P-Noy to party mates: Let’s restore people’s faith in government
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged his party mates in the Liberal Party (LP) Tuesday night to unite and rally behind him in restoring the people’s faith in government.
In a speech at the LP fellowship night in
“Ang layunin natin ay maibalik ang tiwala sa gobyerno, at kakailanganin natin ang inyong pakikiisa mula sa pinunong local hanggang sa mga lider na may mataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan (Our aim is to restore people’ s faith in government and we need the support of the local as well as national officials in achieving this), “ he said.
It was the first time the President met with leaders of the party after being installed as the 15th President of the Republic last June 30.
“Inaasahan ko na ang okasyong ito ay magiging hudyat ng mas malakas pang samahan sa loob ng partido (I hope that this will be the start of even stronger friendships within the party),” he said.
The full text of President Aquino’s speech (in Filipino):
“Magandang gabi sa inyong lahat. Nagagalak akong makasama kayo ngayon sa isang salo-salo, kung saan hindi tayo pagod sa kakatapos na sortie o buong araw na pangangampanya.
Ito na nga yata ang pinakahihintay kong pagkakataon upang makilala kayong lahat ng mas mabuti, lalo na yung mga bago nating kaalyado sa Partido Liberal. Hayaan niyo pong pasalamatan ko kayong lahat sa inyong suporta na siyang nagdala sa atin sa tagumpay.
Inaasahan ko na ang okasyong ito ay magiging hudyat ng mas malakas pang samahan sa loob ng ating partido. Kinakailangan natin ito upang lampasan ang anumang pagsubok na maaaring ibato sa atin ng mga taga-labas na may mga layuning salungat sa ating mga ipinaglalaban.
Sa nakaraang eleksyon binigyan tayo ng isang malinaw na mandato ng ating sambayanan. Nakuha na po natin ang Malacanang, ngunit alam naman natin na hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating laban. Ang layunin natin ay maibalik ang tiwala sa gobyerno, at kakailanganin atin ang inyong pakikiisa mula sa mga pinunong lokal hanggang sa mga lider na may matataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan.
Nagsimula na ang bagong administrasyon, kung saan wala ng “wang-wang,” at higit sa lahat, wala ng GMA. Pakiusap ko sa inyo: walang susuko at wala sanang iwanan.
Maraming salamat po.”
P-Noy leads National Prayer for ‘just and humane’ society
President Benigno S. Aquino III invoked God’s blessing and guidance Wednesday morning for the country’s new leaders performing when he led the reading of the Prayer for the Nation at the end of the Red Mass (Mass of the Holy Spirit) held at the Manila Cathedral.
During the prayer, the President sought for the country’s leaders and government officials to work for the good of the country and people in “unity at the risk of sacrificing personal ambitions.”
After the mass and the prayer, the President shook hands with his Cabinet officials, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The President was also greeted by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and noted constitutionalist Rev. Fr. Joaquin Bernas, who was mass co-celebrator.
In the First Reading, Fr. Bernas invoked the blessings of the Almighty and the Holy Spirit to inspire and invigorate the country’s new leaders in discharging their duties towards the “aspiration of the people of a just and humane society.”
Archdiocese of
Following is the text of the national prayer read by the President:
“Heavenly Father,
In John 13:34, You have taught us the greatest commandment of all. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
We have been granted with a clear mandate, an overwhelming trust and a rare opportunity to serve our people. We seek your guidance and protection in the fulfillment of our promise to be our brother’s keeper as we lead our country with integrity and honor.
We pray that leaders representing co-equal branches of government – judges, justices, mayors, governors, congressmen and senators – will all strive for unity at the risk of sacrificing their personal ambition so that the people’s ambition to achieve a decent quality of life for every citizen becomes more real.
May the greatest of all Your commandments, of emulating your unconditional love for us through our love for our fellowmen, serve as a constant reminder of how we must choose to surpass the challenges that we face today, especially when confronted with choices to either love others or to love just ourselves. Amen.”
P-Noy says Truth Commission will be bigger
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday that the Truth Commission to be headed by former Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. will have a wider mandate and jurisdiction.
During a Malacanang press briefing the President said the Commission will give recommendations towards correcting the system and preventing abuses.
“Ayoko ilimit yung gagawin ni Chief Justice (Davide). If you put limits, you are already telling them there are boundaries,” said the President as he sought to clarify speculation that the Davide panel is centered on allegations of abuses and corruption during the incumbency of former President Gloria Mapacagal Arroyo.
At the same time the President expressed confidence in Davide, saying the former SC chief is “most qualified” to head the commission.
“At this stage of his life, he (Davide) would not want to be associated with something mediocre or a failure in terms of the mandate he has,” the President said.
The President said that the order formalizing the Truth Commission, including its functions and composition, may be issued before the end of this month.
He said that as promised, the commission will have enough authority to ensure the cooperation of the state and all its instrumentalities including the Department of Justice, which “will be working closely” with Davide.
‘Explosive’ gov’t deals uncovered—P-Noy
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said his Cabinet has unearthed several “explosive” irregularities left behind by the previous administration.
In his first news conference with Malacañang reporters, the President said Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has informed him about these “midnight deals.” The latter has asked for the re-composition of various government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financing institutions (GFIs) to address the irregularities.
“He (Purisima) felt worried enough to bring it to my attention that they were made aware that there are transactions that need the posting of the right people to prevent undue injury to the public,” the President told the Palace reporters.
The President said he has given his Cabinet officials two weeks to investigate “to get a clear and complete image” of these transactions and the status of their respective agencies.
Asked if the midnight deals were within the scope of the forthcoming Truth Commission, Aquino said, “That is possible, but some are already in the limelight where a lot of very good leads are already present, and they might take the priority.”
“I instructed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. (head of the Truth Commission), don’t wait to answer each and every issue completely before we start giving the necessary information to relevant authorities…So, it will be a work in progress, but that interest is to demonstrate that justice works in this country,” Aquino added.
