PNoy busy with work, not missing in action - Lacierda

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Monday responded to criticisms that President Aquino has been missing in action, saying he is continuously performing his duties even if he is not seen in public.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino is “focusing on the daily business of governance” even if he is not attending events.

“Members of the Malacañang Press Corps know the daily activities of President Aquino. So he’s not missing in action,” Lacierda said in a press conference.

“He meets with various cabinet officials, he meets various personalities, focusing on the daily business of governance,” he added.

Lacierda was asked to react to a piece written by The STAR columnist Alex Magno, who noted that Aquino has not been seen in public since the Independence Day celebration in Naga.

In his column published June 21, Magno said it is not the time for Aquino to be utterly invisible because many “distressing things” are happening almost simultaneously like the rising prices of food items.

“Part of the responsibilities of the Chief Executive is to reassure his people during times of distress,” Magno said. 

“All of us want to hear from our leader an explanation about what is happening, when will the price spikes plateau, what is government doing to protect its citizens from the epidemic of crime and the curse of unaffordable food.”

Magno said Aquino has never been inclined to work too hard.

“He (Aquino) keeps short hours. He does not relish public functions. He rushes off from them as soon as he is done with his speech,” the columnist said.

“He is never at his happiest during meetings. He never convened the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), although regular meetings are legally stipulated. He convenes his Cabinet only irregularly and often only as a response to a problem cropping up.:

Magno also claimed that the anxieties of the Filipino people “are met with stony silence.”

Critics have accused Aquino of not doing enough to solve the country’s problems and even coined the term “Noynoying” to denote his supposed inaction on pressing matters.

Palace officials, however, insist that Aquino is continuously doing his job even if he is not seen publicly.