Aquino vows commitment to Filipino citizenry – to curb corruption, realize inclusive growth and give people a government truly accountable to them
In an effort to achieve his administration's commitment with the Filipino citizenry, President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to curb corruption, realize an inclusive growth for everyone, and give the people a government which is truly accountable to them.
In his message during the opening ceremony of the Cabinet Workshop on Anti-Corruption Strategies at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, the President reaffirmed the continuous efforts being pursued by the government in realizing his campaign promise to the people as embodied in the blueprint of his reform agenda.
“From the beginning of my campaign, I have maintained that the job of the President is composed of three things. The first is the efficient allocation of resources – that as a country with a sizable debt and limited resources, we must be able to utilize these resources to the maximum benefit of our people,” the President said.
“The second is to make certain that, as we walk the path to progress, no one is left behind… I believe it is the government’s job to promote inclusive growth and the third is the bedrock on which the first two are built on -- the idea that by curbing corruption we can reduce poverty. Or in simpler terms, the idea that tens of millions of Filipinos voted for in the May 2010 elections -- Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” he added.
According to the President, these are the core strategies for changing the status quo. "A status quo where taxpayers can look forward to a government that delivers, where the government build bridges and roads that actually exist, where Filipinos who work hard are rewarded justly and where public servants truly regard the people as their bosses," he explained.
The Chief Executive also expressed high hopes that the participants in the workshop would be able to considerably help the government in fulfilling its vision of a country that is really free from the grip of corruption.
“I am hopeful that, through the ideas we share and generate today, we can build even more on our successes. Let us take this opportunity to learn from each other and ultimately fulfill the dream we share with our people -- that of a Philippines free from the grip of corruption, free to prosper under the broad light of day,” President Aquino stressed.
“Rest assured, if we stay true to our peoples’ cherished idea of honest, transparent governance, then, surely, more progress awaits us in the future,” he said.
Professor Robert Klitgaard, known as “the world’s leading expert on corruption” conducted the workshop, which was attended by several members of the cabinet.
Klitgaard has advised many governments on economic strategy and institutional reform, and his consulting work and research have taken him to more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Professor Klitgaard is a University Professor at Claremont Graduate University, where he served as the President from 2005 to 2009.
He previously served as Dean of the Pardee RAND Graduate School, where he was also the Ford Distinguished Professor of International Development and Security. He has been a Professor of Economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban; Lester Crown Professor of Economics at Yale’s School of Management; and Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he also served as Special Assistant to Harvard President Derek Bok.
Among those who attended the workshop were Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr., Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, among others. (PCOO)
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Aquino stresses need to implement reforms in country’s judicial system
President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the need to implement reforms in the judicial branch of government to fully realize and achieve efforts to restore accountability among public officials as part of his reform agenda as specifically cited in the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage Foundation.
Speaking before the participants during the opening ceremony of the Cabinet Workshop on Anti-Corruption Strategies at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, President Aquino reiterated the necessary improvement in the country’s judicial system to ensure the fair dispensation of justice to everyone.
“We want our judiciary to dispense justice blindly, as it should… and perhaps this explains our fight to restore integrity to the judiciary, which has made headlines everywhere. No one should doubt that our justice system is a major battleground for reform,” the President said.
“In the 2012 Index of Economic Reform released by the Heritage Foundation, it shows that while the Philippines has made progress in terms of fighting corruption, the problem of judicial inefficiency and susceptibility to outside pressures remains a serious concern,” he stressed.
The Chief Executive said that the success in fighting corruption requires a real sense of accountability among public servants.
“We cannot sustainably fight corruption unless we introduce a sense of accountability – a sense that, if you commit a crime, you will be punished… we want to send a stern yet simple message --- justice evades no one. There are no exceptions in our campaign against corruption,” President Aquino said.
In an effort to achieve his administration's commitment with the Filipino citizenry, President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to curb corruption, realize an inclusive growth for everyone, and give the people a government which is truly accountable to them.
In his message during the opening ceremony of the Cabinet Workshop on Anti-Corruption Strategies at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, the President reaffirmed the continuous efforts being pursued by the government in realizing his campaign promise to the people as embodied in the blueprint of his reform agenda.
“From the beginning of my campaign, I have maintained that the job of the President is composed of three things. The first is the efficient allocation of resources – that as a country with a sizable debt and limited resources, we must be able to utilize these resources to the maximum benefit of our people,” the President said.
“The second is to make certain that, as we walk the path to progress, no one is left behind… I believe it is the government’s job to promote inclusive growth and the third is the bedrock on which the first two are built on -- the idea that by curbing corruption we can reduce poverty. Or in simpler terms, the idea that tens of millions of Filipinos voted for in the May 2010 elections -- Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” he added.
According to the President, these are the core strategies for changing the status quo. "A status quo where taxpayers can look forward to a government that delivers, where the government build bridges and roads that actually exist, where Filipinos who work hard are rewarded justly and where public servants truly regard the people as their bosses," he explained.
The Chief Executive also expressed high hopes that the participants in the workshop would be able to considerably help the government in fulfilling its vision of a country that is really free from the grip of corruption.
“I am hopeful that, through the ideas we share and generate today, we can build even more on our successes. Let us take this opportunity to learn from each other and ultimately fulfill the dream we share with our people -- that of a Philippines free from the grip of corruption, free to prosper under the broad light of day,” President Aquino stressed.
“Rest assured, if we stay true to our peoples’ cherished idea of honest, transparent governance, then, surely, more progress awaits us in the future,” he said.
Professor Robert Klitgaard, known as “the world’s leading expert on corruption” conducted the workshop, which was attended by several members of the cabinet.
Klitgaard has advised many governments on economic strategy and institutional reform, and his consulting work and research have taken him to more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Professor Klitgaard is a University Professor at Claremont Graduate University, where he served as the President from 2005 to 2009.
He previously served as Dean of the Pardee RAND Graduate School, where he was also the Ford Distinguished Professor of International Development and Security. He has been a Professor of Economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban; Lester Crown Professor of Economics at Yale’s School of Management; and Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he also served as Special Assistant to Harvard President Derek Bok.
Among those who attended the workshop were Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr., Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, among others. (PCOO)
.
Aquino stresses need to implement reforms in country’s judicial system
President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the need to implement reforms in the judicial branch of government to fully realize and achieve efforts to restore accountability among public officials as part of his reform agenda as specifically cited in the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage Foundation.
Speaking before the participants during the opening ceremony of the Cabinet Workshop on Anti-Corruption Strategies at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, President Aquino reiterated the necessary improvement in the country’s judicial system to ensure the fair dispensation of justice to everyone.
“We want our judiciary to dispense justice blindly, as it should… and perhaps this explains our fight to restore integrity to the judiciary, which has made headlines everywhere. No one should doubt that our justice system is a major battleground for reform,” the President said.
“In the 2012 Index of Economic Reform released by the Heritage Foundation, it shows that while the Philippines has made progress in terms of fighting corruption, the problem of judicial inefficiency and susceptibility to outside pressures remains a serious concern,” he stressed.
The Chief Executive said that the success in fighting corruption requires a real sense of accountability among public servants.
“We cannot sustainably fight corruption unless we introduce a sense of accountability – a sense that, if you commit a crime, you will be punished… we want to send a stern yet simple message --- justice evades no one. There are no exceptions in our campaign against corruption,” President Aquino said.
The Index of Economic Freedom is an annual guide published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation.
For over a decade, The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation, Washington's preeminent think tank, have tracked the march of economic freedom around the world with the influential Index of Economic Freedom.
Since 1995, the Index has brought Economist Adam Smith's theories about liberty, prosperity and economic freedom to life by creating 10 benchmarks that gauge the economic success of 184 countries around the world.
In its 2012 Index of Economic Freedom, the Heritage Foundation noted the lingering institutional challenges which require commitment to reform in the Philippine economy. It acknowledged the country’s progress while citing the inefficiency in the judiciary.
“Despite the challenging global economic environment, the Philippine economy has been on a steady path of economic expansion,” the Index results read.
“There are lingering institutional challenges that will require deeper commitment to reform. Despite some progress, corruption continues to undermine prospects for long-term economic development. The inefficient judiciary, which remains susceptible to political interference, does not provide effective protection for property rights or strong and transparent enforcement of the law,” it further said. (PCOO)
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Aquino deputizes AFP and PNP to assist Comelec in ensuring orderly plebiscite in Valenzuela City
President Benigno S. Aquino III has deputized the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring the conduct of an honest, orderly and free plebiscite to ratify the division of Barangay Canumay in Valenzuela City.
By virtue of Memorandum Order Number 31, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 16, 2012, the President directed the law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government to be on watch and perform their duties during the pursuance of the said democratic activity in Valenzuela City on March 3.
The Memorandum Order was issued upon the request of the Comelec for the concurrence of the President in the deputation of law enforcement agencies during the plebiscite aimed at ratifying the division of Barangay Canumay West and Barangay Canumay East.
Section 2 (4), Article IX-C of the Constitution prescribes that the Comelec, with the concurrence of the President, is empowered to deputize law enforcement agencies during such activities. (PCOO)
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Aquino deputizes AFP and PNP to assist Comelec in ensuring orderly and credible elections for Mayor in Siruma, Camarines Sur
President Benigno S. Aquino III has deputized the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring the conduct of a free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections for the position of Mayor in Siruma, Camarines Sur on March 10, 2012.
By virtue of Memorandum Order Number 32, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 16, the President directed the law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government to be on watch and perform their duties during the political exercise to elect a new local chief executive for the Municipality of Siruma, particularly in the Precinct Numbers 11A, 12A, 13A, and 14A.
The Memorandum Order was issued upon the request of the Comelec for the concurrence of the President in the deputation of law enforcement agencies during the mayoralty polls.
The political exercise was being pursued following the Comelec’s issuance of SPC No. 10-002 on May 19, 2011 which annuls the proclamation of then incumbent Mayor Sandy Ondis and ordering the holding of a special election in Barangay Butawanan of the said municipality.
The said issuance was made after 247 uncounted ballots pertaining to the previously mentioned precincts disappeared.
Section 2 (4), Article IX-C of the Constitution prescribes that the Comelec, with the concurrence of the President, is empowered to deputize law enforcement agencies during such activities. (PCOO)
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Aquino declares August as history month
To enable Filipinos to properly observe and reflect on the major events in our nation’s history, President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the month of August, and every August thereafter, as History Month.
In issuing Proclamation No. 339, which he signed on February 16, 2012, the President repealed Proclamation No. 1304 (s.1974) that set the observance of History Week from September 15 to 21.
“Whereas there is a need to transfer the observance of History Week from 15 to 21 September to the whole month of August and rename the occasion as History Month to emphasize the most significant turning points in Philippine History,” the Proclamation read.
The President cited the need to extend the observance of our nation’s history from a week to a whole month “given the richness and diversity of our nation’s history” as well as the fact that “major events occurred in the month of August which concludes with National Heroes Day on 30 August.” (PCOO)
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Aquino declares 2012 as Reserved Officers Training Course Centennial Year
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared 2012 as the Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC) Centennial Year marking the 100th year establishment of the military training program which began at the University of the Philippines in Manila in 1912.
The President’s declaration is contained in Proclamation No. 340 which he signed and issued on February 16.
He cited the importance of ROTC saying the program has produced graduates and cadets who have made significant contributions as peacekeepers and volunteers as well as protectors of the country’s freedom and democracy.
In declaring 2012 as ROTC Centennial Year, the President has also designated March of every year thereafter as ROTC Month. (PCOO)
