MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III hit back at his naysayers during his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday.
Aquino said the Filipino people, not him, are the ones being antagonized by his critics.
The President said his critics are against students who are no longer sharing overpopulated classrooms, typhoon victims rescued from danger due to better state weather forecasting, government soldiers who now have modern equipment and Muslims who will be attaining peace.
"Mga boss, kontra po sila sa inyo," Aquino said.
In his speech, Aquino said the Filipino people made the reforms of his administration possible.
"Kayo ang boss, kayo ang lakas, kayo ang gumagawa ng pagbabago kaya kayo rin ang magpapatuloy nito," the President said.
The chief executive's statements come as he faces impeachment complaints over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which has been declared unconstitutional in part by the Supreme Court.
Aquino also faces criticism over his perceived bullying and defiance of the Supreme Court over the DAP controversy.