MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday defended his own work ethic amid criticisms by some columnists that he is not working hard enough to solve the country’s woes.

“I would like to start out with a comment I read in one of today’s columns. Actually there were two columns, both of them critical. And they said I don’t work hard enough. For their information, this is my third engagement of the day. I started out rising at 5:30 in the morning not because I have to plant some fields. But because I have to board the plane by 6:30 to go to two wakes, one in Cebu, one in Samar to attend the wakes of two of our partymates, one killed by assassination and the other due to health concern,” Aquino said in a speech at the 32nd National Conference of Employers held in Marriott Hotel.

The President trumpeted his administration’s achievements to boost the local economy. “We have been burning the midnight oil trying to create an environment where business can thrive, and we have so far been successful,” he said.

He said many companies have decided to invest in the Philippines thereby creating thousands of jobs.

He cited as example Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific, which is investing $10 billion worth of potential contracts to different local companies in the next 7 years. The Coca-Cola Company is also investing $1 billion for its local market, he said.

Other companies offering job opportunities are Panay Energy Development Corporation and General Electric, the latter of whom promised 5,000 new jobs in 3-5 years.

Aquino said the country’s open skies policy has started to attract foreign airlines such as AirAsia, JetStar and All Nippon Airways. “This, in turn, has made the tourism sector more optimistic,” he said.

He added that at least 23 new hotels will open soon in the Visayas. “All of these are proof of an increased confidence in our economy,” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte said the President does not want “misinformation” to spread. That’s why the President took a swipe at two newspaper columns that said the President is not working hard.

Valte belied the columnists’ claims, saying “these people choose what they want to see.” She added the President “takes great pains” in studying state papers and in preparing for meetings.

Photo credit: Long Live Judyism
News source: ABS-CBN News

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Snow is the author behind Dear Bloggery. Married to a college schoolmate with one cute kid, Snow is balancing time with family and work to ensure sanity.