Aquino’s sister: Give President more time

Thursday, June 30, 2011

PRESIDENTIAL sister Pinky Aquino Abellada asked the Filipinos to be patient with the changes that her brother, President Benigno Aquino III, is trying to effect in the country.

“Please be patient. We cannot change everything overnight,” she pointed out.

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Abellada was in Barangay Malingin, Bago City Wednesday for the turnover and inauguration of two classrooms for pre-schools by Aklat Gabay Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation, which she chairs.

Abellada also said she gave his brother a 95 percent rating for his first year in office.

“For his efforts and everything, I’d put it at 95% because I could see all the hardships behind the scenes and all the efforts,” she said.

She bared that when her brother came into office, there are so many obstacles put on his way.

She said those obstacles are even still there up to now, adding what keeps them strong are the people’s support everywhere.

She conceded that critics will always be there.

“His popularity can go up and down but I know his focus is in the right place. I told my sisters that I know that he’s going to succeed because his intentions are really pure. Though he is criticized by some people, that’s part of democracy,” Abellada further said.

She also bared that one of the accomplishments of Aquino during his first year in office was bringing back the true sense of public service.

“The morality is back. Of course, not everybody, but there is that ‘konting hiya’ in certain areas. If there are still certain areas ‘na super garapal pa rin’, please call his attention,” she said, adding that even US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cited the President for the country’s efforts to minimize human trafficking.

Abellada also believes that the trust of the Filipino people on the President is still there, as shown in the survey that showed seven out 10 people believe in him.

“I think that’s really high,” she added.

On the criticism of former President Gloria Arroyo against Aquino, Abellada said that the former president has no right to criticize.

“That’s part of democracy. She can say what she wants but, at the end of the day, it would depend upon the Filipino people who they would believe,” she stated.