Achievements and reforms should put to rest all
doubts on Aquino administration’s ability to lead – Lacierda
The list
of achievements and reforms implemented by President Benigno S. Aquino III in
2012 should silence all skeptics and doubting Thomases on his ability to rid
government of its deeply entrenched image of corruption and lead the Filipino
people to inclusive prosperity and justice, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda said on Thursday.
In a
statement, Lacierda said President Aquino’s achievements for 2012 to establish
lasting peace, boost investments in infrastructure and people, and further
strengthen the economy have all contributed to making the Philippines a
“bastion of stability and good governance.”
“When the
Filipino people gave an overwhelming mandate to President Benigno S. Aquino III
in 2010, there were those who remained skeptical of the extent of reforms that
can be instituted, given the entrenched culture of corruption and mistrust of
government,” Lacierda said.
“The many
achievements of the Aquino administration in 2012 should put those doubts to
rest. At home and around the world, the Philippines has become recognized as a
bastion of stability and good governance. Through hard work, deft
decision-making, and intense political will, the President has laid down the
foundations of justice and inclusive growth. Through it all, he continues to
clean house, eliminate waste, and put primacy on restoring public trust in our
institutions,” he added.
On
establishing lasting peace, Lacierda said, the President led the “all out
justice” stand to attain enduring peace in Mindanao through the signing of the
Framework Agreement between the government and the MILF and by instituting
reforms in the Judiciary beginning with the appointment of new Supreme Court
Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.
Lacierda
added that the signing into law of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances Act, the first of its kind in Asia, which criminalizes the
unlawful arrest of civilians and ensures the preservation and protection of
every Filipino’s civil liberties, clearly demonstrates the President’s
commitment to human rights.
“Through
these reforms, we are strengthening a system where the law serves the people
and works towards their full development. Without doubt, we are moving towards
a society where fairness reigns—fueled by a people empowered by its
government,” Lacierda said.
On
boosting investments in human and infrastructure capital, Lacierda pointed out
President Aquino’s directive to spend more towards education, health, and
poverty alleviation.
“Agencies
such as the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (which spearheads the Pantawid
Pamilya Pilipino Program,) have all experienced sharp increases in their
budget, proving the President’s resolve to lift our countrymen from the margins
of society,” Lacierda said.
On
strengthening the economy, Lacierda noted the Philippines' strong growth and
stable inflation despite the uncertainties of the global economy. This was
marked by the Philippine GDP growth for the 3rd quarter in 2012 of a two-year
high of 7.1 percent—the highest in Southeast Asia, and among the top performing
economies in Asia.
He said
that the “the Philippine Stock Exchange index this year broke record high after
record high, soaring above expectations and breaching the 5, 800 mark.”
These
positive indicators, he said, are all the results of President Aquino’s fiscal
discipline, reforms to ramp up quality public spending, and heavy invested in
both social and physical infrastructure.”
“This is
manifested in the 2.006-trillion peso General Appropriations Act for 2013, 10.5
percent higher than the 2012 budget. The 2013 GAA continues the Aquino
administration’s tradition of an on-time passage of the budget-eliminating
leak-prone reenactments and showing the determination of government to ensure
that every peso of the budget is spent wisely,” Lacierda said.
“Not only
is the President enjoying the highest sustained public approval ratings in
history—he is also being recognized by the international community as a true
leader in foreign affairs. The Philippines has taken the lead in upholding a peaceful,
multilateral, and consensus-driven diplomatic approach as regards territorial
disputes. In this regard, President Aquino has stood his ground thus gaining
the admiration of his fellow leaders in the global arena,” he added.
Lacierda
stressed that 2012 has been the “best year” for the Philippines and sees 2013
as another banner year with “more reason for Filipinos to travel on the
straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his
noble cause.”
“While
these past two and half years have been a period of continued renewal for the
country, 2012 in particular has been a year of rebuilding and restoration. This
year we saw the full effect of political will used correctly and for the right
purposes, knowing that power is merely lent by the people to their leaders to
ultimately serve the country’s best interests. By all indicators, this was the
best year for the Philippines in a long time, a time for celebration and pride
for the reclaimed standing of our country as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with
other rising nations of the world,” Lacierda said.
“In 2012,
we turned the corner, fixed the damage wrought by the crooked ways of the past,
and established further that the straight path is the only way forward. Despite
the tragedies that have visited the country in 2012—from natural disasters to
the untimely demise of a beloved reformist—the Filipino people have shown that
their spirit cannot be broken. As the administration embarks on 2013, there is
all the more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the
leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause,” he
concluded. PND (rck)
Aquino government appeals to all Filipinos to
refrain from using firecrackers, pyrotechnics to prevent injuries and loss of
lives
The
Aquino administration has appealed to the public to refrain from using
dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics to prevent injuries and loss of lives
during the New Year celebration, a Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made
the appeal during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday
following the report of the Department of Health (DOH) that there were already
victims of firecrackers even before the New Year's revelry.
From
December 21-26 this year, there were a total of 71 fireworks-related injuries
and one stray bullet case. However, the DOH stressed that the number of cases
is 33% lower compared to the same period last year.
According
to the DOH, there were no deaths reported. Last year for the same period, there
were 108 fireworks-related injuries: 99 from fireworks, 8 from stray bullets,
and 1 from firecracker ingestion.
"If
I remember, ang sabi ng Pangulo (Benigno S. Aquino III) noon, kung sana imbes
na magpaputok manood na lang tayo, mag-gather tayo sa common areas to watch
fireworks. Marami pong fireworks on display this coming New Year so ‘yun po ang
gawin sana natin," Lacierda said.
The
Philippine National Police (PNP) is strictly enforcing the law on firecrackers
and pyrotechnics, Lacierda said
"At
kung gagamit ng paputok, sana ‘yung mga recommended (safe products) lang—may
sinabi ang PNP. But the PNP on its own is also going on a campaign against the
more fatal and more powerful firecrackers which do inflict damage on the
citizens," he said.
Lacierda
stressed that the government continues to step up its campaign against
dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics for the safety of the public.
The
campaign also aims to avoid or minimize the adverse effects of firecrackers to
the environment.
"We
would certainly encourage the citizens to refrain from using the more dangerous
firecrackers. It would be to your loss. It would really mean a loss of a limb,
a loss of an arm, and even your life. So ang ating pakiusap sa ating mga
mamamayan ay magdahan-dahan sa paggamit po ng mga paputok," he said. PND
(js)
President Aquino declares January 16 as special
non-working day in Navotas in celebration of its 107th Foundation Day
President
Benigno S. Aquino III has declared January 16, 2013, which falls on a
Wednesday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Navotas in celebration
of its 107th Foundation Day.
The Chief
Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 526 signed by
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on December 13 to give the people of
the city of Navotas the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the
occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On
January 16, 1906, Navotas became an independent municipality with the enactment
of Philippine Commission Act. No. 1442 which separated Navotas from Malabon.
PND (js)
