Ramos to Aquino: The future isn’t two years from now

By ROUCHELLE R. DINGLASAN, GMA News

Published July 28, 2014 7:43pm

Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Monday night criticized President Benigno Aquino III for being near-sighted in his State of the Nation Address as the Chief Executive referred to the country's future as when his single six-year term would end in 2016.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has repeatedly indicated his intention to run for President two years from now, would rather keep to himself his reaction to Aquino's penultimate SONA.

"If this was supposed to be a SONA - State of the Nation Address - there must be a vision of the future. Ang future na pinag-uusapan hindi 'yan two years to go or years of the President's term," Ramos said.

Ramos served as defense secretary under Aquino's mother, the late former President Corazon Aquino. He was also one of the military leaders that participated in the EDSA Revolution that toppled the Marcos regime and installed the first Aquino administration.

"It's one whole generation. That is what it takes you to stabilize your power system. That is what takes you to put up your proper infrastructure - farm to market roads, seaports, airports," the former President added.

During his fifth SONA, the President became emotional when he referred to the memories of his parents--the martyred former Senator Benigno Aquino III and the late democracy icon Cory Aquino--as he recalled his decision to run for President in 2010.

Aquino also reminded the public to choose the country's next leader wisely when he steps down in 2016.

Binay, so far the most popular presumptive presidential candidate, said he would rather keep his thoughts on the President's speech secret.

"May reaksyon ako [sa SONA ng Pangulo pero] pangsarili na lang," he said in a separate interview.

Binay, though a friend of the Aquinos and a member of the Cabinet as housing czar and adviser on migrant workers' affairs, is the leader of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance.

Asked if he was also emotional because his term will likewise end in 2016, Binay said, "Matatapos na ako [sa 2016 pero] kakandidato naman ako [sa pagka-Presidente]." —NB, GMA News

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