P-NOY'S FIRST NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE: PROGRESS WILL PICK UP IN 2011
[PHOTO - President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Thursday walks toward the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila during a ceremony commemorating the 114th death anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal. AFP PHOTO]
MANILA, DECEMBER 31, 2010 (MANILA TIMES) BY CRIS G. ODRONIA REPORTER -
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd called for unity and appealed to Filipinos for continued support for his administration as the country faces another year.
In his first New Year's message as the country's leader, President Aquino specifically asked for the people's continued support for the government's fight against corruption and poverty.
"Noong halalan, pinili ng nakakarami ang tuwid na landas. Dumami pa ang sumanib sa atin pagkatapos ng halalan. Dumami rin ang muling nagtiwala mula sa loob at labas ng bansa [During the May 10 elections this year, many chose the straight path. Many joined us after the elections. Many more here and abroad trusted us again]," the President said.
"Kaya naman sa darating na taon, umaasa tayo na mas bibilis ang ating pag-usad [So in the coming year, we hope that our progress will pick up]," he added.
Mr. Aquino, who campaigned on a platform of change and transparency, was sworn in on June 30 as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.
"Hindi pa tapos ang laban. Marami pa tayong dapat baguhin. Marami pa rin ang nagnanais na manatili ang katiwalian at maibalik tayo sa kadiliman [The fight is not yet over. We still have to change a lot of things. Many still want to bring darkness back]," he said.
"Kapag tayo ay sumuko, malalayo tayo sa liwanag na atin nang nasisilayan. Kaya dapat nating mas lalong paigtingin ang ating pakikiisa sa paggawa ng tama [If we surrender, we will grow apart from the light that we already are seeing. So we should continue supporting what is right]," the President added.
Mr. Aquino also appealed for unity among Filipinos to achieve greater success for the country.
"Kung patuloy tayong magkakaisa, magiging mas makabuluhan ang mga hakbang na magagawa natin upang sa wakas ay makamtan na natin ang ating mga pangarap [If we continue to be united, our steps will be more significant toward realizing our dreams]," he said.
"Nawa'y ipagpatuloy niyo ang inyong pagkalinga sa ating kapwa, ang inyong pagbabayanihan at ang inyong pakikiisa sa ating pagtahak ng tuwid na landas [May you also continue to be compassionate, imbued with sense of community and take the straight path]," the President added.
Unity was also intoned by Vice President Jejomar Binay in his New Year's message.
Binay, also Malacañang chief adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) concerns, in a statement said, "Whatever differences we may have had in the past should now yield to the demands of the present."
"Our challenge is to build today the foundations of a future where our people live in dignity, where government truly serves the interest of the people, where leaders serve with dedication to the public interest, guided by transparency and accountability," he added.
The Vice President said that the government is looking to 2011 "with optimism" that is tempered by the reality that there are "no quick fixes, and that much needs to be undone and refocused in the way government serves the people."
His statement was echoed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
"With a new political leadership, the nation looks forward to fulfillment of the commitment to pursue genuine political and social reforms," Enrile said in another statement also on Thursday.
For the New Year, he added, the Senate "will continue to support government initiatives through the passage of laws that would strengthen the economy, attract more investments, create more jobs and speed up infrastructure development.
It also will emphasize legislation that would lead to political stability, according to Enrile.
"Thus, we shall closely monitor the resumption and progress of the peace process with communist and Muslim rebels. We shall also move resolutely to curb graft and corruption consistent with the new administration's pledge to uphold good governance, the Senate president said.
Also for the New Year, the Iranian government wishes Filipino Christians and other Christians all over the world "happiness, health and a year full of blessings."
In still another statement also on Friday, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran urged Filipinos to continue revering Jesus Christ, "the messenger of peace and kindness founded on the Oneness of God and His Justice [and who] was born from a mother who was purified by the Almighty God and made superior over the rest of the women of the world." WITH REPORT FROM BERNICE CAMILLE V. BAUZON
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANILA DAILY BULLETIN
DR. JOSE RIZAL'S 114TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY
Honor guards unfurl a giant Philippine flag during the observance of the 114th death anniversary of the National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010. (Photo by RICHARD V. VIÑAS)
HONORING RIZAL
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the nation and government officials during Rizal Day's flag-raising and wreath offering ceremonies, along with, from left, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and Vice President Jejomar Binay. (Photo by RICHARD V. VIÑAS)
RIZAL DAY CELEBRATIONS:
FROM MALAYA
Aquino leads Rizal Day celebration
PRESIDENT Aquino leads the commemoration today of the 114th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal with simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies nationwide.
Aquino will attend the 7 a.m. ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila. Among other areas where commemoration rites will also be held are at Rizal's birthplace in Calamba, Laguna, and in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, where he was exiled in July 1892.
This year's ceremony has the theme "Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan." It will be highlighted by the unveiling of the logo of the 114th anniversary of Rizal's martyrdom, which Malacañang said will signal the kick off celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Rizal's birth on June 19, 2011.
The President will be assisted during the rites by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, AFP chief Gen. Ricardo David, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Ambeth Ocampo, chair of the National Historical Commission.
Rizal, who inspired the Philippine revolution through his writings and novels like the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, had been imprisoned in Fort Santiago and after being tried by a military court, was convicted of rebellion and was executed by musketry at the Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) at 7:03 a.m. of Dec. 30, 1896. – Jocelyn Montemayor
FROM MANILA STANDARD
Rizal Day-eve bomb kills Taguig housewife
A gift-wrapped bomb went off and killed a 31-year-old housewife inside her house in Taguig City on Wednesday, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Rizal Day bombing in Metro Manila, which left 22 people dead and scores more wounded.
Yvonne Chua of Mahogany Place died when the bomb exploded on her lap. Her husband Vincent and seven-year-old son who were with her in their house were not hurt, according to Supt. Jose Arne delos Santos, southern police director.
"From what we have gathered, Mrs. Chua was opening the package when it exploded. She was seated on the sofa," Delos Santos said.
The gift package was delivered at the family's old house in Paranaque City the day before. It was then brought by their driver at their new house in Taguig early yesterday.
Bomb experts recovered two unexploded hand grenades from what was left of the package. Police have yet to determine the motive. Ferdie Fabella
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