ONLINE COMMUNITY DIVIDED ON NOY'S PORSCHE / INQUIRER 'ON TARGET'
[PHOTO AT LEFT - In this Saturday Jan. 8, 2011, photo released by Malacanang Palace, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, front center, bikes around the Presidential Security Compound in Malacanang Palace in Manila in the Philippines.]
INTERNET, JANUARY 16, 2011 (KSUPERIORIDAD BLOG) by Kyneth Memorial Superioridad - President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III recent car purchase has put him on the hot seat again.
The 50-year-old bachelor president, according to Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, bought the thirdhand 2007 Porsche using his personal funds from the sale of another asset.
While the administration emphasized the president's right to use his own funds for personal purchases, some believe that this move might send the wrong message.
In a question posted on Yahoo! Philippines Answers, some users criticized Aquino's move.
User Maxwell said that even if Aquino used his personal funds to buy the car, as the president, he should have been more sensitive to the plight of the people.
"It's nobody's business if he were a private individual but as President, he is the example everybody should follow. What example did he set by buying another car that he doesn't really need?" added Maxwell.
User Gene thought that Aquino's purchase is untimely.
"So in these dire times, I think he should stay away from luxuries even though he bought it from his own purse. I still believe in him but the timing is really bad, I think," said Gene.
For user don torero, being a public figure, Aquino's actions should've been "calculated." He said, "Huwag na niyang isipin na may private life pa siya. kahit sariling pera niya yan, isipin niya yung message na ibinabahagi. Puro increases ng pamasahe (jeep, MRT, LRT, etc), gasolina, at bilihin tapos parang helpless ang gobyerno na wala silang magawa."
CaJosh on the other hand warns that Aquino should be more cautious. He wrote: "The kind of government that he runs is mirrored from the kind of lifestyle that he has."
While Aquino's purchase is being criticized, others came to his aid and defended that as a private citizen, he can use his own money for personal needs.
"The guy is single. His immediate family are relatively well off. He is therefore free to do as he pleases, including where and how to spend his money. Besides, the car isn't even brand new," said JJK.
Another user, Mark appealed to the people to give Aquino a break.
"It's his money. Why do we even have to pry on what he wants for himself, if i had that kind of money i'd buy me one too. Give the president a break. He deserves it. That's what's wrong about us filipinos…crab mentality. People are just jealous, if you want a Porsche…work hard or try your luck on the lottery," said Mark.
User Worried Ed thought that the public should learn to distinguish Aquino as the public figure and the private one. He added, "As long as P-noy doesn't use public funds for his personal gain, then he is doing nothing wrong. Besides, what he bought was a third-hand Porsche; still expensive, but to the elite, it's already a shabby car — a sign of frugality just the same."
Amid criticisms, Aquino defended his car purchase and dismissed reports that this will affect his administration's austerity policies.
BREAKING NEWS: FROM THE DAILY INQUIRER Inquirer Headlines / Metro
On Target : P-Noy still acting like President Cory's son by By Ramon Tulfo Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 22:54:00 01/14/2011
PRESIDENT Noy is starting to show his true color of leading a carefree, responsibility-free (read: irresponsible) lifestyle. His purchase of a Porsche luxury sports car is a very telling action.
The acquisition has elicited reactions from conservative people who think that the 50-year-old bachelor Chief Executive should live modestly.
Ngayon lang ninyo alam na ganyan siya (You only know now about his true nature)?
The signs were there before he ran for President: His unwillingness to accept the burdens of the highest office of the land; his mediocre performance in the House of Representatives and later in the Senate; his being a bachelor way past the marrying age.
* * *
My mother, Caridad, a holder of US immigrant visa, shuttles between Manila and San Francisco, California, regularly.
Once, on the way to Manila, the flight stewardesses of a plane she rode asked if Erwin, my brother, and I were bachelors.
Her reply: "Ay, mga hija, if they're still bachelors at their age something must be wrong with them."
I'm not saying P-Noy is not normal.
I'm just saying that he should already settle down so the country would be able to settle down as well.
* * *
The President is seen with different women in different restaurants in Metro Manila, and in other places like Baguio, whispering sweet nothings to his partners.
Nothing wrong with that since he's a bachelor.
But then he acts like he is a son of the President—or like the son of his mother when she was still President two decades ago.
Mr. Aquino, hasn't it occurred to you yet that you're already the President?
* * *
The President loves cars and guns; that's for sure.
One of his former girlfriends was asked why she parted ways with the only son of President Cory at that time.
The woman said she found him boring.
"All we talked about were cars, cars, cars. And then guns, guns, guns."
* * *
On the issue of the Porsche, Mr. Aquino said, in effect, "Hey, I bought the car with my own money. So, what's wrong with that?"
Very wrong, Mr. President!
We are a very poor country and our leaders—especially the top honcho—should live modestly.
Yes, admittedly you are honest, but then you are no different from your reportedly corrupt predecessor who had a P1-million dinner at a luxurious steakhouse in New York.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo claimed that the dinner was paid for by a congressman in her group, which was worse, because she allowed herself to freeload on a subordinate official.
Whether you bought the luxury sports car with your own money or government money is not the issue.
The issue here is whether the car is useful in your job as President of a very poor country.
* * *
Public relations practitioner Reli German complains that the vacation house his family bought in San Pablo, Laguna, has been neglected by its developer.
Imperial Homes Corp. has left the once beautiful Eden-like subdivision in a state of disrepair and the security force trimmed down to a minimum number, German says.
Homeowners like him feel desperate as their efforts to get action on their complaints (including the release of their titles) have been ignored by Imperial.
Isn't there a government agency that goes after cheating subdivision developers?
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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