Aquino leads commemoration of 37th Anniversary
of Philippine-China Diplomatic Relations
President Benigno S. Aquino III led members of
the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
(FFCCCII) and the Filipino-Chinese community in commemorating the 37th
Anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-China Diplomatic Relations held
at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday night.
The President said this commemoration was an
opportunity to “thank” all Filipino-Chinese for their hard work, dedication and
sacrifice to improving the country.
In his speech, the President said it was an
honor to join the Filipino-Chinese community in remembering this significant
event that showcases our Filipino-Chinese brothers whom he said were
instrumental in securing our country’s independence and nation building.
He cited General Ignacio Paua, one of many
Chinese-Filipinos who loyally fought for our nation’s place in the sun, as one
who joined and led the struggle for the independence we now enjoy.
“Every generation since then, called to stand
for God and country, has included in its ranks Chinese-Filipinos—from soldiers
like General Vicente Lim, to the anonymous volunteer firefighters and
entrepreneurs, who make our independence and our civic life more meaningful
with their dedication to their country,” the President said.
“Today, we are given the opportunity to thank
them for the sacrifices they made, and for the work they put in. I am honored
to be able to remember them with all of you on this occasion, especially
because Chinese-Filipinos like you are helping to fulfill the promise of independence—a
promise of prosperity. Groups like the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers
of Commerce and Industry are our partners in the effort to achieve the
prosperity that generations of our countrymen have dreamed of,” he added.
Aside from keynoting the event, the President
witnessed the turnover of FFCCCII’s P2-million donation to the Philippine
National Police Foundation, Inc. in support of the foundation’s various
programs; and the symbolic turnover of 400 housing units to the victims of
typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities.
This year’s celebration was made more memorable
as it is held simultaneous with the commemoration of 114th Anniversary of
Philippine Independence as well as the 11th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day.
(rck)
President Aquino remains committed to resolving
Scarborough Shoal dispute diplomatically
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on
Wednesday that he remains committed to resolving claims on the disputed
Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea peacefully through diplomatic
means.
The President said, in his speech keynoting the
commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the Philippines and China held at the Manila Hotel, he was
appreciative that China shared his sentiments that maintaining peace and
stability in the region would be beneficial for all.
“I know many here are concerned about the
situation in the West Philippine Sea. Both the Philippines and China are
exerting efforts to resolve the situation peacefully through diplomatic means,”
the President said.
“Recently, we have gained momentum towards
resolving this dispute, and I think China agrees that we must maintain this
momentum. After all, our countries both recognize that peace and stability in
the region will redound to benefits not only to us, but to the rest of the
world. Consequently, tensions within it affect the entire global community,” he
added.
He called on all Filipinos and Filipino-Chinese
to work towards attaining mutual prosperity, which he said “remains within our
grasp.”
“…at the end of the day, we see a historic and
mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries. We see a vibrant
Chinese-Filipino community, eager to serve their country, and to improve trade
with our neighbors,” the President said.
“So what we must do right now is to continue
strengthening cooperation in the several areas that are proven to be mutually
beneficial; and to continue working tirelessly to find a peaceful, diplomatic
solution in the area in which we disagree,” he added. (rck)
Aquino cites Filipino-Chinese community as
invaluable partners in nation building
President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the
Filipino-Chinese community for being invaluable partners in nation building,
saying their commerce and industry helped improve the Philippine economy beyond
predictions of being a poor performer.
In his speech keynoting the 37th Anniversary of
Philippine-China Diplomatic Relations held at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday
night, the President said that Chinese services, products and jobs created for
Filipinos were instrumental in the recent upsurge in the economy.
This upsurge, the President said, included the
6.4 percent growth in gross domestic product during the first quarter of 2012
and the Philippine Stock Exchange Index’s reaching record highs 27 times in the
Aquino administration’s 23 months of existence.
The President said these feats did not go
unnoticed in the international business arena as credit rating agencies such as
Moody’s has changed the outlook on the country's credit rating from stable to
positive; bringing to seven the positive rating actions given to the country
since he took office.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Enabling Trade
Report, which measures the ease of doing business, has ranked the Philippines
20 points higher from 92nd in 2010 to 72nd in 2012, while the Japan External
Trade Organization, who, after taking a survey of the companies in the region,
named the Philippines as the best place to do business in the Asia/Oceania
region, in both manufacturing and in service.
“All of this, we achieved with your help—with
your services, with your products, with the jobs you created for our people,
and with your loyal support for your country,” the President said.
He called on the Filipino-Chinese community to
continue this partnership whose mutual benefits will redound to both of our
peoples.
“We must continue this partnership. After all,
while we do enjoy the success we’ve worked for, we are still confronted by a
number of challenges. We need to stand together as we look towards the future,”
the President said. (rck)
Aquino receives Japanese businessmen in
Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III received a group
of Japanese businessmen to discuss their possible investments in the country
that will provide employment opportunities for the Filipinos.
Japanese business magnate Tadashi Yanai, founder
and president of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. paid a courtesy call on President
Aquino at the Music Room of the Malacanang Palace, Thursday morning.
Accompanying Mr. Yanai were his wife Teruyo; Naoki Otoma, Fast Retailing Co.,
Ltd. chairman and chief executive officer; Katsumi Kubota, Fast Retailing Co.,
Ltd. chief operating officer and Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chairman officer of
the SM Investments Corporation.
Also present were Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio and DTI Assistant Secretary Fe
Reyes.
Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. is a holding company.
The specialty retailer UNIQLO is the Group's mainstay operation, and it has
enjoyed strong growth by offering high-quality casual wear at reasonable prices
based on its SPA (Specialty store retailer of Private label Apparel) business
model, which spans product design, manufacture, distribution and retail.
First venturing into international markets in
2001, Uniqlo now has worldwide operations that include the U.K., China, Hong
Kong, South Korea, the United States, France, Singapore, Russia, Taiwan and
Malaysia. In 2011, the company opened global flagship stores in Taipei and
Seoul, and in New York's prestigious Fifth Avenue, as part of plans to grow
business worldwide. As of the end of February 2012, the group boasts around 849
stores in Japan and 234 stores in other markets overseas.
Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. said they are planning
to open 50 Uniqlo stores in the Philippines in the coming years. A Uniqlo
specialty store is set to have its grand opening on June 15, Friday at the SM
Mall of Asia. (jcl/11:10 a.m.)
Aquino declares June 16 as special non-working
day in Pili, Camarines Sur in celebration of its Foundation Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 16 which falls on a Saturday as a special (non-working) day in the
municipality of Pili in the province of Camarines Sur in celebration of its
Foundation Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 393 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on June 6 to give the people of Pili the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Pili is a municipality and the capital of the
province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region. The first recorded history of
Pili started during the promulgation of Christianity in the early 1770s by the
Spanish missionaries. (js)
Malacanang extends its condolences to family of
Afable
Malacañang on Thursday extended its condolences
to the family of one of Baguio City’s most respected journalists Cecile Cariño
Afable who passed away on Tuesday after a battle with pulmonary sepsis at the
age of 95.
In a statement, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
Abigail Valte said Malacañang is one with the city of Baguio in mourning the
death of Afable whom she described as “a true pillar of Philippine journalism”
and was known to many as “the Great Dame of Baguio media”.
“She was a fervent advocate of press freedom and
the preservation of Baguio’s cultural heritage and natural environment,” Valte
said.
“In her 95 years, she showed all Filipinos—from
journalists to regular citizens—just how it is to dedicate one’s life to
improving one’s community. May her death rekindle the fire of good citizenship
in all of us,” she added.
Afable served as editor and columnist for one of
the oldest community papers in the Philippines, the Baguio Midland Courier,
advocating freedom of the press and leading several protests against the heavy
urbanization of the country’s summer capital. (hdc)
Civil case against Coloma and his Undersecretary
dismissed by Quezon City Court
A Quezon City judge dismissed the civil case
filed against Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. and his undersecretary by a taxpayer who asked the
court to halt the operations of a government-owned and managed printing
company.
Judge Evangeline C. Castillo-Marigomen of the
Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 101, dismissed the petition on
May 9, 2012.
The judge said the petition filed by Richard G.
Oderon has no ground to convince the court to resolve the case against
Secretary Coloma and his co-respondent Undersecretary Eduardo C. Visperas.
In filing the petition for prohibition and
mandamus in Civil Case No. Q-11-69389, Oderon represented himself as a taxpayer
and not as an employee of the National Printing Office (NPO). He claimed in his
suit that the Filipino taxpayer is the loser with the continued operations of
APO Production Unit, which has been printing security and accountable forms for
government.
APO is explicitly categorized as a
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) by virtue of Republic Act
No. 10147 otherwise known as An Act to Promote Financial Viability and Fiscal
Discipline in Government-Owned or Controlled Corporation and to Strengthen the
Role of the State in its Governance and Management to Make Them Responsive to
the Needs of Public Interest and for Other Purposes." The said Act was
signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III last June 6, 2011.
On December 7, 2010, Republic Act No. 10147 of
the 2011 General Appropriation Act (GAA) was signed into law by President
Aquino, recognizing and including APO, along with NPO and Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas, as one of the government's printing unit.
The petitioner said that APO is a private
corporation since it was organized under Philippine Laws (Corporate Code of the
Philippines). He further said it was registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. However, the respondents countered that the APO is a GOCC.
The court agreed with the argument of the
respondents who claimed that APO, a non-stock corporation, is vested with the
functions of printing security and accountable forms for government. As
stipulated by the parties, APO is presently and directly under the control and
supervision of the PCOO which is under the Office of the President of the
Republic of the Philippines.
"The APO is categorized and recognized as
GOCC and as such is publicly accountable by being subjected to audit by the
Commission on Audit," the court said.
The APO can legally solicit and accept jobs to
print government accountable forms and sensitive high quality/volume printing
requirements of the government, the court said in the decision.
"The petitioner has no legal standing to
assail the constitutionality of RA 10147 as he has not established any direct
injury that he has sustained or may sustain by reason of the assailed law.
Neither has the petitioner established that public funds (derived from
taxation) are being misspent or illegally disbursed," the court said.
"Although the instant petition is styled as
a petition for certiorari, in essence, it seeks the declaration by the court of
the unconstitutionality or illegality of the GAA. It thus partakes of the
nature of a petition for declaratory relief," the court said. (js)
Aquino meets Myanmar Foreign Minister to enhance
bilateral, economic ties
President Benigno S. Aquino III met Thursday in
Malacanang Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin who is in the
Philippines for the Philippines-Myanmar Joint Commission for Bilateral
Cooperation.
The bilateral cooperation between the
Philippines and Myanmar is the second meeting since 2004.
President Aquino congratulated Minister U Wunna
Maung Lwin on the significant steps toward reform and democratization achieved
by Myanmar particularly the conduct of a by election a few months ago.
The meeting covered areas of mutual interest
such as political cooperation, trade and investment, human rights, education,
agriculture, tourism, and air services, among others.
According to a press statement released by
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, the President and the visiting
Myanmar foreign minister were expected to discuss the West Philippine Sea.
“Enhanced bilateral ties with individual friends
from Southeast Asia is a vital cornerstone of our continuing thrust toward
ASEAN centrality and solidarity. As member-nations become emerging forces in
the global arena, the Philippines is determined to do its part in strengthening
the collective for the benefit of the region and its people,” she said.
Accompanying Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin
were Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General U Hau Do Suan, Myanmar
Ambassador to the Philippines U Aung Khin-Soe, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Director U Soe Lynn Han.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and
Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Helen de La Vega joined President Aquino
during Thursday’s event. (as/4:42pm)
Aquino meets Italian Defense Minister for
stronger Philippine-Italy military ties
President Benigno S. Aquino III received Italian
Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola during a courtesy call in Malacanang on
Thursday to forge a strong defense cooperation between the two countries.
Early this year, it was reported that the
Philippines and Italy were to sign an agreement meant to expedite the
procurement of military equipment from the Italian defense industry suppliers
with the help of the Italian Ministry of Defense.
Some of the military hardware being considered
for procurement under the agreement were medium lift aircraft, coast watch
system radar, multi-role combat aircraft, and long-range patrol aircraft.
According to the Philippines defense department,
the arrangement would help implement the armed forces modernization program, a
primary thrust of the Aquino administration.
Last year, the Philippines acquired 18 basic
trainer aircraft from an Italian firm known for designing and producing
military trainers.
Joining the President during Thursday’s courtesy
call were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert
del Rosario and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa.
Accompanying the Italian defense minister on the
other hand were Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari, Diplomatic
Counsellor of the Ministry Gabrielle Checchia, chief of acquisition and
logistics Gen. Gianpaolo Miniscalco and chief of Military Policy Office Giorgio
Lazio. (as/5:15pm)
Aquino receives outgoing Danish Ambassador to
Philippines in Malacanang
Outgoing Ambassador of Denmark to Malaysia and
the Philippines Svend Waever paid a farewell call on President Benigno S.
Aquino III in Malacanang on Thursday afternoon.
Waever became the Danish Ambassador to Malaysia
and the Philippines in September 2008 after his stint in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Among the major contribution of the Danish
government to the Philippines was the relief effort to the survivors of the
Typhoon Sendong in December last year. Waever visited the relief delivery
operations in Cagayan de Oro City and the most devastated areas.
At that time, the government of Denmark pledged
to donate DKK 300,000 (about P2.68 million) to immediately alleviate the plight
of 1,500 target-families who were among the hundreds of thousands of victims of
Typhoon Sendong in the northeast part of Mindanao.
Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario was also
present during Thursday’s farewell call. (as/5:31pm)
