President Benigno S. Aquino III will embark on a
3-day official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain as “guest of the UK
government” starting June 4 to 6.
It will be President Aquino’s first visit to the
United Kingdom as President of the Philippines since he assumed office in 2010.
The UK is also the only European country that will be visited by the President
this year.
Among President Aquino’s activities in UK will
be a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street
where the two leaders are expected to discuss Philippine-UK political and
economic cooperation, the UK’s participation in the international contact group
(ICG), regional and international issues, and anti-corruption and good
governance practices of both governments.
While in London, the President will also meet
with several British investors, take part in the Philippine fun tourism
campaign of the Department of Tourism and meet with the Filipino community in
the UK, the largest in Europe.
The President is scheduled to have a tour of the
Imperial War Museum in London.
David Alderman Wootton, the Lord Mayor of London
will host a luncheon in honor of the President. He will also meet with the Duke
of York Prince Andrew.
The chief executive is also scheduled to appear
for an interview with the BBC World News.
The Philippines and the UK have a long standing
diplomatic relations, with ties starting in 1946. The UK is the country’s top
European investors, the 23rd trading partner, the biggest tourism market in
Europe and host to the biggest number of Filipinos in Europe. (PCOO)
Aquino allots P5-million to improve Philippine
Merchant Marine Academy's water supply
SAN NARCISO, Zambales : The inability of this
municipality’s water supply system to provide clean potable water to its
residents and businesses, particularly the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
(PMMA) will soon be addressed after President Benigno S. Aquino III allotted
P5-million for its immediate repair and rehabilitation.
In his speech keynoting the 189th Commencement
Exercises of the PMMA here on Wednesday, the President said it was important
that the residents, especially the diligent and hardworking students and
employees of the PMMA, have their basic necessities met in order to perform
their respective jobs well.
“Nakaabot po sa atin ang ulat ng PMMA sa Local
Water Utilities Administration ukol sa mababang kalidad at kakulangan ng supply
ng tubig dito sa inyong lugar. Maglalaan na po tayo ng limang milyong pisong
pondo para sa pagsasaayos ng water supply system sa apektadong munisipalidad, kasama
na ang PMMA,” the President said to the thunderous applause of appreciation of
those who attended the commencement exercises.
“Di naman po yata tamang ang mga nagsanay na
dumaong at maglakbay sa karagatan, ay magkulang pa sa supply ng tubig, di po ba?”
he added.
The municipality of San Marcelino has been
suffering from the lack of water for years and it is hoped that through the
President’s allotment of funds and his instructions to the Local Water
Utilities Administration, the lead agency on the supply of water, this problem
will soon be a thing of the past. (PCOO)
Aquino leads 189th Philippine Merchant Marine
Academy Commencement ceremonies
SAN NARCISO, Zambales : President Benigno S.
Aquino III led the 2012 graduates of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in
commemorating its 189th Commencement Exercises held at the school’s grounds
here on Wednesday.
In his speech, the President congratulated the
new graduates, 241 of them, for having hurdled what he called the “easy” part
of their careers adding that it was now time to buckle down to hard work.
“Simula na ang paglalayag sa tunay na lipunan;
simula na ng pagsuong sa mga daluyong ng pagsubok; oras na ng pagpalaot upang
pitasin ang katuparan ng inyong mga pangarap,” he added.
He noted that Filipino seafarers account for 25
percent of the total 1,300,000 seafarers worldwide due to their diligence,
hardwork and seriousness towards their craft, which they see as a means to
improve the lives of their families.
That is why, the President added, Filipino
seafarers are the biggest remittance contributors to the national coffers.
“Hindi matatawaran ang malaking kontribusyon ng
ating mga marino sa ating bayan. Nito lang pong 2011, ang total remittances ng
ating seafarers ay umabot ng 4.34 billion dollars – 21.58% po ito ng kabuuang
20.12 billion dollars na remittances ng ating Overseas Filipino Workers,” the
President said.
“Kasabay nga po ng pagkayod ng ating mga marino
para may maihain sa hapag ng pamilya, napapalusog din ang ating ekonomiya,” he
added.
The President pointed out the sense of national
pride our seafarers bring to the country by showcasing their skills, hard work
and dedication to wherever their work leads them.
The President appealed to the new members of the
PMMA to join his government’s continuing fight against corruption and its
sources as the country moves towards the promise of a better future.
“Ang hiling ko lang po, huwag sana tayong
panghinaan ng loob o magsawang tuparin ang ating tungkulin. Gaano man kalakas
ang alon ng mga hamon, gaano man karaming unos ang bumuhos, basta’t tayo’y
nagtutulungan, siguradong malayo po ang ating mararating,” the President said.
“Sa ating graduates, umaasa ako sa inyong
pakikiisa sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Maging bahagi man kayo ng Navy, ng
Coastguard o kayo man ay maging international seafarers, tiwala kaming
itataguyod ninyo ang lahing Pilipino,” he added.
“Bilang mga iskolar ng bayan, tungkulin ninyong
isaalang-alang di lamang ang kapakanan ng sarili at ng inyong pamilya, kundi
pati na rin ang kalakhang lipunan. Kasama ang sambayanang Pilipino, tuloy-tuloy
na po tayo sa paglalayag tungo sa tunay na kaunlaran, katarungan at kasaganahan
sa ating bayan,” the President said. (PCOO)
Aquino government remains committed to promotion
of honesty, accountability and good governance
President Benigno S. Aquino III said that the
administration remains committed to the promotion of honesty, accountability
and good governance which he said, from the start, serves as the cornerstone of
the implementation of its various developmental programs aimed at achieving
genuine and efficient service to the Filipino people.
In his message delivered by Executive Secretary
Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. during the 2011 Gawad Career Executive Service (CES)
Awarding Ceremony at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang Palace, Wednesday,
President Aquino assured the people of the government’s continued support in
efforts to infuse the bureaucracy with highly-qualified personnel who would
also serve as agents of reform to ensure progress as envisioned by the Aquino
administration.
“From the moment we entered office, a hallmark
of our reform agenda has been the promotion of a culture of honesty,
accountability, and good governance. By so doing, we render true public
service. This advocacy becomes tangible in moments like this, when we pause to
honor the triumphs of individuals who have made public service a lifelong
commitment, characterized by integrity, innovation and competence,” the
President said.
“I can assure you that the CES can count on our
continued support to infuse the higher civil service with highly-qualified
leaders, experts and change agents… I’m happy to join the CES community as you
celebrate another year of accomplishment, you provide policy and program
continuity as we fulfill our promise to the Filipino people to march on the
straight and righteous path armed with the resolve to achieve a prosperous,
stable and progressive Philippines where no one is left behind” he added.
The Chief Executive also noted that the
recognition extended to outstanding members of the CES community who have
showcased excellent performance, nobility of character and extradordinary
leadership in their respective fields “serve as milestones along the straight
and righteous path in governance”.
“The accomplishments of these awardees show us
the heights that we Filipinos can reach with hard work, commitment, love of
country and especially, genuine compassion four our countrymen,” the President
said.
The President further said that the stories of
the 2011 CES awardees “brilliantly essay their sterling examples of
professionalism and excellence in the higher civil service,” as they also
represent those whose character, outstanding accomplishments and inspiring
stories “are helping to transform the country, which is the ultimate reason for
being of the Career Executive Service”.
During the event, five outstanding Career
Executive Service Officers (CESOs) were feted as they received a Presidential
citation and a cash prize of 100 thousand pesos each.
The awardees were National Electrification
Administration Deputy Administrator Mariano T. Cuenco; Department of Science
and Technology Region VIII Director Edgardo M. Esperancilla; Land Bank of the
Philippines Baguio Branch assistant vice president Nomerlito A. Juatchon;
Philippine Children’s Medical Center Executive Director Julius A. Lecciones;
and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Renato U.
Solidum Jr.
Prior to the awarding ceremony, Ochoa led the
oath taking of some 262 newly-appointed/promoted CESOs. This brings a
significant increase in CESO occupancy to 55% under the Aquino administration,
as of May 30, 2012. (PCOO)
Ochoa urges Career Executive Service Officers to
promote honesty, transparency and accountability
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. urged
the Career Executive Service Officers (CESOs) to adhere to the tenets of the
Aquino government centered on promoting honesty, transparency and
accountability in governance and spread the same values among the other members
of the bureaucracy as he stressed the administration’s commitment to effect
reforms and achieve sustainable progress and development in the country.
In his message during the 2011 Gawad Career
Executive Service (CES) Awarding Ceremony at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang
Palace on Wednesday, Ochoa called on fellow civil servants to pass on the
positive values that are being promoted by President Benigno S. Aquino III
since he assumed office in 2010 which is focused on good governance and
fighting graft and corruption.
He also noted the important role of the CESOs in
achieving such goal.
“Don’t allow yourselves to become participants
in any of mga kalokohan na nakikita natin sa gobyerno… huwag lang kayong
mag-participate ay malaking-malaking bagay na yun, huwag lang kayong sumali sa
mga kalokohan ay napakalaking bagay na iyon, nakatulong na kayo sa fight natin
against graft and corruption,” Ochoa said.
“Ang gobyerno natin nakasalalay talaga sa mga
career professionals because talaga naman kayo yung nagbibigay ng buhay sa
continuity lalo na, sa pagpapatuloy ng gobyerno, regardless kung sino yung
leader, regardless kung sino yung administrasyon… Pwede naman siguro sa
gobyerno at sa totoong buhay pag nilagyan natin ng malinis yung isang basket ng
mga empleyado na katulad nyo ay makahahawa siya na maging malinis lahat iyong
nasa katabi niya,” he added.
The Executive Secretary said that by 2016, the
Aquino administration would have laid the much-needed moral foundation in
public service.
“Itong administrasyon na ito pa lamang ang
magiging best chance natin palagay ko to really institute those reforms needed
to fight graft and corruption. Probably we cannot finish this fight and win it
100 per cent by end of 2016 but I think our President will be able to achieve
something na talagang, he will lay a very strong moral foundation in public
service,” Ochoa said.
“Itong administrasyong ito ay seryoso sa kanyang
paninidigan sa paglaban sa graft and corruption and I think if we believe in
that we cannot go wrong and together we can push forward and move on and
hopefully ihawa natin yung the rest of the bureaucracy,” he further noted. (PCOO)
Ochoa to CESOs: Help gov't stamp out corruption
Saying that the Aquino administration is serious
in weeding out grafters and corrupt officials from government, Executive
Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Wednesday asked civil servants to shun this
practice that has plagued the bureaucracy and help rebuild the moral foundation
in public service.
At the 2011 Gawad CES Awards and the mass
oath-taking of newly appointed and promoted career executive service officers
(CESOs) in Malacanang, Ochoa said public servants could become agents of change
and contribute in putting an end to irregularities in government.
“Don’t allow yourselves to become participants
in any of the wrongdoings you see in government. It would be a big help in our
campaign against graft and corruption,” Ochoa said.
Ochoa explained that the events at the
recently-concluded impeachment trial that led to the conviction of Chief
Justice Renato Corona for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of
the Constitution should open the eyes of the public and civil servants that the
reforms being undertaken by the administration were beyond personalities.
“From the start, we are very much aware of the
problems that we’re confronting. Graft and corruption is on top of the list and
this our best chance, under this administration, to really institute reforms
needed to fight graft and corruption,” the Executive secretary said.
Ochoa said he was optimistic that the
administration would be able to lay down a strong moral foundation in public
service and would be able to curb graft and corruption by the end of President
Benigno S. Aquino III’s term in 2016.
“This administration is serious and committed in
its campaign to fight graft and corruption,” Ochoa said. “And I think, if we
believe in that, we cannot go wrong and together we can push forward and move
on.” (PCOO)
Aquino thanks Filipinos for supporting his
administration's quest for reform; says Corona's conviction proves no one is
above the law
Extending his profound gratitude to the Filipino
people for their continuing support for his administration’s quest for refom,
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the conviction of Supreme Court Chief
Justice Renato Corona proved that no one is above the law.
“Ang pinakamalaking handog ng paglilitiis na
ito-- muli po nating napatunayan na posible palang makamit ang pagbabago.
Posible palang magkaroon ng justice at hindi puro just-tiis and litanya sa
ating bansa,” the President said in a televised speech Wednesday evening
regarding Corona’s conviction.
“Napatunayan nating mangingibabaw ang
katotohanan laban sa pagkukubli; mananaig ang tapat, laban sa tiwali; at
magtatagumpay ang tama, laban sa mali,” he added.
More importantly, the President said he realized
that he’s not alone in the fight against corruption and efforts to correct the
flaws in the government.
Although the administration was able to remove
the stumbling block for going after the excesses of the past administration,
President Aquino said, the fight wouldn’t stop there, adding that his
administration will continue its efforts to reform the country’s justice
system.
The President said he’ll now focus on
designating the next chief justice who has unquestionable integrity,
independent, brilliant and competent to lead the judiciary.
The President likewise thanked the Senate
leadership for its efforts especially Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who
presided the impeachment trial.
He also extended his gratitude to the members of
the prosecution team, particularly Representatives Niel Tupas and Rodolfo
Farinas. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, the President said, is also
instrumental for convicting Corona after he led the administration congressmen
in filing the impeachment complaint against the chief justice.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa taumbayan; kayo rin po
ang aming lakas at habang patuloy ninyong ipinamamalas ang suporta sa ating
agenda ng mabuting pamamahala, hindi po tayo mabibigo,” he said.
The people and the government must work together
to make the administration’s message clear; that no one is above the law and
whoever commits wrongdoing will be held accountable, the President said.
On Tuesday, the Palace hailed the Senate’s
decision convicting Corona saying the verdict was a major leap towards
restoring public confidence in the country’s judicial system.
The senators voted overwhelmingly with 20
lawmakers deciding for the removal of Corona from office. Only three senators
acquitted Corona.
The Senate verdict made Corona the first
government official to be convicted by an impeachment court. (PCOO)
