Aquino to ask Congress for law on comfort women
President Benigno S. Aquino III has taken up the cudgels for the so-called Filipino comfort women by vowing to ask Congress for authorization to use public funds to compensate these victims of sexual abuse by members of the Japanese Imperial Army in World War II.
In an interview with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Malacañang Tuesday, the Chief Executive underscored the importance of working towards providing reparation for the horrors experienced by these women for them to get a measure of their dignity back.
“As far as the compensation is concerned, I understand the reparations and part of the Treaty (of Peace with Japan signed in 1951) is supposed to have taken cared of all reparations so if it is the Philippine government who failed to take care of them adequately some time in the 50s, I think, then that should be something that we should correct,” President Aquino said.
“So I’ll probably go to Congress and ask them for a pertinent law that will authorize expenditures to make up for what previous governments in this country had failed to do,” he added.
On seeking apology from Japan, the President said he would task his soon-to-be-appointed ambassador to Japan to “explore ways” at achieving this.
“As far asking for apologies at this point in time, diplomacy has to have a lot of legwork done with it and we are in the process of culminating/the appointment of a new ambassador to Japan and that will be one of his tasks upon assumption of office, subject to confirmation by our Commission on Appointments,” the President said.
When asked if the compensation for the comfort women was included in the 2011 budget, the President said that although it had already been passed, “Perhaps we can ask for a supplement if that is allowable under the pertinent laws.” (PCOO)
Aquino declares November 16 a national holiday
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared November 16 (Tuesday) a national and non-working holiday in celebration of the Eid'l Adha, or the Islam feast of sacrifice.
The President declared the holiday through Proclamation No. 60, which he signed Tuesday, November 9, 2010.
The proclamation was based on Republic Act 9849, which provides that Eid’l Adha shall be celebrated as a national holiday, though a movable date.
Proclamation No. 60 stated that the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has confirmed that the feast of Eid’l Adha falls on November 16.
Eid’l Adha is one of Islam’s two major festivals celebrated by 1.6 billion Muslims around the world. (PCOO)
Cebu hotel opening sign of investor confidence in PHL economy – Aquino
CEBU CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said the opening of the P2.5-billion, 400-room Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu demonstrates that businessmen including the SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), are bullish on the prospects of the tourism sector and the economy.
In his message at the launching of the upscale hotel here, the President noted that the opening is very timely considering that the Department of Tourism has embarked on an intensive campaign to boost tourism.
The President called on the people to unite to develop the potentials of the country especially in tourism where the Filipinos are known for their warmth and hospitality.
"With each and everyone's contribution to our tourism supply chain, our country's development potential is enhanced," the Chief Executive stressed.
He pointed out that with SMIC as partner in development, his administration's is competent that the transformation agenda will be accelerated.
The President thanked business tycoon Henry Sy and the Sy family for their "steadfast commitment to providing quality, yet affordable products and service." He also expressed confidence that the company will continue to uphold excellence as it expands to other endeavors..
The Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu will be the first to be managed by global hospitality and travel firm Carlson in the Asia-Pacific region. It is 11 kilometers away from the Mactan International Airport and is situated right beside SM City Cebu, the largest and leading shopping mall complex in the Visayas.
The Radisson Blu Hotel boasts of two spacious and contemporary ballrooms, and 10 multi-purpose meeting rooms. (PCOO)
Aquino vows to curb corruption despite hitches
CEBU CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday reiterated his determination to curb corruption notwithstanding a recent Supreme Court order limiting the scope of an Executive Order against midnight appointments.
"I still hope that the Supreme Court heeds the call of the majoriy for judicial prudence, and promote justice with dignity, rather than pander to the influence of those who are itching to return to their old corrupt routine," the President said in his message at the formal opening of the P2.5 billion Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu here.
The President noted that last month, the high court issued a status quo ante order which limits the scope of Executive Order 2. EO 2 was issued to recall, withdraw or revoke the midnight appointments made by the previous administration.
The Chief Executive said the SC order was released at the time when public confidence in government was picking up.
"Closure is what we need. We cannot have a cloud of doubt hanging over an entire chapter in our nation's life, as it would only corrode our institutions,it will also embolden those who brazened it out in the past, to not only enjoy the fruits of their crimes but plot their comeback, " the President said. (PCOO)
PHL has gone a long way from days of bangkang papel— Aquino
BALAMBAN, Cebu: From the bangkang papel (paper ship) days of hopelessness and despair, the Philippines has transformed into one that can build ships of progress and confidence, according to President Benigno S. Aquino III.
In his speech at the naming and ceremonial delivery of the SC Cape Size Bulk Carrier Tenshu Maru here Wednesday, the President said the country has indeed gone a long way, thanking the ship manufacturer, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (THI) Cebu Inc. Shipyard, for making such leap a reality.
“Today we are we are naming the biggest ship ever to be built on a Philippine shipyard. Thank you for your investments, the 11,000 jobs you created, the trust and confidence in our nation and for expressing your solidarity with our agenda of hope,” he said.
The President also thanked the company’s local partner, the Aboitiz Group, for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects like building a hospital, public market and school buildings in Balamban and neighboring municipalities.
“I remain positive that it is only the first step to a more fruitful partnership in the years to come,” the President said.
As the country’s ship captain, he said, “we are now unfurling our sails and carried by the wind of our people’s trust, their optimism and the honor and esteem that our nation has reclaimed from across the globe, we will get to where we deserve to be.”
The President said he will go to Yokohama, Japan for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Thursday expecting to bring home more good news from the private companies of one of the country’s longest-standing partners and allies.
He led the christening of the 185-dead weight ton bulk carrier, Tenshu Maru and the breaking of traditional bottle of champagne at the ship’s bow by cutting the cord using a small golden axe and the simultaneous release of giant confetti from the ship’s deck.
“This ceremony signifies our readiness to set sail. Hope lives in the Philippines, and powered by this hope, we have begun the journey toward the achievement of our aspirations. The time of darkness is over; daylight is finally peeking from beneath the clouds,” the President stressed.
He called on the people and the country’s partners: “Steel yourselves tighten your grasp on the railings of hope. Let us not allow ourselves to be carried away by pettiness, pessimism, and the winds of overblown bad news.”
“I plead to everyone: do not let go. Do not be swayed by those who wish only to preserve the old ways of lying, cheating, and stealing, of putting their own interest above and that of everyone else’s. We have achieved much in such a short time, and we stand to achieve so much more. Join us in this journey toward progress,” the Chief Executive said.
Tenshu Maru is the 120th vessel built by THCI. The company said the shipyard is fully booked for orders until 2013 such that among its immediate plan is to build more shipbuilding facilities.
Aboitiz Group of Companies’ chairman Jon Ramon Aboitiz said Tenshu Maru is the largest vessel ever built in the Philippines.
The shipyard was built 16 years ago. Today the complex covers 147 hectares and employs 11,000 skilled men and women with an investment of P22 billion. Over the next couple of years, this shipyard expects to hire an additional 2,000 workers.
He informed the President that the Philippines will become the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world with the combined production of THCI and Hanjin in Subic. (PCOO)
