Aquino to attend APEC summit in Honolulu next week
President Benigno S. Aquino III will leave next week to attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in Honolulu, Hawaii to be held from November 8 to 13.
President Aquino will be joined by a lean delegation led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.
During the APEC Leaders meeting, the President together with 20 other APEC leaders will discuss relevant issues, including growth and jobs, regulatory reform and competitiveness, and energy efficiency and security.
APEC 2011 which is hosted by the United States, is working towards the achievement of a “seamless regional economy.”
Prior to the APEC Leader’s Meeting, the President will be attending the APEC CEO Summit, which is scheduled on November 11 to 12.
During the event, DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura del Rosario said President Aquino will talk about energy, food and commodity security.
The APEC CEO Summit is held annually in the APEC host economy just prior to the annual APEC Leaders’ Meeting and is a “by invitation only” event.
“The President is the only head of the economy who will be there and there will be two CEOs with him. After that, he will be hosted by a CEO of the US,” del Rosario said during a press briefing in Malacanang.
“His host at this time in the evening will be the chairman of Microsoft, Mr. Craig Mundie. He will be the only head of state to be hosted by Microsoft and together with him are 10 other CEOs,” she added.
Del Rosario said that this sends a signal to the Aquino administration that Microsoft is interested in the Philippines.
“They want to be able to talk to the President about certain matters that are of importance to us as an economy and to them as a corporation,” she said.
The following day, President Aquino will attend the AELM. He will also participate in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with Leaders.
The dialogue gives ABAC members the opportunity to meet with APEC leaders to discuss the entire year’s ABAC work program and to raise issues of pressing concern to the business community.
“The President or the heads of economies will also meet with the ABAC, Business Advisory Council. They will have a dialogue and maybe come out with their own concerns,” she said.
“This is where the private sector will tell the heads of the governments: this is what we want you to do; this is what we want you to pursue,” the Foreign Affairs undersecretary added.
ABAC Philippines is represented by Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Jollibee Foods Corporation and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong and A. Magsaysay Inc. president and CEO Doris Magsaysay Ho.
It is also at the AELM where the Economic Leaders take the traditional APEC Family Photo, signifying the member economies continuing commitment towards improved trade and investment in Asia-Pacific region.
The APEC Leaders’ Week starts on November 8 with the Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting attended by the APEC Senior Officials from the 21 member economies.
The Finance Ministers’ Meeting will be on November 10 to discuss and finalize the Finance Ministers’ Statement. The Philippines will be represented by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.
The APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on November 11, on the other hand, will include a review on the progress of the APEC 2011 agenda and some issue-specific discussions.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo will attend represent the Philippines in the said meeting.
At the AMM, the Trade Ministers Breakout Meeting will be chaired by United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk, and will focus on APEC Leaders agenda and other trade issues. (PCOO)
.
Aquino government considers stop-gap measure to improve NAIA
The Aquino administration is considering a temporary improvement plan for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to support the country’s tourism industry in the short term.
Interviewed over Youtube’s World View Interview Series on Friday, President Benigno S. Aquino III said he will be seeing a plan to improve NAIA in the next few years to temporarily support the Philippine tourism industry.
“There is a plan for it, for improving the NAIA, structurally and aesthetically, that will be presented to me by Tuesday next week.," the President said, adding that "it will be a stop-gap measure for the next four or five years because we are looking at an alternative for that complex given the fact that it will be hard for us to support the 10 million tourist arrivals that we are targeting.”.
“Now while we’re focusing on tourism, it’s a low lying concern as far as we are concerned. It brings about one direct job for every tourist arrival, so 10 million new jobs is something that we are striving”
The President said the airport is heavily saturated, acknowledging the need to improve it or look for possible alternatives to support the country’s growing tourism sector.
NAIA, a 30-year old structure, has suffered the ravages of time, according to the President. The whole complex is designed for 32 million arrivals, and it’s now approaching 30 million, he added.
NAIA particularly Terminal 1, now ranks No. 1 among the “Worst Airports in the World,” according to “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” an interactive website that gathers reports from various reviewers.
Travelers complained of safety concerns, lack of comfortable seating, rude staff, hostile security, poor facilities, no (or few) services to pass the time, bribery, being kicked out and general hassles of being in the airport.
It was reported earlier that the Aquino administration plans to relocate NAIA from Pasay City to Clark, Pampanga.
However, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the plan depends on the success of the NorthRail project and the privatization of the existing NAIA property. At the same time, the government hopes to raise around $2.5 billion with the privatization of the 440-hectare NAIA property to fund NAIA’s relocation to Clark.
President Aquino is the first Asian leader to be featured on the series, produced by Youtube’s parent company Google Inc.
It also featured other world leaders such as United States President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameroon and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. (PCOO)
.
Aquino says basic solution to peace and order problem is to achieve freedom from hunger
President Benigno S. Aquino III said that the basic solution for the peace and order problem in the country, especially in Mindanao is to achieve freedom from hunger as he vowed to push for economic reforms that will empower every Filipino to enjoy a better standard of living.
In an interview during the Youtube World View series at the Presidential Broadcast Studio of Malacanang Palace on Friday, President Aquino said that the people could expect more opportunities from the government that could effectively lead to inclusive growth for everyone.
“The solution for the rebellion and the secessionist movement, and even the issues of ordinary crime has to deal with achieving the first freedom, which is freedom from hunger,” the President said.
“So more opportunities for everybody, more inclusive growth, will see a natural lessening of the issues with regards to peace and order…” he added.
When asked on the Aquino administration’s priorities between the peace and order situation in Mindanao and the disputed Spratly Islands, President Aquino said that the government is bent on pursuing efforts that would benefit the Filipino soldiers and police.
“Embarking on a campaign for external defense, especially relative to the potential threats from countries in our region, is an unproductive way of utilizing the resources that we have…” the President stressed.
“One of the programs that I am really keen about is the housing program for members of our uniformed services… the first phase… the first twenty thousand units will be turned over to the beneficiaries by the middle of January,” the President said.
Aside from the housing program, the Chief Executive also bared the plans to refurbish the existing, and acquire more equipment, to beef up the defense capabilities of the military and the national police force.
Such acquisitions in the offing include aircrafts, helicopters and combat vessels like that of the Philippine Navy’s Hamilton class cutter, commissioned as BRP Gregorio del Pilar that was acquired from the United States Coast Guard recently.
Youtube World View Interview series which was moderated by Director Ross LaJeunesse, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Asia Pacific at Google, is a monthly series featuring top leaders from around the globe answering questions submitted and rated by Youtube users.
Some of the notable guests that were featured this year include United States of America President Barrack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
President Aquino is the first Asian leader to be featured on the series, produced by Youtube's parent company Google Inc. (PCOO)
.
President exhorts Filipinos to foster goodwill and generosity towards fellow men
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged everyone to foster goodwill and generosity towards others as he shared his wish for the country and the Filipino people this “Christmas” season.
In a send-in video question from a young boy on his thoughts for the coming Christmas and his belief in Santa Claus during the Youtube World View interview series at the Presidential Broadcast Studio of Malacanang Palace, on Friday, the President stressed the importance of one’s concern for others not only during the Christmas season but as an aspect of everyday living especially among Filipinos.
“If I were to wish, it would be for people to have goodwill towards their fellowmen … that would I ask for….” the President said as he explained his idea of Santa Claus as an icon for the season of giving.
“Santa Claus is the personification of the idea of generosity and caring that come out during this period (Christmas) most particularly and most strongly,” President Aquino noted.
“The idea of caring for everybody does not exist only during the Christmas period but is even more so a facet of everyday life, perhaps it could be looking out for others rather than looking clearly at one’s own self interest,” he said.
The Chief Executive also cited the relevant contribution of everyone to nation-building rather than engaging into non-sense, destructive criticisms and envy to others.
“More than anything, how can we assist our neighbor, our sister, our brother or somebody that we don’t even know … what can we contribute towards the improvement of the whole rather than concentrating on envy and the ability to criticize that leads to nowhere,” the President noted.
The Youtube World View interview series, which was moderated by Director Ross LaJeunesse, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Asia Pacific at Google, is a monthly series featuring top leaders from around the globe answering questions submitted and rated by Youtube users.
The notable guests that were featured this year include United States of America President Barrack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
President Aquino is the first Asian leader to be featured on the series, produced by Youtube's parent company Google Inc. (PCOO)
.
Judicial reform centers on convicting criminals, says Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III said his administration has been initiating reform measures to improve the country’s justice system noting that convicting criminals must be the primary consideration.
“We are trying to reform the justice system. That is really the fourth plan of my direct promise to the people which is judicial reform,” the President said during Youtube’s World View Series held Friday at the Presidential Broadcast Studio in Malacanang.
The President said that in the Philippines it takes six years to adjudicate a case, and in controversial cases it takes several decades to finally settle legal disputes.
“Under our watch I’ve tasked the secretary of justice to reform that prosecutorial system where convictions have to be the primary criteria of having done your job or not,” he said.
“None of our efforts will amount to anything if we are not able to convict anybody. If anybody could commit a crime with impunity then there is no disincentive to stop them from doing so. Hence there has to be that conviction, the conviction especially of the principal,” he added.
At the same time, the President reiterated that with regards to extrajudicial killings, it’s not the policy of his administration, adding that he gets regular updates from the Secretary of Justice and the Commission of Human Rights on the status of pending cases.
When before, a crime is considered solved when the police has identified suspects. This time, a crime is solved with the arrest of the suspects by the police, and filing of the necessary information on the ongoing litigation, the Chief Executive said.
The government is also unrelenting in capturing criminals and the Commission on Human Rights is a partner in crafting policies for the government, the President said.
While the government carries out these measures in the justice system, other factors that lead to these conditions are now being addressed, the President added.
The President’s Youtube interview Friday is the first for an Asian leader. Youtube’s World View Series has also featured other world leaders this year like US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameroon and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III will leave next week to attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in Honolulu, Hawaii to be held from November 8 to 13.
President Aquino will be joined by a lean delegation led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.
During the APEC Leaders meeting, the President together with 20 other APEC leaders will discuss relevant issues, including growth and jobs, regulatory reform and competitiveness, and energy efficiency and security.
APEC 2011 which is hosted by the United States, is working towards the achievement of a “seamless regional economy.”
Prior to the APEC Leader’s Meeting, the President will be attending the APEC CEO Summit, which is scheduled on November 11 to 12.
During the event, DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura del Rosario said President Aquino will talk about energy, food and commodity security.
The APEC CEO Summit is held annually in the APEC host economy just prior to the annual APEC Leaders’ Meeting and is a “by invitation only” event.
“The President is the only head of the economy who will be there and there will be two CEOs with him. After that, he will be hosted by a CEO of the US,” del Rosario said during a press briefing in Malacanang.
“His host at this time in the evening will be the chairman of Microsoft, Mr. Craig Mundie. He will be the only head of state to be hosted by Microsoft and together with him are 10 other CEOs,” she added.
Del Rosario said that this sends a signal to the Aquino administration that Microsoft is interested in the Philippines.
“They want to be able to talk to the President about certain matters that are of importance to us as an economy and to them as a corporation,” she said.
The following day, President Aquino will attend the AELM. He will also participate in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with Leaders.
The dialogue gives ABAC members the opportunity to meet with APEC leaders to discuss the entire year’s ABAC work program and to raise issues of pressing concern to the business community.
“The President or the heads of economies will also meet with the ABAC, Business Advisory Council. They will have a dialogue and maybe come out with their own concerns,” she said.
“This is where the private sector will tell the heads of the governments: this is what we want you to do; this is what we want you to pursue,” the Foreign Affairs undersecretary added.
ABAC Philippines is represented by Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Jollibee Foods Corporation and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong and A. Magsaysay Inc. president and CEO Doris Magsaysay Ho.
It is also at the AELM where the Economic Leaders take the traditional APEC Family Photo, signifying the member economies continuing commitment towards improved trade and investment in Asia-Pacific region.
The APEC Leaders’ Week starts on November 8 with the Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting attended by the APEC Senior Officials from the 21 member economies.
The Finance Ministers’ Meeting will be on November 10 to discuss and finalize the Finance Ministers’ Statement. The Philippines will be represented by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.
The APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on November 11, on the other hand, will include a review on the progress of the APEC 2011 agenda and some issue-specific discussions.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo will attend represent the Philippines in the said meeting.
At the AMM, the Trade Ministers Breakout Meeting will be chaired by United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk, and will focus on APEC Leaders agenda and other trade issues. (PCOO)
.
Aquino government considers stop-gap measure to improve NAIA
The Aquino administration is considering a temporary improvement plan for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to support the country’s tourism industry in the short term.
Interviewed over Youtube’s World View Interview Series on Friday, President Benigno S. Aquino III said he will be seeing a plan to improve NAIA in the next few years to temporarily support the Philippine tourism industry.
“There is a plan for it, for improving the NAIA, structurally and aesthetically, that will be presented to me by Tuesday next week.," the President said, adding that "it will be a stop-gap measure for the next four or five years because we are looking at an alternative for that complex given the fact that it will be hard for us to support the 10 million tourist arrivals that we are targeting.”.
“Now while we’re focusing on tourism, it’s a low lying concern as far as we are concerned. It brings about one direct job for every tourist arrival, so 10 million new jobs is something that we are striving”
The President said the airport is heavily saturated, acknowledging the need to improve it or look for possible alternatives to support the country’s growing tourism sector.
NAIA, a 30-year old structure, has suffered the ravages of time, according to the President. The whole complex is designed for 32 million arrivals, and it’s now approaching 30 million, he added.
NAIA particularly Terminal 1, now ranks No. 1 among the “Worst Airports in the World,” according to “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” an interactive website that gathers reports from various reviewers.
Travelers complained of safety concerns, lack of comfortable seating, rude staff, hostile security, poor facilities, no (or few) services to pass the time, bribery, being kicked out and general hassles of being in the airport.
It was reported earlier that the Aquino administration plans to relocate NAIA from Pasay City to Clark, Pampanga.
However, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the plan depends on the success of the NorthRail project and the privatization of the existing NAIA property. At the same time, the government hopes to raise around $2.5 billion with the privatization of the 440-hectare NAIA property to fund NAIA’s relocation to Clark.
President Aquino is the first Asian leader to be featured on the series, produced by Youtube’s parent company Google Inc.
It also featured other world leaders such as United States President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameroon and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. (PCOO)
.
Aquino says basic solution to peace and order problem is to achieve freedom from hunger
President Benigno S. Aquino III said that the basic solution for the peace and order problem in the country, especially in Mindanao is to achieve freedom from hunger as he vowed to push for economic reforms that will empower every Filipino to enjoy a better standard of living.
In an interview during the Youtube World View series at the Presidential Broadcast Studio of Malacanang Palace on Friday, President Aquino said that the people could expect more opportunities from the government that could effectively lead to inclusive growth for everyone.
“The solution for the rebellion and the secessionist movement, and even the issues of ordinary crime has to deal with achieving the first freedom, which is freedom from hunger,” the President said.
“So more opportunities for everybody, more inclusive growth, will see a natural lessening of the issues with regards to peace and order…” he added.
When asked on the Aquino administration’s priorities between the peace and order situation in Mindanao and the disputed Spratly Islands, President Aquino said that the government is bent on pursuing efforts that would benefit the Filipino soldiers and police.
“Embarking on a campaign for external defense, especially relative to the potential threats from countries in our region, is an unproductive way of utilizing the resources that we have…” the President stressed.
“One of the programs that I am really keen about is the housing program for members of our uniformed services… the first phase… the first twenty thousand units will be turned over to the beneficiaries by the middle of January,” the President said.
Aside from the housing program, the Chief Executive also bared the plans to refurbish the existing, and acquire more equipment, to beef up the defense capabilities of the military and the national police force.
Such acquisitions in the offing include aircrafts, helicopters and combat vessels like that of the Philippine Navy’s Hamilton class cutter, commissioned as BRP Gregorio del Pilar that was acquired from the United States Coast Guard recently.
Youtube World View Interview series which was moderated by Director Ross LaJeunesse, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Asia Pacific at Google, is a monthly series featuring top leaders from around the globe answering questions submitted and rated by Youtube users.
Some of the notable guests that were featured this year include United States of America President Barrack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
President Aquino is the first Asian leader to be featured on the series, produced by Youtube's parent company Google Inc. (PCOO)
.
President exhorts Filipinos to foster goodwill and generosity towards fellow men
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged everyone to foster goodwill and generosity towards others as he shared his wish for the country and the Filipino people this “Christmas” season.
In a send-in video question from a young boy on his thoughts for the coming Christmas and his belief in Santa Claus during the Youtube World View interview series at the Presidential Broadcast Studio of Malacanang Palace, on Friday, the President stressed the importance of one’s concern for others not only during the Christmas season but as an aspect of everyday living especially among Filipinos.
“If I were to wish, it would be for people to have goodwill towards their fellowmen … that would I ask for….” the President said as he explained his idea of Santa Claus as an icon for the season of giving.
“Santa Claus is the personification of the idea of generosity and caring that come out during this period (Christmas) most particularly and most strongly,” President Aquino noted.
“The idea of caring for everybody does not exist only during the Christmas period but is even more so a facet of everyday life, perhaps it could be looking out for others rather than looking clearly at one’s own self interest,” he said.
The Chief Executive also cited the relevant contribution of everyone to nation-building rather than engaging into non-sense, destructive criticisms and envy to others.
“More than anything, how can we assist our neighbor, our sister, our brother or somebody that we don’t even know … what can we contribute towards the improvement of the whole rather than concentrating on envy and the ability to criticize that leads to nowhere,” the President noted.
The Youtube World View interview series, which was moderated by Director Ross LaJeunesse, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Asia Pacific at Google, is a monthly series featuring top leaders from around the globe answering questions submitted and rated by Youtube users.
The notable guests that were featured this year include United States of America President Barrack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
President Aquino is the first Asian leader to be featured on the series, produced by Youtube's parent company Google Inc. (PCOO)
.
Judicial reform centers on convicting criminals, says Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III said his administration has been initiating reform measures to improve the country’s justice system noting that convicting criminals must be the primary consideration.
“We are trying to reform the justice system. That is really the fourth plan of my direct promise to the people which is judicial reform,” the President said during Youtube’s World View Series held Friday at the Presidential Broadcast Studio in Malacanang.
The President said that in the Philippines it takes six years to adjudicate a case, and in controversial cases it takes several decades to finally settle legal disputes.
“Under our watch I’ve tasked the secretary of justice to reform that prosecutorial system where convictions have to be the primary criteria of having done your job or not,” he said.
“None of our efforts will amount to anything if we are not able to convict anybody. If anybody could commit a crime with impunity then there is no disincentive to stop them from doing so. Hence there has to be that conviction, the conviction especially of the principal,” he added.
At the same time, the President reiterated that with regards to extrajudicial killings, it’s not the policy of his administration, adding that he gets regular updates from the Secretary of Justice and the Commission of Human Rights on the status of pending cases.
When before, a crime is considered solved when the police has identified suspects. This time, a crime is solved with the arrest of the suspects by the police, and filing of the necessary information on the ongoing litigation, the Chief Executive said.
The government is also unrelenting in capturing criminals and the Commission on Human Rights is a partner in crafting policies for the government, the President said.
While the government carries out these measures in the justice system, other factors that lead to these conditions are now being addressed, the President added.
The President’s Youtube interview Friday is the first for an Asian leader. Youtube’s World View Series has also featured other world leaders this year like US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameroon and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. (PCOO)
