Showing posts with label PNoy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PNoy. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

PNoy blasts 'KSP' critics, praises PSG


MANILA - President Aquino on Tuesday again took a swipe at his critics during the 29th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), saying he will not hesitate to go after the corrupt even as his presidency nears its end.

In his speech, Aquino described some of his critics as "kulang sa pansin" (lacking in attention) who make up fantasies against his leadership.

He said there is a saying: "Do not disturb the rice bowl", which means that one should not touch a person's means of livelihood.

However, the President said some people continue to steal from the nation's coffers and affect many.

"I will not act blind because I will make right this system. I will be disturbing a lot of rice bowls," he said.

The President praised the PSG for its professionalism and dedication, saying the presidential guard gives him peace of mind.

He said the PSG showed its dedication when it provided security for Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines last January.

Members of the PSG also risked their lives to protect him during the 1987 coup when his mother was president, Aquino said.

"Thanks to the PSG, I have peace of mind," he said.

He also likened the PSG to the PNP Special Action Force whose members participated in the Mamasapano operation to take out Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, last January 25.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Thursday, January 29, 2015

SAF trooper's widow begs PNoy: Please help us


MANILA - The wife of a slain Special Action Force commando broke down in tears Friday as she begged President Aquino to pursue justice for her husband and other SAF troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Speaking before the necrological service for the 44 slain SAF commandos, Erica Pabalinas, wife of slain Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas, said she was unsure if she should feel sad for losing a husband or happy that he died a hero and fought to his last breath to claim peace.

She said that before the incident, she tried to ask her husband not to go to the Mamasano operation.

"Naglalambing ako sa kanya. Sabi ko: 'Daddy, wag ka na lang po sumama kasi di ka pa ok.' And then, he replied: 'Mommy, ayan ka na naman. Hindi mo na naman naiintindihan.'"

"And then our little girl said to him: 'Daddy, wag ka na lang umalis kasi gabi na. Baka kunin ka lang po ng bad guys.'"

"Despite that, Ryan left. It is a clear manifestation that my husband put duty first before family and I understand."

Pabalinas said she has come to slowly accept that her husband cannot be with them anymore. She also told the wives of the other slain troopers to be strong and not think that all they wanted was the reward money for the capture of Marwan.

"For the grieving wives just like me, let us be strong for our children because behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife. Behind every SAF trooper is a strong wife," she said.

She then told the President: "To our President, we seek for your help to attain justice. Please, sir president. Please help us."

The 44 SAF commandos were killed by Moro rebels during an operation to hunt down terror suspects Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman.

The incident has threatened to derail peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Palace releases PNoy photo with Janet Napoles


MANILA - Malacañang on Thursday released photographs of President Aquino with Janet Napoles, her husband Jimmy and daughter Jeane, along with several others taken in a function in Cebu in November 2012.

It also included a group photo of Aquino with Napoles and fashion designer Renee Salud.

In releasing the batch of 24 photos, the Palace wanted to show that President Aquino only obliged to photo requests of several people even without knowing them personally.

The Palace reiterated that Aquino did not know Napoles personally.

"He doesn't know them personally. He still didn't know them personally," said Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ricky Carandang.

"I've shown some of those photos and it's really just a question of her going and asking for the picture. He didn't even know who she was," he added.

The Palace released the photos after a picture of Aquino with Jeane Napoles surfaced on social media.

Following this, however, the Palace will not set restrictions on people who wish to pose for pictures with the President, saying politicians normally oblige to photo requests.


"Mahirap gawin 'yon. Kung magpunta ka sa isang event--at alam niyo naman, nakasama na rin kayo sa ilang mga event ni Presidente--marami talagang nagpapa-picture sa kanya and let's not just limit it to the President. You're a senator, you're a congressman, when you go to a public event, talagang nagpapa-picture ang tao sa inyo," Carandang said.

"And, I know this from experience ha, 'pag hindi ka pumayag magpa-picture, minsan magagalit pa sila. I think it's the right of our people, if they want to get pictures taken."

Carandang stressed that a photograph with Napoles doesn't necessarily mean guilt.

"The public understands that a picture with someone does not mean that they are guilty. Now, if there are funds that were allegedly misspent, ibang issue po 'yon," Carandang said.

"Pero I think the public will understand, regardless of who it is, na kung... may nagpa-picture sa'yo, na hindi mo naman kilala, hindi mo naman masisisi 'yung isang pulitiko na nagpa-picture siya."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

After Napoles surrender, what now?


MANILA -- "What happens now?"

This was the question posed by one of the organizers of the Million People March following the surrender of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

Napoles, who is facing charges for the serious illegal detention of key whistleblower Benhur Luy, is the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam.

She surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III Wednesday night while his brother Reynald Lim, also charged with serious illegal detention, is still at large.

In an interview with radio dzMM Thursday afternoon, netizen and activist Monet Silvestre said that while he is happy that Napoles is now finally in government custody, the country has still yet to see lawmakers charged for the alleged misuse of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Silvestre was one of the thousands of people who attended the Million People March at Luneta Park last Monday calling for the abolition of the pork barrel.

"Oo [happy] kasi nahuli na si Napoles," Silvestre said.

"[Pero] ang expectation ng mga dumalo nung Million People March pareho pa rin po -- to scrap the pork barrel and for the investigation to start as soon as possible in the most transparent manner," he added.

Aquino has abolished the current pork barrel system, the PDAF, proposing instead line-item budgeting of lawmakers' projects. He also rejected calls for the abolition of his own "pork barrel" or the President's Social Fund.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday began its probe into the alleged pork barrel scam.

Nothing wrong with surrender to PNoy

Meanwhile, Silvestre said he sees nothing wrong with Napoles' decision to surrender to the President, noting that what is more important is that the businesswoman is now in the hands of the government.

"Sa akin yun ang importante kasi gusto ko makita kung saan hahantong ito eh... Super bantay lang ako sa kung anong mangyayari."

"Kung ganyan kalaki ang mga impormasyon na meron siya, kailangan secure talaga... Whatever yung naging proseso, di muna ako mag-iisip ng kung ano," he said.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda had explained that Napoles surrendered to Aquino due to security threats.

Some leftist groups, however, are not buying this, saying that Napoles' surrender may be part of a "well-written Palace script."

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Kabataan party-list also believe that deals were made between Malacañang and Napoles, who is said to be close to a recently fired consultant of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sunday, April 21, 2013

PNoy has dinner with Bianca Manalo


MANILA – Did President Benigno Aquino III go on a date with beauty queen-turned-actress Bianca Manalo?

In an interview with “The Buzz” aired on Sunday, Manalo played down the rumors, as she stressed that the country's bachelor President is not pursuing her.

However, the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2009 winner did not deny that she indeed had dinner with Aquino.

“Na-meet ko po si Mr. President. Wala naman pong ligawan but nakipag-dinner po kami with him. My sister was with me,” she said.

Aquino’s last reported relationship was with Korean TV personality Grace Lee early last year. However, they have stopped "seeing each other" in May 2012.

Manalo, on the other hand, was previously linked with model Carlo Gonzales after a picture of the two made the rounds on the Internet late last year.

Prior to that, Manalo’s last relationship was with actor John Prats. They broke up in June 2012.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Grace Lee: PNoy courts 'like any normal guy'


MANILA, Philippines – Following President Noynoy Aquino’s admission that they are dating, TV and radio personality Grace Lee has become more open in disclosing some details about their burgeoning bond.

Despite holding the highest post in the country, PNoy’s courtship style remains “normal,” according to the Philippines-based Korean.

“I don’t know about calling everyday, I don’t wanna divulge too much details, pero yes very normal, like any normal guy,” Grace said in an interview on “24 Oras,” Feb. 2.

She has also received “a couple of chocolates and flowers” from the chief executive.

“He’s just very sweet,” Grace added.

Although she’s been part of the entertainment industry for some years now, Grace is still surprised by the outpour of attention she’s receiving. Reporters and photographers of international wire agencies, such as Agence-France Presse, were seen tailing her on Thursday, “24 Oras” stated.

It took a while for the GMA-7 showbiz reporter to speak up about PNoy because she “wanted this to be more private.”

“We’re still at the stage of getting to know each other. And I didn’t want so many people having so much to say about what’s going on between us... I don’t think I’m gonna waste my time, spending hours of my day trying to know a man if I was not interested at all,” she related.

She may have evaded the question about PNoy’s chances on winning her heart, but Grace generously attached positive adjectives to him. At one point, she said, “He is a wonderful person…”

Grace did not reveal when she and PNoy began dating. It can be recalled though that their paths first crossed June last year at the inauguration of Korea Electric Power Corp. power plant in Cebu. She hosted the said event.

The 29-year-old DJ had a closer, longer encounter with the president before Christmas through an interview they did for her radio program. According to “24 Oras,” their conversation ranged from serious topics like his visions for the country, to lighter ones such as his taste in music.

“He’s brilliant, he is the most intelligent man I’ve met in my life,” Grace enthused.

She appreciates that PNoy admitted that they are “seeing each other.”

"He’s such a gentleman. When he acknowledged it, I think that was out of respect for me because he doesn’t need this… but he did and that tells you a lot about what kind of man he is.

“He’s such an inspiring character,” Grace said in a separate interview with “TV Patrol,” adding, “To be liked by a man who leads a country is very flattering.”

While things are looking up for the two, Grace, as well as her family, are “worried… on the public attention.”

“I just didn’t think it was gonna happen this fast,” she said.

She also got concerned about their racial difference. Nevertheless, “it’s the reason why I fell in love with the Philippines in the first place, so accepting and so understanding.”

Grace merely laughed off speculations that PNoy has already proposed to her.

“We are starting so sana everyone would give us time and space to get to know each other more,” she said.

Reporter Mario Dumaual then told Grace, “love knows no age gap or age differences.”

“At least whatever we have right now will serve as an inspiration to a lot of people out there. But aside from that, I would like to believe so as well,” she said with a smile.

For PNoy’s 52nd birthday on Feb. 8, Grace said, “What can you give the President, right? It’s so difficult. But I’m brewing something up. Surprise na lang.”

“You can give your love,” Mario teased her.

Laughing, she responded, “Oo nga eh, puwede rin.”

Her manager, Arnold Vegafria, deemed that the recent turn of events marks a big change for Grace.

“But the most important dapat, guard your heart,” he pointed out on “24 Oras.”

source: mb.com.ph

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

PNoy Confirms Dating Grace Lee


MANILA, Philippines — It’s confirmed.

President Benigno S. Aquino III admitted Wednesday he is dating Korean television and radio host Grace Lee.

“Well, we’re seeing each other,” was the 51-year-old bachelor President’s answer when asked on the real score between him and Grace Lee.

He, however, did not disclose other details, saying that he has a right to privacy.

“Sa Constitution po natin may nakalagay na privacy, eh. Baka pwedeng mabahaginan din ako ng karapatan na yon under Article III [There is a right to privacy under our Constitution. I hope you could accord me that right under Article III],” Aquino said, referring to the Bill of Rights under the 1987 Constitution.

For her part, Grace Lee affirmed that she is dating the Chief Executive.

“What the President said is true,” Lee said in the noontime newscast Balitanghali aired on GMA News TV Wednesday, where she hosts show business news Starbites.

“I don’t think may room for clarification kasi very simple and truthful naman yung sinabi ni Presidente [I don’t think there is any room for clarification because what the President said was simple and truthful],” she said.

Asked, however, when they started seeing each other, Lee’s only reply was “Secret.”

Earlier, Lee said she will leave it to the President to speak on the matter. The Palace had also been mum on the issue, saying that it does not comment on private matters concerning the President.

It was radio disc jockey Mo Twister, in his Twitter account, who revealed that he was able to make Grace Lee squeal on her date with the Chief Executive.

President Aquino and Grace Lee met in an event in Cebu last year. Lee was the event’s emcee and President Aquino acknowledged Lee as “gwapa” (beautiful) before he delivered his speech.

Several women had been linked to the President when he came into office, starting off with his former girlfriend, Valenzuela councilor Shalani Soledad, who is now married to Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo; stylist Liz Uy, stock broker Len Lopez, and teacher Bunny Calica.

President Aquino was also being matched with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who visited the Philippines last week but the President dismissed the issue.

source: mb.com.ph