Noy News: A Philippines that Works

A Philippines that works
In a keynote address at the Makati Business Club’s Presidential Series, Sen Noynoy Aquino laid out his plans for an economic policy that, in his words, could be summed up as “A Philippines that Works.” Speaking to a full room, with a long standing queue, of the Philippines’ top business and political minds, Aquino elicited bouts of approving laughter and applause, and in the end, a standing ovation. »Philippine Daily Inquirer

No new taxes
Sen Aquino promises no new taxes if elected president, nor would he increase current tax rates. "I strongly believe that we can collect more taxes at the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and higher duties at customs if we become more serious in curbing and punishing tax evasion and smuggling," he said. He also discusses a looming budget deficit. »ABS-CBN News

A crony-free administration
Aquino promises an administration where cronyism does not need to exist, saying that success in business does not have to depend on one’s closeness with the powers-that-be. Cronyism, he said, fosters the wrong kind of competitiveness. He also said that his government would not use its powers to extort, intimidate and harass. He also took a swipe at his rival, Sen Manny Villar, who has long been embroiled in various graft and corruption allegations, not the least the current C-5 controversy. »Philippine Daily Inquirer »Philippine Star

» Read the full text of the speech here.
» Watch the full speech here.
» Read the trasnscript of the open forum here.
» Watch the open forum (Q&A) here.

Related: Philippines ranks as 109th in economic freedom

Senate clashes over the C5 report
Monday’s senate session discussing the C5 controversy turned into a circus as presidential aspirant Sen Manny Villar continued to hide from the plenary while his allies debated and deflected on his behalf. Loud and clear, however, were the calls for Villar to “man up” and face the charges himself, including from the Liberal Party. Villar’s allies attemped to sidestep the issue, by accusing various senators and the committee of the whole of politicking, even taking below-the-belt jabs at senators and their families. »ABS-CBN News

Villar refuses to face the Senate
Villar was a no-show at Monday’s plenary session that discussed the C5 reports, which heavily implicates him. The senator said that he has explained himself on the internet and in ads, and he doesn’t “see any relevance on the truth.” Villar said the issue is more than two years old and his opponents are politicizing the situation. The Liberal Party and various civil society groups are calling on the senator to “stop making excuses” and stand before the plenary. “Truth is, Villar wants to stop the Senate report censuring him for his role in the C-5 scam which may lead to plunder charges,” Sen Jamby Madrigal said. »Philippine Star

Related: Statements of the Liberal Party on the issue: "Villar should man up"
and "Villar should face the senate on the C5 issue."

Background: What the Committee found
Presented with over 900 pieces of documentation and evidence, the senate committee report found that Villar intervened in the C5 project for his own benefit. In doing so, he was found guilty of violating Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution and The Code of Conduct of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. The Committee also demands that the senator return to the government the P6.22 billion his companies gained illegally from the construction of the C5 extension. »GMA News

Related: The full text of the senate resolution "Complaint Against Senator Manuel B. Villar Jr"

Yesterday, Jan 25, was Tita Cory’s 77th birthday, and it was celebrated all over the country and around the world. Here is how her children commemorated their beloved mother, the nation’s mother of democracy.

*Extra! Huli ka! Noynoy sneaks a second cone of sorbetes while taking a break during one of the festivities over the weekend. »see the pics

REMEMBERING TITA CORY, MOM
Monuments are being unveiled in her honor, hundreds of masses and interfaith commemorations said on her behalf around the world, a watch made in tribute to her. The Aquino children speak out about Mom, her advice, her being a doting lola, and her unrivaled spaghetti with meatballs. »Philippine Star

Saint Cory? Cory Aquino’s name may be brought u for consideration for sainthood in five years. Her son Noynoy said people would consider him “biased,” but he believes his mother embodied the Church’s teachings of a true servant leader. »Philippine Daily Inquirer

Is there a Cory in each of us? Cory Aquino’s name may be brought up for consideration for sainthood in five years. Her son Noynoy said people would consider him “biased,” but he believes his mother embodied the Church’s teachings of a true servant leader. »NOYPIPOL

CORY AQUINO SHRINE UNVEILED
The first monument honoring much-loved icon of democracy and mother of the people Cory Aquino was unveiled on her birthday. The statue on Roxas boulevard features Aquino in the dress she wore when she spoke before the US Congress, the 1987 Freedom Constitution on one arm, and her right hand outstretched in a “Laban” sign. In front of the statue read the simple words: “Ninoy-Cory Aquino, salamat po.” »Philippine Daily Inquirer

*check out some photos from the unveiling here.

Let's talk about it

A Philippines that Works

Noynoy Aquino’s keynote speech at the Makati Business Club last Thursday drew various responses: confidence and pride among his avid supporters, pleasant surprise from the majority, and denial from his detractors. The 18-minute speech was a goldmine of policies and projects: idealistic goals through practical approaches.

What to expect from Noynoy
Rey Gamboa of the Philippine Star highlights and sums up the major themes of our economic woes and how Aquino addressed them: including tax leaks, deteriorating health and education systems, agriculture and infrastructure, and corruption. He notes that the P280-billion that Aquino conservatively estimates the Philippines loses to corruption every year is enough money to balance the national budget. »read more

Read my lips: no new taxes
Malaya’s Editorial takes apart perhaps the boldest promise Aquino made in his speech: no new taxes, and no increased tax rates, either. How now, his critics say, is the government supposed to pay or all the projects it seeks to embark? Simple: crack down on tax collection. Pursue smugglers and tax evaders. Make sure the government doesn’t steal (estimates run at P1-trillion lost to corruption since Arroyo took power). “Noynoy is right,” the editorial says. “No new taxes are needed if there is less stealing in government.” »read more

Presidentiable Noynoy Aquino: his advocacies, philosophies and perspectives

Lawyer Abe Margallo, in his blog at Filipino Voices, first takes a step back from the nitty gritty of the policies Noynoy Aquino presented and considers the speech itself in the context of the person delivering it and the times he finds himself in. The verdict: the Ninoy in him has emerged. That is the form, Margallo writes.
But what of the substance? After breaking down the pertinent points, he chose a golden piece of Noynoy's speech to summarize: “Our faith teaches us that we are our brother’s keeper. Our logic should tell us that in taking care of others, their growth equals our own.” Noynoy Aquino's economic philosophy is thus rooted in fundamental values. And that is perhaps the Cory in him. »read more

[Editor’s note: So to those who say his lineage does not matter, I say to you: it does. Only Ninoy and Cory could raise a son as formidable as Noynoy Aquino, to the painful disadvantage of every other candidate in this race. ~NS]

Why Noynoy has the best solution to poverty

Margallo highlighted the fact that Noynoy Aquino sees the importance of being his brother’s keeper. Coincidentally, William Esposo, in his Phil Star column, wrote on the same day of the MBC speech: “The poor man will always be poor unless somebody volunteers to be his brother’s keeper — guide him to reform his values and empower him with information and education.” He was referring to Noynoy and Mar’s visit last week to the very first Gawad Kalinga community, which used to be a hotbed of criminals.
What does this have to do with poverty? It is a successful test case of grassroots empowerment, the model of development Noynoy Aquino espouses. He is the only one with a concrete plan for development.
Manny Villar promises emancipation from poverty – but how? Gilbert Teodoro says wealth will trickle down. It will never, because greed and corruption is too powerful a force. Indeed, as the slogan goes, “kung walang korapt, walang mahirap.” »read more

Kay Noynoy Kami!

Ma-multimedia talaga tayo this issue! This YouTube video by our hardworking kababayan in the UAE has been making the rounds online. This video is "a voluntary collaboration from the Filipino employees of Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna Abu Dhabi UAE. In behalf of my co Filipino workers... I would like to extend our support to Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino. We believe in you!" wrote the creator James Corpuz. It's official: the People's Campaign is a worldwide effort! Malapit o malayo, tunay na nagkakaisa ang mga PiNOY! »watch the video

AND! James composed another song called Dilaw kulay ng Pagbabago "bilang pagkakaisa sa panawagang magsuot ng dilaw tuwing Biyernes." »watch the video

Call for submissions: What's your Noynoy moment? We want to hear about it! Share with us what this election means to you. Inspire us! Send in your entries in English, Filipino or any dialect, and be heard on Noynoy Aquino's homepage. Email nsanchez@noynoy.ph