President Benigno Aquino III. 蜜桃工作室 FILE PHOTO
WASHINGTON, D.C.鈥擯resident Benigno Aquino III stressed Thursday the causality between the country鈥檚 growing economy and his governance platform, saying that the former was due mainly to the latter.
In particular, he took note of the seven positive actions by international credit rating agencies over the last two years, with all of them citing the government鈥檚 anti-corruption efforts.
鈥淐onnections and the willingness to bend the rules went out the window; success became about hard work, ingenuity, and innovation,鈥� he said in a speech to the new US-Philippines Society at the Mandarin Oriental hotel.
鈥淲e鈥檙e making sure that those who fall in line get what they鈥檙e lining up for, without anyone cutting in,鈥� the President added.
Mr. Aquino reminded the assembled business personalities that the country鈥檚 first-quarter growth rate was the highest in the Asean for that period, adding that indications from his economic managers are that growth in succeeding quarters of 2012 will be just as good.
鈥淏ut, of course, focusing on the economy requires a counterpart effort in fighting corruption, which is why I am glad to report that the good news extends to our crusade to bring back integrity in government,鈥� he said, pointing out that the Senate recently removed Renato Corona as the country鈥檚 chief justice 鈥渢hrough a constitutional, peaceful, and credible process worthy of a rapidly maturing democracy.鈥�
鈥淭his is a giant, progressive step for our nation, especially since, in today鈥檚 global environment, a culture of transparency and accountability is a major competitive advantage,鈥� Mr. Aquino said.
During the event, the President conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Supremo on Sen. Richard Lugar who heads the US Senate鈥檚 Foreign Relations Committee.
Lugar played an instrumental role during the events leading to the 1986 Edsa Revolution, having been sent by the US government to observe the conduct of the snap election聽 that preceded the popular uprising.
Lugar said that his report to then US President Ronald Reagan convinced the former to withdraw support for the late strongman, Ferdinand Marcos, and recognize the government of President Corazon Aquino.