President Aquino took potshots at former Vice President Noli de
Castro for allegedly fomenting “negativism” against his administration’s
reform agenda.
In a visit to the broadcasters’ home province of Oriental Mindoro,
the President warned the public against their “Kabayan” on his
negative comments. Aquino did not name De Castro in his speech slamming
naysayers who cast doubt on his presidency but referred to a former
government official who, he said, calls the people “Kabayan.”
De Castro, who hails from Pola, Oriental Mindoro, returned to his
television and radio work after his six-year stint as Vice President
during the Arroyo administration. He is popularly called Kabayan.
“Patuloy ang paglaban natin sa katiwalian at paglikha ng pagkakataon
sa ating mga kababayan. Pero hindi nga po siguro mawawala ang iilang
pursigido pa ring magbahid ng duda sa ating mga reporma (We continue to
fight corruption and create opportunities for our people. But there will
probably be no shortage of those who try to cast doubt on our
reforms),” the President said during a briefing on government
infrastructure projects in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
“Meron po diyan, ganado pang magkomento ng negatibo, gayong kasama
naman sila sa mga naging pinuno ng bansa. Imbes na maibsan ang pagdurusa
ng nasasakupan, pinalala pa ito. At ngayon, bagaman tinutugunan na
natin ang mga problemang ipinamana sa atin, hindi pa rin nagsawa sa
paghirit ang itinuturing kayong ‘kabayan’ (There are those who make
negative comments, even though there were among the former leaders of
the country. Instead of easing the suffering of their constituents, they
made things worse. And today, although we are addressing the problems
we inherited, the person who considers you ‘kabayan’ continues to
criticize us),” the President said.
He called on the public to remain vigilant against certain groups
that spread negativism and place their selfish interests ahead of the
nation’s welfare.
“Ang hamon po sa inyo sa Mindoro, at sa bawat Pilipinong kasangga
natin sa agenda ng reporma ay maging mapagmatyag sa kung ano ang totoo,
at maging mulat sa motibo ng naghahasik ng negatibismo (My challenge to
the people of Mindanao and every Filipino is to support our reform
agenda: Be vigilant on what is true and be aware of the motives of those
who spread negativism),” he said.
The President said he will continue to stick to the straight path
and address the country’s woes. He said all his decisions are based on
the mandate of his bosses, the Filipino people.
“Bilang ama ng bayan, itinataguyod ko ang tama at makatwiran;
tinutugunan natin ang mga lumalapag na problema upang hindi na ito
ipamana sa susunod sa atin (As father of the nation, I will uphold what
is right and just. We are addressing the problems so we won’t pass them
to our successor),” he said.
Back in 2012, the President used the 25th anniversary celebration of
TV Patrol to criticize De Castro for his alleged baseless speculations
and commentaries against his administration.
Aquino also did not identify De Castro by name in the TV Patrol event
in 2012. He just alluded to a broadcast journalist who, he said, had
the gall to criticize the government despite serving as the country’s
vice president. The President thanked the people of Mindoro for making
him feel like a “kapamilya” while visiting the province. Aquino was in
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, to highlight the various infrastructure
projects in the province.
Aquino also took pride of the economic development of Mindanao during
his term. From 2011 to 2014, he noted that the government has allocated
P6.1 billion for the repair and construction of various roads, bridges,
flood control projects, and airports in Mindoro.
“Sa maikling panahon na nagdaan, kitang-kita na patuloy ang
transpormasyon sa inyo pong lalawigan. Isa lang po ang hindi nagbago:
ang mainit na pagtanggap ng mga Mindoreño sa atin po kanina. Maraming
salamat po (In a short period, we can see the transformation of your
province. Only one thing has not changed: the warm hospitality of
Mindoreño towards me),” Aquino said.
