PRESIDENT AQUINO: NO TURNING BACK IN MARCH TO PROGRESS
[PHOTO - No turning back. President Aquino hoists the national flag at the balcony of the Aguinaldo Mansion in Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. The flag raising ceremony was repeated across the nation to commemorate the 113th Independence Day. Also in photo are Cavite Historical Society president Cesar E.A.Virata and AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban.]
MANILA, JUNE 13, 2011 (MALAYA) BY REGINA BENGCO - PRESIDENT Aquino yesterday said there is no turning back in the fight for freedom against corruption and poverty.
"Diretso po ang ating pagmartsa sa tuwid na landas: wala nang pasikut-sikot, wala nang patigil-tigil, at lalong wala nang atrasan," Aquino declared in his first Independence Day speech at the Luneta Park.
The main celebration of the 113th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence was held that the Quirino Grandstand, the same place where eight Hong Kong tourists and their Filipino hostage taker were killed last August in what is considered as the first crisis that beset the Aquino administration.
Relations with Hong Kong have not completely normalized and Manila and Beijing are at odds over the disputed islands in the South China Sea.
Earlier in the morning, Aquino led the flag-raising ceremony in Kawit, Cavite – site of the proclamation of Philippine independence in 1898. He also led the ceremonial toast for the diplomatic corps in Malacañan Palace.
In the evening, he attended a community fellowship with various sectors in the Palace grounds.
At the grandstand, Aquino said the lesson of history is that it should never be forgotten. Otherwise, mistakes would surely be repeated.
He said the history lessons included the problems that he inherited from his predecessor such as over-importation of rice while hunger persists, unemployment, huge pocket money for military generals on foreign trips while the ordinary soldier suffers, poverty, millions worth of allowances and perks for officials of government corporations and financial institutions, and a settlement with a former military general who amassed millions while was government.
He said independence is fought for, not instantly and voluntarily given. In the same vein, he said some wrongs need to be set aright.
Aquino said things have gotten better during his first year in office.
"Sa tuloy-tuloy na reporma natin, posible pong bago tayo bumaba sa pwesto sa tanghali ng Hunyo 30, 2016, sa halip na mag-angkat, baka tayo na ang magbenta sa ibang bansa ng bigas. Ito na nga po ang kalayaang hangad ng aking ama: Ang makamit ang unang kalayaan, ang kalayaan ng mga Pilipino mula sa gutom," he said.
He said the electric tricycles (e-trikes) and e-jeepneys that were paraded at the Quirino Grandstand symbolize the Philippines' increasing independence from the price fluctuations of imported fuel and other oil products and from sickness due to pollution.
Aquino said he is not afraid to take on those who seek his downfall and tarnish his intentions because the Filipino people are behind him.
"Lalabanan ko ang sinuman, haharapin ko ang anumang hadlang at hindi ako aatras sa laban dahil alam kong hindi ako nag-iisa. Kayo ang boss ko, at alam kong sagot ninyo ako. Sama-sama nating mararating ang bansang natatanglawan ng tunay na kaunlaran," he said reiterating his inaugural statement about the public being his "boss."
In Cavite, after waving the Philippine flag at the balcony of the Aguinaldo Shrine, Aquino said government and the people should be freed from greed because there will still be poor Filipinos as long as there are corrupt officials.
Aquino said during his one year in office, government cut down anomalous contracts and saved funds for basic services, introduced pocket open skies to improve tourism, and pushed for the passage of the GOCC Governance Act to monitor the use of funds by government corporations and financial institutions.
He said he also pushed for the passage of the ARMM postponement bill to break the feudal system that has resulted in continuous poverty in the region.
Aquino said a new chapter has opened up in Philippine history, where each Filipino will reap the fruits of his labor, justice will be handed out fairly to the rich and the poor, ordinary folks have the capacity to chart their own destiny, and there is independence with honor.
In his toast at the vin d'honneur with the diplomatic corps, Aquino said freedom means so much to the Filipino people because they have lost and won it back many times.
He said the country pays its respects to the heroes who sacrificed their lives to attain freedom by putting the same effort to make the country a better place.
"My father once said that the Filipino is worth dying for. My mother articulated it again after she won back our democracy: The Filipino is worth living for. I have now committed my life to showing the world the truth that both my parents proclaimed," he said.
FROM PHILSTAR HEADLINE
Noy vows new graft-free chapter in Phl history By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated June 13, 2011 12:00 AM
[PHOTO - The Philippine flag is raised during the 113th Independence Day celebrations in Rizal Park yesterday. Inset shows President Aquino with Cavite Historical Society head Cesar Virata and AFP chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. at the balcony of the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. EDD GUMBAN/MANNY MARCELO]
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday declared a new chapter in the country's history and renewed his administration's commitment to honest and transparent leadership as the Philippines celebrated its 113th Independence Day.
During the celebrations in Kawit, Cavite, Aquino spoke of a Philippines free of corruption and poverty and where equality, freedom and dignity of the people reign supreme.
"Sa ngalan ng buong Pilipinas, ipinahahayag ko ang pagbubukas ng isang bagong yugto sa ating kasaysayan kung saan ang bawat Pilipino ay mapipitas ang bunga ng kanyang pinaghirapan, kung saan ang batas ay ipatutupad ng patas sa mahirap man o sa mayaman, kung saan maaaring panghawakan ng lahat ang sarili nilang kapalaran, kung saan ang kalayaan ay may katuwang na karangalan (On behalf of all Filipinos, I declare the start of a new chapter in our history where each Filipino will reap the fruits of his labor, where the law is fairly implemented, where everyone can be the master of his destiny and where freedom comes hand in hand with dignity)," he said.
"Ito ang malayang Pilipinas, tayo ang malayang Pilipino, hiwalay at kalag na kalag sa kambal na salot ng korapsyon at kahirapan... sumasalubong sa kinabukasan ng taas noo at puno ng kagalakan (This is the free Philippines, we are the free Filipinos, free from the clutches of corruption of poverty and looking forward to the future with our head held high and with much excitement)," he added.
He stressed the need to eradicate corruption in government to end the country's poverty problem.
He said his administration will not tolerate officials who extort money from private entities transacting with the government.
Aquino said he wants a level playing field for everybody, particularly in the business industry, where private companies no longer need to bribe officials for a favorable contract.
He added that the country should regain the confidence of investors, that they will not be the milking cows of corrupt government officials.
Among government contracts, including foreign-funded ones, that have been found to have been bloated due to intense lobbying were the Northrail project and the bungled $329-million NBN/ZTE broadband deal, among others.
Significant achievements
The Chief Executive likewise enumerated the significant achievements his nearly one-year-old administration has made against endemic corruption.
He cited the enactment into law of the Government Owned and Controlled Corporation Governance Act that standardized the hefty and unreasonable perks of GOCC officials, the "pocket open skies policy" allowing foreign airlines to come in, and the postponement of the Aug. 8 ARMM polls.
He reiterated that what is far more important for him is the interest of the public, and not his image, and invoked his oft-repeated line: freedom from hunger should be the foremost freedom of all.
The President also said the government has been focused on reforming the bureaucracy and on other measures aimed at ensuring the delivery of quality service to the Filipino people.
Aquino - a 51-year-old bachelor - said it no longer matters to him if he gets flak for courting women, for buying a P4.5-million secondhand white Porsche out of his own pocket and for singing out of tune.
The President led the flag-raising ceremonies at the balcony of the Aguinaldo Shrine where the national anthem was first played on June 12, 1898.
He also led the wreath-laying ceremonies at the tomb of General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Vin d' honneur
During the traditional vin d' honneur with the diplomatic corps, which was attended by former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, Aquino made the same pitch, where he offered a toast for more good things to come in his administration.
"One hundred thirteen (113) years ago, we declared our independence on this day; and between then and today, we have lost our freedom and have won it back many times. So you can imagine how much it means to our people to be free - for our country to be a beacon of democracy on this side of the world. And it comes as no surprise that, moving forward, this freedom is what we have chosen to define ourselves by," he said.
"So I would also like for all of us to look toward the future. The best way to pay our respects to the heroes who sacrificed for us is to put in the same amount of effort they did to making our country a better place - to building a nation truly free and committed to inclusive and equitable progress, borne of compassion and integrity," Aquino added.
Social reformation
In Malolos City, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. called for collective heroism among Filipinos for the country to achieve progress, noting that it is lagging behind neighboring countries in terms of economic development.
He also called for social reformation, saying " we have to break the chains of sloth."
"We are being called upon not to bear arms or depose dictators; but each citizen is being challenged to be productive, actively fight against corruption, and demand equal justice for all," Belmonte said in his speech during Independence Day celebrations at the historic Barasoain Church where he served as guest of honor.
"We must have the courage initiate radical changes and meaningful reforms, but we know that meaningful reform starts from within," he said.
The Speaker said that the House of Representatives is doing its part to propel the country to progress through the enactment of laws that encourage more investors. – With Dino Balabo
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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