PNoy tells voters: Beware of 'doble kara' people pretending to be my allies

(Updated 12:23 a.m., April 8, 2015) With just over a year before the 2016 presidential elections, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday warned the public against "doble kara" (two-faced) people who pretend to be his allies.

Speaking during the inauguration of the P772.9 million Lullutan Bridge in Isabela, Aquino said, "Kayo ang magpapatuloy ng pagbabago. Tiwala akong hindi kayo magpapabola sa mga nagpiprisintang kakampi natin pero plano namang doble kara," the President said in his speech.

This was not the first time Aquino blasted his supposedly fake allies. In a speech in February 2013, the President also criticized politicians pretending to be aligned with his administration.

In Tuesday's address, Aquino reminded voters that the continuation of his reform programs are in their hands. He added that Filipinos should be guided by history in making their choices for the 2016 polls.

"Tiwala akong marunong lumingon ang Pilipino sa nakaraan, nang hindi na maulit pa ang mga kamalian noon," he said.

Nevertheless, the President was very upbeat throughout his speech, enumerating ongoing infrastructure projects to show that his administration was not just about “sweet talk.”

“Ang mga pangarap na dating nakatiwangwang, isa-isa na po nating naisasakatuparan,” he said.

“Maliwanag po: sa tuwid na daan, isinusulong natin ang tinatawag na justice, at hindi ho just tiis,” he added.
 
Aquino also boasted of the P11.96 billion his administration had allocated for infrastructure and irrigation projects in Isabela, pledging even more support for the province.

Appeals for support

The President, whose satisfaction ratings plunged to an all-time-low over the January 25 Mamasapano cash, also took the time to appeal for support of his reforms.

"Kung gusto ninyo ang nakikita ninyong pagbabago, hindi ba't makatwiran lang na pumanig pa rin tayo sa tuwid na pamamahala?" Aquino said.

On Monday, Social Weather Stations released poll results which showed Aquino’s first quarter 2015 net satisfaction ratings plunging to +11 from +39 the previous quarter.

A Pulse Asia survey also taken last month showed that Aquino’s approval ratings nosedived from 59 percent last November to 38 percent in March.

Malacañang has repeatedly said that Aquino was not preoccupied with the poll figures, and that the President was focused on governance. And neither would the polls affect Aquino's endorsement power for the 2016 polls. — JST/DVM, GMA News