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| 17 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| 17 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| PGMA receives credentials of 4 new envoys |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally received today in Malacanang the
credentials of four new ambassadors to the Philippines. The first to arrive in Malacanang at 10 a.m. was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ali Modjtaba Rouzbehani of the Republic of Iran. He was followed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Neville Gertze of Namibia at 10:25 a.m. The third foreign envoy to arrive 25 minutes later at 10:50 a.m. was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mykola Kulinich of Ukraine, followed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Hans Dannenberg Castellanos of the Dominican Republic at 11:15 a.m. The four envoys, who were received by the President at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang, said they were honored to represent their respective countries in the Philippines. The President said she looked forward to working with the envoys as she warmly welcomed them to their new home away from home. |
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| President confident of sustained economic growth under her watch |
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President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo declared today that the economic growth
the country is now experiencing will be sustained under her watch. In her message during the 5th Biennial Convention and 10th Anniversary celebration of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel this morning, the President stressed that she is determined to propel the country to a First World status in the next 20 years. “We have been setting our sights on a modern Philippines, ready to join the ranks of first world nations in 20 years,” she said. The economy posted a 7.1 percent growth in the first three quarters of 2007, a trailblazing performance that the government seeks to sustain and possibly improve on throughout the Arroyo presidency. The President pointed out that in 2007, the Philippine made a huge investment in its efforts to join the ranks of First World nations. “We aim to make sure we keep it that way throughout the duration of my term,” she said. She said the country’s economic turnaround was marked by 28 consecutive quarters of growth. Seven million jobs were created over the last seven years, while business and investors' confidence has been on the upswing. The Philippine peso, the President’ added, has appreciated more than 15 percent since 2006, and is now one of the world's best performing currencies. She also cited the bull run in the local bourse which has reached historic heights, while the budget deficit is under control, and revenue collections have reached unprecedented levels. For the first time in decades, less revenues are being used to service debts while more resources are being directed towards investment in human capital and physical infrastructure including education, health care, trainings, bridges, roads and courts, she said. “2007 was the year the Philippine economy turned around. Through the tough choices we made to enhance revenue, raise tax collections and run a tight budget, we are now on the path to sustained economic growth,” the President said. “We have the highest growth rate in a generation, the lowest unemployment, a surge in investments, high job creation and a budget coming into balance. The peso is strong,” she added. With these positive economic indicators, the President said there’s every reason to be optimistic that 2008 will be a “ peaceful and successful” year. “We are brimming with confidence in the resilience of our economy, hopeful for peace and security for our people,” she added. |
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| PGMA bats for an energy - independent Philippines |
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Amid the steep prices of oil in the world market and its adverse impact on
the people especially the poor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today
her administration has set its goal of moving the country towards energy
independence by embarking on programs geared towards the development of
renewable and indigenous sources of energy. In her message early this afternoon at the 5th Biennial Convention and 10th Anniversary celebration of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. at Manila Hotel’s Centennial Ballroom, the President expressed determination to wean away the country from its dependence on imported crude oil by developing the country’s natural sources of energy that would include solar, wind, natural gas, biofuels, among others. “Perhaps even more pressing are the issue of energy independence and the price of foreign oil. We are bound and determined to move the Philippines toward energy independence based on heavy investments in biofuels, geothermal, wind, solar and other alternative sources of energy.” The President however stressed that efforts towards developing renewable and alternative sources of energy must stand alongside conservation. Thus, the President said during the Energy Summit she asked to be convened late this month until early February, the government and the energy stakeholders would craft a blueprint for the country’s energy future. “Out of these meetings, we will develop a blueprint—or more aptly a greenprint for the energy future of our nation.” But more important for now, the President said, is the solution to the pain the poor feel due to impact of high oil prices in the world market. “The poor among us suffer the most due to the high price of global oil, so any program we initiate will focus not just on energy independence in the long run, but to relieve the pain of energy cost in the short run,” the President said. The President added that how this could be done “is an open question” but vowed to “do everything in our power to share the burden and relieve the poor from bearing the biggest burden.” Oil prices in the world market reached historic heights to $100 per barrel level during the past few weeks. The Philippines produces only 10 percent of its fuel demand that in 2006, the country’s total oil import stood at 100.8 million barrels with a total cost of $6.8 billion. |
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| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye |
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We are saddened by this incident which is now being
investigated. We hold every human life sacred. We pray for the soul of this innocent child and hope that whoever was responsible for this, realizes the gravity of this deed and seek atonement. |
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| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye on Freedom House |
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We should be wary of private foreign groups that claim to be expert
watchdogs on freedom and democracy. Our people know best. We held elections last year and many potential candidates have been preparing for the 2010 elections even this early. These are examples of the vibrancy of our democracy. Let us be undaunted by outside forces that rely on propaganda rather than systematic and thorough research and consultations to underpin their statements. The New York-based Freedom House should have at the very least sought the government’s side to verify information they have on the Philippines. If they had, they would have known that we have a free press, a pro-active Congress, and constitutional processes and principles that uphold human rights. We don’t know who funds foreign groups such as Freedom House, nor were we told about their research procedures. What we do know and must always remember is that we Filipinos are the best experts on the Philippines. All the rest merely parachute in and out, while passing off hasty, unfounded conclusions as expert opinions or gospel truth. We live in a free society. And that is the undeniable truth. |
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| PGMA receives credentials of new ambassadors from six countries |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed this afternoon another batch of
special envoys from Oman and Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea to
represent their country in the Philippines. Earlier this morning, the President also received the credentials of Ambassadors Ali Modjtaba Rouzbehani of the Republic of Iran; Neville Gertze of Namibia; Mykola Kulinich of Ukraine, and Hans Dannenberg Castellanos of the Dominican Republic. In simple rites held at 1:30 this afternoon at Rizal (Ceremonial) Hall, the President received the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Aflah Sulaiman Mohammed Al-Taei of the Sultanate of Oman. A little later Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Yong Son of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea also presented his credentials to the Chief Executive. The two envoys, during the presentation of their credentials, told the President that they are “very proud to be assigned to the Philippine as ambassadors of their countries and expressed the hopes they could further strengthen existing ties of their respective countries with the Philippines.” “I’m sure that the relations between our countries would become stronger during your tours of duty in our country,” the President said. After the presentation of credentials, the President invited each of them for a brief conversation. Refreshment followed at the Music Room. |
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| Peace in Mindanao essential building block to secure RP's future, says GMA |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed anew today her determination to
forge a comprehensive peace settlement with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF), stressing that lasting peace in Mindanao is “one of the
essential building blocks this nation can achieve to secure its future.” The President reaffirmed her commitment to peace in Mindanao during the 5th Biennial Convention and 10th Anniversary of the Chinese Filipino Business, Inc. early this afternoon at the Centennial Ballroom of the Manila Hotel. “We are close, yet sometimes the closer we get, the farther the distance seems to be,” the President said, referring to the postponement of the scheduled Mindanao peace talks in Kuala Lumpur last December over disagreements on the contentious issue of ancestral domain. The MILF has been waging a separatist rebellion in Mindanao since 1978, after it broke away from the larger Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) group. The MNLF signed a peace accord with Manila in 1996 after dropping its demand for limited self-rule. The MILF and the extremist Abu Sayyaf group were left out of the 1996 peace accord. The President signed a cessation of hostilities agreement with the MILF in 2001, and later engaged the rebels in negotiations with the objective of signing a final accord. For resource-rich Mindanao to reach its full economic potential, it must enjoy a stable and lasting peace, the President said. |
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| RP economy stronger, more stable despite political theatrics -- PGMA |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the country has grown "stronger
and more stable" as her administration continues to win the battle against
coup plots and political theatrics. The President made the assertion this afternoon during the 5th Biennial Convention and 10th Anniversary of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. at the Manila Hotel amid reports of a new plot to destabilize her administration. Government security forces have arrested five former soldiers allegedly involved in a fresh plot against the administration. "The reality is we have become a stronger, more stable nation as these types of political shenanigans fall flat with you and the people,” the President said. "Half of our battle in the Philippines is to overcome the self-indulgent political theatrics that send the wrong messages," she added. While the uprising staged by mutinous soldiers led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV last Nov. 29 "fizzled out," the President admitted that the incident gave the country’s image a "black eye." She said the people are tired of the “political sideshow,” adding that Filipinos crave for peace, order, security, high-paying jobs and quality education. |
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| PGMA names Secretary Mendoza as Chief of ATO in concurrent capacity |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo designated today Transportation and
Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza as the new head of the Air
Transportation Office (ATO) in a concurrent capacity. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said Mendoza will replace Engr. Daniel Dimagiba who was acting ATO chief. Bunye told members of the Malacanang Press Corps that the President has given Mendoza three months to address the administrative and technical issues on the passage of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) bill in Congress. “We have an announcement early this afternoon that the President had designated Mendoza on concurrent capacity as ATO chief and giving him three months deadline to take care, to address the administrative, technical issues arising out of the passage of the CAA bill,” Bunye said. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US aviation watchdog, has downgraded the country’s aviation ratings from Category I to Category 2 along with countries like Bangladesh, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia. The FAA has informed the government it has “serious concerns” about its oversight of air operations which, it said, were not in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. |
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| PGMA cites Chinese-Filipino traders' contributions to nation building |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed today her deep gratitude to the
Filipino-Chinese businessmen for being her partners in building a
progressive Philippines through their various socio-economic programs and
projects that have benefited a number of people in many parts of the
country.. “You have been practicing the virtuous tenets of your ancestral sage Confucius: generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness,” the President said during the 5th Biennial Convention and 10th Anniversary of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. at the Manila Hotel. She cited the Club’s support in building school houses, including two classrooms in Camp Abubakar, the former headquarters of the Moro Islamic Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The “Van Aralan,” which teaches computer knowhow to children and adults even in the remotest areas, was also cited by the President as one of the Club’s project in support of government efforts to bridge the digital divide in the country. Other projects of the Club which the President said have helped improve the lives of the people include the “Poso Mula sa Puso,” which provides water to depressed areas; the Operation Brotherhood that donates cash and relief goods to calamity victims; the “Palugaw” feeding program that supports governments efforts to address hunger; dental and medical missions, and its anti-dengue campaign. The President also said the Club’s donation of two police cars to the Manila Police District (MPD) would help the Philippine National Police (PNP) “repeat the double-digit drop in crime rate in 2007” this year. She thanked the Club for the SME Center, a joint undertaking with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which helps entrepreneurs through counseling on various business concerns. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, the Club donated P2 million to the President’s Social Fund. Organized in 1998, the Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc. is composed of more than 400 Chinese-Filipino business leaders from all over the country. The club aims to provide services to the community, and assist the government in its economic development programs. |
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| Two influential U.S. senators assures PGMA of early passage of Filipino Veterans Equity Bill |
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Two senior members of the United States Senate have vowed to push the early
passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill that would increase the
benefits of some 18,000 surviving Filipino World War II veterans. US Senators Daniel Inouye and Theodore Stevens made this known during their courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this afternoon in Malacanang. “Thank you for what you have done for the Filipino people,” the President said. Among those present were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Francisco Benedicto, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, and US Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones Senator Inouye, himself a WWII veteran, sponsored the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill to acknowledge the significant contributions of Filipino veterans who helped ensured the victory of US forces in the Pacific during World War II. Senator Stevens, a senior member of Alaska’s congressional delegation and the longest-serving senator in the history of the Republican Party, is the chief Republican supporter of the Equity Bill in the US Senate. As co-chairman of the Senate Defense Committee, Stevens has been instrumental in increasing financial aid to the Philippines. “They just informed the President on the Veterans Equity Bill and its status on the US Congress especially in the Senate. And Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye who are both senior senators in the Committee of Defense in the United States promised to help push for the approval of that bill into a law so that the Filipino veterans will benefit from that Equity Bill,” Ermita said. After the courtesy call, the President also conferred the Order of the Golden Heart with the Rank of Grand Cross on Senator Stevens for rendering distinguished services and assistance “for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social, and economic conditions of the Filipino people.” The two senators, who arrived today, will visit various RP-US programs of cooperation in Mindanao. |
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| Malacanang raps survey on RP democracy |
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Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye decried today
unfounded surveys purporting to show the decline of democracy in the
Philippines, saying Filipinos know best that democracy lives and reigns in
the country. Bunye was reacting to the survey released by New York-based Freedom House which downgraded the Philippines from a free democracy to partly-free, apparently because of the reports on unexplained killings in the country. In a statement, Bunye said the Philippines has a vibrant democracy as demonstrated by the elections last year and the ongoing preparations of potential candidates for the 2010 elections. “We should be wary of private foreign groups that claim to be expert watchdogs on freedom and democracy. Our people know best. We held elections last year and many potential candidates have been preparing for the 2010 elections even this early. These are examples of the vibrancy of our democracy,” Bunye said. He pointed out that the Philippines has a vibrant and free media, very vocal Congress, and constitutional institutions that are very much functioning -- all indicators of a full-functioning democracy. “The New York-based Freedom House should have at the very least sought the government’s side to verify information they have on the Philippines. If they had, they would have known that we have a free press, a pro-active Congress, and constitutional processes and principles that uphold human rights,” Bunye said. The Malacanang official said Filipinos are the experts on the Philippines and not foreign survey groups. “What we do know and must always remember is that we Filipinos are the best experts on the Philippines. All the rest merely parachute in and out, while passing off hasty, unfounded conclusions as expert opinions or gospel truth. We live in a free society. And that is the undeniable truth,” Bunye said. |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's
Speech during the 5th Biennial Convention and 10th
Anniversary Celebration of the Chinese-Filipino Business Club, Inc. Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel One Rizal Park, Manila January 17, 2008 |
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH SECRETARY FAVILA FOR YOUR INTRODUCTION. OUTGOING PRESIDENT, MR. LEE, CONGRATULATIONS! ON YOUR TWO YEARS OF VERY FRUITFUL ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB; INCOMING PRESIDENT, MR. SIY YAP CHUA WHOM I’VE KNOWN A LONG TIME AGO AND ALWAYS REMINDS ME TO KEEP COMING TODAY, SO HERE I AM TODAY; SECRETARY ARTIE YAP; DON EMILIO YAP, OUR AWARDEE AND BENEFACTOR OF THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB; CONGRESSWOMAN NAIDA ANGPIN WHO REPRESENTS NOT ONLY HER DISTRICT BUT THE CHINESE-FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN CONGRESS; OTHER LEADERS OF THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB; AMBASSADOR BENEDICTO; LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY! (APPLAUSE) IT’S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN, MY PARTNERS IN BUILDING A PROGRESSIVE PHILIPPINES, ON THIS YOUR 10th ANNIVERSARY TRULY A JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY WHICH IS WHY I’VE COME HERE TODAY. NOT ONLY BECAUSE MR. SIY YAP CHUA ALWAYS REMINDS ME TO COME BUT ALSO TEN YEARS IS A VERY IMPORTANT JUBILEE. AND I WAS RECALLING AS I WAS PREPARING MY SPEECH ABOUT THE MANY TIMES WE’VE BEEN TOGETHER. FOR INSTANCE, I REMEMBER SIX YEARS AGO, WE CELEBRATED TOGETHER FILIPINO-CHINESE FRIENDSHIP DAY. IN 2001, WE CELEBRATED TOGETHER THE SALUTE THE FLAG. AND ALSO SEVEN YEARS AGO ON YOUR RECOMMENDATION, I PUSHED FOR AND SIGNED REPUBLIC ACT 9139, THE ADMINISTRATIVE NATURALIZATION ACT. (APPLAUSE) AND BECAUSE THAT WAS MAINLY ON THE ADVOCACY OF THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB, I HOPE YOU, THE MEMBERS, WILL WORK HARD TO CONVINCE MANY OF OUR LOCAL CHINESE TO AVAIL OF THAT LAW AND BECOME FILIPINO CITIZENS. (APPLAUSE) AFTER ALL, YOU IN THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB HAVE SHOWN YOURSELVES TO BE GOOD FIILIPINO CITIZENS IN YOUR UNCEASING AND MANY ACTIVITIES FOR NATIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND THE UPLIFTMENT OF OUR LESS FORTUNATE COUNTRYMEN. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU! (APPLAUSE) CONGRATULATIONS! FOR HELPING THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE MORE SCHOOL BUILDINGS, MATERIALS AND FACILITIES, INCLUDING TWO CLASSROOMS THAT YOU PUT UP IN THE FORMER MILF HEADQUARTERS IN CAMP ABUBAKAR. CONGRATULATIONS! FOR YOUR “VAN ARALAN” WHICH TEACHES COMPUTER KNOW-HOW TO CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS IN THE REMOTEST AREAS. THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE URGENT SERVICES THROUGH MANY PROJECTS, INCLUDING YOUR “POSO MULA SA PUSO” WHICH PROVIDES WATER TO DEPRESSED AREAS, AND YOUR OPERATION BROTHERHOOD DONATING CASH AND RELIEF GOODS IN CALAMITIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PALUGAW FEEDING PROGRAM, FOR YOUR MEDICAL AND DENTAL MISSIONS, FOR YOUR ANTI-DENGUE CAMPAIGN. THANK YOU FOR LAST WEEK’S DONATION OF POLICE CARS TO THE MANILA POLICE DISTRICT. (APPLAUSE) YOUR HELP TO OUR LAW ENFORCERS WILL GO A LONG WAY TO HELP THE PNP REPEAT THE DOUBLE-DIGIT DROP IN CRIME LAST YEAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SME CENTER, YOUR JOINT UNDERTAKING WITH THE DTI, WHICH HELPS ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH COUNSELING IN VARIOUS BUSINESS CENTERS. ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ENGINES OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY, AS MANY OF YOU HAVE SHOWN WITH YOUR SELF-MADE SUCCESS. YOU HAVE INDEED BEEN PRACTICING THE VIRTUOUS PRINCIPLES OF CONFUCIUS: GENEROSITY OF SOUL, SINCERITY, EARNESTNESS AND KINDNESS. AND I HOPE YOU SHARED THE OPTIMISM OF 90 PERCENT OF OUR PEOPLE THAT WE WILL HAVE A PEACEFUL AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN 2008 AS MENTIONED BY PRESIDENT GOERGE LEE. (APPLAUSE) IN 2008, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR, AS WE’RE BRINGING WITH CONFIDENCE ON THE RESILIENCE OF OUR ECONOMY, HOPEFUL FOR PEACE AND SECURITY FOR OUR PEOPLE. 2007 WAS THE YEAR THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY TURNED AROUND. THROUGH THE TOUGH CHOICES WE MADE AND IN WHICH YOU SUPPORTED ME. THE TOUGH CHOICES WE MADE TO ENHANCE REVENUE, RAISE TAX COLLECTIONS AND RUN A TIGHT BUDGET, WE ARE NOW ON A PATH TO SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH. WE HAVE THE HIGHEST GROWTH RATE IN A GENERATION, THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT, A SURGE IN INVESTMENTS, HIGH JOB CREATION AND A BUDGET COMING INTO BALANCE. AND THE PESO IS STRONG. AS A RESULT OF OUR FOCUS AND DISCIPLINE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE HARD-EARNED REVENUE AND SAVINGS AND PUT IT TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE BY INVESTING IN EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND INFRASTRUCTURE. WE HAVE BEEN SETTING OUR SIGHTS ON A MODERN PHILIPPINES, READY FOR JOINING THE RANKS OF FIRST-WORLD NATIONS IN 20 YEARS. IN 2007, WE MADE A HUGE DOWNPAYMENT TOWARD THAT DAY. WE AIM TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP IT THAT WAY THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF MY TERM. OF COURSE, LET ME BE REALISTIC: 2007 WAS NOT ALWAYS SMOOTH SAILING, NOT LEAST OF WHICH IS THE POLITICAL SECTOR. THE NOVEMBER COUP ATTEMPT FIZZLED, BUT IT STILL GIVES A BLACK EYE TO OUR NATION. HALF OF OUR BATTLE IN THE PHILIPPINES IS TO OVERCOME THE SELF-INDULGENT POLITICAL THEATRICS THAT SEND THE WRONG MESSAGES. THE REALITY IS THAT WE HAVE BECOME A STRONGER, MORE STABLE NATION AS THESE TYPES OF POLITICAL SHENANIGANS FALL FLAT WITH YOU AND WITH THE PEOPLE. I HAVE HAD CHANCE TO MEET WITH MANY OF YOU NOT ONLY DURING OUR EVENTS OF YOUR CLUB BUT MANY TIMES IN SMALL GROUPS OR ONE-ON-ONE, AND I CAN SEE THAT YOU, THE MEMBERS AND LEADERS OF THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB, ARE TIRED OF THE POLITICAL SIDESHOW. AND YOU AND THE FILIPINOS WANT PEACE AND ORDER AND SECURITY. THE FILIPINOS WANT A GOOD JOB AND A GOOD EDUCATION. PERHAPS, ESPECIALLY PRESSING TODAY ARE THE ISSUES OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND THE PRICE OF FOREIGN OIL. WE ARE BOUND AND DETERMINED TO MOVE THE PHILIPPINES TOWARD ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BASED ON HEAVY INVESTMENTS IN BIOFUELS, GEOTHERMAL, WIND, SOLAR AND OTHER ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES. WE ARE EQUALLY DETERMINED THAT CONSERVATION MUST BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE EQUATION. TO THAT END, WE ARE HOLDING A SERIES OF HIGH LEVEL MEETINGS THIS MONTH AND NEXT. OUT OF THESE MEETINGS WE WILL DEVELOP A BLUEPRINT, OR MORE APTLY A “GREENPRINT” FOR THE ENERGY FUTURE OF OUR NATION. THE POOR AMONG US SUFFER THE MOST DUE TO THE HIGH PRICE OF GLOBAL OIL. SO ANY PROGRAM WE INITIATE WILL FOCUS NOT JUST ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IN THE LONG RUN, BUT TO RELIEVE THE PAIN OF ENERGY COST IN THE SHORT RUN. HOW THIS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IS AN OPEN QUESTION, BUT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO SHARE THE BURDEN AND RELIEVE THE POOR FROM BEARING THE BIGGEST BURDEN. LET ME ALSO TOUCH ON OUR PEACE EFFORTS IN MINDANAO WHERE YOU HAVE HELPED US BUILD EDUCATION IN CAMP ABUBAKAR. WE ARE CLOSE, YET SOMETIMES THE CLOSER WE GET, THE FARTHER THE DISTANCE SEEMS TO BE. WE ARE DETERMINED THAT PEACE IN MINDANAO IS ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL BUILDING BLOCKS THIS NATION CAN ACHIEVE TO SECURE ITS FUTURE. WITH THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB, THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL FOCUS ON WORKING FOR PEACE IN MINDANAO AND OTHER AREAS. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE WILL REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE NATIONAL AGENDA OF MORE JOBS, STABLE PRICES, PEACE AND ORDER AND A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL FILIPINOS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CHINESE-FILIPINO BUSINESS CLUB CONTINUING TO BE A TRUE PARTNER FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD. TOGETHER, LET US MAKE A PROGRESSIVE, MODERNIZING PHILIPPINES A REALITY. ONCE AGAIN, HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW PRESIDENT, MR. SIY YAP CHUA! AND TO ALL OF YOU, MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT. (APPLAUSE) |
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