MANILA--An ally of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III urged him to repair the existing factions in his government whose reported rivalry are dragging him down.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said the President has to get tough on the Balay and Samar groups or "there is no way his administration can succeed."

"I know he has it in him to do so, and now is the time to do it. No more Mr. Nice Guy,” Pangilinan said.

Malacanang repeatedly downplayed the issue but Pangilinan noted it is time "to acknowledge the existence of all these factions and recognize the need to end it."(Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)