President Noynoy Aquino cannot ignore his critics

Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino is setting himself up for failure with his New Year’s resolution for 2014, which is to “ignore his critics”. The fact that he had to make this his New Year’s resolution already means that he is having a hard time ignoring his critics in the first place. Not to mention, a chief executive – a grown up – who tells impressionable high-school students visiting Malacañang that his critics are “hopeless” and simply being paid to make him look bad does make him look weak and defensive to others especially his critics.

President BS Aquino: The yellow shirt does not unite the Filipino people.

President BS Aquino: The yellow shirt does not unite the Filipino people.

Well, yes, most of the time he comes across as someone who doesn’t care about what his detractors have to say about him. But who is he kidding? Deep inside, he is someone who is very conscious of his popularity with the people. How does one know this? It’s human nature for people to seek validation particularly from those who don’t like them. Some who have healthy egos can be discrete about finding ways to get validation but some like BS Aquino would bully his way to getting liked.

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BS Aquino’s need for validation is also evident in how he and his minions highlight his favorable popularity rating every chance they get. That is already a good indication that there is nothing more he would want than to charm everyone including his critics. And that is were the problem lies. As Dr Seuss would say about Mr. Grinch, BS Aquino is as charming as an eel and as cuddly as a cactus.

It is an understatement to say that he is the most polarizing leader the Philippines ever had. He has divided the sentiments of the Filipino people, indeed and this could be his intention. This is perhaps to distract the public from his failure to meet his campaign promises. His use of the blame-game easily deflects from his own incompetence.

It became apparent from BS Aquino’s early days on the job that his vindictiveness would further fuel people’s passion to find a scapegoat for their own shortfalls – to blame the previous “corrupt” government for all the ills in the land. Never mind that it was the people who voted the public servants who served under the previous government in the first place. And never mind that a lot of the public servants during former President Gloria Arroyo’s term, the same ones who participated in scams in the past, are still in office pandering to BS Aquino’s whims. There is no need to mention that Senator Franklin Drilon used to be former President Gloria Arroyo’s ally. There’s also no need to mention that Drilon is now an Aquino ally. Some of them, like Drilon, are still enjoying the perks of their jobs and acting as if they are God’s gift to the Filipino people.

Former Arroyo ally: Senate President Franklin Drilon

Former Arroyo ally: Senate President Franklin Drilon

It was easy for BS Aquino to persecute his enemies before the public particularly during the first few years of his term. First, he used his popularity to rally the people behind him by using black propaganda against his political enemies. Armed with bottomless funds from the taxpayer, he could have easily hired public relations firms to raise his profile by throwing baseless accusations against his enemies at the same time. This could explain the sudden appearance of “small ladies” and “anonymous sources” during Senate hearings and mock trials. It was also convenient to have members of the media who are still beholden to the Aquino name who were willing to publicize the black propaganda against his enemies.

Second, BS Aquino’s use of symbols like the yellow pin on his shirts and yellow-themed attire gives out a subliminal message as if saying, “if you are not with me, then you are against me”. Instead of uniting the people by using the Philippine flag as a symbol of “one people under one nation”, he continues to use the yellow color to make everyone else who do not belong to his party feel like an outsider.

It’s still not clear whether critics of Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino underestimated his ability to fool the Filipino people or overestimated the Filipino people’s ability to see through his deceit. Either way, the rest of Philippine society suffers from the majority’s indifference towards his government’s incompetence.

It is really unfortunate to see how the highest officer in the land gets away with violating the Constitution not just once but several times during his term so far. You would think that after four years of mediocre output, the Filipino people would be compelled to go out on the streets and demand for his head or at least ask him to step down from office. But no, there are still plenty of people out there who believe the crap about “Daang matuwid”.

Even after the priority development assistance funds or PDAF was declared unconstitutional, meaning his use of taxpayer’s money was illegal, a lot of Filipinos still think that BS Aquino can be trusted. Even after his government’s disastrous response in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda, his trust rating is still high. Even when his cabinet members are short-changing the people, BS Aquino still gets away with keeping them.

BS Aquino is lucky to have an electorate who do not use their critical analysis faculties. Unfortunately, BS Aquino’s lack of foresight will be his undoing. The more he tries to convince everyone that the previous administration should be accountable for all the indiscretions during GMA’s term, the more people will start blaming him for all the indiscretions during his term. As the saying goes, a player will tell you anything to get you, but they won’t do anything to keep you.

17 Replies to “President Noynoy Aquino cannot ignore his critics”

  1. Bwahahaha, our president’s a real big joke. “Ignoring his critics?”

    You know, PNoy…maybe if you DID listen to your critics instead of whining like a big baby until now…maybe, you might have made a difference but from 2010 onward, all I heard about are your complaints.

    Time to man up, big baby. You got until next year to make some things right.

  2. It is Aquino who pays YellowTards, in cash or in kind; to fend off his critics and to cover his incompetence. The SWS False surveys are owned by his relatives, to give him a high rating. Then, he goes pandering to foreign universities, to give him a PhD; to finalize his self delusion. Anyone following him, should be also be examined in the head.

    Porky Drillon is one of the political opportunists in our country. He goes, where the food (Pork Barrel) is located.
    With such kinds of “leaders”; it is no wonder that we are in a mess.

    Our government is Feudal Oligarchy; with a mix of political opportunism. Aquino era will be the worse era in the Philippines. When historians will judge them…

  3. Noynoy’s latest tirade will not erase the perception by some that he is this onion skinned pansy not fit to lead. He has always been as insecure as they come. This is manifested in his credit grabbing as well as his attempt to control critical discussion with his Mac Book trolls that frequent GRP and elsewhere. There is this cliche real leaders use that goes “your actions speak so loudly I can’t hear what you are saying”. That is exactly the point, a 50 year old slacker is suddenly handed the keys to the country. No matter what you know this is not going to end well. That is why he fights tooth and nail for his pork barrel. To make up for this Grand Canyon deficit of skill.

    1. Like you said before Gogs, Mr. Aquino doesn’t need those macbook trolls if he was indeed doing his job.
      Those trolls don’t seem to realize that they’re only making things worse for their master in malacanang.

      Incoming troll butthurt in 3..2..1

  4. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201110/the-narcissists-dilemma-they-can-dish-it-out

    Extracts

    prof. leon selzer

    “The ability to take criticism well depends mostly on how secure we feel about ourselves. Yet it could hardly be said that any of us actually enjoys being criticized. For it’s a challenge to avoid feeling
    defensive when we experience ourselves as attacked. At such times, it’s more “natural”–or rather, more aligned with our conditioning–to go into self-protective mode. And typically, the way we choose to
    protect ourselves is through denying the criticism, indignantly turning on the criticizer, or hastening to disengage from the uncomfortable situation entirely.

    Such a well-nigh universal tendency is elevated almost to an art form with those afflicted with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). When criticized, narcissists show themselves woefully incapable of retaining any emotional poise, or receptivity. And it really doesn’t much matter whether the nature of that criticism is constructive or destructive. They just don’t seem to be able to take criticism, period. At the same time, these disturbed individuals demonstrate an abnormally developed capacity to criticize and bully others
    (as in, “dish it out” to them).

    Without any clear recognition of what’s motivating them, in their relationships as adults they continue to seek the encouragement, support, and acceptance denied them earlier. Yet, however
    unconsciously, at the same time they’ve cultivated the strongest defenses against ever having to feel so excruciatingly vulnerable again.

    And so when they’re criticized, or think they’re being criticized (and they’re definitely hyper-alert to the possibility),
    they’re compelled to react aggressively, in the frantic effort to avoid re-experiencing the terrible feelings of loneliness , abandonment, or rejection they suffered when they were younger.

    All of which indicates just how fragile their artificially bloated sense of self really is. Given the enormity of their defenses, they regard themselves not on a par with, but above others. Yet they’re mortally
    threatened when anyone dares question their words or behavior.
    Ancient fears about not being acceptable are never that far from the surface, which is why narcissists must forever be on their guard with anyone who might disbelieve or doubt them. For any external
    expression of doubt can tap into their own self-doubts.

    Blaming and excessively criticizing others to shore up an extraordinarily vulnerable ego–and reacting antagonistically in the
    face of anything regarded as critical of themselves–they keep others at a distance that renders any true intimacy impossible. The way they “set things up” in relationships, particularly intimate
    relationships, makes their self-created dilemma unsolvable. And if they’re married, they can be expected to be especially hard on their spouse.
    So they remain emotionally and spiritually unfulfilled, hungry for a nebulous something they can’t even conceive. Lacking the ego strength that would allow them to be genuinely vulnerable to
    others– the prerequisite for the intimacy they secretly long for–their
    relationships demonstrate a level of detachment not entirely
    dissimilar from their original so-hurtful disconnection from their
    parents. But this time they’re not just the victim but the “perpetrator,”

    Sad, lonely, anxious, bitter, and vindictive, the narcissist becomes his own worst enemy and retreats more into fantasy in order to protect himself from reality

  5. I am going to ignore my critics but first of all i am going to spend months telling my critics i am going to ignore them.
    GROW UP

    Someone suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder takes everything personal. Every time someones criticizes him he will be compelled to reply

  6. Criticism and mistakes are the same in that they each are lessons that need to be learned from. Its just that criticism is more direct, while mistakes are a puzzle that an individual is supposed to spot on their own.
    Criticism should not be ignored, it should be acknowledged, accepted, internalized, and in some way should affect a positive change in someone.

    1. Be that as it may, the bald one is clueless about handling criticisms. Which only proves further how inept this guy is.

      Also tell that to the hordes of his yellow minions, who to their eyes the bald one can’t do no wrong.

  7. A psychological profile of a leader with narcissistic personality disorder.

    It fits president benigno ‘pnoy’ aquino like a custom made glove and explains a great deal. Long but worth reading.

    Extracted from sam vankin – Leaders and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

    “The lack of empathy, the aloofness, the disdain, the sense of entitlement, the constricted sense of humor, the unequal
    treatment and the paranoia – all render the narcissist a social misfit. Give him power and he becomes a dangerous liability as he feeds his insatiable need for self aggrandisment and wholesale admiration, in order to compensate for his inner insecurities and failings.

    No narcissistic leader has ever put his country first, but they do put the country at risk, of chaos, disunity, and dysfunction. A web which the vindictive narcissist is happy to weave, and a game he sadistically enjoys.

    The narcissist is able to provoke in his milieu, in his casual acquaintances, even in his psychotherapist, the strongest, most avid and furious hatred and revulsion. To his shock, indignation and consternation, he invariably induces in others unbridled aggression.

    He is perceived to be asocial at best and, often, antisocial. This, perhaps, is the strongest presenting symptom. One feels ill at ease in the presence of a narcissist for no apparent reason, but probably because he fails to secure the sympathy of others, a sympathy he is never ready, willing, or able to reciprocate. Lack of empathy colours his world and dictates his actions.

    The narcissist often lives an isolated life, safe in his cocoon, with few friends or interests. The public image of the narcissistic leader is nearly always diametrically opposed to his secret world – ( ( whether that be inhabited by demons, drinking, damsels, or even darker pursuits)

    The narcissistic leader is the culmination and reification of his period, culture, and civilization. He is likely to rise to prominence in narcissistic societies where personality cult is strongest.

    The malignant narcissist invents and then projects a false, fictitious, self for the world to fear, or to admire. He maintains a tenuous grasp on reality to start with and this is further exacerbated by the
    trappings of power. The narcissist’s grandiose self-delusions and
    fantasies of omnipotence and omniscience are supported by real life authority and the narcissist’s predilection to surround himself with obsequious sycophants.

    The narcissist’s personality is so precariously balanced that he
    cannot tolerate even a hint of criticism and disagreement. Most narcissists are paranoid and suffer from ideas of reference (the delusion that they are being mocked or discussed when they are
    not). Thus, narcissists often regard themselves as “victims of
    persecution”.

    The narcissistic leader fosters and encourages a personality cult
    with all the hallmarks and symbols of an institutional religion

    The narcissistic leader is monstrously hypocritical, talking of sacrificing his life and denying himself so that he can help his people, but such noble sentiments have little bearing in reality and are purely part of the image building

    Narcissistic leadership is about reproduced copies, not about originals. It is about the manipulation of symbols – not about true conservatism or change

    In short: narcissistic leadership is about theatre, not about life. To enjoy the spectacle (and be subsumed by it), the leader demands the suspension of judgment, depersonalization, and de-realization.

    Narcissistic leadership often positions itself as a rebellion against the “old ways” – against the hegemonic culture, the upper classes, the established religions, the superpowers, the corrupt order.

    Narcissistic movements are puerile, a reaction to narcissistic injuries inflicted upon a narcissistic (and rather psychopathic) toddler nation-state, or group, or upon the leader.

    Narcissists thrive on hatred and pathological envy, and the narcissistic leader will always find selected minorities or “others” to villify and persecute, with cult members whipped into a frenzy as they bay for blood and exhalt their leader.

    The narcissistic leader prefers the sparkle and glamour of well-orchestrated illusions to the tedium and method of real
    accomplishments. His reign is all smoke and mirrors, devoid of substances, consisting of mere appearances and mass delusions. Spin, propaganda, and diversions are all key tools to maintain the illusion.

    In the aftermath of his regime – the narcissistic leader having died,
    been deposed, or voted out of office – it all unravels. The tireless and constant prestidigitation ceases and the entire edifice crumbles. The image of courage, strength, sacrifice etc is stripped away to reveal the truth, and a weak and despised individual.

    What looked like an economic miracle turns out to have been a fraud-laced bubble. Loosely-held empires disintegrate. Laboriously assembled business initiatives go to pieces. Social experiments end in mayhem.

    His mask really falls when the narcissist has become convinced that the very people he purported to speak for, his constituency, his grassroots fans, the prime sources of his narcissistic supply – have turned against him. At first, in a desperate effort to maintain the fiction underlying his chaotic personality, the narcissist strives to explain away the sudden reversal of sentiment.

    “The people are being duped by (the media, big industry, activists, the military, the elite, etc.)”, “they don’t really know what they are
    doing”, “following a rude awakening, they will revert to form”, etc.

    When these flimsy attempts to patch a tattered personal mythology fail – the narcissist is injured. Narcissistic injury inevitably leads to narcissistic rage and to a display of unbridled aggression.

    The pent-up frustration and hurt translate into devaluation. That which was previously idealized – is now discarded with contempt and hatred.

    To the narcissist, things and people are either entirely bad (evil) or entirely good – ( us and them). More fragmentation and vitriol follow as he looks for new ‘scapegoats’ , but by now the edifice is but a shell, and once ‘loyal’ allies deserting, only fuelling further rage and the potential for a complete breakdown/detachment from reality.

    The “small people”, the “rank and file”, the “loyal soldiers” of the narcissist – his flock, his nation, his employees – they pay the price.

    The disillusionment and disenchantment of followers is agonizing. The process of reconstruction, of rising from the ashes, of overcoming the trauma of having been deceived, exploited and manipulated. Feelings of shame and guilt engulf the erstwhile followers of the narcissistic leader.

    This is his sole legacy: a massive post-
    traumatic stress disorder.”

    The script has been performed many times. It always ends as a tragedy with the leading characters often becoming comedic in their flight from reality, and in their desperation to create a fantasy legacy in the final act.

  8. Mr. BS Aquino does not realize that criticism is part and parcel of our democracy. Criticism in a way is constructive when it will lead to better governance. A genuine leader sees the value of criticism as it offers solutions and opens the eyes of the leadership to the problems plaguing our country. Criticism should not be ignored by Mr. Aquino. It is a tool to better management. I pity BS Aquino as he chooses the path to ignore criticism. Wake up Mr. Aquino! Criticisms are complaints from the different sectors of society. If you ignore criticism then you ignore the boss a.k.a. the Sovereign Filipino People!

  9. Sorry but every time I read “BS Aquino”, what registers in my mind is a compound word of a male bovine animal and excrement.

    Or…








    …did I get it right as you have intended, blog/article Author?

  10. Sure he can, he does it all the time. Then he manipulates the surveys to say what he wants them to.

    Ha can, ha does and he will keep on doing it…until someone/thing stops him!

  11. Eh, being President means you get criticized by everybody.

    This doesn’t mean ALL the critics agree with each other on what they’re slagging the President for. My problems with PNoy, someone else here might not think is an issue.

  12. “I don’t want any yes-men around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth”
    sam goldwyn

    Pnoy wants yes men, and no critics because he is intellectually incapable of arguing his point/discussing the issues.
    He has tunnel vision, and based on no education, experience or achievements. A recipe for screw ups

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