PNoy’s emotional SONA moment not a sign of weakness – Palace

By ANDREO CALONZO, GMA News

Published July 29, 2014 3:46pm

(Updated 4:01 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III's rare public display of emotion during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) was completely spontaneous and should not be construed as a sign of weakness, Malacañang said Tuesday.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino delivered the last part of his penultimate SONA extemporaneously, without referring to the prepared text on his teleprompter.

"Evidently, the President was speaking from the depths of his personal commitment to live up to his parents’ noble legacy," Coloma said in response to reporters' queries.

Asked if the President's emotional moment during the SONA was a display of weakness, Coloma disagreed, saying there is such a thing as emotional intelligence.

On Monday, Aquino teared up during his fifth SONA in front of Congress members while recalling the memory of his parents, slain Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and the late President Corazon Aquino.

"Mga boss, binigyan ninyo ako ng pagkakataong pamunuan ang transpormasyon... Kung tinalikuran ko ang pagkakataon, parang tinalikuran ko na rin ang aking ama't ina at ang lahat ng inalay nila para sa atin. Hindi po mangyayari iyon," he said.

The President's sisters also became emotional during the speech. His youngest sister, actress Kris Aquino, was seen crying at the gallery while her brother was talking about their parents' legacy.

Lawmakers, even those belonging to the opposition, saluted the President for showing his softer side during his SONA.

'Crocodile tears'

Aquino's emotional movement, however, did not sit well with progressive groups, which accused the President of shedding "crocodile tears."

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said Aquino only wanted "to place himself on the same pedestal as his parents."

"The President turned the State of the Nation Address into a State of Aquino Address. He somehow managed to make it about himself," Tinio said in a separate statement.

For his part, Vencer Crisostomo of the progressive youth group Anakbayan said tearing up was Aquino's way of luring the public.

"Aquino should stop portraying himself as the hero, for in this case it is clear to the people: he and his corrupt rule is the enemy to overthrow and fight against," Crisostomo said in a media release.

League of Filipino Students (LFS) spokesperson Charlotte Velasco meanwhile branded Aquino's fifth SONA as a "malicious daydreaming" that "failed to address the plight of the education sector."

“Seeing Aquino cry crocodile tears didn’t shake up the fierce determination of the indignant youth. The regime should watch out for there are more mobilizations to come,” Velasco said. — RSJ, GMA News

Tags: sona2014, benignoaquinoiii