Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. - SONA Statement
The President has made it clear that while we have made gains in our efforts to address the concerns of our people, we all have to work together to ensure the fulfilment of the President's vision of a government that puts our countrymen's welfare first—an administration that will govern conscientiously, use its resources wisely, provide jobs and economic opportunities for our people, protect the environment, and secure our borders.
We hope that our leaders, regardless of their political affiliation and persuasion, will rally behind the President's blueprint for development, which seeks to improve the lives of our countrymen. As we work toward the realization of our goals, we will continue to reach out and listen to the legislators who work in the halls of Congress, as well as the political leaders in our provinces, because cooperation is the key to getting things done and moving our nation forward. (PCOO)
The President has made it clear that while we have made gains in our efforts to address the concerns of our people, we all have to work together to ensure the fulfilment of the President's vision of a government that puts our countrymen's welfare first—an administration that will govern conscientiously, use its resources wisely, provide jobs and economic opportunities for our people, protect the environment, and secure our borders.
We hope that our leaders, regardless of their political affiliation and persuasion, will rally behind the President's blueprint for development, which seeks to improve the lives of our countrymen. As we work toward the realization of our goals, we will continue to reach out and listen to the legislators who work in the halls of Congress, as well as the political leaders in our provinces, because cooperation is the key to getting things done and moving our nation forward. (PCOO)
Aquino government ready to go full swing on public-private partnership program in the second half of 2011
Despite some glitches, the Aquino government will go full swing of its public-private partnership (PPP) program in the second half of this year, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said in an interview with Karen Davila in Headstart aired live over ANC television on Monday.
Abad said that legal and technical setbacks have been hampering the full implementation of the Aquino administration PPPs.
“Well, you know there were certain either legal or technical questions that came into play. But in the second semester, according to the economic managers, all ten [projects] should be ready for tendering,” Abad said.
He added that by processing the 10 priority PPPs, the administration hoped that it will open the opportunity for investors to come in this year.
There is an efficient selection of potential investors in the country’s PPP projects starting from the finance department and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) before the contracts reach the Office of the President, Abad said.
“So, there is an efficient process-- for processing interested investors who want to come to the Philippines,” he said, adding that the administration wants to make every project corruption-free because wrong choice of projects, leakages and inefficiencies throw peoples’ money away.
Among the list of PPP infrastructure projects include the contracts for the operation and maintenance for Metro Rail Transit 3 and Light Rail Transit 1.
Aside from the rail management contract, other initial projects under the PPP program are the P1.6-billion Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project; the P10.59-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway Phase II Project; and the P21-billion North Luzon Expressway-SLEX Connector Project.
The PPP program is considered the centerpiece of the Aquino administration’s economic program aimed at tapping private sector participation in large-scale infrastructure projects that will be carried out from 2011 onwards.
The PPP scheme welcomes the participation of the private sector to fund the different government projects. (PCOO)
Abad says the country is on right path towards attaining progress
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the country is in the right track towards progress and reform stressing that the Aquino administration has been very focused in attaining continued economic growth.
“It’s a clear unmistakable recognition that in so far as the financial conditions and the economy is concerned we’re in the right direction. In fact, we are aiming for an investment … we must continue with good governance. We must continue with minimizing poverty and more important we have to get the economy to grow rapidly at 7 to 8 percent equitably so that we can generate jobs sustainably,” Abad said in an interview with Karen Davila of Headstart aired live over ANC television on Monday.
The government must make sure that the domestic economy doesn’t move erratically but continuously grow so that at the end of the President’s term an 8 percent economic growth will be achieved, he said.
The national budget plays a significant role in achieving sustainable growth, Abad continued.
For instance, he said, the President has identified major government targets like investing on semi-conductor and electronics industries and the expansion from the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.
“We’re also going to invest in tourism, we aim to grow tourism arrivals from three million to about 6.5 million by the end of 2016,” he said.
To do that, Abad said, the country needs to improve marketing and build the necessary infrastructure.
The budget department has included in the budget billions of pesos for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to create more tourism zones.
“We have identified seven tourism zones. We are also building six airports; we’re building a lot of hotels.
There are six in Fort Bonifacio and more in Palawan, in Boracay, and in Davao. We want to make an impact in this area because it is where we can certainly generate employment,” he said.
The government should also focus on agriculture and fisheries as well as building basic infrastructure to fight poverty and generate employment. Logistic hubs must also be built to link production to tourism and tourism to airports, he concluded. (PCOO)
Aquino vows to defend country’s territory, sovereignty
President Benigno Aquino III vowed to protect the country’s territory and sovereignty by enhancing its military capability even as his administration plans to raise the Spratly issue with China before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
“Wala tayong balak mang-away, pero kailangan ding mabatid ng mundo na handa tayong ipagtanggol ang atin. Pinag-aaralan na rin po natin ang pag-angat ng kaso sa West Philippine Sea sa International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, upang masigurong sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay hinahon at pagtitimpi ang maghahari tuwing may alitan sa teritoryo,” the President said in his second State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress on Monday at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City.
The Chief Executive said his administration is changing the global perception about the Philippines’s inability to respond to outside threats happening in its own backyard.
As part of the country’s security enhancements, the President said, his administration spearheads capability upgrades and the modernization of the equipment of the Armed forces as well as the police.
“Literal na pong naglalakbay sa karagatan papunta rito ang kauna-unahan nating Hamilton Class Cutter, isang mas modernong barko na magagamit natin para mabantayan ang ating mga baybayin. Maaari pa po tayong makakuha ng mga barkong tulad nito,” he stressed.
According to the President, aside from the Armed forces, the country is importing helicopters, patrol crafts, and other equipment in one package for the police and justice department so that the government enjoys discounts, adding that these can be achieved through good governance.
The Philippine government has been pushing for a rules-based approach in resolving the Spratly row which is now being considered by China, even as it continues to reject the Philippine proposal to bring the issue to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
What was agreed previously by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea but the document is not legally binding.
The declaration, signed on November 4, 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia by the member states of Asean and China was aimed at promoting peaceful, friendly and harmonious environment in the West Philippine Sea.
Aside from China, the Philippines and Vietnam, other claimant countries include Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
The Spratlys, a chain of barren, largely uninhabited islands, reefs and banks in the West Philippine Sea, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas. It also has busy sea lanes for global trade and commerce. (PCOO)
Aquino ready to submit proposed 2012 national budget to Congres
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that he will submit to Congress the proposed P1.816 trillion 2012 national budget on Tuesday.
In his second State of the Nation Address on Monday during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, the Chief Executive said he is looking forward to the early passage of the proposed 2012 budget similar to what the lawmakers have done in the 2011 national budget.
“Tomorrow we will deliver to Congress our budget proposal for 2012. I look forward once again to its early passage so that we can build on our current momentum,” the President said.
For his part, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said it will be the first time after more than a decade that a budget proposal will be submitted to Congress a day after the SONA.
In a statement, Abad said there is a “great chance” the 2012 proposed national budget would be approved before Christmas with House leaders agreeing to start its budget deliberations on August 1.
The proposed 2012 budget is higher by P171 billion or 10.4 percent over the 2011 P1.645-trillion budget, and represents 16.5 percent of the projected gross domestic product (GDP).
Abad emphasized that the proposed 2012 national budget is a “results-focused budget” which aims to fulfill President Aquino’s social contract with the Filipino people.
He said the proposed 2012 budget also focuses on the following Social Contract priorities: anti-corruption and good governance, poverty reduction and the empowerment of the poor, inclusive economic growth, just and lasting peace and the rule of law and integrity of the environment. (PCOO)
Aquino vows to end culture of ‘wang-wang’
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s war on the use and abuse of the “wang-wang” or siren by government officials, employees, private individuals and anyone with access to the gadget has become his government’s battle cry against corruption and indifference and has yielded positive results after only one year in office.
In his second State of the Nation Address during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday, the Chief Executive said his promise to do away with the use of the wang-wang was “one gesture (that) has become the symbol of change, not just in the streets, but even in our collective attitude.”
“I stood before you during my inauguration and promised: we would do away with the use of the wang-wang. This one gesture has become the symbol of change, not just in our streets, but even in our collective attitude,” the President said.
“Over the years, the wang-wang had come to symbolize abuse of authority. It was routinely used by public officials to violate traffic laws, inconveniencing ordinary motorists — as if only the time of the powerful few, and no one else’s, mattered,” the President stressed.
He added that this practice, which he said, had been allowed to continue, had been instilled in those who abused the privilege a “mindset of entitlement.”
“Yet the flagrant abuse we bore witness to prompts us to ask: if they felt it their privilege to flout the simplest traffic laws, how could we expect them not to help themselves to a share of projects funded by the Filipino people?” he added.
“Do you want the corrupt held accountable? So do I. Do you want to see the end of wang-wang, both on the streets and in the sense of entitlement that has led to the abuse that we have lived with for so long? So do I. Do you want to give everyone a fair chance to improve their lot in life? So do I,” the President said. The President noted that his administration’s continued battle to end corruption has led to the lowering of the Filipino’s hunger incidence, improved investor confidence and eased the delivery of service by the various government agencies.
“We have fought against the wang-wang, and our efforts have yielded results. Just this year, the number of Filipinos who experienced hunger has come down. Self-rated hunger has gone down from 20.5% in March to 15.1% this June—equivalent to a million Filipino families who used to go hungry, but who now say they eat properly every day,” he said.
“As for business, who would have thought that the stock market would reach seven record highs in the past year? At one time, we thought that for the PSE Index to reach 4,000 points would be, at best, a fluke. We now routinely exceed this threshold,” he added.
As for government service, the President said, his government’s quest to eliminate the “wang-wang” attitude has uncovered and consequently cancelled anomalous contracts entered into by unscrupulous individuals and corporations.
“To end the wang-wang culture in government, we employed zero-based budgeting to review programs. For this year and the last, zero-based budgeting has allowed us to end many wasteful programs,” the President said.
“For example, we uncovered and stopped an ill-advised plan to dredge Laguna Lake. We would have borrowed 18.7 billion pesos to remove 12 million cubic meters of silt—which would have re-accumulated within three years, even before the debt could be fully paid. We also uncovered a food-for-school program with no proper targeting of beneficiaries, and other initiatives that were funded without apparent results. All of these were discontinued, and the funds rechanneled to more effective programs,” he said.
The President also said similar anomalous contracts were discovered and cancelled at the Departments of Public Works and Highways (a P300-million contract that was cut up into components to elude detection by a regional engineer in Region IV-B) and Agriculture (the over importation of rice by one million metric tons).
“We are holding accountable—and we will continue to hold accountable—those who practice this culture of entitlement in all government offices, as there are still some who think they can get away with it,” the President said.
He pointed out that his government’s abhorrence to graft and corruption is to ensure that every Filipino has a chance to improve their lives.
“This has always been the plan: to level the playing field; to stop the abuse of authority; and to ensure that the benefits of growth are available to the greatest number,” the President said.
According to the President his government has put an end to the culture of entitlement, to wang-wang along our roads, in government, in our society as a whole. This will bring confidence that will attract business; this will also ensure that the people’s money is put in its rightful place.
Funding for infrastructure that will secure the sustained growth of the economy, which will then give rise to jobs, and public service that guarantees that no one will be left behind.”
“More opportunities for livelihood will be opened by tourism; the strengthening of our agriculture sector will ensure that every Filipino will have food on his table. We will invest on those who were once neglected. All this will create a cycle wherein all available jobs are filled, and where businesses flourish through the empowerment of their consumers,” the President concluded. (PCOO)
Aquino government lines up new legislative measures for people’s benefit
President Benigno S. Aquino III thanked legislators in the previous Congress for assisting his administration in passing significant legislative measures that helped the Filipino citizenry saying his government now has more measures lined up as he starts his second year in office.
“We have already made progress, but we must remember, this is only the beginning, and there is much left for us to do. Allow me to present to Congress some of the measures that will bring us closer to the fulfillment of our pledge to the nation,” the President said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of 15th Congress at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday.
The Chief Executive said these measures include giving due compensation to the victims of Martial Law, granting house help decent salaries and benefits, improving soldiers’ pension system, and expanding the scope of the Department of Science and Technology scholarships.
Others legislative measures include proposals on government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) governance, ARMM election synchronization, Lifeline Electricity Rates Extension, Joint Congressional Power Commission Extension, Children and Infants’ Mandatory Immunization and Women Night Workers.
The President also said he wants to advance the universal healthcare for the poor, manage the environment responsibly and create facilities that will ensure the safety of citizens during disasters and calamities.“Our agenda also includes the development of BuCor (Bureau of Corrections), NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), NEA (National Electrification Administration) , and PTV 4, so that, instead of lagging behind the times, they will better fulfill their mandate of public service,” he said.
“Not everything we want to do will be explained today, but I invite you to read the budget message, which contains a more comprehensive plan for the coming year,” he added.(PCOO)
Estrada congratulates Aquino in his first year in office
Former President Joseph Estrada congratulated President Benigno S. Aquino III on his first year as president and called on the Filipino citizenry to rally behind their leader as the country marches its way towards change.
In a statement, the former leader said he believes that President Aquino is on the right path in focusing on restoring people’s faith in their government.
At the same time, Estrada said the public must give President Aquino more time in restoring faith in government because of the immeasurable and insurmountable acts of corruption of the past administration.
“In fact the last decade can be called the ‘Lost Decade or the Stolen Decade in Philippine history’ because reports are glaring na hindi lang ang pagka-pangulo ko ang ninakaw; pati ang boto ng masang Pilipino nung 2004 ninakaw, ang Fertilizer Fund ninakaw, kung hindi napigilan ng Korte Suprema pati ang Mindanao muntik nang manakaw,” Estrada said in a statement about the President’s second state-of-the-nation address (SONA).
The past administration is not only responsible for those abuses but all those who joined in the grand conspiracy to rob the nation and suppress the will of the Filipino people, Estrada said.
Estrada also congratulated Justice Conchita Carpio Morales on her appointment as the Ombudsman replacing Merceditas Gutierrez. Estrada said he hopes the new Ombudsman will be instrumental in correcting the nation’s history.
While the Aquino leadership eliminates corruption, it must also empower Filipino citizens through nation-building, Estrada said hoping that in the second year of the President there will be more gains in peace and order, food security and social services, as well as education.
“On our part as citizens, let us just help PNoy; let that be our way of honoring the memory of President Cory. Mag-bayanihan tayo because as Filipinos we all have a role to play in nation-building. Gaya nga ng parati kong sinasabi, walang tutulong sa Pilipino kung hindi ang kapwa Pilipino,” Estrada stessed.
The President delivered his second SONA on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress. (PCOO)
Aquino calls on private sector to pay proper taxes
President Benigno Aquino III called on the private sector to pay appropriate taxes in order to support the government’s programs and projects for the benefit of the Filipino people.
Abuse and cheating not only persist in the government but also in the private sector, the President stressed in his second State of the Nation Address during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
The President said the Philippines has around 1.7 million self-employed and professional taxpayers which include lawyers, doctors, businessmen who only paid a total of P9.8 billion in 2010.
“Limang libo pitong daan walumpu’t tatlong piso lang ang ibinayad na income tax ng bawat isa sa kanila—ang ibig sabihin, kung totoo po ito, ang kabuuang kita nila ay umaabot lang ng P8,500 lamang kada buwan. Mababa pa sa minimum wage,” he stressed.
The President said that after a year in office, his administration was able to clean the government and taxes now go to projects where they should, adding that there is no reason not to pay the proper taxes.“Nananawagan po ako sa inyo: Hindi lang po gobyerno, kundi kapwa natin Pilipino ang pinagkakaitan sa hindi pagbabayad ng tamang buwis,” the President said.
In the government sector, President Aquino vowed to go after those who commit wrongdoings and abuses because despite the government campaign to get rid of corruption, many officials still do the old ways.The BIR has already filed tax evasion cases against some of the members of the previous administration.(PCOO)
Aquino appoints Carpio-Morales as new Ombudsman
President Benigno S. Aquino III named on Monday former Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales as the new Ombudsman.
“Pagpasok ng bagong Ombudsman na si dating Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, magkakaroon tayo ng tanod-bayan na hindi magiging tanod-bayad ng mga nagwawang-wang sa pamahalaan,” Aquino said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress of the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday.
When the new Ombudsman takes office, Aquino said the country will have an honest-to-goodness anti-corruption office that will not condone the corruption and abuses in government.
“Inaasahan ko nga po na sa taon na ito, masasampahan na ng kaso ang lahat ng nagkuntsabahan sa katiwalian, at naging sanhi ng sitwasyong ating inabutan,” he said.
Aquino noted that the cases to be filed by the Office of the Ombudsman “will be real cases with strong evidence and clear testimonies, which will lead to the punishment of the guilty.”
Morales replaced former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez who resigned last April.
Morales joined the Judiciary in 1983 as presiding as Judge of the Pili, Camarines Sur Regional Trial Court. In 1986, she was transferred to the Pasay Regional Trial Court.
In 1994, she was appointed to the Court of Appeals, and on September 3, 2002, she was elevated as the 151st member of the Supreme Court.
Justice Carpio Morales graduated valedictorian in elementary and in high school at the Paoay Elementary School and Paoay North Institute, respectively. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (Economics) in 1964 and her Bachelor of Laws in 1968, both from the University of the Philippines.
After graduation from law school, she worked at the Atienza Tabora and Del Rosario Law offices.
In 1971, she joined the Department of Justice as Special Assistant to Justice Secretary Vicente Abad Santos. It was after almost 12 years of work in the Department of Justice that she joined the Judiciary in 1983.Justice Carpio Morales holds the distinction of being the first woman magistrate to administer the Oath of Office of a President of the Republic of the Philippines on June 30, 2010.(PCOO)
Aquino asks Filipinos to stop ‘culture of negativism’
President Benigno Aquino III appealed to Filipinos to get rid of the culture of negativism saying that it’s now time to unite after the government posted major achievements in the fight against corruption and abuse.
“Tapusin na po natin ang kultura ng negatibismo; iangat natin ang kapwa-Pilipino sa bawat pagkakataon,” the President said in his second State-of-the-Nations Address (SONA) during in the Joint Session of Congress at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday.
“Itigil na po natin ang paghihilahan pababa. Ang dating industriya ng pintasan na hindi natin maitakwil, iwaksi na po natin. Tuldukan na po natin ang pagiging utak-alimango; puwede bang iangat naman natin ang magaganda nating nagawa?” he said.
The President encouraged the people to make the effort to recognize the good things that are being done particularly by public servants.
At the same time, the President warned those who resist the change that his administration has been spearheading saying his personal interest doesn’t matter compared to the interest of the nation. He said those who would turn back from the tide of reform will not succeed.
He noted that the people who joined him in the straight and righteous path were the ones who created these changes that will benefit future generations of Filipinos.
“Lumikha po kayo ng gobyernong tunay na nagtatrabaho para sa inyo. May limang taon pa tayo para siguruhing hindi na tayo babalik sa dating kalagayan. Hindi tayo magpapadiskaril ngayong napakaganda na ng resulta ng ating sinimulan,” he
said.(PCOO)
Aquino urges Congress to support additional fund for expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
President Benigno Aquino III on Monday urged Congress to approve the additional fund to support the expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of his administration, as the government intends to invest in the future of 3 million poor families.
“With these significant early results, I am counting on the support of the Filipino people and Congress to expand our Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Before the end of 2012, we want to invest in the future of 3 million poor families,” the Chief Executive said in his second State of the Nation Address of the Joint Session 15th Congress in Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
The President expressed optimism that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be able to complete the 3 million target beneficiaries to be registered as qualified beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program by the end of 2012.
“We are giving these poor families a chance to improve their lives because their progress will be the country’s progress. Inaasam po natin na bago matapos ang 2012, tatlong milyong pamilya na ang mabibigyan ng puhunan para sa kanilang kinabukasan,” he stressed.
The CCT grants monthly stipend of up to P1,400 to 2.3 million of the 4.6 million poorest families nationwide. It is part of the DSWD's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The President said that due to program's 92-percent compliance rate, millions of Filipino mothers will have undergone regular checkups while millions of children will have gone to school.
“We are laying down the foundations for a brighter future for the poor,” he said adding that the 5.2 million families currently benefit from PhilHealth through the National Household Targeting System.(PCOO)
Aquino’s second SONA earns positive reactions from members of Congress
President Benigno S. Aquino III earned appreciation and positive reaction from the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives as he delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) marking the first year of his six-year term of office.
In his well-applauded SONA during the Joint Session of the 15th Congress, President Aquino cited the present state of the nation and underscored the various projects being implemented by his administration aimed at elevating the living standards of the Filipino people.
The Chief Executive earned a total of fifty applauses during his speech.
The Presidential chopper touched down at the Batasan Complex Rear Entrance open grounds at exactly 3:20 p.m., ten minutes earlier from the original schedule.
Upon arrival, the President proceeded to the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), which served as the holding room where he was received by members of the Senate led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Vicente Sotto III. Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Also included in the receiving party were members of the Lower House led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.
The Joint Session was called into order at around 3:59 p.m. by the Senate President and the House Speaker.
The Mandaluyong Children’s Choir sang the National Anthem while religious leaders from various religious groups led the opening prayer.
The President’s 53-minute speech also featured the Aquino administration’s efforts for progress and development including major projects to be implemented within the next five years.(PCOO)
