President Aquino sees Pacquiao’s loss an
‘opportunity’ to become better
President Benigno S. Aquino III sees a silver
lining to the shocking and unexpected defeat champion boxer and Sarangani
Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao suffered from Timothy Bradley of the
United States in their match last Saturday night.
In a text message sent to Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, the President said Pacquiao should take his loss,
his first since 2005 and after winning eight world titles, not as defeat but as
an “opportunity” to improve himself in his chosen sport.
The President expressed confidence that with his
defeat to Bradley, Manny is now bound to reach even greater heights.
“I believe that Manny Pacquiao has been given an
opportunity to reach even greater heights,” Lacierda said as he read the text
message of President Aquino.
Talks of a rematch between the two fighters are
being conducted by the promoters of both camps to be held late this year but
two days after the bout, many Filipinos are expecting to see a new and improved
Manny Pacquiao. (rck)
Aquino declares June 18 special non-working day
in municipality of Kalilangan in Bukidnon province
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 18 which falls on a Monday as a special non-working day in the
municipality of Kalilangan in the province of Bukidnon in celebration of its
46th Foundation Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 394 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on June 6, 2012 to give the people of Kalilangan the full opportunity to
celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On June 18, 1966, Kalilangan became a
municipality by virtue of Republic Act No. 4788. Kalilangan is a Maguindanao
word for merry making. (js)
Aquino maintains high net satisfaction rating in
surveys
Malacanang bared the unprecedented sense of
optimism of the Filipinos on President Benigno S. Aquino III saying that such
strong approval by the people can be credited to the unyielding commitment of
the Aquino government to achieve its goals that are anchored on attaining
inclusive growth and restoring public confidence in government institutions.
In his statement during a regular press briefing
in Malacanang, Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that based
on the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey for the second quarter of
2012, President Aquino still enjoys strong approval for a considerable period
of time.
“There has been an unprecedented stretch of
public optimism: seven consecutive quarters under President Benigno S. Aquino
III. It is in this context that we respond to the findings of the SWS 2nd
Quarter Survey. Satisfaction with the President continues to reflect
overwhelming overall support: 63 percent satisfied, 21 percent dissatisfied. In
most parts of the country, the President enjoys strong majority approval. It is
important to note that the net satisfaction rating of the President continues
to be the highest since June 1999,” Lacierda said.
He noted the various efforts of the government
to implement reforms and the support of the people in these programs focused on
sustainable development.
“The President’s policies and programs have
focused on restoring public confidence in our institutions, and a government
actively working for all sectors in pursuit of inclusive growth. In obtaining
widespread national support for his programs, we believe the public sees the
efforts being done, and the accomplishments to date,” Lacierda said.
The May 2012 Social Weather Survey was conducted
from May 24-27, 2012 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro
Manila, and the balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins
of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages).
The area estimates were weighted by the National
Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2012 to obtain the national
estimates.
In the same survey conducted in November of 2010
President Aquino received an "excellent" +64 net rating. (jcl/1:59
p.m.)
Aquino set to meet with farmer groups to
fastrack land distribution
President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to meet
with representatives from farmer organizations to firm up strategies that will
fast track distribution of land to legitimate farmer beneficiaries, a Palace
official said on Monday.
In a regular press briefing in Malacanang,
Presidential Spokeperson Edwin Lacierda assured farmer beneficiaries that the
Aquino government, through the Department of Agrarian Reform, was expeditiously
working towards distributing land to them as mandated by the Comprehensive
Agrarian Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law.
Lacierda said President Aquino will meet the
farmer organizations the soonest possible time.
"The Cabinet Secretaries will be briefing
the President because there are certain proposals that require the approval of
the President. Kapag naayos na po iyan, we will find a schedule for the
President to meet with the farmers. At nasabi na rin po ni Pangulong Aquino na
nais rin niyang makita at makausap ang mga magsasaka," Lacieda said.
Lacierda said Friday’s meeting between the
members of the Aquino government and the representatives from farmer
organizations was a constructive one as both sides agreed on several issues.
After the meeting, the Cabinet secretaries came
out with proposals to be submitted to President Aquino.
"May mga 5 or 6 doables kaming na
maipapakita kay Pangulong Aquino. And some of them would require the approval
of the President. Kasi pinag-usapan din doon ang support services na hinihingi
rin ng mga magsasaka. Ang support services will be provided for by the
Department of Agriculture," Lacierda said .
"One of the concrete steps na ginawa po
natin is to focus on the claim folders. May tinatawag po silang claim folders
kung saan doon iyong mga lands to be acquired and distributed," he said.
Among the members of the Aquino administration
who joined the five-hour meeting with the farmers include Budget Secretary
Florencio Abad, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Agriculture Secretary
Proceso Alcala, Agrarian Reform Secretary Gil Delos Reyes, Public Works and
Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Presidential Management Staff Secretary
Julia Abad.
Landbank President and CEO Hilda Pico was also
present in Friday’s meeting in Malacanang. Other officials who were at the
meeting include undersecretaries from the Department of Agrarian Reform Anthony
Parungao, Jerry Pacturan, Narciso Nieto and Assistant Secretary Jose Grajeda.
(js)
