Philippines leaders annoyed over 'noynoying' satire on President Aquino

Manila (Philippines) - Philippines President Benigno Aquino III lackadaisical and poor response to major issues confronting his government, that some critics have jocularly labelled his actions as “noynoying” much to the annoyance of the country’s other leaders.

Government critics argue that Aquino, nicknamed "Noynoy," has sat idle while oil prices surge in the Philippines.

College students in Quezon City popularized the trend this month by lounging on university steps to mock a "do-nothing president" during a protest, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the jab has quickly become part of the political debate.

Leftist politician Teddy Casiño criticized the government for not taking on bills to address oil prices.

He was quoted as telling the Philippine outlet Bulatlat: “It is no time to be ‘Noynoying’ when the economy and the peoples’ livelihood are taking a hit."

Trying to fend off the dig, the Philippine government released photos of the president at work, only to find them parodied on Twitter and Facebook.

Critics made hay of the fact that one shot of the president with a stack of papers included a few remote controls, suggesting that he might not really be working.

Allies say Aquino, who has promised to tackle corruption, is being unfairly maligned.

Education Secretary Joel Villanueva argued that the president and his cabinet worked until 2 a.m. and came back at 5 a.m.

One provincial governor argued that millions of jobs had been created.

“For me, "Noynoying" means somebody who always tells the truth. For me "Noynoying" means somebody who is careful about the people’s money, not the kind of person who spends the people’s money carelessly,” Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II told the Philippine Star when asked about noynoying.

Despite the criticism, Aquino still has a 70 percent approval rating, according to a recent PulseAsia poll.

He has been praised for cutting unemployment, reducing crime and steering clear of scandal in a recent op-ed that slammed "rabble-rousing Leftists and P-Noy haters."