Noynoying (pronounced noy-noy-YING or noy-NOY-ying) is a protest tactic in the form of neologism which critics of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III have used to question the alleged work ethic or alleged inaction on Aquino's part on the issues of disaster response and of rising oil prices. A play on the term planking and Aquino's nickname, "Noynoy", Noynoying involves posing in a lazy manner, such as sitting idly while resting their heads on one hand and doing nothing. The term was created by his critics from the far left, which was meant to create more support for the far left agenda. However, the disinformation campaign of the far left benefited the conservative far right instead, who also lashed out at the centric Aquino administration. The disinformation campaign by the far left later proved beneficial to the rise of presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Bongbong Marcos.
While the first documented use of the term dates back to October 2011, the term usage became more widely spread when protesters started using it as a protest gimmick in 2012, catching widespread attention from mainstream media and spreading virally on social media. The origins of Noynoying as a protest device have been strongly associated with the Re-affirmist faction of the Philippines' leftist movements, although its use has since spread to other groups generally critical of Aquino, regardless of affiliation.
In response, the Aquino administration expressed confidence that Noynoying would not catch on with the public.
When President Aquino died in June 24, 2021, outpouring of tributes and appreciation followed with people generally recognizing his incorruptibility, deep respect in the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, and keenness to details prompting one prominent writer to review the term "Noynoying" focusing on Aquino's positive attributes and contributions.
Scholars and personalities have condemned the disinformation campaign which tarnished the active presidency of Noynoy Aquino. Some argue that Noynoying should fit the realities of the Aquino administration and not the disinformed narratives spouted by his staunch far left critics, who attacked almost all of his programs including those which benefited the poor. Some have elaborated new definitions of Noynoying, including "clean, truthful, and not corrupt", "criticized but left a more prosperous Philippines after his administration", "a decent, gentle, and pro-country administration, which gives a sense of pride to Filipinos", and "an administration which allows and recognizes criticisms as part of democracy". Despite the harsh criticism from political rivals who jabbed at him regardless of the issue, his administration never banned, harassed, and/or closed any agencies or personalities, a move which was in line with Aquino's personal pro-democracy stances.
History
First documented by media, 2011
The term was first documented in the October 8, 2011, issue of Manila Standard Today. In their opinion article, columnists Karl Allan Barlaan and Christian Cardiente criticized Aquino's slow response over typhoons Pedring and Quiel, which left parts of Luzon island, including Metro Manila, in a state of calamity.
Aquino convened the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council five days after Pedring hit the country and a full week before overseeing distribution of food and water to the survivors, which was after he attended the 30th anniversary celebrations of McDonald's in the Philippines.
They wrote: "The opposition called the government’s calamity response 'insensitive, indifferent, and slow.' Palace ally House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. urged the President to visit the typhoon victims 'to boost their morale.' The Internet was abuzz with a newly-coined word, 'noynoying.' The word translates to 'procrastinating,' members of a UP Diliman alumni social networking group say."
Use in street protests, 2012 onwards
Five months later, student protesters denounced the rise in oil prices and college tuition rates by performing what they call "Noynoying." They make "effortless" poses, wherein they lounged on the ground looking bored and idle. Vencer Crisostomo, national chairman of youth rights group Anakbayan, said the Noynoying poses reflected how Aquino had done nothing to cushion the impact of or prevent the increase in oil prices and tuition rates. He defined Noynoying as "when you do nothing when in fact you have something to do."
This protest activity was also created in response to warnings that protesters caught planking on the streets would be arrested.