Aquino a capable leader during crises, says Palace

DURING HAPPIER TIMES. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and President Benigno Aquino III share pens during the signing of the Sin Tax Law in 2012. Back then, Enrile was Senate President. INQURER PHOTO

A Malacañang official on Wednesday defended President Benigno Aquino III after Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile accused him for “failure of leadership.”

“President Aquino has demonstrated his capability as a leader through several crisis situations during his administration,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

“He (Aquino) has kept faith with the people’s mandate by serving with integrity, dedication and courage,” he added.

Coloma said the public’s trust in Aquino was seen when many of the President’s candidates won during the 2013 elections, in addition to the “consistently-high performance, approval and trust ratings which he has maintained throughout the last five-and-a-half years.”

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Enrile said, “there was a failure of leadership in Mamasapano, there was a failure of leadership in that fiasco in Luneta. It’s always a failure of leadership. There was a failure of leadership in Yolanda.”

He added: “I’m not about to be an adviser to a president but I would suggest to him to reexamine himself, and don’t be paranoid on imputing any motive against other people. Reflect on yourself, and assert your leadership.” RC

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