the possibility of amending the Constitution to clip the powers of the judiciary, especially in reviewing the decisions of the executive and the legislature.

The President’s repeated attacks on the Supreme Court have raised fears about his “dictatorial tendencies,” an allegation Malacañang has denied.

Aquino was also criticized for expressing his openness to seek another term, a move that would require changes in the Constitution.

Unfairly criticized

Quoting the student from Bacolod, Aquino said he was being unfairly criticized.

“To her, it seems as if the latest trend is to hurl criticism, even at those who are doing everything in their power to uphold the interests of the people,” he said.

“In the face of the challenges our country has experienced, instead of remaining open-minded and searching for the truth, there are some who choose to spread baseless accusations. Instead of helping to find a solution, there are some who want to worsen the fear and suffering of our countrymen,” he added, still quoting Santiago.

“It is clear to her that everyone has a right to free expression, but at the same time, each one has the obligation to remain just and reasonable.”

Unburdening himself took a significant part of the President’s speech wherein he also sought to rally the public to support enduring reforms, inspired by the heroes of the past and the heroism of ordinary present-day Filipinos.

Becoming desperate

“We have been treading the straight path for more than four years now. The seeds of change we have sown are already bearing fruit—and, seeing this, those who want to take advantage of the people are becoming desperate,” Aquino said.

“Let us not waste the opportunity we have today. This is the only way that we can repay and honor the heroes who sacrificed much, so that our country could arrive at its present state,” he added.

“This is the only way for us to ensure that, when the next generations commemorate National Heroes’ Day, they will remember, express their gratitude for and reflect on this chapter of our history, and they will say: This was indeed the time when all Filipinos decided, as one people, to become heroes.”

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