Are critics of President Arroyo being too harsh in their criticism of her?

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Her critics are giving her only a dose of her own medicine. Harsh criticism is only an offshoot of her numerous wrongdoings.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Yes, every molehill is treated like a mountain; every accusation is treated as truth; every piece of good news is stamped with bad.  

It’s as if she has never done any good

Bernard Nillo, Bacnotan, La Union: Yes, PGMA’s critics are too harsh. It’s as if she never did anything good while in power for nine years.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: GMA is not a saint. But the opposition and GMA critics, especially Aquino and Roxas, never seem to see her good deeds.  

Manny Cordeta, USA: Too harsh? Come on, that’s an understatement. They’re callous; they’ve become a bunch of vultures, so much that they would pounce at even the slightest smell of flesh and blood. Wala na silang nakitang magandang ginawa ni PGMA. These bystanders and critics are mostly presidential wannabes who can’t seem to wait for their turn.They’ve hurled charges and thrown every imaginable thing at her  yes, even the proverbial kitchen sink  but to no avail.  

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Too harsh. For them, PGMA is the antithesis of progress. Sa kanila, sila lang ang magaling.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: I still believe that there is goodness in PGMA’s heart. Her critics are just plain evil. They’ve remained merely critics.  

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: We hear or read it loud and clear. We even see conduct unbecoming. Now, we await the next brood of viper critics who will hound the next president. They want it cold, and when it’s cold, they want it hot. They’re always wanting what is not. That’s tough.  

She had it coming

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Yes, because very few Filipinos trust her and that includes me. I’ve been her harsh and consistent critic since I first became an Inbox texter.  

Felix Ramento, USA: Before, yes, but not anymore. PGMA’s unprecedented moves of late have only served to add fuel to the prevailing hostilities between her and her rabid critics.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: No, it’s just fine because she deserves it anyway. We cannot blame her critics because they have reasons and bases for their criticism. Besides, no official is immune from it.  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: If you are Pacquiao, there will always be a trash-talking Mayweather Jr. to taunt you. If you are GMA, who is a cheat, mas grabe at dapat lang!  

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: Some critics of President GMA may be too harsh in their criticism of her but these criticisms are justified.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Criticism is harsh when they are not true. PGMA, by perception, is guilty of everything that is being thrown against her.  

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: I don’t think so. PGMA is on the rampage right now, doing anything she wants with impunity. Her insistence in appointing the next Chief Justice, her appointment of a long-time ally to the AFP, her use of party list representation to flood Congress with her relatives and allies, and the recent appointing spree she’s doing in the executive and judiciary branches of government all point to one very obvious purpose: To stay in power. Who can stop her? I believe that it’s only right for her critics to air their criticisms; otherwise, she may think that people are all so stupid as not to see her motives. We cannot just stand aside and watch what’s happening.  

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: If the critics of PGMA are too harsh in their criticism, it’s because of her actions and decisions that seem to go against the elements of just or fair play.  

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: As long as PGMA chooses to ignore valid issues, she’ll continue to receive flak and statics of varying intensities. It’s as simple as that.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: May basehan naman. Pinoys know what GMA is doing in office. She has abused her power. She flouts the law to benefit herself, her family, and all those close to her. She gives perks and privileges to all her generals to protect her office. For her, the Constitution is a mere piece of paper. Wala na ngang tiwala sa atin ang international community eh. Projects are laden with corruption. Just try to ask where and what happened to Joc Joc, “Hello, Garci?”, the ZTE scandal, the fertilizer scam, etc.  

The criticisms stem from envy

Elmo Cruz, Manila: Critics hurling harsh criticism against President Arroyo are just envious because despite her being a little lady, she has been successful ever since she entered politics. As the saying goes, “The tree that bears many sweet fruits is stoned by those who have none.” Unfortunately for them, the little lady is just taking her time, saving this country from total collapse and ignoring her detractors who could do no better.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Obviously, as sure as the sun rises in the east every dawn. They always find reasons to criticize PGMA, without seeing their own shortcomings. Inggit?  

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: For me, it’s not just criticism; it’s a continuing conspiracy to weaken the institution, to weaken the government, because they failed to bring down this administration.  

It comes with the territory

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Yes, I believe so. Criticism may not be agreeable, ungentle or unpleasant, but it is necessary. It can make or break anyone. But it also takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. In doing her job as President, right or wrong, she’ll be criticized anyway. The important thing is for her to get the work done. What President Arroyo should do is ignore her critics and continue her job until the last day of her term.  

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: It’s normal for any leader to always reap criticism from people who don’t like him or her. Whether harsh or not, it’s all part of a democracy. Once you become a politician, even if you do your job well, there will always be people who will criticize you, especially if they’re not on your side.  

Edwin Monares, San Mateo, Rizal: Yes, there are harsh criticisms being thrown at President Arroyo, but she seems unfazed, being used to it since her youth as her late father, President Diosdado Macapagal, was critical of the Nacionalista Party during his days in Congress and was also criticized when he was president. She must be treating those criticisms as an unavoidable part of political life as there was never a Philippine President who was not harshly criticized. Taking those criticisms seriously would be just a waste of precious time. The problem is not with her, but with her critics. Are they standing on solid ground?  Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

Criticisms are normal in a democracy. As a rule, however, one who criticizes must be able to present an alternative. PGMA may have had some lapses of judgment but the people should look for solutions and not just criticize harshly for criticism’s sake. To move forward as a nation, if we do not like black, then we must be able to reason out what color we prefer and cite its advantages and disadvantages. This way, we educate our people and we elevate our democracy to maturity.  

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Criticism is normal in a democracy. This is expected and accepted when there is truth in what is being criticized. But, when criticism is based on unfounded suspicions or speculation, that is a severe case of presumptuous hallucination. During an election season like this one, when every candidate scrambles to get ahead of others using such criticisms against PGMA to advance their cause, it becomes unreasonably harsh. They even go as far as using threats, as if that could win the people’s sentiments.  

The attacks lack substance

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Yes, the dislike for GMA goes beyond criticism. Being critical involves careful thought. What we are seeing is an animated version  GMA-bashing at its crudest. It is hate-filled, personal and unjust.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Yes, but what’s disgusting is that the attacks lack real substance. Their criticisms almost always stand on baseless paranoia instead of solid facts.  

Herculano Babatido, Misamis Oriental: Yes, because all the criticisms are not backed by proof.  

Not just harsh, but cruel and bastos

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Critics of the President are not only harsh, but also cruel in their criticisms of her person, not just her official action. We had it in argumentation and debate that personal attacks are below the belt and that the media should neither abet nor promote them. Sad to say, media itself purveys the personal hatred of their employers against the President.  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Critics of PGMA should be prepared to face karmic justice if they themselves are hypocrites who are also guilty of corruption in the past and in the future.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Not only too harsh, but also totally bastos, walang respeto sa pagiging tao at pangulo ni GMA. Palibhasa may pera, nag-aral pa sa exclusive schools.  

On the contrary

Leonard Villa, Batac City: No, criticisms against Pres. GMA are just moderate and fall under the tenets of democracy. She deserves all the criticisms owing to her many shenanigans in government.  

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: On the contrary, critics of Mrs. Arroyo are being too nice and diplomatic in their criticism of her, given what she has done. How should we criticize a president who has corrupted every institution in our already shaky democracy just to remain in power? How should we criticize one who says one thing but does another? How should we criticize one who has turned back our gains at Edsa, specifically the restoration of democracy? How should we criticize a leader who has not lifted a finger to fight corruption but has instead directly participated in it? Nothing comes to mind more clearly to demonstrate this than the NBN-ZTE deal, which has remained swept under the rug to this day. How should we criticize a leader who has lost all moral decency to lead us? To criticize her lightly is to be too harsh on ourselves.  

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: Criticisms hurled against Pres. Arroyo are still subtle and mild, she being a woman and the nation’s leader. But observing and witnessing her wicked doings and manipulation; the killings and unprecedented murder of journalists and newsmen by her loyal cohorts in the military and police; her elevation of the Philippines’ status to the fourth most corrupt in Asia and the world and the most dangerous place for journalists and news reporters; her control over the “rubber stamp” 14th Congress crowded by her loyal and blinded crocodiles, er, allies; the countless scams, exposed graft and corruption scandals mostly involving her very own family and Cabinet members; and many more unparalleled controversies, the majority of Filipinos are still very kind in criticizing her.  

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Bale-wala po ang criticism natin sa ating Pangulo, hindi po katulad sa Amerika, kapag bumanat ang mga komedyanteng tulad ni David Letterman.  

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: PGMA critics are not too harsh in their criticism of her because these critics are just describing the true political realities. Poverty remains a perennial problem among the poor and corruption remains an intolerable cultural trait.  

Louella Brown, Baguio City: The critics of Pres. Arroyo are not too harsh in their criticism of her. They are just stating the truth so that she may wake up to reality.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: It’s not harsh criticism to tell her to be mindful of the effect of her decisions on the welfare of the Filipinos.  

Nothing she does will ever be right to critics

Nony de Leon, Malolos City: The vicious attacks against PGMA began when she called for Charter change and decided to run in 2004, acts seen by her foes as the gravest of sins. Since then, she has been demonized, her every word and act painted as evil. All the achievements of her administration count for nothing due to that sin. It seems her avenging angels will not be satisfied until she is burned at the stake with all her kindred.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Many critics of GMA are quick to judge and to react with venom, especially after the Supreme Court ruling allowing her to appoint the Chief Justice, her running for Congress, and her appointment of Gen. Bangit. The way I look at it, bugbog-sarado na si GMA at wala na siyang magawang tama. How pathetic that she should end her term with so much hatred, anger and distrust.  

Many critics have a personal agenda

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Yes, there are critics of President Arroyo who are too harsh in their criticism of her, but the truth is, they are just born losers or people who probably did not receive favors from her. I believe that if they were objective and had no personal agenda, they would be constructive critics instead of being sourgrapes.  

Sammy Macana, Panabo, Metro Davao: If I remember correctly, then Sen. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was always popular during her early days in politics. Unfortunately, those who catapulted her to power are the leading critics of her administration. The only question is if those critics are for real or just plain bidding losers who did not get a slice of the pie under her administration.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Only people with narrow minds or flawed characters criticize harshly instead of helping out the nation. Noynoy has come to personally dislike and distrust GMA. Whatever GMA does, good or bad, Noynoy and his cohorts will always generate paranoia, suspicion and heated debates because their strategy is personality-based politics. Ideology and platform are not being considered. How can someone who behaves like that make a suitable leader? He and his cohorts are bringing their campaign to mob psychology, like his mother’s leading protests and praying in Makati streets as if it were more effective than praying inside a church.  

Critics pander to public sentiment

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: Yes, they are too harsh and they use her to further their own political and vested interests.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Too harsh in the sense that every hearsay of wrongdoing being thrown at her is peddled as truth by the bunch of crabs, who have been out to destroy her credibility since day one, to enrage the public and shift their focus to the opposite side, particularly this coming election. This will become a vicious cycle. Whoever is at the helm will be faced with the same predicament; hence, a new set of crabs is on the loose until the next election.  

Criticism only makes her stronger

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: I don’t think so. On mornings, you will find her fresh and eager to work. Criticism, like medicine, if it does not kill, can strengthen a person.  

Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental: For her, not so. She’s already immune to the many criticisms she has been receiving. In fact, the harsh issues being thrown at her have made her more confident to tackle every obstacle that comes her way.  

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: The criticism against GMA is often harsh and uncalled for, but the more she’s criticized, the stronger she gets politically. Doon naiinis lalo ang oposisyon eh.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: The grand dame is being battered on all sides like an ancient man-o’-war. Luckily, her “Ironsides” armor merely makes her critics’ cannonballs bounce back. PGMA deserves credit for guiding the ship of state through dire straits, unlike her fault-finding, loudmouth critics who give the Pirates of Penzance a run for their money in their theatrical criticisms of her. The motley crew dramatic cast known as the opposition not only criticized PGMA, but also managed to get free media mileage while wasting the taxpayers’ money on their childish stunts. Pres. Arroyo’s sands have run out, but with grace.  

She is just being taken to task

Elpidio Que, Vigan: In other democratic countries with genuine presidents, the media is much worse in criticizing their leaders. Upright mediamen are only exposing and criticizing her for doing unthinkable things to stay in power as an escape route from being pinned down for her unanswered cheating, lying and stealing charges, which have been murdered repeatedly by her dogs of war in Congress. The media is duty-bound to take this up in public. She has the likes of Alex Magno and Belinda Cunanan to write about her as a heroine, and she has government radio and TV stations to make a cult out of her person, so what harshness is she getting from the media as a whole. There should be always an equal reaction from upright media persons for every evil action that she does, right?  

Her critics are holier than thou

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: I’m not a GMA fan myself but I think her critics are too harsh. They have this holier-than-thou attitude. Nobody’s perfect. They shouldn’t be too judgmental.  

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Not as much as what ordinary folk are saying against her. Kawawa ang mga apo niya, lalaitin hanggang sa pagtanda nila.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Yes, they are. It’s as if they really know better or as if they are moral guardians of the clean cut variety.  

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