MANILA, Philippines- Former Senator Panfilo Lacson defended President Benigno S. Aquino III from accusations labeling the president as an “awful manager.”
Lacson, who was appointed by the President as Presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery secretary, said that the President is not an awful manager but somebody who pays more attention to details.
Lacson said he knows the President’s attitude saying that during Cabinet meetings, the chief executive always pays special attention to details and figures.
“Iyong mga Cabinet members na nagpi-presenta, iyong mga agencies, sinisigurado nila na ang mga figures na pinipresenta gaya ng mga information na ibinibigay sa Pangulo ay talagang accurate,” he said.
Sen. Sergio Osmena III has criticized the President for being a bad manager but Lacson said it isn’t the case.
“With due respect to Senator Serge, kaibigan ko iyan, seatmate ko, pero I did not agree with his—‘awful manager’ ang ating Pangulo,” he added.
The important thing is that the country has a transparent and honest president. The country does not need an excellent manager who is corrupt and does not enjoy the people’s trust.
“Mahusay, honest pa saka transparent, at saka hindi mandarambong. Sa atin, pagka honest ang Pangulo, more than 50 percent ng kanyang pamamahala ay okay na, panalo na,” he said.
“Pero kung maski anong galing ng manager, sabihin na nating best manager we can have, pero kung nanakawin naman ang pondo, as if 50 percent talo na. So, sa pananaw ko ngayon, dito na ako sa manager na maayos mag-handle ng pondo at saka transparent at saka ang integridad mataas.”
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also issued a statement regarding the issue.
He said the Palace respects the views of Senator Osmena and noted the urgency of carrying out development and reform measures for the people.
“We respect Senator Osmena’s views. As the President’s campaign manager in 2010, we regard him as an important stakeholder in the quality of this administration’s performance,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a statement Wednesday.
The senator, who served as campaign manager for the administration candidates in the last presidential election, expressed disappointment over the Aquino administration’s handling of major issues in the country especially infrastructure and energy.
He urged the administration to speed up infrastructure developments through the public private partnership
