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MANILA, Philippines – What a year it’s been for the Philippines, and for its leader, President Benigno Aquino III.
It was the year of a historic peace deal and of impressive high-profile arrests, but it was also a year of wrongdoing allies and well, a nonexistent love life for the President.
From casual remarks to hard-hitting statements, Rappler recalls the top 15 quotes of the President that stuck with us because they either made us laugh or cringe or beam with pride. Read on:
“I will not let peace be snatched from my people again.”
– At the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamaro between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government on March 27, Aquino warns against those who wish to foil the peace process. The signing of the peace deal was hailed as one of the administration’s biggest achievements not just in 2014, but in Aquino’s presidency so far.
“Hindi po natin kilala ang taong ito bilang maluho o matakaw.”
(We do not know this person to be extravagant or greedy.)
– Speaking to reporters in New York on September 23, Aquino defends his friend, embattled police chief Alan Purisima, who is facing graft and plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. Purisima has since been suspended by the Ombudsman as it investigates an alleged anomalous deal involving the top cop.
“My message to the Supreme Court: We do not want two equal branches of government to go head to head, needing a third branch to step in to intervene. We find it difficult to understand your decision.”
– An adamant Aquino opens fire on the Supreme Court on July 23, after it declared his administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) – credited for helping grow the economy – unconstitutional. The DAP decision dealt a huge blow to the administration, while Aquino received wide backlash from netizens for his combative speech.
“This was one of our family’s lowest points. As the only son, I felt an overwhelming urge to exact an eye for an eye. Mr. Marcos and his ilk were like rabid dogs who had lost all reason. There was no longer any potential for dialogue; the only solution when confronted by a rabid dog is to put it down.”
– Nostalgia hits the President during his first visit to Boston since the death of his father in 1983. In a speech delivered in Boston College on September 21, Aquino recalls how he found out about the death of the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, and how he felt afterwards, confessing he dreamt of revenge – an admission not taken kindly by critics.
“Let the first concrete commitment we make be a change in mindset from one arguing over the division of work to one where we’ll do the maximum we can: always asking what more can we do?”
– Aquino delivers a speech at the United Nations Climate Change Summit in New York on September 23, upon the invite of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. 2014 saw a marked increase in Aquino advocating for action against climate change following the devastating effect of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines in 2013.
“Well, nang pinasukan ko ho ito, ang tanda ko one term of 6 years. Ngayon, after having said that, siyempre, ang mga boss ko ho kailangan kong pakinggan rin eh, at hindi ibig sabihin noon na automatic na hahabol ako na magkaroon pa akong dagdag dito. Pero ang tanong nga doon: Paano ba natin masisigurado na ‘yung mga repormang nagawa natin – at ‘pag nina-natin ko, lahat ho ng – mula ‘yung nagbigay sa akin ng mandato nandiyan nakikidamay sa akin, nasa gobyerno, wala sa gobyerno – na maging permanente na itong pagbabago natin?”
(Well when I entered this, I knew it was one term of 6 years. Now, after having said that, of course my bosses are the ones we listen to, although that does not mean I will automatically seek an extension. But the question is: How will we ensure that our reforms – and when I say we, I mean everyone from those who gave me my mandate and support me, whether in government or not in government – will become permanent, this change of ours?)
– Aquino drops a bombshell when he says he is open to amending the Constitution and possibly a second term, in an exclusive interview with News5 on August 14. After much backlash following his statement and weeks of wishy washy responses to whether he will push for charter change or not, the President finally declares he will not seek a term extension.
“The reverse is actually true: the Vice President was asking advice on what to do. I didn’t offer to help. He asked for advice on how to handle the situation, amongst other things.”
– On October 22, 8 days after a secret meeting between Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay, the President refutes statements made by Binay’s camp to the public. Aquino revealed it was Binay who arranged the meeting and asked for his help to stop the Senate probe against him, contrary to the Vice President’s statements. Binay, a longtime family friend, plans to run for the country’s top post in 2016.
“Should they say that they are in agreement with our efforts, and that they too have the goal of serving our Bosses, then I will ask them: Why are you not with us?”
– At a show of force event at the Palace on September 12, Aquino makes it clear that only he and his ruling Liberal Party share the same reformist mindest and are treading the straight and narrow path. Binay is not present at the event.
“The Filipino is worth dying for. The Filipino is worth living for. If I may add, the Filipino is worth fighting for.”
– The President channels the famous words of his martyred father at the end of his State of the Nation Address on July 28. An emotional Aquino shed tears as he ad libbed the final part of his speech wherein he recalled the legacy of his parents.
“I will preempt the question and say, for the record: yes, my love life is still like Coke Zero. I hope that when I step down from the Presidency, it will at least go back to being like Coke Light.”
– The President makes light of his single status on November 3, at the inauguration of the Coca-Cola Canlubang plant expansion.
“In general, I don’t attend wakes of people I don’t know. I find it – and I’m speaking for myself – I’m uncomfortable in trying to condole with people who don’t know me.”
– Aquino explains on October 22, why he chose not to attend the wake of transgender woman Jennifer Laude, allegedly murdered by US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton. Activists had hit the President for not making time to attend Laude’s wake, and have voiced concerns over Pemberton receiving special treatment as an American soldier.
“We pursued all those who committed wrongdoing – regardless of their power, wealth or influence.”
– At the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum hosted by the Philippines on May 22, Aquino boasts of his administration’s successes in prosecuting the guilty. Aquino delivered the speech following the arrests and detention of 3 senators accused of pocketing hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money.
“To inflict such harm on people you will call ‘brothers’ really escapes any logic I can fathom.”
– Aquino condemns hazing on July 1, following the death of an 18-year-old college student due to injuries sustained at his fraternity’s initiation rites.
“’Pag may nagmumungkahi – especially, ‘di ba, matagal-tagal na rin na walang ganitong level ng dialogue – eh bakit hindi natin papakinggan? ‘Pag pinakinggan natin doon, tapos tingnan natin, ‘di ba?”
(If someone makes a suggestion – especially because it’s been a while since we had this level of dialogue – why won’t we listen to it? Then after listening to it, we can study it, right?)
– Aquino expresses a change of heart towards China on November 12, after an unprecedented meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chief Executive Officers Summit in Beijing.
“Their competence has to be demonstrated….The ampaw for example, looks delicious but inside, it’s all air. How do I say this without being insulting?”
– In a forum with high school students on March 12, Aquino warns against voting for shallow presidential hopefuls whom he likens to ampaw or rice puffs, for having no substance.
– Rappler.com
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