the inaugural address of pres. benigno aquino iii

8/7/2019 The Inaugural Address of Pres. Benigno Aquino III

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The Inaugural Address of Benigno S. Aquino III

Philippine President Benigno Aquino delivers his inaugural speech after takinghis oath of office at Quirino Grandstand in Manila on June 30, 2010. Aquinovowed in his inauguration speech to lift the country out of poverty and endcorruption. AFP PHOTO/TED ALJIBE

Official English translation provided by Aquino media bureau

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former PresidentJoseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate,House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the SupremeCourt, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps,fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength. I never expected that I

will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president. I never imagined thatI would be tasked with continuing the mission of my parents. I never entertained theambition to be the symbol of hope, and to inherit the problems of our nation.

I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son,a caring brother, and a good citizen.

My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to


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nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach itsfullest potential: that of ensuring equality for all. My family has sacrificed much and I amwilling to do this again if necessary.

Although I was born to famous parents, I know and feel the problems of ordinary

citizens. We all know what it is like to have a government that plays deaf and dumb. Weknow what it is like to be denied justice, to be ignored by those in whom we placed ourtrust and tasked to become our advocates.

Have you ever been ignored by the very government you helped put in power? I have.Have you had to endure being rudely shoved aside by the siren-blaring escorts of thosewho love to display their position and power over you? I have, too. Have youexperienced exasperation and anger at a government that instead of serving you, needsto be endured by you? So have I.

I am like you. Many of our countrymen have already voted with their feet - migrating to

other countries in search of change or tranquility. They have endured hardship, riskedtheir lives because they believe that compared to their current state here, there is morehope for them in another country, no matter how bleak it may be. In moments when Ithought of only my own welfare, I also wondered - is it possible that I can find the peaceand quiet that I crave in another country? Is our government beyond redemption? Has itbeen written that the Filipinos lot is merely to suffer?

Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people. It is notNoynoy who found a way. You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation isabout to end. This is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the crosswe will lift it, no matter how heavy it is.

Through good governance in the coming years, we will lessen our problems. Thedestiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place, and as each year passes, theFilipinos problems will continue to lessen with the assurance of progress in their lives.

We are here to serve and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one ofchange. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that isself-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation.

This mandate is the social contract that we agreed upon. It is the promise I made duringthe campaign, which you accepted on election day.

During the campaign we said, If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor. That is no mereslogan for posters -- it is the defining principle that will serve as the foundation of ouradministration.

Our foremost duty is to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effectivegovernance.


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The first step is to have leaders who are ethical, honest, and true public servants. I willset the example. I will strive to be a good model. I will not break the trust you haveplaced in me. I will ensure that this, too, will be the advocacy of my Cabinet and thosewho will join our government.

I do not believe that all of those who serve in our government are corrupt. In truth, themajority of them are honest. They joined government to serve and do good. Startingtoday, they will have the opportunity to show that they have what it takes. I am countingon them to help fight corruption within the bureaucracy.

To those who have been put in positions by unlawful means, this is my warning: we willbegin earning back the trust of our people by reviewing midnight appointments. Let thisserve as a warning to those who intend to continue the crooked ways that have becomethe norm for too long.

To our impoverished countrymen, starting today, your government will be your

champion.We will not disregard the needs of our students. We will begin by addressing the glaringshortage in classrooms and educational facilities.

Gradually, we will lessen the lack of infrastructures for transportation, tourism and trade.From now on, mediocre work will not be good enough when it comes to roads, bridges,and buildings because we will hold contractors responsible for maintaining their projectsin good condition.

We will revive the emergency employment program established by former PresidentCorazon Aquino. This will provide jobs for local communities and will help in thedevelopment of their and our economy.

We will not be the cause of your suffering or hardship. We will strengthen collections bythe Bureau of Internal Revenue and we will fight corruption in the Bureau of Customs inorder to fund our objectives for the public welfare, such as:

Quality education, including vocational education, so that those who choose not toattend college or those who cannot afford it can find dignified livelihood;

Improved public health services such as PhilHealth for all within three years;

A home for every family, within safe communities.

We will strengthen the armed forces and the police, not to serve the interests of thosewho want to wield power with impunity, but to give added protection for ordinary folk.The armed forces and the police risk their lives daily so that the nation can live in peace


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and security. The population has doubled and yet their numbers remain unchanged. It isnot right that those who make sacrifices are treated pitifully.

If there was a fertilizer scam in the past, today there will be security for farmers. We willhelp them with irrigation, extension services, and marketing their products at the best

possible prices.We are directing Secretary Alcala to set up trading centers that will directly link farmersand consumers thereby eliminating middlemen and opportunities for corruption. In thisway, funds can be shared by farmers and consumers. We will make our countryattractive to investors. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economicpolicies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler,not a hindrance to business. This is the only means by which we can provide jobs forour people.

Our goal is to create jobs at home so that there will be no need to look for employment

abroad. However, as we work towards that end, I am ordering the DFA, POEA, OWWA,and other relevant agencies to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare ofour overseas Filipino workers.

We will strengthen the process of consultation and feedback. We will strive to upholdthe constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.

We relived the spirit of people power during the campaign. Let it take us to good andeffective governance. Those who believe in people power put the welfare of othersbefore their own.

I can forgive those who did me wrong but I have no right to forgive those who abusedour people.

To those who talk about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simplyforget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: therecan be no reconciliation without justice. When we allow crimes to go unpunished, wegive consent to their occurring over and over again. Secretary de Lima, you have yourmarching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

We are also happy to inform you the acceptance of Chief Justice Hilario Davide of thechallenge of strengthening and heading a Truth Commission that will shed light onmany unanswered issues that continue to haunt our country.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We arecommitted to a peaceful and just settlement of conflict, inclusive of the interests of all --may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitablegovernance leading to a better life. With proper governance life will improve for all.


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When we are all living well, who will want to go back to living under oppression?

If I have all of you by my side, we will be able to build a nation in which there will beequality of opportunity, because each of us fulfilled our duties and responsibilitiesequally.

After the elections, you proved that it is the people who wield power in this country.

This is what democracy means. It is the foundation of our unity. We campaigned forchange. Because of this, the Filipino stands tall once more. We are all part of a nationthat can begin to dream again.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as areliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitmentsand which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyonewill say, it all works.

Today, I am inviting you to pledge to yourselves and to our people. No one shall be leftbehind.

No more junkets, no more senseless spending. No more turning back on pledges madeduring the campaign, whether today or in the coming challenges that will confront usover the next six years. No more influence-peddling, no more patronage politics, nomore stealing. No more sirens, no more short cuts, no more bribes. It is time for us towork together once more.

We are here today because we stood together and believed in hope. We had noresources to campaign other than our common faith in the inherent goodness of theFilipino.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become areality. To those among you who are still undecided about sharing the common burden Ihave only one question: Are you going to quit now that we have won?

You are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders. We will design and implement aninteraction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to your needs andaspirations.

You are the ones who brought me here - our volunteers - old, young, celebrity, ordinaryfolks who went around the country to campaign for change; my household help whoprovided for all my personal needs; my family, friends, colleagues at work, who shared,cared, and gave their support; my lawyers who stayed all hours to guard my votes andmake sure they were counted; and the millions of Filipinos who prevailed, kept faith, andnever lost hope - I offer my heartfelt gratitude.


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I will not be able to face my parents and you who have brought me here if do not fulfillthe promises I made.

My parents sought nothing less, died for nothing less, than democracy and peace. I am

blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have traveled far on theright path, and that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Joinme in continuing this fight for change.

Thank you and long live the Filipino people!

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INAUGURAL ADDRESS AS DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III

Ang pagtayo ko dito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi koinakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako'y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilanginyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa attagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sabayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktadurya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay paratubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang

pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin naang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na po kami ngdugo at handa kong gawin ito kung muling kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin angproblema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam namagkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam namapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasannating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Akorin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sapamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itongpagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa - nilisan nanila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nilaang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti


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na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang akinginaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din - talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahalanatin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan banakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito - dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ngtaumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakitngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman po ang umpisa ngkalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito,gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang maraminating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawattaon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at maykasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin aypagbabago - isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sapamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ngmamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo parasa pagbabago - isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggapninyo noong araw ng halalan.

Sigaw natin noong kampanya: "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap." Hindi lamang itopang slogan o pang poster - ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan

ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sakahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sapamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno.Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindiko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rinang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, masmarami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ngkabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas.Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin angpagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga "midnight appointments."


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Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot nakalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyongkampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya'tsisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para satransportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang "puwedena" pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mgakontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang "emergency employment" ng dating pangulongCorazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay

ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila atng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin angkoleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas atBureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat,tulad ng:

dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanapng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo; serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;

tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindipara tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan angmamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sakatahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilangbinabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit aykinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga ng tunay para sa mgamagsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng

kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.Inaatasan natin na ang papasok na Secretary Alcala ay magtayo ng mga tradingcenters kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili - lalaktawan natin ang gitna,kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna aymaari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.


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Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tapedramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field forinvestors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitongparaan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mgamamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganinang mangibang-bansa para makahanap lamang ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindipa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA at ng OWWA at ibapang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mgahinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proceso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapinnaming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusiyon na kinikilala ang karapatanng mamamayaan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungosa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sakapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Samga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mgakasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us tosimply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this tosay: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala,

sinisigurado mong maulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you haveyour marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice HilarioDavide Jr. sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission namagbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walangkasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloyang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We arecommitted to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all -may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shall defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitablegovernance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay nglahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?


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Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantayang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mgapananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo

ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin natingipaglaban ang karapatan na ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa.Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayonglahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as areliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments

and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyonewill say, "it all works."

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan,WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walangpagtalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mgasusunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walangcounterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawanggawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become areality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isalang ang aking tanong - kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya't hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We willdesign and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectivelyrespond to the people's needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito - ang ating mga volunteers - matanda, bata,celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; angaking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal napangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga atnagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang


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the inaugural address of pres. benigno aquino iii

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