President Aquino leads ceremonial switch-on of
christmas lights at Malacanang Palace Grounds
Despite
being the season for merry-making and cheer, President Benigno S. Aquino III
said on Thursday that the focus of Christmas time is the birth of Jesus Christ,
who was brought into this world to save man from his sins.
In his
speech delivered after leading the ceremonial switching on of the Office of the
President Christmas Tree in Malacañang, the President said the birth of Christ
and the following visit of three kings to the Child King stood as constant
reminder to him and to those in government of the importance of humility, faith
and devotion.
“Sa likod
po ng mga paghahanda natin sa darating na Kapaskuhan; sa pagsasabit man ng mga
parol at makukulay na dekorasyon, o sa pagsisindi ng Christmas lights, batid po
natin ang bukal ng ating pagdiriwang. Ito po ang pagsilang ni Hesukristo, hindi
sa harap ng luho’t karangyaan, kundi sa munting sabsaban,” the President said.
“Nariyan
din ang tatlong haring sinuyod ang mahabang paglalakbay, upang bigyang pugay
ang pagdating ni Hesukristong tutubos sa ating mga kasalanan. Lagi’t lagi po
nitong ipinapaalala sa atin ang halaga ng pagpapakumbaba, at taimtim na pananampalataya,”
he added.
The Holy
Bible narrates the story on the birth of Jesus Christ who was visited by three
kings: Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar. The trio travelled far and long to bring
their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus, who was born to Joseph
and Mary in a manger in Bethlehem.
The
President said this story serves as an inspiration to those in government about
good governance as it shows the importance of serving the people.
“Ito po
ang diwang gumagabay at nagbibigay inspirasyon sa ating mabuting pamamahala.
Narito ang ating gobyerno upang paglingkuran ang nangangailangan, at hindi para
maghari-harian. Anuman pong hirap ng mga pagsubok ang ating pinagdaanan,
nalampasan natin dahil sa pakikibalikat ng masisipag na kawani ng Office of the
President,” the President said acknowledging the vital role employees of the OP
play in the day-to-day running of the government.
“Kayo po
ang frontliners sa pagtataguyod ng pagbabago, at nagbubunsod ng pag-asa at
higit na pagkakataon para sa mas nakakarami. Hindi po ako magsasawang
magpasalamat sa ipinapamalas ninyong sipag at sigasig,” the President said.
He
pointed out the symbolism attached to the ceremonial lighting of the gigantic
Christmas Tree that stands 43 feet and is festooned with 2,500 white Christmas
lanterns (parol) with individual incandescent bulbs within.
He said
the Chirstmas Tree stands for the ability of every Filipino to become a source
of light and once this light is gathered as one, can become a source of good.
“Kaakibat
po ng tradisyon natin ng pagsisindi sa ating Christmas lights, ang
pagpapa-ningas ng isa pang simbolo ---ang paghahandog ng liwanag para sa ating
kapwa at bansa. Tandaan po nating may kanya-kanya tayong tungkulin at
kakayahang magtanglaw ng liwanag, hindi lang para sa sarili, kundi upang
makatulong sa mas nangangailangan,” the President said.
“Narito
tayo para maglingkod; hindi para makasilaw at manlamang. Gaano man kaliit,
basta tama ang ating ginagawa, ay magdudulot ng dambuhalang ambag sa ating pag-unlad,”
he added. PND (rck)
NEDA Board approves 11 major projects
The
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President
Benigno S. Aquino III, approved 11 major projects to ensure the country’s
development particularly in the rural areas.
The
President approved the projects during the NEDA Board Meeting in Malacanang on
Thursday (November 29).
These
projects include the P1.14 billion Albay West Coast Road Project, the P43
billion ,Cavite-Laguna Expressway (approved in principle, pending a review of
the cost), the P2.1 billion Tacloban Airport Redevelopment Project, and the
P8.8 billion acquisition of Multi-Role Response vessels;
The P8.87
billion Mactan, Cebu International Airport Terminal, the P1.7 billion
Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System, the P68 million (Component A
only) Convergence on Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment
Approved and the P7.39 billion extension of the Mindanao Rural Development
Project 2.
Also
approved by the NEDA board are the P1.16 billion rehabilitation of Angat
Hydroelectric Plant (Turbines 4 and 5), the P13.14 billion school
infrastructure project (10,679 classrooms), and the P25.56 billion NLEX-SLEX
Connector (approved in principle, pending a review of the cost). PND (as)
President Aquino urges Filipinos to emulate the
ideals and positive traits of Andres Bonifacio
President
Benigno S. Aquino III urged the Filipino people to keep alive the ideals and
positive traits of Andres Bonifacio as he challenged them to strive hard in
bringing the nation to sustainable progress and development.
In his
speech at the 149th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio and the kickoff
celebration for "Bonifacio@150" at the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine
in San Juan City on Friday, the Chief Executive urged the Filipinos to remember
the patriotism and bravery of Bonifacio in combatting all forms of oppression
"Mahalaga ring mamulat ang mga tao sa
katotohanan... na sa bawat sagupaang kaniyang pinamunuan, ni minsan, hindi
nanaig si Bonifacio. Gayumpaman, ang bawat munting kabiguan, ang bawat buhay na
naibuwis, ang bawat patak ng dugong dumanak, ay siyang dumilig sa lupang uhaw
sa kalayaan; siyang nagpataba sa mga tigang na bisig ng mga Katipunero, siyang
nagpasibol sa diwa ng kabayanihan sa bawat sulok ng ating kapuluan," the
President said.
"Makailang
beses man siyang nabigo, hindi nagbago ang paninindigan ni Bonifacio... lalaban
tayo, hangga’t hindi natin nakakamit ang kalayaan. Nakatutok siya sa kaniyang
adhika: matalo man tayo sa mga munting laban, hindi magtatagal ay magtatagumpay
rin tayo sa digmaan; makakamit din natin ang tunay na kasarinlan," he
said.
The
President Aquino said Filipinos must emulate the example set forth by Bonifacio
and our ancestors whose supreme sacrifice for the nation brought us freedom.
"Ngayon, isa tayong malayang bansa.
Walang banyagang mananakop; wala ang tanikala ng mga Kastila. Pinatunayan natin
sa lahat ng mga nagtangkang alipinin ang ating lahi na hindi tayo papasindak,
at handa tayong ipaglaban kung alin ang tunay na sa atin," he said.
"Hindi rin kalabisang isipin, na kung may
maituturing man tayong rehas sa nakaraang dekada, ito ay ang katiwalian at
kahirapan. Subalit, dahil na rin sa ating pagkakaisa’t malasakit sa kapwa,
nababaklas na rin ito sa tuwid na daan," he added.
The
President said that the Filipino citizenry... all of them have great
responsibilities to fulfill for our nation
"Bilang pagkilala sa sakripisyo ni
Bonifacio, at ng libu-libong ninuno nating nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay, simple
lang ang tungkulin po natin: Lahat tayo ay may papel na maaaring gampanan sa
paghubog ng ating bayan. Huwag tayong papasakop sa sarili nating limitasyon.
Huwag tayong papasakop sa takot at pagdududang nagsisilbing pilat ng ating
kasaysayan. Huwag tayong papasakop sa mga magtatangkang ibalik ang pang-aapi ng
nakaraan," he noted.
"Lagi nating tatandaan ---lahi tayo ng
mga bayani. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Bonifacio. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Rizal.
Hindi tayo mauubusan ng Ninoy. Hindi tayo mauubusan ng mga Pilipinong handang
tumugon sa ngalan ng bandila at bayan,” he said.
In
closing, the President urged Filipinos to remain on the straight and righteous
path towards a progressive future. PND (js)
President Aquino to lead awarding rites for
‘Belenismo’ in Tarlac Saturday
President
Benigno S. Aquino III will grace this year’s awarding ceremony for the
"Belenismo sa Tarlac," an annual tradition promoting the art of
Belen-making, on Saturday at the Tarlac College of Agriculture Gymnasium in
Brgy. Malacampa, Camiling, Tarlac.
The
President is expected to lead the awards rites for the first prize winners in
the six categories of ‘Belenismo’: high school diorama, personal diorama,
church, monumental, grand municipal (local government units) and grand
non-municipal (government agencies and business establishments).
Upon his
arrival, the President will be received by ‘Belenismo’s’ founding chairpersons
Isabel and Isa Cojuangco Suntay of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Camiling
Mayor Neil Agustin, and Dr. Max P. Guillermo, president of the Tarlac College
of Agriculture.
Dubbed as
the “Belen Capital of the Philippines” by the Department of Tourism, the
provincial government of Tarlac organizes ‘Belenismo’ every year drawing
entries from different individuals and institutions for the belen-making
contest.
A belen
is a tableau depicting the nativity scene which is a common adornment that can
be found in Filipino households every Yuletide season.
Since its
inception in 2007, ‘Belenismo’ has become not only an annual competition for belen
makers in Tarlac but also a gathering for tourists who wish to relive the
spirit of Christmas through various artistic interpretations of how Jesus
Christ was born. PND (hdc)
Aquino to ask lawmakers to decide on RH Bill
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he’ll meet
with the lawmakers on Monday to discuss the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill for
its immediate passage.
In an
interview in Mandaue City on Friday at the sidelines of his meeting with the
Liberal Party members, the President said he will ask legislators to ensure a
quorum and a decision is reached for the proposal.
“Makikiusap ako sa kanila. Number one, siguraduhin
ang quorum; number two, siguraduhin na madesisyunan. ‘Pag iniwan nating
nakabinbin, meron itong divisive factor,” the President said.
“Pero
sana malaktawan na natin ang division. Kailangan magkaroon ng desisyon, either
way. Kung anong ipasa nila, ‘yun ang ipapatupad ng Executive,” he added.
Asked if
he’ll agree with whatever the House decision would be, the President reiterated
his stand on the issue, noting that he is for responsible parenthood.
“I’m
pro... for Responsible Parenthood that this is a matter of conscience. Lahat
tayo may value system, may belief system, at kailangan tugunan natin ang
sinasabi ng ating konsensya,” he stressed.
According
to the President, the Liberal Party won’t impose anything on any member when
they decide on the issue, adding that he believes every party member will
decide based on their conscience.
He also
said there might be a decision to certify RH Bill as urgent, depending on the
necessity. But he noted that he’s not keen on certifying bills as urgent because
there are certain guidelines for such proposals to be certified as urgent.
“As a
general rule, napakatipid kong mag-certify ng urgent kaalinsunod nang nakalagay
sa Saligang Batas na kung kailan puwedeng maging urgent. So hindi basta-basta
‘yun na ilalagay na urgent,” he said.
The
meeting on Monday to discuss the proposal with House members will be the second
time for President Aquino.
In a
meeting at Malacanang last August, the President pleaded with the lawmakers to
end floor debates on the said measure. They eventually voted to move the
proposed law to the period of amendments.
RH
supporters believe the President’s intervention, particularly by certifying the
bill as urgent, would get the measure approved, ending a 13-year fight for the
proposed RH law. PND (as)
President Aquino orders Department of Foreign Affairs to clarify new
territorial policy of China
MANDAUE
CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III said he has instructed the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask China to clarify reports saying that Chinese
authorities will board ships that will enter its territorial waters in the
disputed West Philippine Sea.
In an
interview here during a Liberal Party meeting, the President said he told
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to raise the issue with China to
know whether the actions is an official state policy.
“Kung
mapatunayan na meron talagang ganoong kautusan, hindi proposal, at talagang
gagawin nila... maglo-lodge tayo ng isang diplomatic note or formal protest.
And it also tells us where to go to in terms of advancing our interest,” the
President said.
“We might
accelerate and bring it before the appropriate international tribunal to
finally settle the matter, or at least start the process of settling it legally
and concretely,” he added.
Asked if
he’ll consider appealing to China not to exacerbate the situation, the
President said he made it clear during the 21st ASEAN Summit in Cambodia,
particularly during the East Asia Summit, that countries must work together to
ease the tensions in the West Philippine Sea, and that everyone must show
goodwill.
But the
President said he doesn’t want to jump into conclusions that’s why he asked the
DFA to clarify the issue with China first before the Philippines does an
appropriate response.
“Hintayin
natin ma-determine fully kung ano ba talaga ang kanilang bagong patakaran, kung
meron man. At kung mapatunayan..., kikilos tayo nang kaalinsunod doon sa…kung
may kilos silang ganyan. Kung wala naman ay hindi tayo magdadagdag ng
tensiyon,” the President said.
China’s
state media said on Thursday that police in the Hainan province will board and
search ships that will enter into what China considers its territorial waters
in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
The new
rules come into effect on January 1 and will allow Hainan police to board and
seize control of foreign ships said to be illegaly entering Chinese waters.
China
claims sovereignty over most, if not all of the West Philippine Sea that is
believed to be rich in natural gas and mineral deposits.
Aside
from these resources, the area is important because it serves as a major sea
lane to world’s trade and commerce.
The
Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia all lay claims to the
disputed territories.
The
President also said the country may have a new ambassador to China by February
to replace Sonia Brady who vacated the post a few months ago for health
reasons.
He said
that he will discuss the matter with Secretary Del Rosario on Monday. He said
the Foriegn Affairs Secretary had told him about a very capable candidate for
the post.
“Siyempre
may proseso pa tayong dadaanan. We will have this talk by Monday...ang final
discussions namin on the matter, tapos ang process nang pag-nominate natin,
haharap sa Commission on Appointments for approval bago siya makaupo,” he said.
PND (as)
President Aquino to attend thanksgiving mass for
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle
Fresh
from attending a national thanksgiving mass in honor of San Pedro Calungsod in
Cebu, President Benigno S. Aquino III will again grace a similar event this
time in celebration of His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle’s recent
elevation to the College of Cardinals.
The
thanksgiving mass for Cardinal Tagle will be held on Saturday morning at the
San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila.
Archbishop Tagle, 55, officially became a
cardinal along with five others following a consistory held in Vatican City
last November 24 presided by no less than Pope Benedict XVI. He is the seventh
Cardinal produced by the Philippines since the time of Pope John XXIII.
President
Aquino has welcomed the Vatican’s decision to name Archbishop Tagle among its
new cardinals immediately upon being apprised of it while on a state visit to
Australia last October.
“Archbishop Tagle is somebody I really admire
from way back and it’s really a credit to what he has done for the church and
for its followers to be recognized and given this singular honor,” he said in a
previous interview. PND (hdc)
President Aquino leads nation in celebrating
149th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio
President
Benigno S. Aquino III led the nation in celebrating the 149th birth anniversary
of Andres Bonifacio and kick-off celebration for Bonifacio@150 at the
Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, San Juan City on Friday.
The Chief
Executive graced the event that has for its theme "Bonifacio: Dangal at
Kabayanihan" (Bonifacio: Honor and Heroism") as guest of honor and
speaker.
The
nation on Friday begins a year-long commemoration of the life, works, and
achievements of Bonifacio, culminating in the sesquicentennial of his birth on
November 30, 2013.
With the
support of the uniformed services, cultural agencies, local government units,
and non-government organizations, the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines has lined up numerous activities, publications, and events for
Filipinos to remember Bonifacio, the Supremo of the Katipunan.
During
the event, President Aquino led the unveiling of the "Bonifacio@150"
logo. The highlights of the celebration included the Little Katipuneros Fun Run
and the inauguration of the E-Learning room at the Museo ng Katipunan where
interactive history lessons will be featured.
Other
sites for the simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying include the Bonifacio
National Monument in Caloocan City, Bonifacio Memorial Shrine beside the Manila
City Hall, Bonifacio Monument Balintawak in Cloverleaf, Quezon City, Bonifacio
Monument in Tutuban Mall, Manila and the Bonifacio Trial House and Execution
Site in Maragondon, Cavite.
Among
those who attended the event were San Juan Lone District Representative Joseph
Victor G. Ejercito, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro; Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino; NHCP chair Dr. Maria Serena
I. Diokno; San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez; former Prime Minister Cesar Virata;
former Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora; and lawyer Gregorio Bonifacio, a
descendant of the hero, among others. PND (js)
