Aquino hits back at critics calling him ‘heartless’
Heartless who? President Aquino hit back at critics yesterday for saying he is insensitive to the needs of the people especially in times of calamities.
In his visit to Eastern Samar almost two years since the onslaught of supertyphoon “Yolanda,” the President explained that he prefers to show strength and solidarity with the people instead of displaying emotion for a mere photo opportunity.
“May mga katunggali tayo sa larangan ng pulitika. Tinatawag daw akong manhid. Wala raw akong puso (We have political opponents calling me insensitive. I am supposedly heartless),” Aquino said.
Apparently annoyed by the fresh attacks against him, the President then laid down two situations that would determine who has genuine compassion for the people.
“Matanong ko lang sa inyo, ano ho ba ang mas mahalaga — pag may nangyaring sakuna, tatakbo ako sa isang lugar, may yayakapin ako, may litrato akong paluha-luha o dumating ako sa lugar, magpakatatag ako para naman may sasandalan ’yung ating kababayan na talagang hinagupit? (May I ask you, what is more important — to rush to a disaster-hit community, hug the people and pose for photographs while shedding tears or go to the place and be strong for the people who need someone to lean on amidst their tragedy),” Aquino asked.
“At sa pagkarating, hindi para sabihin na ganyan pala ang problema ninyo. Pagkarating, sabihin na ito ang solusyon sa mga problemang hinaharap ninyo. Sino ho kaya ang mas may malasakit sa ganoong paraan? (And instead of just finding out the problem upon arrival, one would say ‘here’s the solution to your problem.’ Who, then, really cares?),” added the Chief Executive.
Nearly two years since Yolanda hit parts of Visayas, some lawmakers have criticized the Aquino administration for its supposed incompetence and insensitivity to the plight of the Yolanda survivors.
Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez expressed dismay with the administration’s slow rehabilitation efforts in places hit by Yolanda in 2013. Romualdez, who is running as an independent senator in the 2016 elections, claimed that the government has not done enough to help the Yolanda victims despite the huge local and foreign donations.
In his recent political advertisement, the lawmaker has promoted the return of “malasakit” or genuine care for the people, showing video clips of himself giving relief aid and assistance when Yolanda slammed across his home province.
The President was in Eastern Samar for the 50th anniversary of the province as well as the prevention of development projects of the island. Apart from tackling the infrastructure projects in Samar, Aquino also seized the chance to seek public support for the continuity of “Daang Matuwid” or straight path with the elections drawing near. He said voters will decide if they want the country’s successes to continue or make a U-turn to the old crooked path.
Aquino was accompanied by Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Health Secretary Janette Garin, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento.