PNoy's New Year's resolution: To ignore critics

MANILA, Philippines - Paying no attention to "baseless" criticisms and being more understanding toward his Cabinet members are included in the list of New Year's resolution of President Benigno Aquino III.

In an interaction with high school students from Miriam College at Malacañang, Aquino said he will ignore those who keep attacking his administration.

"We have a cottage industry of people who make a living criticizing me," Aquino was quoted as saying in an article posted on the website of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office.

In 2013, among the major criticisms received by the Aquino administration were those related to the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and the relief operations of the government in the aftermath of Super Typhoon "Yolanda."

The DAP, a stimulus program introduced by the Aquino administration in 2010, realigned government savings to speed up projects and the economy. However, it was criticized for being allegedy unconstitutional while the government was accused of fund misuse.

The administration defended the legality of the DAP with President Aquino making a rare speech on primetime television, saying he did not steal from public coffers through the controversial program.

The Aquino administration was also hit, even by the international media, for the sluggish relief operations in the areas ravaged by Yolanda. But some officials defended themselves, claiming that nothing will be fast enough considering the severity of the damage left by the powerful typhoon.

In a speech before the Filipino community in Tokyo during his visit there last December, it was Aquino's turn to retaliate against his critics.

“Bahala na si Lord sa inyo, busy ako," Aquino said.

Lesser pressure for Cabinet members

Also included in Aquino's list of New Year's resolution is to ensure his Cabinet members do not suffer from burnout.

"The Cabinet is very hardworking, very dedicated. Perhaps I should begin to give them a little more breathing room, baka ma-burnout," he said.

Aquino said his Cabinet members chose to sacrifice for the country with their tasks in the government instead of opting to seek employment with bigger salaries in the private sector.

The President cited the case of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, whom he said missed by mere hours his own target of restoring power to Typhoon Yolanda-hit Visayas by Christmas Eve.

Petilla offered to resign but was not accepted by Aquino.

Aquino's remarks on his Cabinet comes after another member, Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson, announced that he will also step down from his post if the bunkhouses for typhoon victims are indeed overpriced.

But Malacañang on Tuesday said the President has his full trust and confidence in Singson.