MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday took a swipe at the administration's opponents as he endorsed the Liberal Party's (LP) 12-person senatorial slate.
During the announcement of the LP senatorial ticket called "Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid," Aquino listed down the traits of unnamed political foes that referred to Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"Una, nariyan ang ampaw na pangako, na sinasabing ibibigay nila ang lahat, pero nakakalimutan nila parating sabihin kung paano ibibigay ang pangako," Aquino said in his speech.
"Palagay ko po, 'pag dumating ang panahon na napako ang ipinangako, alam na natin kung bakit. Diin ko po, noong kunwaring panig pa sila sa atin, maraming pagkakataong nakatulong na sana sila sa solusyon," he added.
Binay, who filed his certificate of candidacy for president this morning, has become the administration's staunchest critic following his resignation from the Cabinet in June.
The vice president has called the administration inept and uncaring. In response, Aquino has repeatedly criticized Binay's campaign promises and his failure to help the administration.
Apart from Binay, the president also made a veiled attack on Marcos, son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinad Marcos.
"Pangalawa, nariyan ang mga diretsuhang nagsisinungaling. Napapailing nga po ako kapag gumagawa sila ng mga pahayag; na para bang hindi sila kasama sa mga nagpahirap sa atin noon," Aquino said.
"Nariyan silang umaasang nag-uulyanin na ang taumbayan. Ang hirit pa: Time to move on na raw," the president added.
Aquino fired shots at Marcos for saying in a television interview in August that he and his family have nothing to apologize for what happened during the martial law regime.
"Ang sabi naman ng aking ina: 'Reconciliation with justice' ang kailangan. Alam n'yo po, sa simbahang kinabibilangan ko, ang paghingi ng tawad ay sa Diyos at sa pamayanan," Aquino said.
"Ang tanong ko nga: Paano natin pagkakatiwalaan ang hindi humingi ng patawad, at di nakakakita ng pangangailangang magpaumanhin?" he added.
Marcos announced last week that he will run for vice president in the 2016 elections.
With the poll season unofficially kicking off this week, Aquino also warned against incompetent candidates who are out to pull down other officials.
"Ang pangatlo po, 'yung halatang aminado na sa kanilang napakasahol na track record, kaya tinatangka nilang ipresenta na kasinsahol at kasinsama nila ang lahat," he said.
"Sinusunod nga nila ang sinabi ng isang matandang politiko: Kung di mo kayang bumango, pabahuin mo na lang ang iba," Aquino added.
Aquino said the 2016 campaign season will be easy, expressing confidence that voters will not choose the administration's foes.
Aquino said their opponents will try to grab credit for the country's achievements under his watch.
"Sa tingin ko, magiging madali ang kampanyang ito, dahil maliwanag na maliwanag na kaharap ng Daang Matuwid ang mga magdadala sa atin sa ligaw na daan," Aquino said.
"Magiging maingay ang kampanya. Pero sa taong bukas ang mata at tenga, napakadali ng pipiliin. At narito sila sa harap ninyo ngayon," he added.
Aquino maintained that the administration coalition is intact. He claimed that it has a true track record and platform that is based on principles and reforms.