PNoy credits Pinoys for Time magazine's recognition

President Benigno Aquino III credited the Filipino public for his inclusion on Time magazine's list of 100 most influential individuals in the world. “Recognition ‘nung ating mga kababayan siguro, ng buong Pilipino, more than anything,” Aquino said Friday in a chance interview after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mactan Circumferential Road in Cebu. “I’m just the face, kumbaga ako ‘yung unang susugod sa problema, tanggap ko ‘yon. Pero ‘yung ‘pag meron namang tagumpay, tagumpay ng lahat,” he added. Aquino, who said he was honored by the distinction, shared the recognition to the Filipinos whom he said were always behind him. “Siyempre honored. Pero, at the same time, pinaalala rin sa atin, marami ho tayo talagang nagawa pero hindi ako ang gumawa. Klaro sa akin na kaya kong gawin ito dahil nasa likod ko ang taumbayan,” he said. The president then thanked the Filipino people, saying he draws his strength from their desire for change. “Kung medyo alanganin ako sa suporta ng bayan—‘pag nilabanan natin ‘yung tiwali, ‘pag binago natin ‘yung nakaugalian na mga sistema at proseso—baka mahina ‘yung kalooban nating sugurin lahat ‘nung dapat sugurin,” Aquino said. “Pero dahil nandyan ‘yung taumbayan, sila ang nagbigay ‘nung una ng pagkakataon sa akin, sila ang sumusuporta hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ay parang tinatanggap ko ‘yung honor na ‘yan on their behalf rather than for myself,” he added. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News