President Benigno S. Aquino III joined his family, friends, co-workers and supporters in commemorating the 2nd death anniversary of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City Monday.
The President and his four sisters—Maria Elena “Ballsy" Cruz, Aurora Corazon “Pinky" Abellada, Victoria Eliza “Viel" Dee and Kris Aquino and their respective families, gathered at their mother’s grave for a Mass, attended by close friends and officials of the Aquino administration.
The mass, which began upon the arrival of the President at around 4 p.m., was concelebrated by Fathers
Catalino Arevalo, Manoling Francisco, Jose Qulongquilong, Arnold Abelardo and Manny Domingo.
Before the final blessing, the President was allowed to say a few words on the second death anniversary of the former President who has been called the “Icon of Democracy.”
He talked about missing his parents – former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino but said that he felt assured about their presence to help guide them through life.
“No matter what travails we would go through, no matter how impossible the situation is, somehow by talking to one or both of them would bring tremendous comfort in all of us,” the President said.
“I will confess that there are times when frustrations that come my way especially these days, I do mention may mom's name although at the same time I do not pray to her and tell her, “Mom this is the problem that I am confronted with, what should I do?” he added.
“Parang nakakahiya naman po na marami na siyang pag-aarugang ginawa sa amin ng pagka-tagal-tagal, hindi na dapat ipasa sa kanya ang mga problema,” the President said.
He added that he had taken to his mother's faith in God and “that with God's help, nothing is really
impossible.”
“It really is just a question of time. In His time, all of these will be settled and that is a lesson she really had taught to me,” the President said.
He thanked those present for being supportive of their family especially during his presidential campaign saying, “I am comforted by the fact that going through the “tuwid na landas” route, there are those of you who have been with us even before it was called “tuwid na landas.”
Aquino greets Muslim-Filipino community on the observance of the Holy month of Ramadhan
President Benigno S. Aquino III greeted Muslim-Filipinos at the start of the month-long observance of Ramadhan.
“I extend my heartfelt salaam to the Muslim-Filipino community, as you observe the holy month of Ramadhan,” Aquino said in a message which was dated July 30, 2011 posted at the Official Gazette.
Aquino said the devotion of the Muslim Filipinos to perform the essential requisites of Islam, such as the holy fasting, is an inspiring deed that attests to their reverence for the Almighty.
“Your steadfastness in your sacrifice during the 29 days of Ramadhan is also by itself an opportunity for enlightenment,” he added.
Apart from being a personal quest of faith, President Aquino noted that “Ramadhan serves as a representation of peace, as Muslims around the world embody the spirit of solidarity in this moment of glorification.”
Aquino said that he is heartened by how this religious event demonstrates the readiness of Muslims to be humbled by abstinence.”
He expressed confidence that “we remain united by our common endeavor to attain lasting stability.”
“I wish the Muslim-Filipino community a renewal that transcends this holy month. Our fellow countrymen are one with you in contemplating the importance of serenity in the fulfillment of our spiritual obligations,” he said.
Ramadhan is the month when Muslims observe a strict fast for a period of 12 hours daily, from sunrise to sunset. This year 2011, the holy month of Ramadhan started on August 1. The ending of Ramadhan is marked by the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month.
By fasting, the Muslims hope to strengthen their self restraint and develop piety.
Ramadhan is also a month of sacrifice and purification as the Muslims worldwide fast, pray and act with kindness towards the poor and less fortunate.(PCOO)
Malacanang announces suspension of work in gov’t offices and classes in college level in NCR
Malacanang announced the suspension of work in government offices and classes in college level in the National Capital Region (NCR) from 1 p.m. onwards on Tuesday due to the inclement weather spawned by Typhoon Kabayan.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang announced the suspension by virtue of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 17 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
“Upon the recommendation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and in view of the continuing inclement weather brought about by Typhoon Kabayan, work in government offices and classes in college in the National Capital Region are hereby suspended today (Tuesday), August 2, 2011 from 1 p.m. onwards,” the MC said.
“However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital public services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services,” the MC said.
On Monday night, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced the suspension of classes in public and private schools in the NCR, from pre-school to high schools on Tuesday due to continuous rains.(PCOO)
Aquino says New Bohol Airport to provide better service to greater number of travelers
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol: President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed various concerned national government agencies to revisit the proposed contract for the construction of the New Bohol Airport as he assured locals here that it will be of service soon considering the growing tourism industry of the province.
During the project briefing on the new P8.4 billion airport to be erected in the Municipality of Panglao, the Chief Executive said that the project tops the agenda of his first visit here since he assumed the Presidency in June last year.
The Chief Executive said that the government has allocated funds needed for the new infrastructure project.
“The first meeting we had with Governor (Edgardo) Chatto had to deal with the airport, there is an outlay of one billion in the current General Appropriations Act and another one P1.2 billion in the 2012 General Appropriations Act… so that’s P2.2 billion of a projected P8.4 billion fund necessary for the creation of the Panglao airport,” the President stressed.
“There are already concerns or issues raised with the location, sub-soil etc., our instructions are to examine both…we want to have the airport servicing your community at the soonest possible time,” he added.
President Aquino said that the government wants to make sure that the new airport will provide better service to a greater number of travelers in the area.
Tourism Secretary Albert Lim who was also present during the briefing said that there is an expected 50 per cent increase of tourist influx in the region. He added that last year, a total of 334 thousand tourists visited the Central Visayas region.
The New Bohol Airport will feature better communication and navigational facilities that will make it capable for night waiting operation.
Apart from accommodating smaller aircrafts such as the Airbus 319 and the Airbus 320, its 2.5 kilometer runway can also service bigger airplanes like the Airbus 330.
Foreign regional flights are also being considered to be available upon the completion of the project.
A total of 2,291,802 hectares of land were already acquired covering four barangays in Panglao where the airport will be constructed. An additional 57.31 hectares are being negotiated for the new facility.
Also in attendance during the meeting were other government agency heads that include Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson,
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III.(PCOO)
Malacanang says government’s contigency measures are always in place for typhoons
Malacanang said that the government’s contingency measures are always in place as Typhoon Kabayan continues to bring rains over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Secretary Ramon Carandang said that the government has already pre-positioned the relief goods in areas affected by the typhoon.
“The usual contingency measures that we observe are always in place—the pre-positioning of relief goods, the warnings to residents in affected areas,” Carandang said during a regular press briefing on Tuesday in Malacanang.
Carandang said that the government continues to monitor the typhoon. “We’ll have to see how the weather develops. Ang mahirap kasi minsan, napapansin ninyo kung minsan kahit hindi siya nagsi-signal no. 2 or no. 3, nakakaranas ‘yung ibang lugar ng baha,” he stressed.
“So I think what we’re seeing in the last two weeks is you cannot simply rely on signal no. 2 or signal no. 3 before you determine whether you’re going to suspend classes. You’ll have to look at the situation on the ground and how people are being affected by it,” he added.
Carandang also said that the government has decided to suspend the classes in college level and the work in government because of the heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Kabayan.
“Well, right now, we know that the rain has inconvenienced a lot of people. But, at this point, we’re still monitoring. We have not monitored any major problems,” Carandang said.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has declared the suspension of college classes and work in
government in National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday from 1 p.m. onwards.
Ochoa issued on Tuesday a memorandum circular number 17, declaring the suspension of classes in college level and work in government in the NCR on Tuesday afternoon.
“Upon the recommendation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and in view of the continuing inclement weather brought about by Typhoon Kabayan, work in government offices and classes in college level in the Nation Capital Region are hereby suspended today, 2 August 2011 from 1 p.m. onwards,” Ochoa said.
“However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services,
preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital public services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services,” the Executive Secretary added.(PCOO)
Aquino says 2012 national budget geared towards country’s progress and development
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol: President Benigno S. Aquino III said that the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2012 is projected to be evenly distributed to all parts of the country for its progress and development as he expressed confidence for its passage on time in Congress.
In an ambush interview following the Multi Stakeholders Forum at the Dagohoy Grand Hall of the Bohol Tropics Resort, here on Tuesday President Aquino said that the national budget for 2012 is geared towards bringing progress and development to the remotest part of the country as stated in his social contract with the Filipino people.
“Ang instructions po natin walang mamamayan ng republika ang made-deprived ng kanilang rightful share… sa palagay ko po masasagot ni Secretary Abad specifically kung may nagre-reklamo mayron bang napunta sa probinsiyang ganito…sa bayan na ganito, mai-po-point out, so sa palagay ko po hindi tama yung statement na mayroon na-zero, lahat po, ang pagkaintindi ko ay naibigay yung kaukulang bahagi nila sa ating national budget,” the President said.
When asked of the Chief Executive’s confidence on the enactment of the General Appropriation Act of 2012 in Congress, the President said there is no reason to get worried.
Recent reports said that the House Minority bloc decided to boycott the budget deliberation and hearings to protest the discrimination against opposition members whose Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel has not yet been released since last year.(PCOO)
Malacanang supports move of DOJ to put Genuino and Garcillano on immigration watch list
Malacanang defended the move of the Department of Justice to place former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Efraim Genuino and former Commission on Elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano on the watch list of the Bureau of Immigration.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Secretary Ramon Carandang said that the decision to put Genuino and Garcillano on the immigration watch list was a “preventive move.”
“May mga lumalabas na testimonya, ebidensya na may posibleng naganap na krimen dito. Kung hindi tayo maglagay ng tao sa watch list, hindi ba medyo mali rin ‘yon? It’s a preemptive move because of the evidence that’s coming out. I think it’s a responsible thing to do,” he said.
“Pag may mga ebidensyang lumalabas against someone, kahit hindi pa po siya nacha-charge sa korte, SOP po ‘yang pag-issue ng hold departure order lalo na kung sinasabi silang flight risk,” he added.
The DOJ issued on Monday an order including Garcillano on the immigration watch list. Garcillano is being tagged on the alleged massive poll fraud during the 2004 presidential elections.(PCOO)
Malacanang to review Rrecto’s proposal on Malampaya proceeds
The Aquino government will study the proposal of Senator Ralph Recto to use the proceeds from Malampaya natural gas project as power rate subsidy for consumers following reports of the planned 39 to 40-centavo increase in the universal power charge.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang underscored the need to look into the specific details of Recto’s proposal to determine if it would work for both the government and the public in general.
While a broader power rate subsidy is something the government is not contemplating to consider at this time, Carandang said there is an existing lifeline subsidy to poor electric consumers.
“Carandang also cautioned the public of the consequences of giving a subsidy to all consumers instead of only to poor electric consumers because the government will eventually incur additional debts.
“Pero kung ang pinag-iisipan ni Senator Recto ay isang malawakang subsidy sa kuryente, I think we’ve been there, we’ve done that. Para po ‘yang OPSF (Oil Price Stabilzation Fund) eh—nabaon sa utang
‘yung gobyerno dahil sa pag-subsidize, malawakang subsidy sa langis. Ganoon din sa kuryente,” he said.
Recto said the Malampaya proceeds collected every year should now be included in the national budget and be specifically channelled to programmed obligations such as “subsidy to power users.(PCOO)
Aquino vows gov’t will file charges against those implicated in alleged poll fraud
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol: President Benigno S. Aquino III assured that the government will file charges against personalities implicated in the alleged 2004 poll fraud saying that the ongoing probe on the issue is being taken meticulously including gathering information from “would-be” witnesses.
In an ambush interview following the Multi Stakeholders Forum at the Dagohoy Grand Hall of the Bohol Tropics Resort, here on Tuesday, President Aquino said that the government is exerting all out efforts to ferret out the truth based on factual evidences on the issue.
“Kung natatagalan po yung iba nating mga kababayan, hindi naman po kasi tayo sumasakay ng basta-basta eh, kailangan may pruwebang matibay,” the President said.
The Chief Executive stressed that the government’s investigation on the matter will not be dependent on the statements of some reluctant individuals claiming to have full grasp of information on the issue. He added that all of the information gathered from various witnesses on the case would be subject to evaluation.
He also said that at present, they are pursuing four tracks of investigation that may lead into deeper understanding of the issue.
Over the past week, reports claimed that former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano expressed willingness to testify against former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the alleged election fraud through feelers sent to Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas but recently, the former Comelec official reportedly chose to clam up on the issue.
“Hindi po nakasalalay sa kanila yung pag-iimbestiga natin sa lahat ng mga nangyayaring yun (2004 poll fraud)…,” the President said.
“Yung four tracks more or less na tinitingnan natin, isa ho dun ang focus namin ngayon and I will be severely disappointed if we will not be able to file charges by the end of this year… at least on the first track na hindi kasama si Garcillano, if I may add,” he said.
The former president was accused of massive cheating in the 2004 elections and her wiretapped conversations with Garcillano started her political woes.
Two government agencies, the Department of Justice and the Comelec, teamed up to jointly probe allegations of massive election fraud in 2004 and 2007.(PCOO)
Aquino inaugurates New Municipal Hall of Trinidad in Bohol
TRINIDAD, Bohol: President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration of the new municipal hall here underscoring the new kind of leadership under his administration.
The President said that with the inauguration of the new municipal hall in this town, the local government of Trinidad can serve and extend their services more for the benefit of the people. He thanked the local leaders of Trinidad for joining him towards the righteous path that his administration champions.
“Panatag ako na patuloy na makikipagtulungan ang ating mga LGUs sa mga inisyatiba ng ating gobyerno at sa kanilang patuloy ding pagtupad sa kanilang mga sinumpaang mga mandato,” the Chief Executive said in his speech at the Trinidad Cultural Center following the inauguration of the new municipal hall.
The President also thanked the local officials of Trinidad for dedicating the session hall of the new building and the town’s park to his parents.
The session hall of the newly constructed building was named after the President's father, late senator Benigno Aquino Jr. while the conference hall and the people’s park was named after his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.
“Nawa’y patuloy silang maging inspirasyon sa ating lahat at magpaalala sa ating pagmamahal at paglilingkod sa bayan. Narito na po ang isang gobyernong handang makipag-ugnayan at makipagkapit-kamay sa inyo,” the President said as he asked the people of Bohol and its neighboring towns to work with the government for the benefit not only of Trinidad but also the country as a whole.
The President was accompanied by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson in his Trinidad visit. They were joined by Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto and Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes.
Earlier, the President led the oath taking ceremony of the Regional Peace and Order Council and joined a multi-stakeholders forum in Tagbilaran City. He was also briefed about the New Bohol Airport that will be constructed in the province.(PCOO)
