President Obama commends Philippines' strides toward reform
United States President Barack Obama praised the Philippines for the extensive reforms that the current government has initiated, vowing to continuously support it in its endeavors, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Saturday.
The President arrived Saturday night at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City after his successful attendance at the 19th Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) Summit in Bali, Indonesia this week.
“Nakausap rin natin ang ilang kaalyado, kabilang na si Pangulong Obama ng Amerika. Idiniin po niya ang mga naihayag na ni Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bago pa tayo tumungo sa Bali: mas malalim na ugnayan at suporta sa ating seguridad at mga programa upang iangat ang nakakarami mula sa kahirapan,” he said in his arrival statement.
“Nagpakita rin po si Pangulong Obama ng paghanga sa ating tuwid na landas, at sa patuloy nating agenda ng tapat at may-pananagutang pamamahala,” he added.
The President underscored the importance of effective and clean governance in defeating poverty in the country, one of his campaign pledges when he run as president last year.
“Tunay nga po: nasa tuwid na pamamahala ang ugat ng pagpuksa sa kahirapan. Nasa isip ko po iyan, saanmang lupalop ako mapadpad, kaya nga hindi po tayo nahuli sa pagtutok sa mga pangyayari sa Pilipinas kahit pa ba kaharap natin ang mga pinuno ng iba’t ibang bansa,” the President said.
The President and Obama had a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 19th Asean summit in Indonesia reinvigorating the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
“I just want to commend President Aquino for his leadership and his reform efforts. I think our relationship that is already very strong can only become stronger,” Obama told the President about the developments in the country.
Aside from strengthening their alliance, Obama and President Aquino discussed important matters such as maritime security and non-proliferation, among others.
Prior to the meeting between the two leaders in Indonesia, President Aquino met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived in Manila this week for the commemoration of the military alliance between the Philippines and the US.
At the same time, she signed a Partnership for Growth initiative aimed at boosting the country’s economy, create social stability as well as reform the judicial system. (PCOO)
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ASIAN countries agree on creating regional rice reserve system, Aquino reports
Asian countries agreed on the creation of a regional rice pool that they can use in case of emergencies and severe rice price fluctuations in the global market, President Benigno S. Aquino III reported on Saturday.
The President, who arrived Saturday night at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City from his successful attendance at the 19th Association of South East Asian Nation Summit in Bali, Indonesia, said the creation of a rice reserve system in Asia is in response of the recent devastation by typhoons that resulted to massive flooding in Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines that severely affected rice production.
“Nariyan po ang mga kasunduan ukol sa agarang lingap para sa mga nasalanta ng sakuna,” the President said in his arrival speech. The president was referring to the agreements signed by the Asean member countries as well as their partners in the region.
“Nakikita po natin ang epekto ng bagyo sa Thailand at Cambodia ngayon, bagay na hindi rin bihira kung dumalaw sa atin. Dahil na rin po dito, napagkasunduan po ang isang sistema ng paluwagan sa bigas, na mapapakinabangan ng mga kasaping bansa, pati na rin po ng Tsina, Japan, at Korea, tuwing haharap sa hamon ng bagyong magpapababa ng ani,” he added.
The Chief Executive also mentioned the signing of the Bali Concord 3 by the Asean member countries explaining that it will pave the way for a clearer path that the regional block would take in the future that ensures political stability, better security, and stronger economic and socio-cultural cooperation among Asean members.
The Philippines also raised its advocacy for migrant workers’ rights, being one of the biggest exporter of human laborer in the region, the President said adding that the Philippines got overwhelming support from other members particularly Indonesia.
“Maganda rin po ang naging usapan ukol sa ugnayan at pagbubuklod ng mga ekonomiya sa Asean. Naniniwala po tayong magiging kalasag ang pagkakaisa laban sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng ibang mga rehiyon ng mundo sa ngayon,” he said.
The rice pool system is expected to boost efficiency, ensure timely delivery of the commodity, less market distortion and greater consistency with global trade rules.
Asian counties have proposed a reserve system that will address price fluctuations resulting from unusual market conditions, particularly during times of natural calamities like flooding or draught that result in an upsurge in rice prices.
Also, the reserve would be used as food aid during emergency situations and in the case of poverty alleviation projects needed by member countries.
Asean is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. (PCOO)
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Aquino assures former President of due process
Noting that it is the right of every Filipino, President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the camp of his predecessor, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of due process of law.
President Aquino made the assurance during his arrival speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Saturday night after attending the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Bali, Indonesia.
“Nabalitaan na po ninyo siguro na nagsimula na ang prosesong dadaanan ni Ginang Arroyo upang harapin ang kaso ng pandaraya sa halalan, na nakasampa laban sa kanya. Magkakaroon po siya ng patas na pagkakataong ipagtanggol ang sarili sa korte, dahil karapatan ito ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
“Iyan lang naman ang nararapat, ‘di po ba? Na ang prosesong dadaanan ng tindero o tsuper, ng guro o basurero, ng pulis o clerk mula sa pinakamataas hanggang sa pinakamababang hanay ay dapat pare-pareho, walang kinikilingan, at nakatuon lamang sa paghahanap ng katotohanan, at sa pananagot ng may kasalanan,” the President added.
On Friday, former President Arroyo was served an arrest warrant in her hospital room at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, Manila, on charges of electoral fraud. Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas ordered the arrest of Mrs. Arroyo for electoral sabotage in the 2007 polls.
“Bunga po ito ng mga repormang inilatag natin upang labanan ang korapsyon. Ang batayang prinsipyo sa likod ng mga repormang ito: dapat managot ang maysala, dahil kung hindi, para na rin nating iniwang bukas ang pinto para sa mga magnanais pang manlapastangan sa taumbayan,” President Aquino said.
The President also expressed elation over the fact that the Filipino people are behind him, particularly on the issue concerning the former President and now Rep. Arroyo.
“Uulitin ko lang po: umpisa pa lang ito ng proseso. At napakasarap nga pong malaman, kahit simula pa lamang, at kahit nasa labas ako ng bansa, nasa likod ko kayo, lalo na sa isyung ito. Alam ko pong hindi ako nag-iisa; habang iniisip ko ang inyong kapakanan, patuloy naman ang pagbibigay ninyo ng lakas sa akin,” the President said.
“Huwag po sana tayong matitinag sa ating mga paninindigan. Bagong bansa po ang sama-sama nating nililikha dito: isang bansa kung saan patas ang laban; isang bansa kung saan ang nagkasala, anumang estado sa buhay, ay napaparusahan; isang bansa kung saan naghahari ang katarungan. Iyan lamang ang karapat-dapat, at sa patuloy na suporta ninyo, iyan ang ating makakamtan,” he added. (PCOO)
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Palace lauds performance of Filipino athletes in 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia
Malacanang on Sunday congratulated the Filipino athletes for their performance in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) held in Indonesia.
During an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte lauded the Filipino athletes who represented the Philippines in the SEA Games for bringing pride and honor to the country.
“Congratulations doon po sa ating mga atleta na nanalo na po ng medalya sa SEA Games. Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsasakripisyo at sa inyong pagdadala na naman ng karangalan sa ating bayan,” Valte said.
The Philippines is currently in the 6th place of the 26th SEA Games competition in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, with 24 gold, 42 silver and 60 bronze medals.
Valte said over Radyo ng Bayan that the government will look into ways of helping the Filipino athletes improve their performance.
“There’s always a way to improve. Siguro po tingnan natin kung ano aong puwedeng gawin para naman mai-akyat pa natin ang antas at maalagaan ang ating mga atleta,” the deputy spokesperson said.
Last week, Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez and retained his WBO welterweight title.
Beauty Queen Gwendoline Ruais was named first runner-up in the 2011 Miss World pageant in London while Binibining Pilipinas-International Dianne Necio finished in the Top 15 of the Miss International contest in China early this month.
“Ang dami na po niyan in the past few weeks--from our beauty queens to our math students to our athletes,” Valte said. “Lingo-linggo ang paalala sa ordinaryong Pilipino that we really can make it on the global stage on any front if we put our minds to it.” (PCOO)
United States President Barack Obama praised the Philippines for the extensive reforms that the current government has initiated, vowing to continuously support it in its endeavors, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Saturday.
The President arrived Saturday night at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City after his successful attendance at the 19th Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) Summit in Bali, Indonesia this week.
“Nakausap rin natin ang ilang kaalyado, kabilang na si Pangulong Obama ng Amerika. Idiniin po niya ang mga naihayag na ni Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bago pa tayo tumungo sa Bali: mas malalim na ugnayan at suporta sa ating seguridad at mga programa upang iangat ang nakakarami mula sa kahirapan,” he said in his arrival statement.
“Nagpakita rin po si Pangulong Obama ng paghanga sa ating tuwid na landas, at sa patuloy nating agenda ng tapat at may-pananagutang pamamahala,” he added.
The President underscored the importance of effective and clean governance in defeating poverty in the country, one of his campaign pledges when he run as president last year.
“Tunay nga po: nasa tuwid na pamamahala ang ugat ng pagpuksa sa kahirapan. Nasa isip ko po iyan, saanmang lupalop ako mapadpad, kaya nga hindi po tayo nahuli sa pagtutok sa mga pangyayari sa Pilipinas kahit pa ba kaharap natin ang mga pinuno ng iba’t ibang bansa,” the President said.
The President and Obama had a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 19th Asean summit in Indonesia reinvigorating the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
“I just want to commend President Aquino for his leadership and his reform efforts. I think our relationship that is already very strong can only become stronger,” Obama told the President about the developments in the country.
Aside from strengthening their alliance, Obama and President Aquino discussed important matters such as maritime security and non-proliferation, among others.
Prior to the meeting between the two leaders in Indonesia, President Aquino met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived in Manila this week for the commemoration of the military alliance between the Philippines and the US.
At the same time, she signed a Partnership for Growth initiative aimed at boosting the country’s economy, create social stability as well as reform the judicial system. (PCOO)
.
ASIAN countries agree on creating regional rice reserve system, Aquino reports
Asian countries agreed on the creation of a regional rice pool that they can use in case of emergencies and severe rice price fluctuations in the global market, President Benigno S. Aquino III reported on Saturday.
The President, who arrived Saturday night at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City from his successful attendance at the 19th Association of South East Asian Nation Summit in Bali, Indonesia, said the creation of a rice reserve system in Asia is in response of the recent devastation by typhoons that resulted to massive flooding in Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines that severely affected rice production.
“Nariyan po ang mga kasunduan ukol sa agarang lingap para sa mga nasalanta ng sakuna,” the President said in his arrival speech. The president was referring to the agreements signed by the Asean member countries as well as their partners in the region.
“Nakikita po natin ang epekto ng bagyo sa Thailand at Cambodia ngayon, bagay na hindi rin bihira kung dumalaw sa atin. Dahil na rin po dito, napagkasunduan po ang isang sistema ng paluwagan sa bigas, na mapapakinabangan ng mga kasaping bansa, pati na rin po ng Tsina, Japan, at Korea, tuwing haharap sa hamon ng bagyong magpapababa ng ani,” he added.
The Chief Executive also mentioned the signing of the Bali Concord 3 by the Asean member countries explaining that it will pave the way for a clearer path that the regional block would take in the future that ensures political stability, better security, and stronger economic and socio-cultural cooperation among Asean members.
The Philippines also raised its advocacy for migrant workers’ rights, being one of the biggest exporter of human laborer in the region, the President said adding that the Philippines got overwhelming support from other members particularly Indonesia.
“Maganda rin po ang naging usapan ukol sa ugnayan at pagbubuklod ng mga ekonomiya sa Asean. Naniniwala po tayong magiging kalasag ang pagkakaisa laban sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng ibang mga rehiyon ng mundo sa ngayon,” he said.
The rice pool system is expected to boost efficiency, ensure timely delivery of the commodity, less market distortion and greater consistency with global trade rules.
Asian counties have proposed a reserve system that will address price fluctuations resulting from unusual market conditions, particularly during times of natural calamities like flooding or draught that result in an upsurge in rice prices.
Also, the reserve would be used as food aid during emergency situations and in the case of poverty alleviation projects needed by member countries.
Asean is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. (PCOO)
.
Aquino assures former President of due process
Noting that it is the right of every Filipino, President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the camp of his predecessor, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of due process of law.
President Aquino made the assurance during his arrival speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Saturday night after attending the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Bali, Indonesia.
“Nabalitaan na po ninyo siguro na nagsimula na ang prosesong dadaanan ni Ginang Arroyo upang harapin ang kaso ng pandaraya sa halalan, na nakasampa laban sa kanya. Magkakaroon po siya ng patas na pagkakataong ipagtanggol ang sarili sa korte, dahil karapatan ito ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
“Iyan lang naman ang nararapat, ‘di po ba? Na ang prosesong dadaanan ng tindero o tsuper, ng guro o basurero, ng pulis o clerk mula sa pinakamataas hanggang sa pinakamababang hanay ay dapat pare-pareho, walang kinikilingan, at nakatuon lamang sa paghahanap ng katotohanan, at sa pananagot ng may kasalanan,” the President added.
On Friday, former President Arroyo was served an arrest warrant in her hospital room at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, Manila, on charges of electoral fraud. Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas ordered the arrest of Mrs. Arroyo for electoral sabotage in the 2007 polls.
“Bunga po ito ng mga repormang inilatag natin upang labanan ang korapsyon. Ang batayang prinsipyo sa likod ng mga repormang ito: dapat managot ang maysala, dahil kung hindi, para na rin nating iniwang bukas ang pinto para sa mga magnanais pang manlapastangan sa taumbayan,” President Aquino said.
The President also expressed elation over the fact that the Filipino people are behind him, particularly on the issue concerning the former President and now Rep. Arroyo.
“Uulitin ko lang po: umpisa pa lang ito ng proseso. At napakasarap nga pong malaman, kahit simula pa lamang, at kahit nasa labas ako ng bansa, nasa likod ko kayo, lalo na sa isyung ito. Alam ko pong hindi ako nag-iisa; habang iniisip ko ang inyong kapakanan, patuloy naman ang pagbibigay ninyo ng lakas sa akin,” the President said.
“Huwag po sana tayong matitinag sa ating mga paninindigan. Bagong bansa po ang sama-sama nating nililikha dito: isang bansa kung saan patas ang laban; isang bansa kung saan ang nagkasala, anumang estado sa buhay, ay napaparusahan; isang bansa kung saan naghahari ang katarungan. Iyan lamang ang karapat-dapat, at sa patuloy na suporta ninyo, iyan ang ating makakamtan,” he added. (PCOO)
.
Palace lauds performance of Filipino athletes in 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia
Malacanang on Sunday congratulated the Filipino athletes for their performance in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) held in Indonesia.
During an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte lauded the Filipino athletes who represented the Philippines in the SEA Games for bringing pride and honor to the country.
“Congratulations doon po sa ating mga atleta na nanalo na po ng medalya sa SEA Games. Maraming salamat sa inyong pagsasakripisyo at sa inyong pagdadala na naman ng karangalan sa ating bayan,” Valte said.
The Philippines is currently in the 6th place of the 26th SEA Games competition in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, with 24 gold, 42 silver and 60 bronze medals.
Valte said over Radyo ng Bayan that the government will look into ways of helping the Filipino athletes improve their performance.
“There’s always a way to improve. Siguro po tingnan natin kung ano aong puwedeng gawin para naman mai-akyat pa natin ang antas at maalagaan ang ating mga atleta,” the deputy spokesperson said.
Last week, Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez and retained his WBO welterweight title.
Beauty Queen Gwendoline Ruais was named first runner-up in the 2011 Miss World pageant in London while Binibining Pilipinas-International Dianne Necio finished in the Top 15 of the Miss International contest in China early this month.
“Ang dami na po niyan in the past few weeks--from our beauty queens to our math students to our athletes,” Valte said. “Lingo-linggo ang paalala sa ordinaryong Pilipino that we really can make it on the global stage on any front if we put our minds to it.” (PCOO)
