Monday 24 September 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Friday, September 21, 2012

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. TaƱada 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)