'Critics confused: Am I a wimp or dictator?'

MANILA, Philippines - Make up your mind: am I a wimp or a dictator?

President Aquino hurled this challenge yesterday to his critics, saying they were getting confused in their name-calling.

Speaking at a forum with students in celebration of the first EDSA people power revolution in 1986, the President said he learned that the camp of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, along with his other critics, planned to focus their attacks on him.

“(You say) I’m a spoiled brat, immature. You have so many criticisms against me. In 2010 (you said) I am wimpy, very weak. In 2011, I am a dictator. In 2012, I am now a wimpy dictator,” Aquino said.

The President’s critics said he was being a dictator for pushing for the removal of Corona so he could control the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.

But the President belied this, saying having Corona at the head of the Supreme Court (SC) has been hampering his fight against graft and corruption.

He said it would be “extremely difficult, if not impossible” to pursue his reforms if Corona would be allowed to stay.

The President said it was Corona who led the SC to grant a temporary restraining order against the travel ban on former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was facing various charges.

He said the Corona-led SC almost allowed Arroyo to escape when an electoral sabotage charge against her could prescribe this year. The offense was allegedly committed in 2007 and Arroyo’s prolonged stay abroad could allow her to avoid prosecution.

The President said he would only want to offer the next generation a better system of government, including clean elections.

Aquino called for the youth’s active participation in making the necessary changes in the country.