Dear Noynoy

[maxiev]

http://news.yahoo.com/philippine-leader-not-even-bomb-stop-reform-113626476.html

 

Philippine leader: Not even a bomb can stop reform

 

Associated Press

By JIM GOMEZ

1 hour ago

 

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — An emotional Philippine President Benigno Aquino III called his opponents desperate Monday and expressed confidence that many people will carry on his reforms even if he is stopped by a bomb.

 

Aquino said in his annual state of the nation address before Congress that he could not avoid thinking somebody may make an attempt on his life because of the kind of people he has crossed in his effort to fight corruption and reform his poor Southeast Asian nation.

 

Aquino's father, an opposition senator who fought dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was assassinated at Manila's international airport while under military custody in 1983. The current president was wounded but survived an ambush by restive Filipino troops during a failed 1987 coup attempt against his mother, then-President Corazon Aquino, at the presidential palace.

 

"I can't avoid to think that because of who we are colliding with, that there may be a time when we climb the stage and it can be the last day. Will somebody succeed in planting a bomb?" he said in his nationally televised speech.

 

"Will my opponents with dark plots who want to bring us back to the wrong path succeed?" Aquino asked, adding that he is confident that even if the time comes when his "second life" ends, his reforms would not end.

 

"I am content because I am sure that when I'm gone, many will take my place and continue what we have started," he said.

 

Protesters dance around the burning effigy of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during a rally

He did not say who he feared could threaten his life.

 

Aquino won the presidency with a wide margin in 2010 on a promise to fight corruption and poverty.

 

But problems have persisted in a country where nearly a fourth of the 100 million people remain mired in poverty, and left-wing groups dwell on perceived threats to democracy 28 years after a largely non-violent "people power" revolt ousted Marcos.

 

Under Aquino, his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has been detained on vote-rigging charges, allegations she has denied. Three powerful senators, including a former defense secretary who helped enforce Marcos's 1972 imposition of martial rule, have been detained after being indicted on charges of economic plunder. And the Supreme Court chief justice was impeached for allegedly not properly declaring his assets.

 

Opponents and left-wing groups have accused Aquino of targeting political rivals but coddling allies linked to corruption. The criticism grew after the Supreme Court declared recently that Aquino and his budget secretary's enforcement of a major economic stimulus program in 2011 partly violated the constitution.

 

Aquino strongly criticized the high tribunal and appealed the decision, which prompted left-wing activists to file an impeachment complaint against him.

 

More than 6,000 left-wing protesters burned his effigy Monday outside the House of Representatives, where he outlined his reforms and projects that have benefited the poor and earned the country an investment grade from major international ratings agencies.

 

As his reforms succeeded and took root, Aquino said his critics grew desperate and intensified their attacks.

 

"My bosses, they are working against you," Aquino said, using his term for the Filipino masses. "But I have firm resolve to stand up to these opponents because I know there are only a few of them and there are simply so many of us."

[Ryuji_tanaka]

many people will carry on his reforms

what reforms? Only thing he reformed is his method of lining his pockets.

 

even if he is stopped by a bomb.

 

Hmm...this may give the NPA some ideas....

[Agent_mulder]

Noynoy is good, good at talking.

[maxiev]

what reforms? Only thing he reformed is his method of lining his pockets.

 

Actually I was just quoting an article which I don't necessarily agree with. As a matter of fact I do agree with you that the only thing he reformed is his method of lining his and his friends' pockets.

[maxiev]

Hmm...this may give the NPA some ideas....

I don't think the NPA's are the only ones who might get ideas....

[maxiev]

Noynoy is good, good at talking.

It's more like he's good at reading...reading off the teleprompters.

[maxiev]

Before anything else, I'd like to say that the opinions stated in this article aren't exactly my own opinions. It's quite ironic that foreigners have nothing but praise for PNoy while many Filipinos consider his administration less than effective in addressing the most important issue: Poverty.

 

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-07-28/are-the-philippines-worth-fighting-for?cmpid=yhoo

 

 

By William Pesek

 

Nothing tells the story of where the Philippines was before Benigno Aquino and now better than Transparency International’s rankings. When he rose to the presidency in 2010 pledging to attack graft, his country was rated 134th, trailing Nigeria. Now, it's 94th and boasts the investment-grade credit ratings to prove it.

 

But what if Aquino's good-governance revolution is over? What if the bad old days of predecessors Gloria Arroyo and Joseph Estrada return once Aquino's term ends in 2016?

 

These risks are greater than you might think as judicial setbacks, scandals and public discontent suddenly raises doubts about improvements that 12 months ago looked unstoppable. As Aquino delivered his penultimate state-of-the-nation address yesterday, the message "I'm no lame duck" seemed written between the lines in bold text. Trouble is, many in Manila political circles aren't convinced.

 

Aquino still has time to rise above the rancor and institutionalize the reforms that turned his economy from a punchline into an investment darling. That means expanding efforts to curb the corruption than siphons off so many of the spoils of today's 5.7 percent growth rate. He must go further to strengthen the national balance sheet; increase competitiveness; improve transparency; invest in education; upgrade infrastructure for industries from energy to tourism; broaden population-control efforts; and ease limits on foreign ownership to woo more investment.

 

But it will require political will as Aquino's approval wanes. One major blow to his agenda came this month from the Philippines high court. It ruled that a $3.33 billion stimulus program meant to give growth an immediate jolt encroaches on the powers of the Congress. Not only is the window for economic restructuring closing -- so is access to funding.

 

All this has come at a huge political cost. Aquino's detractors call his Disbursement Acceleration Program "the president's pork barrel," and news headlines containing such references have played a big role in his falling support rate. In the second quarter, Aquino's approval rating hit a low of 55 percent compared with 66 percent in the January-March period.

 

Clearly, 2016 is upon us already and the political noise and mudslinging will only get worse. Aquino must work fast to avoid falling into the lame-duck pattern that undid too many of his predecessors. The most immediate tasks: expand social-welfare programs that reduce poverty, improve disaster preparedness, deepen anti-corruption efforts and increase tax collections.

 

Repairing an economy suffering from decades of neglect isn't a six-year job. Although Aquino and his finance chief, Cesar Purisima, set the stage for a cleaner government, the Philippines's 7 percent jobless rate is the highest among major Asian economies. Aquino and Purisima did much in four years to revitalize growth but they could have done more. Now is the time to accelerate efforts to create new jobs, as opposed to shipping millions of workers overseas.

 

"The problems we inherited, we have solved," Aquino declared yesterday. "The ones that are here, we are solving. The ones that are to come, we are preparing for."

 

Yet the risk, as is often the case in the Philippines, is who comes next. In 1998, when Fidel Ramos left the presidency, few thought his successors could derail his economic-reform drive. Estrada and Arroyo (both were arrested on corruption charges) did just that. So, the stability of a geopolitically important nation of 100 million-plus people hinges on continuity.

 

It's anyone's guess whether the current frontrunner, Vice President Jejomar Binay, is such a leader. Perhaps we'll know after authorities get to the bottom of a multimillion-dollar plunder case against him dating back to alleged actions during his days as Makati City mayor in 2007. It's also worth noting that the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos (Aquino's dad was assassinated in 1983 while trying to unseat Marcos) may run in 2016. So might Senator Bong Revilla, who was arrested last month on graft charges.

 

The Philippines has traveled a long way in just a few years. Its growth and confidence have enough momentum to withstand some bad decisions, perhaps even some of the corruption so endemic to public affairs. But amid such political risks and economic imponderables, it's incumbent upon Aquino to use every day he has left in Malacañan Palace to ensure his reforms can't be easily undone.

 

When I last met Aquino in February, in that very palace, he made a point of showing me the official presidential portrait of his mother, the late Corazon Aquino. "She taught me to remember that the Filipino is worth fighting for," he said. I like that he repeated that line in yesterday's address. Because that's exactly what he needs to do each day for another two years.

 

 

To contact the writer of this article: William Pesek at wpesek@bloomberg.net

 

To contact the editor responsible for this article: James Greiff at jgreiff@bloomberg.net.

[oscartamaguchiblackface]

Dear Noynoy,

 

Have you ever been a law student Mr. President? You've been a legislator before and what happened? You don't have any capacity to make a law or to propose a law during your term in Congress and now you're provoking a war against the supreme court.

How Ironic! A poor legislator and executive are questioning the credibility of the Supreme Court. SMH

It justifies how stupid you are Mr. President.

 

Sincerely Your's

Taxpayer

Perhaps you should have signed it: Sincerely Your's

Your Taxpayer Victims

[oscartamaguchiblackface]

Before anything else, I'd like to say that the opinions stated in this article aren't exactly my own opinions. It's quite ironic that foreigners have nothing but praise for PNoy while many Filipinos consider his administration less than effective in addressing the most important issue: Poverty.

 

http://www.bloomberg...-for?cmpid=yhoo

 

 

By William Pesek

 

Nothing tells the story of where the Philippines was before Benigno Aquino and now better than Transparency International's rankings. When he rose to the presidency in 2010 pledging to attack graft, his country was rated 134th, trailing Nigeria. Now, it's 94th and boasts the investment-grade credit ratings to prove it.

 

But what if Aquino's good-governance revolution is over? What if the bad old days of predecessors Gloria Arroyo and Joseph Estrada return once Aquino's term ends in 2016?

 

These risks are greater than you might think as judicial setbacks, scandals and public discontent suddenly raises doubts about improvements that 12 months ago looked unstoppable. As Aquino delivered his penultimate state-of-the-nation address yesterday, the message "I'm no lame duck" seemed written between the lines in bold text. Trouble is, many in Manila political circles aren't convinced.

 

Aquino still has time to rise above the rancor and institutionalize the reforms that turned his economy from a punchline into an investment darling. That means expanding efforts to curb the corruption than siphons off so many of the spoils of today's 5.7 percent growth rate. He must go further to strengthen the national balance sheet; increase competitiveness; improve transparency; invest in education; upgrade infrastructure for industries from energy to tourism; broaden population-control efforts; and ease limits on foreign ownership to woo more investment.

 

But it will require political will as Aquino's approval wanes. One major blow to his agenda came this month from the Philippines high court. It ruled that a $3.33 billion stimulus program meant to give growth an immediate jolt encroaches on the powers of the Congress. Not only is the window for economic restructuring closing -- so is access to funding.

 

All this has come at a huge political cost. Aquino's detractors call his Disbursement Acceleration Program "the president's pork barrel," and news headlines containing such references have played a big role in his falling support rate. In the second quarter, Aquino's approval rating hit a low of 55 percent compared with 66 percent in the January-March period.

 

Clearly, 2016 is upon us already and the political noise and mudslinging will only get worse. Aquino must work fast to avoid falling into the lame-duck pattern that undid too many of his predecessors. The most immediate tasks: expand social-welfare programs that reduce poverty, improve disaster preparedness, deepen anti-corruption efforts and increase tax collections.

 

Repairing an economy suffering from decades of neglect isn't a six-year job. Although Aquino and his finance chief, Cesar Purisima, set the stage for a cleaner government, the Philippines's 7 percent jobless rate is the highest among major Asian economies. Aquino and Purisima did much in four years to revitalize growth but they could have done more. Now is the time to accelerate efforts to create new jobs, as opposed to shipping millions of workers overseas.

 

"The problems we inherited, we have solved," Aquino declared yesterday. "The ones that are here, we are solving. The ones that are to come, we are preparing for."

 

Yet the risk, as is often the case in the Philippines, is who comes next. In 1998, when Fidel Ramos left the presidency, few thought his successors could derail his economic-reform drive. Estrada and Arroyo (both were arrested on corruption charges) did just that. So, the stability of a geopolitically important nation of 100 million-plus people hinges on continuity.

 

It's anyone's guess whether the current frontrunner, Vice President Jejomar Binay, is such a leader. Perhaps we'll know after authorities get to the bottom of a multimillion-dollar plunder case against him dating back to alleged actions during his days as Makati City mayor in 2007. It's also worth noting that the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos (Aquino's dad was assassinated in 1983 while trying to unseat Marcos) may run in 2016. So might Senator Bong Revilla, who was arrested last month on graft charges.

 

The Philippines has traveled a long way in just a few years. Its growth and confidence have enough momentum to withstand some bad decisions, perhaps even some of the corruption so endemic to public affairs. But amid such political risks and economic imponderables, it's incumbent upon Aquino to use every day he has left in Malacañan Palace to ensure his reforms can't be easily undone.

 

When I last met Aquino in February, in that very palace, he made a point of showing me the official presidential portrait of his mother, the late Corazon Aquino. "She taught me to remember that the Filipino is worth fighting for," he said. I like that he repeated that line in yesterday's address. Because that's exactly what he needs to do each day for another two years.

 

 

To contact the writer of this article: William Pesek at wpesek@bloomberg.net

 

To contact the editor responsible for this article: James Greiff at jgreiff@bloomberg.net.

 

Perhaps one of the reasons for this is the increased tax collections that was made possible by PNoy's dog Kim Henares. But instead of going to important projects that could benefit Filipinos from all walks of life, the money ended up in the pockets of greedy politicians. How the author conveniently failed to mention that the biggest corruption scandal occurred during PNoy's administration makes me think that the writers of these articles are biased in favor of PNoy's administration. Either that or they're just clueless about the vindictiveness of PNoy and his extreme obstinate nature.

[lobangking]

pnoy liar

[scam]

Abnoy, please lang huwag kang mamamatay at baka magin presidente naman si manyak Kris o si Joshua.

Pero siguradong makukulong ka na sa 2016 pagkatapos ng termino mo.

[sendero]

Abnoy, please lang huwag kang mamamatay at baka magin presidente naman si manyak Kris o si Joshua.

Pero siguradong makukulong ka na sa 2016 pagkatapos ng termino mo.

 

Diyos ko po, naku huwag naman sana- Kris Ek-Ek- Quino for Sin Nator, " her son Joshua" Abnoy- Noy" a public official? What the f#&k is this!

[Agent_mulder]

Another term for Noynoy? NO!!

[maxiev]

Please don't change the constitution just because you want a second term. And don't mess with the judiciary by reducing their powers just because you're vindictive and the judiciary doesn't support you.

 

Step down like a man. Not like a spoiled rotten kid who gets mad when he doesn't get his way.

[sonnyt111]

Mr. President, pakiayos naman yung MRT at LRT.

 

Sincerely,

 

Your Bosses

 

http://opinion.inqui...daan-to-tragedy

 

The 'tuwid na daan' to tragedy

12:04 am | Monday, August 18th, 2014

 

We are commuters. We are angry.

 

The Train Riders Network is outraged over the derailment of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) trains at the Taft Avenue station, resulting in 38 persons injured.

 

Indeed, this is the worst accident in the history of MRT 3.

 

This incident is a consequence of gross negligence on the part of both government and the privately run Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC). The MRTC oversees the maintenance of the MRT 3, while the Department of Transportation and Communications oversees its operations.

 

The "tuwid na daan" of President Aquino is a tragic path.

 

Commuters are fed up with the conditions that we have to bear with daily in the country's unsafe, inefficient and profit-oriented mass railway system. Instead of subsidizing this mass transport to make it safe and affordable for the people, the government insists on privatizing it and raising its fares, while altogether turning a blind eye on corruption.

 

Maintenance and improvement of the railway system, including the purchase of new trains, have been problematic because of onerous privatization agreements between the government and the private sector. The trains breached its maximum service capacity of 350,000 in 2006. According to government statistics, 620,000 passengers take the train daily.

 

It bothers us that until now, the likes of former MRT general manager Al Vitangcol, who was accused of attempting to extort $30 million in exchange for a contract to acquire newer MRT trains, have not been made accountable.

 

The DOTC's "assistance" to those injured is only a pittance. We expect Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, as well as MRT 3 officer in charge Honorito Chaneco, to be held responsible for this tragedy.

 

The commuters have long been silently seething in anger due to being denied the services that they have long deserved.

 

—JAMES RELATIVO,

 

spokesperson,

 

Train Riders Network,

 

train.riders.network.media2@

 

gmail.com

Edited August 20, 2014 by sonnyt111