President Aquino leads formal launching of 'I am
for Peace' campaign at Malacanang Palace
In the midst of mounting optimism on
negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF), President Benigno S. Aquino III led on Friday the formal
launching of the "I am for Peace" campaign at Malacanang Palace.
The launch of the “I am for Peace” campaign is
part of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process' observance
this year of the 9th National Peace Consciousness Month with the theme “Ako.
Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba, Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan.”
The "I am for Peace" campaign seeks to
mobilize public support for peace through the involvement and engagement of the
general public. It aims to broaden the peace constituency by harnessing and
empowering the basic sectors such as youth, women, labor, civil society
organizations, media as advocates for peace and development.
Anchored on the premise that the promotion of a
genuine peace process can be duly achieved with the support of a well-informed
and active citizenry, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace
Process (OPAPP), through this campaign, will strengthen its stakeholder
engagement through various initiatives with the help of organizations coming
from different sectors.
Aquino led personalities including
world-renowned singer apl.de.ap, actress Anne Curtis, composer Noel Cabangon,
and Internet icon Ramon Bautista in promoting peace as they pledged their
support, as National Peace Ambassadors.
Aside from apl.de.ap, Curtis, Cabangon, and
Bautista, the other celebrities who were tapped as National Peace Ambassadors
by OPAPP include Epy Quizon, Gerald Anderson, Megan Young, and Mikael Daez;
musical artists Christian Bautista, Datu Khomeini, Ebe Dancel, and Gloc-9;
fashion designers Arnold Galang, and the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines
led by its president, JC Buendia; TV personality Rovilson Fernandez, and the
members of the Philippine Azkals; and young comedians Kiray and Igi Boy among
others.
Actor Derek Ramsey, singer-actress Karylle,
performer Sam Concepcion and social media personality Kimpoy Feliciano were
also tapped as ambassadors but were not present at the rites due to prior
engagements.
“Today is a beautiful day for peace,” Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said as she welcomed new
peace partners during the launching rites.
“We are glad to say that what was once a few
will now become many. May this be the start of another lifelong partnership
that will bring change and empower our nation amidst difficulties and
tribulations,” Deles said.
The launch featured the formal introduction of
the flagship programs under the campaign such as National Peace Ambassadors, “I
Choose: Peace” youth football program and the “Business Partners for Peace”
promoting peace advocacy for companies."
During the event, the Chief Executive was
presented with an official Azkals jersey with the “I am for Peace” logo by the
Philippine Azkals, that officially sealed the partnership of the government,
through OPAPP, with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) under the “I
Choose: Peace” program.
The PFF and the Philippine Azkals are set to
hold a sports program for the youth together with OPAPP in hopes of promoting
peace to the youth.
Pioneers of the “Business Partners for Peace”
which include ABS-CBN Corporation, Golden Arches Development Corporation,
Liwayway Marketing Corporation, M Concepts & Style, Philippine Seven
Corporation and Zest-O Corporation were presented with plaques. OPAPP is set to
tie up with these companies that will carry peace as their advocacy through
their products and service.
Other events lined-up by OPAPP for 2012 include
the "1Goal for Peace" kick-off event last Sept. 2,
"KaPEACEtahan" on Sept. 21, and the "I Want Peace Concerts"
on Sept 28 slated to happen in four areas nationwide, including NCR. The
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) serves as the events’
official sponsor for the month-long festivities. (js)
Aquino confident that the government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front would be able to achieve a sustainable peace in
Mindanao
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed
optimism that the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF), with the support of the general public, would be able to remove the
major stumbling blocks towards achieving a sustainable peace in Mindanao.
The Chief Executive rallied Filipinos to stand
behind the peace efforts during the launch of the “I am for Peace” campaign at
the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace on Friday.
In his keynote speech, President Aquino
identified the stumbling blocks towards a just and durable solution to the
42-year-old Mindanao conflict.
"Ang tanong: Bakit? Dahil sa halip na
makipag-ugnayan, pinipili ng ilan makipagbangayan. Napako tayo sa
nagtutunggaling kaisipan at armadong hidwaan. Ang nakakalungkot, tila ang dami
ng mga nabalam na negosasyon at ang mga natisod na ugnayan ay siya ring bilang
ng mga inosenteng Pilipinong nadadamay sa mga digmaan," he said.
"Naiintindihan po natin ang ugat nito. May
ilan na ang pinili na lamang ay mamuhay sa anino ng takot at karahasan. May
ibang sumuko at manhid na sa dating mapanlinlang na sistema, habang ang iba
nama’y namulat na sa kultura’t ideolohiya ng armadong pakikibaka," the
President said.
However, the President stressed that he sees
positive signs that the government and the MILF, with public support, would be
able to remove the stumbing blocks with the crafting of mechanisms to address
the causes of conflict and issues affecting the peace process.
"Ang resulta: mula 2010 hanggang 2012,
patuloy na bumababa ang insidente ng engkwentro sa pagitan ng ating mga
sundalo’t MILF. Sa katunayan, mula Enero hanggang Agosto ng taong kasalukuyan,
zero encounters po tayo, at sana manatili po doon. Maliban sa mahigit
animnaraang rebeldeng sumuko at nakabalik na sa kani-kanilang pamayanan mula
nang tahakin natin ang Tuwid na Daan, may halos tatlondaan at limampung dating
rebelde rin tayong nabigyan ng immediate livelihood assistance," he said.
Anchored on his administration's National
Security Policy focused on governance, delivery of basic services, economic
reconstruction and sustainable development, and security sector reform, the
Chief Executive assured the next generations of a just and lasting peace.
"Bilang puhunan sa kinabukasan ng kanilang
mga anak, may isandaang scholarship grants din tayong inihandog para sa
kasalukuyang school year. Tuloy-tuloy din ang biyayang handog ng Payapa at
Masaganang Pamayanan, o PAMANA Program, na nakapagbukas na ng halos isanlibo at
apatnaraang bagong bahay sa North Cotabato at Maguindanao, gayundin ang mahigit
55,700 na benepisyaryo ng ating Community-driven Development projects," he
said.
He also noted that despite our differences,
“nagkakaisa tayong tumataya upang manaig ang kapayapaan, at ipagsigawan sa
bawat sulok ng ating bayan na 'I am for Peace'"
“Samahan ninyo ako ---ihatid natin sa mas
mapayapang bukas ang bawat Pilipino,” he said.
"Ito mismo ang gusto nating baguhin. Ang
bukal ng lahat ng inisyatibang ito ---tigil-putukan. Ang hangad natin
---kasunduan. Ang layunin natin ---ang pagputol sa siklo ng karahasan,
kawalang-pag-asa, at kahirapan. Dahil bukod sa kapayapaan, gusto rin nating
tiyakin sa susunod na salinlahi na may mamanahin silang maayos na paaralan,
malinis na ospital, disenteng kabuhayan, patas na katarungan, respeto sa
kultura’t kasaysayan, at pagkakataon para sa lahat,” the President said. PND
(js)
Aquino receives Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Argentine Republic in courtesy call
President Benigno S. Aquino III received the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Argentine Republic Héctor Timerman who
arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a two-day visit.
In a courtesy call at the Music Room of
Malacanang Palace on Friday, President Aquino met with Timerman who was
accompanied by Joaquin Daniel Otero, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary from the Argentine Republic; Carlos Bianco, Undersecretary for
Investment Development and Commercial Promotion, Argentine Republic and Marcos
Lohl'e.
Also in attendance were Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, Chief of Presidential Protocol and
Presidential Assistant for Foreign Affairs Miguel Perez-Rubio; Foreign Affairs
Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta and Philippine Ambassador to Argentina Rey
Carandang.
Upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary
del Rosario, Minister Timerman arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a
two-day visit, the first visit of a Foreign Minister from Latin America during
the administration of President Aquino.
"Timerman's visit reciprocates the visit of
Secretary del Rosario to Buenos Aires, Argentina on August 23 to 25, 2011 where
the two Ministers met at the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Forum
for East Asia and Latin America Cooperation," the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.
"The Philippine-Argentina diplomatic
relations go back 64 years and Argentina is among the first countries in Latin
America with which the Philippines had established bilateral relations. It
manifests the close cooperation and ties between the Philippines and Argentina,
where there has been considerable engagement in the areas of trade, investment
and culture through the years," the DFA said.
With this visit, both the Philippine and
Argentine governments intend to further broaden the ties and engagement between
the two countries and its people.
According to the department, the two foreign
ministers are expected to discuss trade, investments, regional and global
developments, cooperation and exchanges in culture and key areas of the
economy. PND (js)
