President Aquino says member-countries of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation can learn from successes of Philippine
anti-corruption drive
Member countries of the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) can learn from the successes of the Philippines in fighting
corruption for the benefit of the entire region, President Benigno S. Aquino
III said on Thursday evening.
Speaking during the dinner he hosted in
Malacanang for the participants of the APEC Anti-corruption Code of Conduct for
Business, the President reported the gains that his administration has achieved
in two years of carrying out reforms in the Philippine bureaucracy, with the
private sector and the government working together.
“And I believe this success can be replicated on
a regional scale, for the collective benefit of all APEC member-economies,” the
President said.
“It is possible. We can make this into a reality
for APEC. Just as the Filipino people came together to vote me into office on
the platform of ending corruption—just as the Philippine business community has
stood up in support of ethics and integrity—so too can our countries come
together and truly make this Anti-Corruption Code of Conduct for Business a
success,” he stressed.
The President encouraged the anti-corruption
forum delegates to pool everyone’s knowledge, learn from each other, and push
the Asia-Pacific into a new era of honesty, transparency, accountability, and
progress.
Among the reform measures being carried out by
the administration include pursuing greater transparency in government
transactions by all national government agencies and local government units by
disclosing their budget information, bids, public offerings, and project
status.
The tax bureau also put up a website called
Budget ng Bayan to raise public awareness about how the government works and
how their taxes are spent.
As a result, it has won back investors’
confidence in the Philippine economy, the President said. For instance, the
Philippine stock exchange index has hit a record high 44 times.
According to the President, the World Economic
Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report also adjusted the country’s standing,
from 85th in 2010 to 65th in 2012, a proof of a thriving economy. The country’s
gross domestic product is also doing well, and in the second quarter, the
country posted a 5.9 percent GDP growth.
More than 45 international delegates for the
APEC Forum arrived in Manila for a two-day meeting, from September 20 to 21, to
share their best anti-corruption practices for the expanded implementation of
the APEC Anti-Corruption Code of Conduct for Business.
The Forum features anti-corruption expert
speakers and presenters from institutions such as Transparency International
(TI), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Asian Development Bank
(ADB), World Bank, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Representatives from Australia, Chile and
Vietnam are presenting their experiences as pilot economies in implementing the
APEC Code, while China and Malaysia share their best anti-corruption practices.
PND (as/12am)
President Aquino urges Filipinos to emulate his
late father Senator 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. and Senator Diokno, who offered their
lives for the country and people
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija: President Benigno
S. Aquino III encouraged the people to live by the principles of his father,
the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and Senator Jose Diokno, who both
offered their lives in serving the country and the Filipino people.
In his speech during the inauguration of the
refurbished Aquino-Diokno Memorial and the New Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) Center for Human Rights Dialogue, here, Friday, President Aquino urged
the people to emulate the characteristics shown by the older Aquino and Diokno
in efforts to pursue democracy and freedom in the country.
“Patuloy sana nating isabuhay ang paninindigan
ng aking pong ama at ni Senator Jose Diokno at ng mga nagbuklod sa Edsa…
pinatunayan nilang posible ang pagtutuwid sa sistema nang walang pagdanak ng
dugo. Sa pagkakaisa ay kaya nating itama ang takbo ng kasaysayan at itutok ito
sa mga adhikain natin sa tuwid na daan,” the President said.
“Tiwala akong sa ating pagkakapit-bisig,
magsisilbi rin kayong lahat na testigo sa malawakan at makabuluhang pagbabago
na ipamamana natin sa susunod na salinlahi ng Pilipino,” he added.
The Chief Executive also underscored the
importance of observing and respecting human rights not only by the authorities
but also by the other sectors of society.
“Nawa’y patuloy na maging lunsaran ang pook na
ito sa higit pang pagyabong ng ating respeto sa karapatang pantao hindi lamang
sa ating mga kasundaluhan kundi pati na sa iba’t-ibang sector ng ating
lipunan,” President Aquino said.
He noted the considerable achievements of the
government in preserving the peace and freedom following the people’s
sufferings under the martial law era.
“Malayo na po ang narating natin sa kasalukuyan…
ang lugar na ito na minsang ginamit ng diktadurya upang pagmalupitan ang nanindigan
para sa katuwiran ay isa nang pananda na magpapa-alaala sa atin sa mga kamalian
ng nakaraan. Ang hukbong sandatahan na dati’y kinasangkapan sa paniniil ng mga
Pilipino, maaasahan nang kabalikat sa pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng sambayanan,”
the President said.
Upon his arrival, the President was welcomed by
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, 7th Infantry Division Commanding Officer
Allan Luga and other officers and members of the AFP.
The event coincides with the 40th anniversary of
the declaration of Martial Law.
Also in attendance were Presidential
Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma
Jr., National Historical Commission of the Philippines Commissioner Maria
Serena Diokno and Presidential Sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, among others.
The President led the unveiling of the project
marker followed by the tour and inspection of the new AFP Center for Human
Rights Dialogue and the refurbished Aquino-Diokno Memorial. Gazmin briefed the
President on the salient features of the projects.
The Aquino-Diokno (codename: Alpha-Delta)
Memorial was established to honor the two great Filipinos (Senators Benigno
Aquino Jr. and Jose Diokno) who were detained inside the Fort Magsaysay in the
year 1973 as well as the ideals the two statesmen personified. It also
demonstrates the DND-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) solidarity with the
Filipino people to pursue lasting peace and democracy.
The jail facility was the former headquarters
for the 1st Military Security Detachment (1MSD), Military Security Unit (MSU)
of the Philippine Army which was converted into a detention facility under the
Martial Law. On March 12, 1973, after nearly six months of detention in Fort
Bonifacio, Senators Aquino and Diokno were brought to the facility for solitary
confinement. The two statesmen endured uncertainty and isolation from their
families, friends, followers and each other until April 11, 1973.
The memorial is dedicated to the spirit of
freedom and the triumph of the human spirit.
The New AFP Center for Human Rights Dialogue, on
the other hand, serves as a venue for regular interaction between the AFP
personnel and the other stakeholders in the country’s pursuit for peace and
development. The establishment of the center demonstrates the DND-AFP’s
seriousness in embracing the principles of human rights. PND (jcl/1:00 p.m.)
President Aquino says DILG Secretary Roxas to
relay to highest levels of Chinese leadership the views of Philippine
government on overlapping claims over West Philippine Sea
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija: President Benigno
S. Aquino III said that Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II
will relay to the highest levels of leadership of the People's Republic of
China the views of the Philippine government on the overlapping claims over the
West Philippine Sea.
The Chief Executive made this statement during a
media interview here following his attendance at the inauguration of the
refurbished Aquino-Diokno Memorial and the New Armed Forces of the Philippines
Center for Human Rights Dialogue.
President Aquino has designated Secretary Roxas,
upon the recommendation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, as his
special envoy to the 9th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) to be held from September 21
to 25 in Nanning, China. Roxas flew to China on Thursday night to attend the
CAEXPO.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said
it is making arrangements for Secretary Roxas and the Philippine delegation to
meet with high-level Chinese officials. China’s Vice President Xi Jinping is
attending the CAEXPO.
“Ang instruction ko kay Secretary Roxas
simpleng-simple: siguraduhin na maparating ang ating mga pananaw doon sa
highest levels of the leadership of the People’s Republic of China para klarong
walang lost in translation, para klaro kung saan tayo nagmumula, anong agam-agam
natin, anong inaasahan natin,” President Aquino said.
“Kung magrerespond sila, maganda; kung hindi,
maliwanag sa atin na naiparating sa kanila ang talagang sinasaloob natin ng
maliwanag na maliwanag,” the President added.
The Chinese Government had requested the
Philippines to send a high-level delegation to the CAEXPO.
“China is a one-party state. Si Mar Roxas is
president of the party that I belong to. Sa Vietnam at sa China, nagkaroon sila
ng usapan kung saan naging daan ang isang party to party na dialogue,” he said.
CAEXPO, co-sponsored by China and ASEAN, is an
international event held annually since 2004 with the objective of promoting
the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. It is an excellent platform for cooperation in
the fields of infrastructure investment, trade, and tourism, among others.
Expected to attend the CAEXPO are the President
of Myanmar, Prime Ministers of Laos and Vietnam, and the Deputy Prime Ministers
of Malaysia and Thailand. PND(co)
President Aquino leads nation in honoring the
heroes and martyrs of Martial Law at Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the Filipino
nation in honoring the heroes and martyrs of the Martial Law at the Bantayog ng
mga Bayani in Diliman, Quezon City on Friday.
The Chief Executive attended the event on
Remembering Martial Law and the Struggle for Freedom and Justice where he was
guest of honor and keynote speaker. With the theme "A Tribute to Martial
Law Heroes and Martyrs," the event also marks the 40th Anniversary of the
Martial Law.
To honor the people who lived and died in
defiance of the repressive Martial Law regime from 1972 to 1996, a Wall of
Remembrance stands in the corner of Quezon Avenue and EDSA where the names of
the martyrs are inscribed. They include students, workers, farmers, teachers,
lawyers, journalists, justices, local government officials, religious, and
soldiers.
The Bantayog’s Wall of Remembrance is a granite
structure that serves as the centerpiece of the whole Bantayog complex. Information
about these courageous individuals may be viewed in a special section of the
Bantayog Museum, called the Hall of Remembrance.
The Chief Executive was joined by National
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Dr. Maria Serena
"Maris" Diokno, Bantayog ng Mga Bayani Foundation executive director
Nievelena Rosete, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman,
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio
"Sonny" Coloma, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary
Ronald Llamas, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis
Tolentino and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.
Also in attendance were Deputy Speaker Lorenzo
“Erin” R. Tañada III, Quezon City Rep. Jorge “ Bolet” Banal, Bagong Henerasyon
party-list representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Armed Forces Vice Chief of
Staff Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice
Admiral Alexander Pama, Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz, and Atty. Felipe
Gozun.
High school students from Quezon City, NHCP and
Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation officials, representatives from various local
government units (LGUs) and some descendants of the deceased heroes of the
Martial Law regime were also present.
On September 23, 1972, then President Ferdinand
E. Marcos appeared on television to announce to the entire Filipino nation that
he has put the entire Philippines under a state of Martial Law.
Marcos, subsequently, locked down Congress and
established a totalitarian government. The Martial Law regime ended following
the historic 1986 EDSA Revolution. PND (js)
Aquino orders National Historical Commission to
document experiences and stories of individuals during Martial Law era
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to form a committee
with the task of thoroughly documenting the experiences and stories from
individuals who were alive during the Martial Law era to ensure that only the
truth will be printed in the books used by students.
In his keynote speech during the event on
Remembering Martial Law and the Struggle for Freedom and Justice held at the
Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Diliman, Quezon City on Friday, the Chief Executive
said he issued the directive to ensure the informations that will be passed on
to the students are based only on true historical events.
"Nais nating tiyakin na katotohanan lamang
ang bukal ng mga impormasyong nakalimbag sa mga aklat ng mga estudyante—hindi
sa pinagtagpi-tagping kasinungalingan ng mga propagandista; hindi sa mga retaso
ng panlilinlang ng mga rebisyonista," the President said.
During the event, which has for its theme
"A Tribute to Martial Law Heroes and Martyrs," the President also
vowed to continue the fight his father Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. and the
heroes and martyrs of the Martial Law regime started in their quest to bring
genuine and lasting democracy to the Philippines.
He called on the Filipino nation not to allow
our rights and our freedom to be imperiled again.
"Hindi ako makakapayag na maipasang muli sa
susunod na henerasyon ang mga pagkakamali ng kasaysayan. Pahalagahan natin ang
pamana’t aral ng Batas Militar. Tungkulin ng bawat isa sa ating alagaan ito,
gamit ang tiwala sa isa’t isa, pagmamahal sa katotohanan, at higit sa lahat, sa
pagkilala’t pagbibigay-halaga sa sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani. Huwag nating
sayangin ang kanilang ipinaglaban," the President said.
The President told the people to remember the
sacrifices of the Filipino people under the Marcos dictatorship in their quest
for freedom, social justice and genuine democracy.
"Nais ko lang pong linawin: Nabawi natin
ang demokrasya, hindi dahil sa asasinasyon ng aking ama. Nabawi natin ito dahil
may daan-daang bayani pa tayong tumaya para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga
inaaapi; dahil may iba pang pilit na pumalag upang pabagsakin ang
naghahari-harian; dahil may iba pang hindi nagpaalipin sa mga kagustuhan ng
diktador, at nanindigan para sa karapatan ng kanilang kapwa; dahil may iba pang
martir na bumaklas sa tanikala ng rehimeng Marcos, kahit pa alam nilang buhay
nila ang nakataya," he said.
He also reminded the people that the entire
Filipino nation managed to overthrow a dictatorship peacefully and ended
Martial Law through the Filipino people's faith and trust in one another.
"Tungkulin ng bawat isa sa ating alagaan
ito, gamit ang tiwala sa isa’t isa, pagmamahal sa katotohanan, at higit sa
lahat, sa pagkilala’t pagbibigay-halaga sa sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani.
Huwag nating sayangin ang kanilang ipinaglaban. Ayokong maranasan ninyo ang
pinagdaanang hirap at sakripisyo ng aking ama, at ng iba pang naging biktima ng
Martial Law," the President averred.
The President likewise called on the Filipino to
join hands in turning the crooked principles and beliefs into the straight
path.
"Itinatama natin ang mga baluktot na
prinsipyo’t kaisipan upang higit na ipaalala ang halaga ng demokrasya at
kalayaan, gayundin ang tunay na kabayanihan ng mga Pilipinong lumaban sa
diktadurya," he said.
"Katapatan at katotohanan lamang ang tangi
nating lalakaran sa tuwid na daan. Hindi na tayo kailanman maliligaw, at ang
tanging ipamamana namin sa inyo—sa ating mga kabataan—ay isang maliwanag,
malaya, at makatarungang bayan," he said. PND (js)
