THE PRESIDENT TURNS 51: HIS WISH, MAKE PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER
MANILA, FEBRUARY 9, 2011 (MALAYA) JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR - PRESIDENT Aquino on his 51st birthday yesterday made a commitment to work doubly hard to better the lives of Filipinos soonest.
In an ambush interview at a medical-dental mission organized in his honor by the Office of the President, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Presidential Security Group at the Chino Roces Bridge parking area outside Malacañang Palace, Aquino said he no longer has any wishes to make for himself.
He said he is more interested in the "transformation of society for the betterment of our people's lives at a faster pace than what we have so far managed to achieve."
Aquino interacted with indigent residents and medical teams and observed the distribution of gift packs to beneficiaries from the Malacañang League of Barangays after attending a Thanksgiving Mass at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang offered by the Office of the President.
Fr. Arnold Abelardo who celebrated the mass asked the President's cabinet members, workers in government and friends to "unite behind" Aquino as he noted the difficulties that the President faces.
"The sacrifice the President took was for the common good of our nation, for the needs of the poor, especially the broken… May the Lord continue to give him good health, long life for he is a blessed gift to our nation," the priest added as he said a special prayer and blessed the President.
Among those who attended the mass were Vice President Jejomar Binay, his wife Elenita, and son Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, and presidential sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Viel Aquino-Dee and Kris Aquino-Yap.
Also present were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang and deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
By midmorning, the President went to the Land Transportation Office in Quezon City to renew his driver's license.
Dressed in a white long-sleeved barong tagalog and black slacks, Aquino arrived at the LTO licensing division at past 10 a.m. and followed the regular process of license renewal – filling up the renewal form, having his photo taken, and providing a specimen signature. LTO chief Virginia Torres was on hand to make sure there would be no wrinkle in the process and Aquino had his license within 10 minutes. LTO workers sang the "Happy Birthday" song for him before he left.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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