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PNoy calls out media for negative reporting, defends Cabinet members


Still smarting from post-Yolanda criticism of his administration, President Aquino on Tuesday cited the media's “negativitism” as a reason why exemplary actions of his official family seldom reach the public's attention.

“Pag hindi tayo naghanap ng o hindi tayo gumawa ng kontrobersya o isyu ay parang boring 'yung ating media,” Aquino said at the Pulong Bulungan at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. “Siguro ganoon ho talaga ang kalakaran na patuloy pa rin 'yung tinatawag na negativism sells.”

Aquino specifically cited Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman for being on the “front lines” during the recent calamities that have hit the country.

“Napakaraming mga mas magagaling sa inyong nagki-criticize—almusal, tanghalian, hapunan, kung minsan pati midnight snack kini-criticize na. Pero habang kaya po nila at talaga namang pinipilit kayanin ang anumang pagsubok ay palagay ko wala hong magsasabi sa parehas na pananaw kung nagkulang ba itong tatlong kawani nating ito,” he said.

Aquino also praised state weather forecasting agency PAGASA, and Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo for their accurate typhoon warnings.

“Isipin po ninyo... nung nag-umpisa tayo dito sa trabahong ito, tinuturo tayo ng PAGASA sa maling lugar kung saan dadaan ang bagyo. Pero sa pangunguna po ni Secretary Montejo at sa ambag na talino at talent ng napakarami niyang mga kawani ay talagang itinukoy kung saan ang pinaka-mapanganib,” the President said.

In the same manner, he thanked his women appointees—among them Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Commission on Audit chief Grace Pulido Tan—for safeguarding his administration against corruption.

“Sabi ko baka pagdating ng 10 taon mula ngayon ay hindi na ho women empowerment ang paksa natin, baka ang paksa na raw po natin ay men’s emancipation,” he said in jest.

“Dahil sa atin ho sa Pilipinas, pag ikaw ay nagkamali, magkita kayo ni Leila, ni Kim, ni Conchita Carpio-Morales, ni Grace Pulido-Tan, at marami pang iba,” Aquino added.

But aside from his Cabinet, the President also thanked the soldiers and policemen who served during the Zamboanga crisis and the Typhoon Yolanda onslaught. He also thanked the members of the international community who extended their help to the Philippines.

As for his declining ratings in various national surveys, Aquino said this does not bother him.

“You know, at the end of the day, the only criteria I have is: Did I do right? And sometimes the right decision may be unpopular. Sometimes... parang conversely the wrong decision is immensely popular,” he said. — KBK/HS, GMA News

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