MANILA, Philippines—“Buong tapang kong ipamumukha na hindi nila kami mabubuwag.” (I will bravely tell them that they cannot bring us down.)
That was the strong message of presidential sister and TV personality Kris Aquino to the detractors of her brother President Benigno Aquino III calling for his resignation following the bloody Mamasapano clash which killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and five civilians.
The actress said that the days following the Mamasapano encounter were the “most difficult and most painful” time for their family as they braved the attacks hurled against her brother.
“It was a difficult time for all of us, and there were nights I’d be crying while texting with my Kuya. Meron akong isang post na nakita, nasa kabaong sya, si PNoy, at umiiyak ako—phinoto shop yun from the time our Mom was in Manila Cathedral. (I saw a post where PNoy was in a coffin and I was crying which was photoshopped when our Mom was in Manila Cathedral.) I told my brother, napakahirap ang manahimik lalo na pag ang mahal mo sa buhay ang winawalanghya. (It’s hard to keep silent when your loved ones are being disrespected.),” Aquino said in her speech during the Women’s Month celebration of the Quezon City Police District.
She said that Aquino advised her to be strong and that the accusations will stop once the truth comes out.
“Lahat ng masasakit na salita at personal na pambabatikos hindi ko lang haharapin kungdi buong tapang kong ipamumukha na hindi nila kami mabubuwag. Pamilya kaming nagmamahalan,” she added.
(I will face every hurtful word and personal attacks bravely. I will tell them that they cannot bring us down. We are a family which loves one other.)
The actress said that though her brother might not be perfect, she can proudly claim that he is trustworthy and honest.
“Kaya kong ipagmalaki sa lahat, na ang Kuya ko, tapat, maka-tao, hindi mapang-abuso, humble, sincere, and above all else, trustworthy. Hindi siya perpekto, si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino. Inalagaan at pinalago niya ang kaban ng bayan. Walang binulsa,” Aquino reiterated.
(I can proudly say that my brother is honest, pro-people, not abusive, humble, sincere, and above all else, trustworthy. President Noynoy Aquino is not perfect. He took care of the country’s coffers. He did not pocket public money.)
Kris has been very vocal in defending her brother through interviews and on her social media accounts where she responds to commenters critical of her brother. AJH
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