Inquirer - Armando Doronila: Analysis >> Pres Aquino started the New Year by picking a fight with the independent news media. Firing broadsides at his critics in the press, he pledged that as his New Year's resolution, he would "just ignore" them. He castigated his press critics, calling them "hopeless" and saying they belonged to a "cottage industry... of people  who make a living out of criticizing" him.

"They see nothing good in whatever I say and [in my efforts] at solving the problems of the country," he said.

In defining the media as a "cottage industry," the President betrayed a gross misconception of the function of the press in a democratic society and trivialized the  principle on which the relationship between the press and the govt pivots.

Ignoring media criticism slams the shutters on a healthy debate over contentious issues involving the administration's lackluster performance in revitalizing the economy growth and responding promptly to the emergency needs of thousands of victims of Supertyphoon "Yolanda" (International name: Haiyan) in the Visayas.

The press is not craving to return the presidential snub and is also ignoring him.

Statement of Rep. Dato Arroyo, 12 Jan 2014: "We would like to thank all those who have shown their concern for our mother, especially our friends who have remained with us all throughout these tough times. We are deeply touched that more and more people are calling for the grant of her bail. All this support has strengthened us even more in fighting this through 'til the end, as we know that there is really no basis for all these cases that have been filed against the former president." 

Emil Jurado
" When Pres. Aquino says he'll just ignore his critics, that's the height of arrogance. He believes he's infallible.
- This he can do. he's been IGNORING things for 3 1/2 years now.

Kit Tatad said Lacson may have to resign.

The downsizing of the hypothetical "czar" and the ambivalent content of the MO (no 62) could be an indication that Aquino may be having second thoughts about the wisdom of having Lacson in. Singson vowed to resign if the bunkhouses are found to be over priced. With Malacañang and some senators backing him, he insists they are not, even if figures show they are. Lacson may have to be the one to resign if Singson doesn't. Standard p A4.

2014 starts with these alarming headlines:

- power collusion's and meralco's threat of power interruptions
- COA report on overpriced bunkhouses in leyte and samar
- pork realignment bickerings
- measles outbreak
- COA's report on CCT anomalies
- bungled DOTC contracts
- CJ shouts at a fellow justice
- duterte's threat to rice smugglers; question: did the CRITICS make up or imagine these headlines? are the critics HOPELESS and  therefore should be IGNORED?

PHILSTAR: GOVERNMENT'S 4PS STILL FRAUGHT WITH IRREGULARITIES - COA

In a 2012 report, state auditors said double entries in the database or payroll of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for 2012 totaling P17.4 million resulted in excess transfer of payroll funds and in overpayment of grants of P8.7 million.

Hey, guess what? The calendars exactly the same. In 2014 are exactly the same. In 1986. Marcos was ousted by people power. Will Marcos and Pnoy have the same fate" Just asking...

Pope Francis' advice -- "A good leader listens." BS Aquino's new year resolution -- "I will ignore my critics." HARI NG SABLAY TALAGA!

INQUIRER: ARROYO HAS BEST GROWTH IN FULL TERMS - NSCB

"If we focus on the three Presidents that completed their terms of office, (President Cory Aquino, President Fidel "FVR" V. Ramos, and Arroyo) we would observe that the domestic economy performed best druing the time pf President [Arroyo]," NSCB secretary-general Jose Ramon G. Albert said.

PHILSTAR: Ernie Maceda: President Aquino said he is just going to ignore critics. That is not a good policy. Every citizen has a right to criticize any public official or any policy pronouncement.