Noynoy empathizes with Duterte’s ‘tired’ rant

Former President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday that he empathizes with President Rodrigo Duterte who earlier said he is tired and thinking of stepping down from his post.

“Hindi biro ang trabaho lalo sa sistema natin. (Ikaw ang) head of state, head of government na talagang saklaw,” Aquino told reporters during the commemoration of the 35th death anniversary of his father, the late senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr.

He cited the many problems the President is facing and must address, including typhoons and floodings, rising inflation, and territorial dispute.

“Dumadaan sa atin ngayon weather disturbances, buti nga dumadaan hindi talagang rumaragasa ‘yung bagyo, 20 ang bagyo taon taon. Bawat isa e saan ba dadaan ito? Saan ba ang areas na mapanganib? Habang hindi pa lumilikas ang mga tao, babahain ba sila ulit? Handa ba ang evacuation centers? Ano ang status ng calamity fund? Handa na ba ang DOH?” he said

“Sa bagyo pa lang 20 okasyon na taon-taon tapos mina-manage niya ngayon ang inflation. Ano ba ang dapat gawin sa inflation? May factors within the country, maraming factors outside the country na nag-iimpluwensiya sa inflation. West Philippine Sea (issue), etc. Mahaba talaga ang listahan,” he added.

Asked if Duterte’s sentiments were understandable, Aquino said he not only understands it but also felt the same during his term.

“Hindi lang ‘yung understandable that he is tired, merong ‘yung habang nagpapakapagod ka nang todong todo na talagang hindi ka hihinto habang meron ka pang puwedeng gawin tapos ang mapapakita sa’yo, siyempre tao ka rin naman, kadalasan puro batikos ang mapapala mo,” he said.

The former president said he came to the point that he asked the media if the government did nothing good.

“Ilang beses ko na natanong ang media wala ba kaming nagawang maganda at ang isasagot sa atin, ‘yung mga honest, pasensiya na kayo ‘yung negative ang nagbebenta ng aming pahayagan instead na positive,” he said.

“Tao ka para kang baterya na medyo overdrained,” said Aquino.

Last week, Duterte expressed frustration over continuing corruption in government as he floated again the possibility of cutting short his term.

“‘Guys, I want you to know that I am thinking of stepping down because I’m tired. While I am not angry against anybody, my chase against graft and corruption seems to be endless. It has contaminated almost all government departments and offices,’” Duterte recalled telling military and police officials during a joint command conference on August 7.

“Graft is so embedded. It is endemic and it is always a part of the territory of a transaction especially by government,” he added. — RSJ, GMA News