Aquino is no Fidel Castro, says DoJ chief

MANILA, Philippines – It is unfair to compare President Benigno Aquino III with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Wednesday.

President Benigno Aquino III and Cuban leader Fidel Castro. INQUIRER/AFP FILE PHOTOS

De Lima was reacting to constitutionalist and Jesuit priest Joaquin Bernas’ comment over the radio that the pronouncements made by Aquino during the First Criminal Justice Summit were “disturbing” and smacked of tyranny. At the same time, Bernas praised Corona for not going down to the level of the President’s ranting.

De Lima told reporters that critics should get to know the President first before they could compare him to Castro.

“They probably do not know the President that is why they are saying such things. I don’t think he [the President] has the tendency to be a dictator,” De Lima said.

De Lima added that the President merely voiced out his disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decisions that seemed to make it difficult for the government to run after former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.