Aquino thanks ‘noble’ Filipinos, hits bets’ rivals

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO

Exactly a month before the May 9 polls that would elect a new chief executive, President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday thanked Filipinos for giving him the opportunity to serve for six years as the leader of a “noble race.”

Speaking before the Day of Valor celebration in Bataan, Aquino said the presidency was a “privilege” that he would always be thankful for.

“Salamat sa kakaibang pagkakataon na mapaglingkuran kayong lahat at talaga pong mamuno ng dakilang lahi tulad ng mga Pilipino,” Aquino said.

(Thank you for this unique opportunity to serve all of you and truly lead the noble race of the Filipinos.)

“Talaga hong hindi na mapapantayan ang pagkakataon na to at karangalang binigay ninyo po sa akin,” he added.

(The opportunity and honor you gave me are truly unmatched.)

Aquino also used his speech to take a swipe anew at rivals of his endorsed candidate, administration bet Mar Roxas, as he reiterated his call for continuity of reforms and good governance.

READ: Aquino on the offensive

“Ang tanong ko sa inyo, pipiliin ba natin ang lideratong inuuna ang sariling interes habang ginagarantiya ang pagdurusa ng mga nasa ibaba? Mas pipiliin po ba natin ang liderato na gustong daanin lahat sa shortcut na walang pagsasaalag-alang sa mga nasasagasaan? Pipiliin po ba natin ang napakatamis na pangako pero tila mukhang walang pag-unawa sa mga prosesong kailangang daanan para makamtan ito?” he said.

(My question to you is, will we choose a leadership that advances self-interest even as the poor continue to suffer? Will we choose a leadership that will prefer shortcuts without concern for those who are affected? Will we choose pleasurable promises but those that come seemingly without knowledge of the process that comes with them?)

“Ako po nakapanig sa tama, sa tapat, sa may malawak na kaalaman sa pamamahala. Nakapanig po tayo sa magtutuloy ng daang matuwid. Alam naman po ninyo kung sino ang tinutukoy ko at tiwala po akong magkahanay ang ating pangarap para sa mga susunod na salinlahi,” Aquino added.

READ: Aquino: Future uncertain if we elect the corrupt, abusive, sweet-talker

The President has openly endorsed the presidential bid of close friend Manuel “Mar” Roxas.

The President said Filipinos should never forget the lessons of the past as the country faces a crossroads that is the national elections.

“Ang magagawa natin, ituon ang pansin sa hinaharap, at sa pag-abot natin sa ating mga pangarap. Siguruhing hindi malilimot ang mapapait na aral ng nakaraan. Alam naman po ninyo, meron na namang matinding sangangdaan ang ating bansa sa darating na eleksyon,” he said.

(What we can do is train our sights to the future and the fulfillment of our dreams. Let us make sure not to forget lessons from the past. You know that our country is facing another crossroads in the upcoming elections.)

“Kaya naman napapaisip tayo: Ano nga po ba ang pinakaaral na ibinahagi sa atin ng World War II? Malinaw po dito: Sa panahon ng tunggalian o kaguluhan, ang malayang bansa, miski ang mga hindi kasali sa nagbubungguang panig, ay hindi maaaring magwalang-kibo o manahimik na lang,” Aquino added.

(So we are confronted with his: What did we learn from World War II? It is clear that a free country, even if not a party in the conflicting sides, can never just hold its peace.) IDL