Watch: Noynoy Aquino Looks at Dictionary to Explain the Meaning of “Empathy” (Video)

Former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino does not seem to know the meaning of the word, “Empathy.” Or he really does not have empathy to Filipinos when he was still the president? Well, this is according to a video footage of a press conference a month before his term as president ended, and President Rodrigo Duterte won the election.

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As shown in the video below taken back in late May 2016, ABS-CBN reporter Jorge Cariño asked then-President Noynoy Aquino on his reaction to the comments of many Filipinos that he lacks empathy to the people. The 56-year old bachelor president was also asked if he could have addressed his perceived lack of empathy if he was married.

It can be recalled that there were many controversies on Noynoy Aquino’s style of leadership during his six years of administration. But instead of answering it directly, the president asked his aide to check the definition of “empathy.” Later, he read its definition at online dictionaries such as Wikipedia and Merriam Webster online.

"A capacity to understand and feel what another being is experiencing from within another being's frame of reference i.e. the capacity to place one's self in another person's position." Aquino said, as the read the meaning of empathy in the dictionary. And although the video did not show it, news reports said that he questioned his critics.

"Sana nakita namin yung emotions mo. Pero sorry hindi ako ano. I am not play acting at being president. I perform my role as president. Yung mga kritiko nagkaroon ng trabaho. E di nakatulong din ako sa kanila. OK na rin siguro." Noynoy Aquino was quoted as saying, noting that he does not understand the criticisms against him.



"Hindi ako tumayo dito para mag-showbiz. Tumayo ako dito para gampanan ang papel ng isang pinuno. May krisis, asikasuhin ko yung krisis.” He added, saying that he could find the logic of being single or married to be a good president. Aquino also said that he actively took charge on every problem of the country, especially when tragedies happen.



As reported by ABS-CBN News that time, Aquino said he visited Tacloban two days after it was badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda. In January 2015, he was heavily criticized for attending the inauguration of a car manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, instead of being present at the arrival honors ceremony for the 44 SAF members who were killed in Mamasapano.

Contributed by Renato Pasayao