MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III lambasted his critics for a second day in a row, dismissing them as kulang sa pansin or “attention seekers.”

On Tuesday, March 10, at the 29th anniversary rites of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), Aquino said those criticizing his actions merely want attention.

“People pass the problems to me, big or small. Of course, this comes with intense criticism, especially fiction from those who are attention seekers,” he said in Filipino.

The President added that the reason why critics attack him is because he is doing what’s right and changing the status quo – but stressed he’s not intimidated.

“I will admit: I have courage, because what I’m doing is right, and if I have made mistakes, the Lord will be the judge of that, and he will be in charge of my security,” he said.

In his speech before the PSG, he also thanked them for their service – like standing guard until the wee hours of the morning when he spoke to the families of the fallen SAF – and said anywhere he goes, he feels safe and confident with the PSG. 

His statements come a day after he also called critics the same term, saying those who choose to spread negativity, and are always looking for something to harp on without offering alternative solutions are mere attention seekers.

Later that day, he said those against the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which which seeks to create an autonomous region initially headed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), are opposed to the law without having read the bill, and without offering alternatives.

The President is under fire following the deadly clashes in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

On January 25, some 392 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos entered Mamasapano town, a known bailiwick of the MILF, to arrest top terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, or Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman. 

The operation resulted in a bloody clash between SAF troopers and rebel forces that claimed at least 65 lives, including 44 SAF troopers. – Rappler.com