Lesson of EDSA is not just about gaining back
our freedom by overthrowing a dictator but also using this freedom to inspire
Filipinos to forge ahead towards progress – President Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the
Filipino people to look at the fruits borne out by the successful and bloodless
ousting of a dictator 27 years ago as inspiration to drive our collective will
towards reaping the rewards of freedom and forging on to achieve the country’s
sustainable progress and inclusive growth.
In his speech delivered during rites marking the
27th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power held at the People Power Monument in
the corner of Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue and White Plains Avenue in Quezon
City, the President said it was high time Filipinos drop the cycle of “falling
and rising” when dealing with adversaries threatening to disrupt their way of
life in order to achieve success.
“Ang naiisip ko nga po minsan, parang nawili na
tayo sa siklo ng pagbagsak at pagtindig, na tila ba hindi natin matanggap na
maaari tayong dumiretso at umasenso, nang hindi muling nagagalusan, nang hindi
muling naaapi, nang hindi muling nasasaktan. Mahirap nga pong aminin: eksperto
man tayo sa pagbangon, tila nagkukulang tayo sa pagsulong at pag-asenso,” the
President said.
“Ngayong dalawampu't pitong taon na tayong
malaya mula sa tanikala ng diktadurya; ngayong nakaabante na tayo mula sa halos
isang dekadang pagdausdos dahil sa pang-aabuso't panlalamang ng nakalipas na
pamahalaan-- higit kailanman, dapat lamang na maikintal sa puso't isip ng bawat
isa: Hindi natatapos ang laban sa pagbangon,” he added.
He underscored the importance of Filipinos
joining fellow Filipinos in unity saying that a strong and solid Filipino force
could stand up against any and all obstacles in its path towards progress.
“Kaya nga po, ngayong nakatindig na muli tayo sa
ating dalawang paa, sama-sama naman tayong humakbang pasulong sa tuluyang
pag-asenso. Tapos na ang panahon kung kailan ang Pilipino ay kuntentong
nakapako sa lokasyon, nag-aabang ng susunod na tutulak sa kanya, nakaantabay sa
susunod na pagkadapa. Ngayong nakabangon na tayo, halina't umusad na rin po
tayo; halina't akayin ang kapwa't ituon ang paningin sa hinaharap; halina't
pagpagin ang mga agam-agam at dumiretso tungo sa katuparan ng ating mga
pangarap,” the President said.
“Iyan po ang aral na handog sa atin ng EDSA: Ang
rebolusyong nagsauli ng demokrasya ay siya ring inspirasyon natin ngayon upang
idiretso ang pag-asenso't pag-arangkada. Araw-araw po nating ipagdiwang ang
dangal ng isang lahing hindi na muling babagsak, hindi na muling magpapaapi,
hindi na lamang basta makukuntento sa kultura ng pagbangon; araw-araw po nating
isapuso ang bagong kultura ng walang-dalawang-isip, walang-atubili, at
walang-takot na pagsulong,” he added.
“Karapatan nating sumulong at umasenso.
Obligasyon natin ang kaganapan nito,” he said.
Joining the President were Vice President Jejomar
Binay, Cabinet members represented by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and
members of the Senate and House represented by Senator Franklin Drilon and
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; respectively.
Prior to his speech, the President led the
awarding of the Spirit of Edsa Foundation Awards (SOEFA), witnessed the
presentation of a Pledge of Commitment by governors, and religious, business
and youth representatives and the “Salubungan” rites depicting the occasion
when the military, non-governmental organizations, religious, business, youth,
government and basic sector representatives converged on EDSA to fight the
dictator.
He was also accorded full military honors upon
arriving at the venue. PND (rck)
President Aquino declares February 28 as special
non-working day in Tangub, Misamis Occidental in celebration of its 45th
Charter Anniversary
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
February 28, which fall on a Thursday as a special non-working day in the city
of Tangub in the province of Misamis Occidental, in celebration of its 45th
Charter Anniversary.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration by
virtue of Proclamation No. 550 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa
Jr. on February 13, to give the people of Tangub the full opportunity to
celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On June 17, 1967, Tangub became a chartered city
by virtue of Republic Act No.5136. Since then, Tangub observes its charter
anniversary on February 28 every year. PND (js)
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President Aquino signs into law Human Rights
Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013
President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law
the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 in ceremonies
marking the 27th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power held at the EDSA People
Power Monument in Quezon City on Monday.
In his speech, the President said the new law
recognizes the heroism and sacrifices of Filipinos who were victims of summary
execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and other gross human
rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand
Marcos from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986.
“Kaya nga po sa araw ding ito, nilagdaan natin
ang Human Rights Victims Reparation Act of 2013 ---bilang pagkilala sa
pagdurusang dinaanan ng napakarami noong Batas Militar, at upang ipakitang
lumipas man ang henerasyon, hindi tayo panghihinaan ng loob sa pagtatama ng mga
mali ng nakaraan,” the President said.
“Kabilang po ng iba pang mga nagsulong ng batas
na ito, tiniyak nilang hindi man maibabalik ang panahon na ninakaw sa mga
biktima ng Batas Militar, masisiguro naman ang pagkilala ng estado sa kanilang
pinagdaanan, at nang sa gayon ay mailapit sila sa tuluyang paghihilom ng mga
sugat ng nakaraan,” he added.
Under the new law, human rights victims and
their heirs are entitled to monetary compensation to be sourced from the
P10-billion transferred to the Philippines as adjudged by the Swiss Federal
Supreme Court on December 10, 1997 and non-monetary compensation to be provided
by the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Education, CHED and TESDA
and other government agencies. PND (rck)
Malacanang bares members of Transition
Commission tasked to draft Bangsamoro Basic Law
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed
the 15 members of the Transition Commission that is tasked to draft the
Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made
the announcement at a press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.
On the part of the Government of the Philippines
panel, the seven appointees are: Hon. Akmad A. Sakkam, Hon. Johaira C. Wahab,
Hon. Talib A. Benito, Hon. Asani S. Tammang, Hon. Pedrito A. Eisma, Hon.
Froilyn T. Mendoza, and Hon. Fatmawati T. Salapuddin.
Those selected by the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) are: Hon. Mohagher Iqbal, who is the chairman of the Transition
Commission; Hon. Robert M. Alonto, Hon. Abdulla U. Camlian, Hon. Ibrahim D.
Ali, Hon. Raissa H. Jajurie, Hon. Melanio U. Ulama, Hon. Hussein P. Munoz and
Hon. Said M. Shiek.
Pursuant to Executive Order 120 series of 2013,
the Transition Commission is composed of 15 members; seven to be chosen by the
President and eight, including the chairman, selected by the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF).
According to Lacierda, the seven appointees of
the government panel underwent thorough screening and evaluation by a
Transition Commission Selection Body composed of Justice Secretary Leila de
Lima, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, and the
Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Mehol Sadain.
Among the qualification requirements considered
by the body for each appointee include: a Bangsamoro, a track record in support
of the peace process, established probity, and untainted by any charge or
suspicion of corruption or abuse of power.
“The appointment of these individuals who
represent vital Bangsamoro constituencies and have proven their commitment to
pursuing amity and goodwill in Muslim Mindanao is a key step on the roadmap to
the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Political Entity,” Lacierda said.
“This is a manifestation of the seriousness of
both the Philippine Government and the MILF to uphold the historic Framework
Agreement and move forward in the peace process,” he added.
Lacierda said the transition commission has an
initial budget allocation of P100 million. PND (jb)
President Aquino calls on the young to unite in
protecting country’s democracy
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the
young to unite in protecting the country’s democracy that was restored by the
EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.
In his speech at the Tatak EDSA Salu-Salubungang
Pambata held at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacanang Palace on Monday, the Chief
Executive said the future of democracy lies in the hands of children and youth.
"Ngayon ngang nagtagumpay na tayo at malaya
sa diktador, inaasahan namin na kayong kabataan, pati na ang susunod na
henerasyon, na gawin ang tama sa lahat ng oras," he said.
"Minsan ngang sinabi ng tatay ko, “The ball
is now in your hands.” Ipinapasa niya na sa akin ang pagkakataon para
mag-desisyon at gawin kung ano ang tama. Ngayon naman, turno kong sabihin sa
inyo, 'Nasa kamay na ninyo ang kakayahan na gawin ang tama, at iwasan ang
mali'," the President stressed.
President Aquino told the young participants,
composed of children from various orphanages in the country, to remember the
sacrifices of the Filipinos to end the oppressive Marcos regime. The bloodless
People Power Revolution renewed the power of the people, strengthened the
meaning of democracy, and restored the democratic institutions of government.
The true empowerment of democracy was exhibited
in EDSA when Filipinos managed to successfully oust a tyrant through a
demonstration without violence and bloodshed.
"Nagdesisyon ang milyun-milyong mga
Pilipino—mga pari, madre, pulis, sundalo, estudyante’t maraming sibilyan—na
dapat nang alisin ang nagpapahirap sa bayan. Sa loob ng apat na araw ng
pagdarasal, paninindigan, at pagsasama-sama sa EDSA, tahimik at mapayapang
nagwakasasan ang pakikipaglaban sa diktadurya," he said.
The President acknowledged the role of the youth
in protecting our freedom and democracy.
"Umaasa akong magpapakabait kayo at
iingatan ninyo and ipapamana naming malayang pamumuhay. Bilang responsableng
kabataan, alam kong hindi kayo mandaraya sa mga test?" he said
"Tiwala akong hindi kayo mananahimik na
lang kapag may nakita kayong mali. Alam kong tutulungan ninyo ang kapwa ninyong
nangangailangan. Dahil kapag pinairal ninyo ang mabuting asal, siguradong mas
magandang buhay ang naghihintay sa inyo sa hinaharap," he added.
In the afternoon, Malacanang opened the gates to
welcome children from seven orphanages namely, Associacion de Demas Filipinas
Inc., Dar Amanah Children's Village Foundation Inc., Bukas Palad Foundation of
the Philippines, Casa Miani: San Jose, Sulyap ng Pag-Asa Foundation, Gawad
Kalinga Baseco Compound and Families and Children for Employment and
Development Foundation.
The program opened with storytelling activities
imparting Filipino values to the children. The children watched performances
and listened to the youth leaders who pledged to do their best to contribute to
the country. PND (js)
