Bam Aquino: Criticizing Duterte gov’t doesn’t mean we’re less patriotic

Criticizing the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte does not equate to being “less patriotic,” Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said, as he rejected claims of destabilization plots against the chief executive.

“‘Yung ayoko lang sa automatic branding na ‘destab ka.’ Parang pinapalabas na [kapag] may iba kang opinyon, hindi ka na kasing patriotic namin or 'pag may iba kang opinyon, hindi ka na nationalist. That is something na mali,” Aquino said in a News To Go interview.

Aquino, a member of the former ruling Liberal Party, said “alternative voices” are important in a democracy.

“Kung walang alternative voice, ibig sabihin niyan, iisang grupo na lang yung nagdidikta, you get close to authoritarianism, you get close to a dictatorship,” he said.

Aquino noted that the opposition is no longer being led by politicians, but rather other influential and more vocal groups, like the Church.

“I think now it’s other groups, other institutions and it might be better that way. 'Pag politiko lang, nahahaluan, ‘o may kulay na 'yan,’ or ‘pinupolitika 'yan.’ These days, the concern for the country or concern for what’s happening ay nanggagaling sa iba’t ibang sektor,” he said.

The senator is part of the six-member Senate minority bloc led by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

As the opposition group in the Senate, Aquino said they will not be “obstructionists.”

“We will not be like the opposition of the past na lahat na lang bawal, lahat na lang masama, lahat na lang hindi maganda. We will be able to discern,” Aquino, first cousin of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, said.

He said the minority bloc will remain opposed to proposals such as the reimposition of death penalty, and lowering the age of criminal responsibility, but will work with the majority bloc in important pieces of legislation. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/ALG, GMA News