Outgoing Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino shortly before leaving Malacanang palace for the inauguration ceremony at Quirino grandstand in Manila June 30, 2010. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo
MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III, currently in the United States for a working visit, has once again criticized former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, this time comparing her to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
In a speech at the Harvard University on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), Aquino said Arroyo was like Marcos in abusing power.
“My predecessor, instead of learning the lessons of Martial Law, seemingly adopted Mr. Marcos’ handbook on how to abuse the democratic process,” Aquino said.
The President further said that Arroyo’s administration made Filipinos indifferent about anomalies in government.
“At the end of her regime, our people were so apathetic to all the scandals and issues affecting her, and government’s inability to effect change, that the overwhelming ambition of so many was to leave the country,” Aquino said.
Arroyo, now a congresswoman representing Pampanga’s second district, is currently on hospital arrest for her alleged involvement in the misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds during her incumbency. (MNS)