Noy scored anew for ‘teka-teka’ attitude

MANILA, Philippines - Administration ally Sen. Sergio Osmeña III scored President Aquino anew yesterday for what he described as his “teka-teka” attitude, which he said has affected the Chief Executive’s performance.

Osmeña said not a single public-private partnership program has started since Aquino assumed the presidency in 2010. 

Even the power problem remains unsolved, said Osmeña, chairman of the committee on energy.

He said the President’s report card would not have a remarkable grade at the end of his term.

“There could have been many projects that should have been ongoing by this time, or last year, or two years ago, but no projects have started. That is the performance of the P-Noy administration. And any delay in any infrastructure, means the people cannot proceed,” Osmeña said.

The senator, who served as campaign manager for the administration candidates in the last presidential election, expressed disappointment over how things are handled under the Aquino administration.

“I told them, ‘we should not lose our chances. We can do this, we can fix this together, you’re so slow.’ But they would always say teka-teka (wait, wait),” Osmeña added.

He said he urged the administration to speed up infrastructure and yet not a single PPP project has been accomplished.

“I told them how important it is to look into energy problems,” he said.

The power problem has been there since the Arroyo administration, yet it remains unresolved under the present government.

Osmeña said if power shortage would still persist by next year, there’s no one to blame but the Aquino administration.

He said he’s not sorry for helping boost Aquino’s chances when he ran for the presidency in 2010.

“Looking at the batch of candidates who were available in 2010, I think he was still the best candidate. And if I have to make my decision all over again, I would have come to the same decision,” Osmeña said.

The senator admitted he is embarrassed the present administration has fallen short of public expectations. He urged Filipinos to help pressure the administration to fast-track the economy and address the unemployment problem.

But he’s not all critical of the President, as he noted that investors’ confidence has never been better due to the administration’s campaign against corruption as well as its move to file complaints against lawmakers involved in the pork barrel scam.