Aquino to launch coffee table book on his inaugural
Barely six months after assuming office, President Benigno S. Aquino III is launching a coffee table book that chronicles the inside story of the last presidential campaign up to his spectacular victory that culminated in his inaugural as the country’s 15th President.
The launching will be held tomorrow at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila where the President will be welcomed by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, 5th District Representative Amado Bagatsing, Gawad Kalinga founder Antonio “Tony” Meloto, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ricardo Garcia and book publisher Maria Montelibano.
During the program, Montelibano, who was Aquino’s communication chief during the campaign, will give a message and overview of the making of the coffee table book. She would then present a copy of the book to the President.
The coffee table book entitled, “The Inaugural: The inside story of the Aquino Presidency,” tackles Aquino’s journey to the presidency.
In a statement, Montelibano said the coffee table book “chronicles the inspiring victory of one person – not merely from one election – but from a political journey culminating with the last election.”
Montelibano, a stage director, producer, and former director of the Presidential Broadcast Staff during President Corazon Aquino’s term said the book is a document of the special destiny of the young Aquino III.
The book, according to her was also the “people’s inaugural befitting a people’s campaign in spite of the trappings of tradition. The events of June 30, 2010, she said spoke for the people through its bursts of informality.”
The 181-page hardbound coffee table book has over 100 photos captured by the country’s top lensmen including Teodoro “Ted” Aljibe, chief photographer of the Agence FrancePresse (AFP); Erik De Castro of Reuters; Alberto “Bullit” Marquez, a veteran photojournalist; Dennis M. Sabangan of the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA); and Jay N. Morales, chief of the Presidential Photographers Division and close-in photographer of Aquino since he was a senator.
Aside from the photos, the book also contains stories behind the pictures from several chroniclers, journalists, campaign volunteers, and friends that provided the details of an inside story of the Aquino saga to the presidency. (PCOO)
Aquino names govs, city mayors to RDCs
In a move to beat his self-imposed deadline of filling up all vacant government positions by the end of the year, President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed governors and city mayors as chairpersons of different Regional Development Councils (RDCs) nationwide.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte made the announcement on Thursday in a press briefing in Malacanang.
The President appointed on Dec. 2 Albay Gov. Joey Salceda as the Chairperson for Region 5’s RDC with Fr. Leo Casas as co-chairperson.
Also named chairpersons and co-chairpersons were Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco and Ma. Luisa Segovia, Region 6; Negros Oriental Gov. Agustin Percides and Arejo Mellsimo, Region 7; Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla and Tiburcio Morales, Region 8; Dipolog City’s Evelyn Uy and Enrico Montano, Region 9; Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Arsenio Sebastian III, Region 10; Mayor Sara Duterte and Vicente Lao, Region 11; General Santos City Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio and Ramon Floresta, Region 12 and Kalinga Gov. Joel Baac and Dr. Virgilio Bautista, Cordillera Autonomous Region.
The RDC is the highest policy-making body in the region and serves as the counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board at the subnational level.
It is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region. It also serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities.
The RDC was created in answer to the need for a single regional planning body whose main concern is the overall socio-economic development of the region.
Regional development planning, according to NEDA, is necessary to address the uneven economic and social development in the country. This stems from the recognition that the economic and social gains achieved so far have been unevenly distributed such that much of the progress has been concentrated in a few regions.
The President also appointed seven Acting Director 2 of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. They are Bruno Patricio, Porfirio Clavel, Jr., Romulo Bernardes, Robert Peig, Babylyn Mangelen, Rodolfo Jaucian and Ahmed Cuizon
Engr. Adolfo Escalona was appointed Executive Director (vice Danilo Valero) to the Road Board while Joel Cruz was appointed Acting Director 3 at the Department of Trade and Industry. (PCOO)
NPA ambush won’t deter peace talks – GRP
The ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) will push through despite the recent ambush and killing of 10 soldiers and a nine-year-old boy by suspected NPA guerillas in Northern Samar on Wednesday.
“It is part of our good faith,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a media briefing. “We are hoping that the peace talks will finally bear fruit. And despite this unfortunate incident, we would like to still continue because we think that we already have a good start.”
Valte extended the government’s condolences to the families of the 10 soldiers, and the nine-year-old boy and condemned the unfortunate incident which erstwhile marred the preliminary meeting between GRP panel head Alexander Padilla and NDF spokesperson Luis Jalandoni in Hong Kong two weeks ago.
The ambush took place two days before the effectivity of the ceasefire between government troops and the NPAs from Dec. 16 until Jan. 3 next year.
During the briefing, Valte read the statement of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles on the incident.
“The Philippine government would like to emphasize that in spite of this incident, and with full recognition and appreciation of the discipline and commitment of our security forces, we remain steadfast in our commitment to honor the agreed upon suspension of military operations,” Valte said in quoting Deles.
Deles called on the CPP/NPA/NDF to likewise demonstrate its firm commitment to uphold the conditions of the ceasefire at the same time called on civil society organizations to monitor the cessation of hostilities between the two camps.
During the preliminary talks in Hong Kong, Padilla expressed the desire of President Bengino S. Aquino III to forge a final peace agreement with the NDF within three years to finally put an end to the 41-year-old armed struggle of the Communist rebels.
Both parties have also agreed to conduct another round of informal talks next month and restart their formal peace negotiations in February next year. (PCOO)
Aquino, BSP launch new generation peso notes
President Benigno S. Aquino III led Thursday the launch of the new generation notes of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which will be in circulation beginning this month. But the current notes will be valid as legal tenders until the next three years, said BSP Governor Amado Tetangco.
President Aquino said the New Generation notes will contain enough security features to protect the Filipinos from counterfeit or fraudulent notes but will also “portray the changing times in our country’s history.” The President signed both sides of all the new generation notes.
Among those who attended the launch of the new generation notes at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace were BSP Governor Tetangco, National Treasurer Roberto Tan, the diplomatic community, Cabinet members led by Secretaries Paquito Ochoa and Sonny Coloma, Senator Franklin Drilon, former Senator Jamby Madrigal, the business community and the families of former presidents and Philippine heroes.
The President said the launch is the first overhaul of the banknotes in a generation, which portrays the changing times and “the enduring tapestry of our history.” He then thanked the designers, artists, consultants, printers and the BSP staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the project’s success.
Aquino said banknotes are usually changed to “comply with international monetary practices and to capitalize on useful innovations in the industry. “
Aside from protecting the Filipinos from fraudulent activities, these new features will also improve the integrity of our banknotes.
He noted the image of a sun radiating at the back of the 500 peso bill. “This is what we have fought for, and this is what the Filipino people achieved last May -- a government that works doubly hard to bring its people into the light of day once more,” said the President. (PCOO)
