The Aquino administration has been fraught with criticism since Benigno Aquino III, better known as PNoy, was elected President of the Philippines in 2010.

From the time he took office, he has been consistently under attack.

If I remember correctly, his first test was the Bus Hijacking incident at the Quezon Grandstand that ended with the loss of Chinese nationals’ lives. With an international audience watching on, PNoy took serious criticism for handling the situation poorly. Indeed it was a huge embarrassment, but personally, I took it lightly since he was relatively new in office.

Then we had the trial of Justice Corona. PNoy was accused of manipulating the removal of Justice Corona from office but I thought that, if it was true, it was for a very good reason.

Zamboanga City was over run by rebels loyal to Nur Misuari a few years ago. What was unacceptable was how the rebels had the audacity to raise their own flag in Zamboanga. It was frustrating how it took PNoy several days to declare an all out offensive against these insurgents, and weeks to clear the entire city. To me, this incident raised a red flag. Is the President slow to act on a crisis? Still, I give him the benefit of the doubt.

A while after the Philippines got hit by Yolanda, the entire world was witness to the slow action of our government.  It was painfully clear how unprepared we were for the strongest typhoon the world has ever seen. When everyone said that the Aquino government was incompetent in handling disasters of such magnitude, I try to look for possible reasons why this happened.

A few weeks ago, our nation mourned.  44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force were massacred on a mission in Maguindano, an area controlled by the MILF and the BIFF, both groups seeking national autonomy.  It took PNoy several days to address the nation; he failed to assure the country to bring justice to the death of the protectors of his country.  But what was worse, he failed to console the grieving people of the Philippines. The least he could have done was be present to give honor to the fallen 44.

Yes, President Aquino has done a lot of good in his administration, especially in his efforts to curb corruption, and I have been willing to keep an open mind against his critics who have been quick to shoot him down.  But I don’t think I can do the same on this issue of the fallen 44.

In my opinion, the President’s reaction is unacceptable of a leader. A strong leader would have reacted with force against those who murdered our brave officers.  He would have assured our people to bring justice to those responsible, be it the government’s side or the side of the MILF or BIFF.  He should have shown compassion to the grieving families of the fallen and the nation as a whole. PNoy should stop thinking that he is President and start acting like one.