MANILA, Philippines – Filipino activists of different political leanings clashed Saturday, March 24, after a Rappler Thought Leaders piece sparked a Twitter conversation on the viral term “Noynoying,” which refers to President Benigno Aquino III’s supposed laziness.

In his Rappler piece, National Anti-Poverty Commission head Joel Rocamora called “Noynoying,” a term that has grabbed the attention of no less than the Wall Street Journal, “a good enough gimmick that (has) gotten some media mileage.”

“It is a sub-plot to a more prolonged campaign against the government by its political enemies. Because these people are having a hard time attacking government policies, they resort to ad hominem attacks on PNoy, stooping so low as to question is mental condition,” Rocamora said.

He previously served as president of activist group Akbayan.

With the surge of feedback on Rocamora’s piece, Rappler held a Twitter conversation on “Noynoying” that attracted responses from activists and other netizens. The conversatin ran on the hashtag #Noynoying.

“So ‘Noynoying’ is a conspiracy, a ‘subplot’ of a campaign to dominate (the) planet. Good lord. Arrest everyone #Noynoying!” said Kabataan secretary-general Vencer Crisostomo (@vencie) in response to Rocamora’s piece.

Crisostomo, who accuses Aquino of “Noynoying,” said the President should address oil overpricing, scrap the value-added tax on oil, regulate tuition hikes, distribute Hacienda Luisia, and pass the Freedom of Information Bill, among other things.

“‘Noynoying’ (is) rejected by PNoy supporters in (the) same way loyalists rejected ‘Marcosian,’ ‘Imeldific’ terms,” added Kabataan party-list Rep Raymond Palatino (@mongster). “Let (the) public decide, ignore, or embrace (the) term.”

‘New Juan Tamad’

Meanwhile, Twitter user Meddie Arbolado Jr (@agentX69) said a person “Noynoying” is the “new Juan Tamad.” He said it is also ”someone who does not have initiative.”

“I believe that #Noynoying is more than the laziness of our president; (his) lack of presence in many situations is also a big factor,” said netizen Charles K.F. Lijauco (@charleslijauco).

For Marybeth Villanueva (@betseykilayko), “Noynoying” is a term coined by “those who have difficulty grasping that micro-managing is an old management style.”

The President is the 2nd most trusted top government official in the Philippines, based on the latest survey by pollster Pulse Asia. – Rappler.com