Palace to ‘yellow ribbon’ critics: Lighten up

MANILA, Philippines – Two days after netizens thumbed down the “yellow ribbon” call of President Benigno S. Aquino III to his supporters, a Palace official urged critics to lighten up and see the move as an opportunity for “unity” amidst diverse opinions on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr was responding to observations that Aquino’s request to his “bosses” – to wear a yellow ribbon if they still support him – would divide the country since non-supporters have threatened to wear other ribbons and even a pin of the Philippine flag to show where their loyalty lies.

“Magiging makulay po ang ating bansa. Siguro ‘wag naman tayong masyadong seryoso (Our country will become colorful. Let’s not take it too seriously),” he said, in response to the attacks.

Coloma recalled that Aquino did not volunteer the request at the recent Daylight Dialogue in Malacañang and only mentioned it when Gregorio Navarro of the Management Association of the Philippines asked him what Filipinos and civil society groups can do to help him.

Coloma believed the President just rattled off what he could think of. The Palace official considered Aquino’s yellow ribbon request as just a “light moment” in the forum.

“You will have noticed that the President did not really have very specific ideas in his mind. He didn’t make it a project in his speech, to suggest that people wear this or wear that. It was just a light moment in the dialogue,” he said, adding that there was no intention to make a body count of administration supporters.

Coloma said the President was not joking when he made the request, but it should also not be taken too seriously.

“We can take it seriously but not too seriously,” he said.

On concerns that the President’s call would lead to national disunity, Coloma explained that in any “healthy democracy” there is unity in the face of diversity.

“One of the aspects of a vibrant and healthy democracy is a healthy diversity and even differences in opinion,” he said.

Responding to a question at the Daylight Dialogue open forum on July 15, the President said one of his requests to his “bosses” is for them to wear a yellow ribbon if they still support him – one of several that he would ask of the people in the coming days.

Aquino had made the request amid largely negative public sentiment on the DAP and his lowest-ever approval rating as Chief Executive.

Some netizens said they would wear other colored ribbons to reflect their stand on national issues – peach for Aquino’s impeachment, black to show their opposition to the government, and also a pin of the Philippine flag as a symbol of their patriotism. – Rappler.com