MANILA, PHILIPPINES – President Benigno Aquino III once again slammed the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for its alleged rampant corruption in his speech at the 17th Asia-Pacific Retail Convention and Exhibition at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
“The Philippines has always been that. We are blessed with an abundance of resources: strong human capital, an excellent location and vast potential for industry growth, among many others. These would seem to ensure that the job of Salesman-in-Chief would be very easy.
“However, these qualities had been obscured by the rampant corruption and impunity that plagued the past administration—to the point where we became the laggard among our neighbors in so many different aspects,” Aquino said in speech.
The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binary urged him to be man enough to admit the flaws of his administration and its failures in delivering his promise to the people to address poverty.
Rico Quicho, spokesperson of Binay, said that Aquino’s administration should stop hiding behind the slogan “If there is no corruption, there is no poverty,” instead they should explain why poverty became worse during his term.