PNoy questions 'lack of empathy' criticism

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday questioned if there is basis behind criticisms that he is lacking empathy to the suffering of the Filipino people.

"You know I looked for definition of empathy because, actually, I cannot understand if that criticism has basis," Aquino told members of the press during the launch of the Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project in San Jose, Tarlac.

Citing Wikipedia, the president defined empathy as "the capacity to understand or feel what another being is experiencing from within the other being’s frame of reference, i.e., the capacity to place oneself in another’s position."

Aquino also cited the Merriam-Webster definition of empathy which is, "The feeling that you understand and share another person’s experience and emotions. The ability to share someone [else’s feelings]."

The outgoing president cited two instances where he showed empathy to Filipinos — the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) in November 2013 and the Zamboanga siege in September 2013.

Aquino said he and local government units visited the evacuation centers three days after the typhoon ravaged Eastern Visayas to assure the victims of government assistance. Yolanda left over 6,400 people dead and 1.9 million people homeless in Eastern Visayas.

In September 2013, Aquino went to Zamboanga while a heavy fight was ongoing between government troops and rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front. The president went to the area despite appeals from his security advisers not to proceed.

"Nagkulang ba ako sa pag-unawa kung ano ang kondisyon nila, kung ano ang agam-agam nila?" Aquino asked.

The president was earlier criticized for not attending the arrival honors for the fallen Special Action Force commandos in Villamor Air Base early last year. Aquino instead attended the inauguration of a car power plant in Laguna.

READ: Aquino no-show at arrival honors for SAF troopers, goes to car plant