Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III[1] (pronounced [bɛˈniɡno aˈkino] in most Philippine languages, /bɛˈnɪɡnoʊ əˈkiːnoʊ/ in English); (born February 8, 1960) also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is the fifteenth and current President of the Philippines.[3][5][6] Aquino is a fourth-generation politician: his great-grandfather, Servillano "Mianong" Aquino, served as a delegate to the Malolos Congress;[7] his grandfather, Benigno Aquino, Sr., held several legislative positions from 1919–44;[8] and his parents were former President Corazon Aquino and former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. Aquino is a member of the Liberal Party.[9] In the Liberal Party, Aquino held various positions such as Secretary General and Vice President for Luzon. Aquino is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Liberal Party.[10]
Born in Manila, Aquino graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 1981 and joined his family in their exile in the United States shortly thereafter. He returned to the Philippines in 1983 shortly after the assassination of his father and held several positions working in the private sector. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province. He was subsequently re-elected to the House in 2001 and 2004.[3] In 2007, having been barred from running for re-election to the House due to term limits, he was elected to the Senate in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.[3]
Following the death of his mother on August 1, 2009, many people began calling on Aquino to run for president.[3] On September 9, 2009, Aquino officially announced he would be a candidate in the 2010 presidential election, held on May 10, 2010.[3]
On June 9, 2010, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino the winner of the 2010 presidential election.[3]
On June 30, 2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila,[3][11] Aquino was sworn into office as the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Conchita Carpio-Morales.[3][12]
Despite the official residence of the President being Malacañang Palace, his actual residence is the Bahay Pangarap (House of Dreams), located within the Palace grounds
Early life and education
Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III was born on February 8, 1960 in Manila. Aquino is the third of the five children of Benigno Aquino, Jr., who was then the Vice Governor of Tarlac province, and Corazon Aquino. He has four sisters, Maria Elena (Ballsy) Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon (Pinky) Aquino-Abellada, Victoria Elisa (Viel) Aquino-Dee, and Kristina Bernadette (Kris) Aquino-Yap.
From 1965 to 1981,[10] Aquino attended Ateneo de Manila University from elementary to college.[15]
Eleven months after Aquino's father, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., was arrested and detained for "advocating the overthrow of the government by force or violence",[16] Ninoy was brought before a military tribunal in Moran Hall, Fort Bonifacio in August 1973.[16] On August 25, 1973, Ninoy wrote a letter to his son, Noynoy from Fort Bonifacio at 11:10 p.m., giving advice to his son;
"The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.
There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.
Son, the ball is now in your hands."[1][16]
In 1981, Aquino graduated from Ateneo de Manila University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Economics.[3][15] Shortly after graduation, he joined his family in Newton, Massachusetts, in exile.[15]
In 1983, after two years in exile in the United States, Aquino returned to the Philippines with his family, shortly after the assassination of his father on August 21, 1983.[15] He had a short tenure as a member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, working as an assistant of the executive director of PBSP.[15] He later joined Mondragon Industries Philippines, Inc. as an assistant Retail Sales Supervisor and assistant promotions manager for Nike Philippines, Inc.[15]
From 1986 to 1992, during the presidency of his mother, Aquino joined the Intra-Strata Assurance Corporation, a company owned by his uncle Antolin Oreta Jr., as vice president.[15]
On August 28, 1987, eighteen months into the presidency of Aquino's mother, rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasan staged an unsuccessful coup attempt, attempting to siege Malacañang Palace. Aquino was two blocks from the palace when he came under fire. Three of Aquino's four security escorts were killed, and the last was wounded protecting him. He himself was hit by five bullets, one of which is still embedded in his neck.[17]
From 1993 to 1998, Aquino worked for Central Azucarera de Tarlac, the sugar refinery in charge of the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita, as the executive assistant for administration from 1993 to 1996, then he worked as manager for field services from 1996 to 1998.[15]
Congressional career
House of Representatives
Aquino was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 1998, representing the 2nd district of Tarlac.[3][10] Aquino won re-election in 2001 and 2004, and served until 2007.[3][10]
As a member of the House of Representatives, Aquino passed numerous house bills and resolutions:[10]
House Bill No. 4251, granting annual productivity incentives to all workers in the private sector.
House Bill No. 4397, strengthening the regulatory power of the Department of Trade and Industry to effectively enforce consumer laws.
House Bill No. 4252, increasing the penalties for non-compliance of the prescribed increases and adjustments in the wage rates of workers.
House Bill No. 3616, extending the reglementary period for the educational qualification for the Philippine National Police.
House Bill No. 1842, providing for the codification of criminal laws.
House Resolution No. 65, inquiry in aid of legislation into the policies and processes of the Energy Regulatory Commission in granting rate increases to electric utilities.
House Resolution No. 788, a house bill Aquino is reportedly proudest of, which created a Congressional Oversight Committee to check and study the use of intelligence funds by government agencies, thus ensuring that allocated funds are actually used for the purposes they were originally intended for.[18]
Aquino served on numerous committees as a member of the Congress of the Philippines:[10]
Civil
Political & Human Rights
Public Order & Security
Transportation & Communications
Agriculture
Banks & Financial Intermediaries
Peoples' Participation
Suffrage and Electoral Reforms
Appropriations
Natural Resources
Trade & Industry
Good Government
Inter-Parliamentary Relations & Diplomacy
Energy
Export Promotion
Public Order & Safety
Aquino became Deputy Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives on November 8, 2004, but relinquished the post on February 21, 2006, when Aquino joined the Liberal Party in calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the height of the Hello Garci scandal.[3][10]
Aquino was also Chairman of the Board of the Central Luzon Congressional Caucus.[10]
Senate
Barred from running for re-election to the House of Representatives of the Philippines, to represent the 2nd district of Tarlac, due to term limits, Aquino was elected to the Senate of the Philippines in the 2007 Philippine midterm election on May 15, 2007, under the banner of the Genuine Opposition (GO), a coalition comprising a number of parties, including Aquino's own Liberal Party, seeking to curb attempts by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to amend the 1986 Philippine Constitution. In Aquino's political ads, he was endorsed by his younger sister, TV host Kris Aquino, and his mother, the late former President Corazon Aquino. Although a devout Roman Catholic, Aquino was endorsed by one of the largest Christian churches in the Philippines, the Jesus Is Lord Church.[19][20][21] With more than 14.3 million votes, Aquino's tally was the sixth highest of the 37 candidates for the 12 vacant seats elected from the nation at large. Aquino assumed his new office on June 30, 2007.[3]
During the campaign, Aquino reached out to his former enemy, Senator Gregorio Honasan, supporting his application for bail. Aquino told Job Tabada of Cebu Daily News, on March 5, 2007;
"I endorse Honasan's request for bail para parehas ang laban [to even out the playing field]. I was hit by bullets from Honasan's men in the neck and hips but that's past now. The principle of my father was, 'Respect the rights even of your enemies.' Ito ang nagpatingkad ng demokrasya [This is what defines democracy]. Genuine reconciliation is democracy in action."[22]
Aquino was referring to an unsuccessful coup attempt staged by rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasan on August 28, 1987, in which Aquino was seriously injured.
Senate bills
The Budget Impoundment and Control Act (SB 3121), wherein "impoundment" refers to the power of the President to refuse the release of funds appropriated by the Congress of the Philippines, is another bill Aquino is proud of;[18] he regretted,[18] however, that such power has been used and abused by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a result of which abuse has been the significant emasculation of Congress' ability to check the President's authority. Aquino filed this bill so the President would have to pass through Congress every time the President decides to impound part of the budget.
Another significant Aquino contribution to the Philippines' corruption problem is Senate Bill 2035, which is the Preservation of Public Infrastructures bill, seeking to raise standards in the construction of all public infrastructures by penalizing contractors of defective infrastructures. The bill also requires the Bureau of Maintenance under the Department of Public Works and Highways to conduct periodic inspections of public infrastructures.
Aquino also pushed for the passage of the Amending the Government Procurement Act (SB 2160), which applies to all government procurement activities regardless of source of funds whether local or foreign; only treaties or international/executive agreements entered into by the government prior to its enactment shall be exempt from coverage. The bill was filed in light of the Department of Justice declaration regarding the validity of the controversial NBN-ZTE scandal, wherein its international aspect, as well as the fact that it was an executive agreement, was cited as one reason for its exemption from the procurement process stipulated in Republic Act 9184.
Focusing further on accountability in government appropriations and spending, Aquino filed other reform-oriented, well-thought-out types of bills, among which were for: Philippine National Police reform; an increase in penalties for corporations and work establishments not compliant with minimum wage; the banning of reappointment to the Judicial and Bar Council; the prevention of reappointment and bypassing of the Commission on Appointments; real property valuation based on international standards; and superior responsibility for senior military officers, who are ultimately responsible for their own subordinates. However, none of these bills were passed into law.
2010 presidential campaign
Main article: Philippine presidential election, 2010
See also: Benigno Aquino III presidential campaign, 2010
On November 26, 2008, the Liberal Party elected Mar Roxas, president of the Liberal Party, as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for President of the Philippines in the then-upcoming 2010 presidential elections.[24]
Following the death and funeral of Aquino's mother, former President Corazon Aquino, many people began calling on Aquino to run for President of the Philippines.[3] This groundswell of support became known as the "Noynoy Phenomenon".[25]
On August 27, 2009, Edgardo "Eddie" Roces, son of the late Chino Roces, former publisher and owner of The Manila Times, and a group of lawyers and activists formed the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM), a nationwide campaign to collect a million signatures in order to persuade Aquino to run for President,[26] reminiscent of Roces' father, who on October 15, 1985, launched the Cory Aquino for President Movement (CAPM), collecting more than one million signatures nationwide, asking Aquino's mother to run against Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 presidential snap elections.[27]
On September 2009, the Liberal Party held numerous press conferences in relation to the 2010 elections at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, the site of the presidential inauguration of Aquino's mother in February 1986.
On September 1, 2009, at the Club Filipino, in a press conference, Senator Mar Roxas, president of the Liberal Party and standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for President of the Philippines, announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and expressed his support for Aquino, as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for President.[28] Aquino later stood side by side with Roxas, but did not make a public statement at the press conference.[9] The next day, Aquino announced that he would be going on a "spiritual retreat" over the weekend to finalize his decision for the 2010 presidential election,[3] reminiscent of the decision of his mother, who in 1985, went on a retreat before giving her decision to run for the presidency during the snap elections in 1986.[29] Aquino went on a retreat over the weekend, visiting the Carmelite sisters in Zamboanga City.[3]
The following week, on September 9, Aquino officially announced his candidacy for the presidency in the then-upcoming elections.[3][30]
On September 21, 2009, Roxas, alongside Aquino, officially announced his candidacy for the vice presidency, as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for Vice President, launching the Aquino-Roxas tandem.[31][32] On November 28, 2009, Aquino and Roxas filed their certificate of candidacy for President and Vice President respectively.
During the 90-day election campaign period from February 9–May 8, 2010,[33] fake psychiatric reports on Aquino's mental health began circulating.[34] According to Aquino, his camp had received information that the first fake psychiatric report on his mental state that was circulated on the Internet came from the wife of Guido Delgado, a supporter of the Nacionalista Party. Aquino noted that the Nacionalista Party supporter's move was made with "malicious intent".[34] An unidentified supporter of Senator Manny Villar, president of the Nacionalista Party and the standard bearer of the Nacionalista Party for President of the Philippines, sent a second fake psychiatric report to Villar’s volunteer center located at Star Mall in Mandaluyong City.[34][35] The psychiatric report was presented in a restaurant in Quezon City, during a press conference held by Guido Delgado, a supporter of the Nacionalista Party and former president of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).[34][35] The psychiatric report was supposedly signed by Father Jaime C. Bulatao, S.J., PhD, a Jesuit priest, a professor of Psychology and a clinical psychologist at the Ateneo de Manila University, taken when Aquino was finishing his Bachelor's degree in Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1979, showed that Aquino suffered from depression and melancholia,[35] however, Father Bulatao had denied writing or signing the psychiatric report.[34] A fake third psychiatric report on Aquino’s mental state was circulated on the Internet.[34] The psychiatric report was supposedly signed by Father Carmelo A. Caluag II, S.J, a Jesuit priest at the Ateneo de Manila University.[34] The psychiatric report showed that Aquino suffered from major depressive disorder, however, Father Caluag had denied having made any psychiatric evaluation of Aquino.[34] The psychiatric report was disowned by the Ateneo de Manila University Psychology Department.[34] Aquino described the release of another fake psychiatric report as an "act of desperation" of his political opponents to besmirch his reputation.[34] Aquino dismissed his "psychiatric evaluation", saying its release only showed how desperate his rivals were.[34]
Aquino-Binay campaignDuring the 90-day election campaign period,[33] Senator Francis Escudero began endorsing Aquino as President and PDP-Laban standard-bearer Jejomar Binay, for Vice President, launching the Aquino-Binay campaign.[36] However, this was done without the consent of the two candidates, since Escudero, Aquino and Binay came from different political parties. Binay was former President Joseph Estrada's running mate for Vice President. The Aquino-Binay campaign endorsed by Escudero was successful as the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino and Binay the winners of the 2010 elections for President and Vice President on June 9, 2010.[3][5][6][37]
During the 2010 presidential election, held on May 10, 2010, in unofficial tallies, conducted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Aquino was the leading candidate in tallied votes for President, and in the official Congressional canvass, Aquino was the leading candidate in canvassed votes for President.[38] Aquino was unofficially being referred to as "President-apparent" by the media.[39]
Aquino being proclaimed as the President-elect of the Philippines by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Prospero Nograles at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on June 9, 2010.On June 9, 2010, at the Batasang Pambansa, in Quezon City, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino as the President-elect of the Philippines,[3][5] following the 2010 election with 15,208,678 votes,[3][6] while Jejomar Binay, the former mayor of Makati City, was proclaimed as the Vice President-elect of the Philippines with 14,645,574 votes,[37] defeating runner-up for the vice presidency Mar Roxas, the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for Vice President.
The Presidency of Benigno S. Aquino III began at noon on June 30, 2010, when he became the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Aquino is the third-youngest person to be elected president, and the fourth-youngest president after Emilio Aguinaldo, Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos.[2] Aquino is the first president to be a bachelor, being unmarried and having no children.[2] Aquino is the second president not to drink alcoholic beverages; the first president not to drink alcohol was Emilio Aguinaldo.[2] Aquino is the eighth president to be a smoker.[2] Aquino is the first graduate of Ateneo de Manila University to become president.[2] Aquino is the third president who will only hold office in Malacañang Palace, but not be a resident, following Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos.[2] Aquino is the first president to make Bahay Pangarap his official residence.[40][41] Aquino is the third president to use his second given name, Simeon, as his middle initial, as Manuel L. Quezon and José P. Laurel did.[1][2][3] Aquino is the second president to be a child of a former president, his mother was former President Corazon Aquino; the first president to be a child of a former president was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is the daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal.
The presidential transition began on June 9, 2010, when the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino the winner of the 2010 Philippine presidential elections held on May 10, 2010, proclaiming Aquino as the President-elect of the Philippines.[5][6] The transition was in charge of the new presidential residence, cabinet appointments and cordial meetings between them and the outgoing administration.
The presidential residence of Aquino is Bahay Pangarap (English: House of Dreams),[13] located inside of Malacañang Park,[42] at the headquarters of the Presidential Security Group across the Pasig River from Malacañang Palace.[13][14] Aquino is the first president to make Bahay Pangarap his official residence.[40][41] Malacañang Park was intended as a recreational retreat by former President Manuel L. Quezon.[41] The house was built and designed by architect Juan Arellano in the 1930s,[13][41] and underwent a number of renovations.[13] In 2008, the house was demolished and rebuilt in contemporary style by architect Conrad Onglao,[13][41] a new swimming pool was built, replacing the Commonwealth-era swimming pool.[40][41] The house originally had one bedroom,[13] however, the house was renovated for Aquino to have four bedrooms,[40] a guest room, a room for Aquino's household staff, and a room for Aquino's close-in security.[42] The house was originally intended as a rest house, the venue for informal activities and social functions for the First Family by former President Manuel L. Quezon.[13] Malacañang Park was refurbished through the efforts of First Lady Eva Macapagal, wife of former President Diosdado Macapagal, in the early 1960s.[41] First Lady Macapagal renamed the rest house as Bahay Pangarap.[41] During the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, the house was restored and became the club house of the Malacañang Golf Club.[13] The house was used by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to welcome special guests.[13] Aquino refused to live in Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines, or in Arlegui Mansion, the residence of former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos, stating that the two residences are too big,[13] and also stated that his small family residence at Times Street in Quezon City would be impractical, since it would be a security concern for his neighbors.[14]
On June 29, 2010, Aquino officially named the members of his Cabinet, with Aquino himself as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government,[43] a position that Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay initially wanted, however, Aquino stated that the post is not being considered for him,[44] but has offered Binay various positions, such as, to head a commission that will investigate the outgoing Arroyo administration, the posts of Secretary of Agrarian Reform, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and the chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), but Binay refused.[45] Aquino also announced the formation of a truth commission that will investigate various issues including corruption allegations against outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Aquino named former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. to head the truth commission.[46]
Traditionally, it is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines who administers the oath of office to the incoming President and Vice President, however, Aquino refused to allow Chief Justice Renato Corona to swear him into office, due to Aquino's opposition to the midnight appointment of Corona by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 12, 2010, two days after the 2010 elections and a month before Arroyo's term expired.[47] Instead, Aquino formally requested Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Conchita Carpio-Morales, who opposed the midnight appointment of Corona,[48] to swear him into office.[12]
Aquino took the oath of office on June 30, 2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.[3][11] The oath of office was administered by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, who officially accepted Aquino's request to swear him into office,[3][12] reminiscent of the decision of his mother, who in 1986, was sworn into the presidency by Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee.[2] After being sworn in as the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino delivered his inaugural address.
During the inaugural address, Aquino created the no ‘wang-wang’ policy, strengthening the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 96.[49][50] The term ‘wang-wang’ is a street lingo for blaring sirens.[51] Presidential Decree No. 96 was issued on January 13, 1973 by former President Ferdinand Marcos, regulating the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns and other similar devices only to motor vehicles designated for the use of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and ambulances.[49][50] However, despite having the privilege of using ‘wang-wang’, Aquino maintained he would set the example for his no ‘wang-wang’ policy, not to use ‘wang-wang’, even if it means being stuck in traffic and being late every now and then.[52][53] Aquino also traded the official black presidential Mercedes Benz S-Guard limousine for a white Toyota Land Cruiser 200.[52] After the inaugural address, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority began to enforce Aquino's no ‘wang-wang’ policy, confiscating ‘wang-wang’ from public officials and private motorists who illegally used them.[50]
From June 30–July 9, 2010, Aquino was Secretary of the Interior and Local Government,[43] until Aquino named Jesse Robredo, a former Naga mayor, as Interior Secretary.[54]
On July 14, 2010, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) called an emergency meeting in Camp Aguinaldo to assess the damage caused by Typhoon Basyang.[55] Aquino attended the meeting to obtain information on the damage caused by Typhoon Basyang and to personally monitor the repair and recovery work in the aftermath of the typhoon.[55] In the meeting, Aquino criticized the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for failing to predict and to warn the residents of Metro Manila that Typhoon Basyang would ravage Metropolitan Manila.[55][56]
On July 15, 2010, Aquino offered Vice President Jejomar Binay the position of chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).[57] Binay has accepted the offer of Aquino to take charge of the housing sector as chairman of HUDCC.[57]
On July 26, 2010, at the Batasang Pambansa, in Quezon City, Aquino delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).[58][59]
During Aquino's first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Aquino announced his intention to reform the education system in the Philippines by shifting to K–12 education, a 12-year basic education cycle.[60] K–12 education is used in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
On July 30, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 1, creating the Truth Commission.[61] The commission is tasked to investigate various anomalies and issues including graft and corruption allegations against the past administration, government officials and their accomplices in the private sector during the last nine years.[61] The commission has until December 31, 2012 to complete its mission.[61] Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. will head the commission.[61]
On August 4, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 2, signed on July 30, 2010, ordering the immediate removal of all midnight appointments made by the previous administration for violating the 60-day constitutional ban on presidential appointments before a national election.[62]
On August 6, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 3, signed on July 30, 2010, an executive order revoking Executive Order No. 883, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 28, 2010, that automatically promoted lawyers in government executive service to the rank of Career Executive Service Officer III (CESO III).[63] Aquino also announced the removal of Prisco Nilo as administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).[64] PAGASA was directly under Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Research and Development (R&D) Graciano Yumul.[64] A special order from DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, dated August 5, 2010, designated Yumul as PAGASA administrator, replacing Nilo.[64] On August 7, 2010, Malacañang announced that Yumul will be heading PAGASA temporarily, for only three months, as PAGASA will undergo a "reorientation" to improve its services.[65] Aquino has yet to name the new administrator who will permanently head PAGASA.[65]
On August 9, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 4, signed on July 30, 2010, reorganizing and renaming the Office of the Press Secretary as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO),[66][67] and creating the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).[66][67] Aquino appointed former ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) anchor Ricky Carandang and Herminio Coloma as secretaries of the new media communications group.[67][68]
On August 13, 2010, Aquino appointed Maria Lourdes Aranal Sereno as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, his first appointment to the Supreme Court of the Philippines.[69]
On August 14, 2010, Aquino directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to fully implement Executive Order No. 255, issued on July 25, 1987 by former President Corazon Aquino, requiring all radio stations to broadcast a minimum of four original Filipino musical compositions every hour.[70]
On August 16, 2010, Aquino launches his official presidential website. The presidential website's aim is to create communication between Aquino and the people, getting feedback from the people, telling Aquino their woes and grievances.[71]
On August 23, 2010, in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, the site of Aquino's presidential inauguration, the Manila hostage crisis occurred. Aquino expressed concern over the matter and gave his condolences to the victims. Aquino defended the actions of the police at the scene, stating that the gunman had not shown any signs of wanting to kill the hostages.[72] Aquino ordered a "thorough investigation" into the incident, and would wait until it is completed before deciding whether anyone should lose his or her job.[72][73] Aquino declared that the media may have worsened the situation by giving the gunman "a bird's-eye view of the entire situation".[73] Aquino also made reference to the Moscow theater hostage crisis, which, according to Aquino, resulted in "more severe" casualties despite Russia's "resources and sophistication".[74] On August 24, 2010, Aquino signed Proclamation No. 23, declaring August 25, 2010, as a national day of mourning, instructing all public institutions nationwide and all Philippine embassies and consulates overseas to lower the Philippine flag at half-mast, in honor of the eight Hong Kong residents who died in the Manila hostage crisis.[75][76] On August 25, 2010, at a press conference in Malacañang, Aquino apologized to those offended when he was caught on television apparently smiling while being interviewed at the crime scene hours after the Manila hostage crisis.[77] Aquino said;
"My smile might have been misunderstood. I have several expressions. I smile when I'm happy, I smile when I'm faced with a very absurd situation...and if I offended certain people, I apologize to them. It's more of an expression maybe of exasperation rather than anything and again, I apologize if I offended certain people, who misunderstood (my) facial expression."[77]
On September 1, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 5, signed on August 25, 2010, an executive order amending Executive Order No. 594, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on December 20, 2006, stating the rules governing the appointment or designation and conduct of special envoys.[78] Executive Order No. 5 prevents special envoys from using the title "ambassador".[78] Aquino also ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to support and assist all regional hospitals and health centers and intensify their efforts to attend to the needs of dengue–inflicted patients.[79]
On September 2, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 6, extending the duration of the operations of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC) to December 30, 2010.[80]
On September 3, 2010, Aquino took responsibility for everything that happened during the Manila hostage crisis.[81] Aquino actually has direct supervision of the Philippine National Police, since Aquino had asked Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Jesse Robredo to address other concerns, such as coming up with a comprehensive plan on delivering social services to and relocating informal settlers in coordination with the local governments.[81]
On September 8, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 7, ordering the suspension of all allowances, bonuses and incentives of board members of government-owned and-controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) until December 31, 2010.[82]
On September 9, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 8, reorganizing and renaming the Build-Operate and Transfer Center (BOT) to the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPP) and transferring its attachment from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).[83]
On September 13, 2010, Aquino appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo as the new PNP Director, replacing General Jesus Verzosa, who retired on September 14, 2010.[84]
United States President Barack Obama with President Benigno Aquino III at a working lunch with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations around the United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York City.
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers remarks at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact agreement signing ceremony with President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, on September 23, 2010.On September 20, 2010, Aquino delivered his departure statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), before leaving for his first official trip to the United States.[85] Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Finance Cesar Purisima, Secretary of Trade & Industry Gregory Domingo, and Secretary of Energy Jose Rene Almendras, including 34 businessmen and 12 officials and support staff of the Presidential Communications Operations Office joined Aquino in the trip.[85] On September 22, 2010, Aquino delivered his speech during the Citibank Economic Conference in New York City. On September 23, 2010, Aquino delivered his extemporaneous remarks during a meeting with the Filipino community at Baruch College in New York City. Aquino also delivered his remarks at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact agreement signing ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The US$434-million MCC compact agreement will fund the Aquino administration's various programs on poverty reduction, revenue generation, and infrastructure development.[85] On September 24, 2010, Aquino delivered his statement before the 65th United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Aquino also had a seven-minute one-on-one talk with President of the United States Barack Obama during the 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-US Leaders Meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.[86][87] During the meeting, Aquino recognized the United States’ commitment to reinvigorating its relationship with the region and its individual nations at a time of ever-increasing complexity in global affairs.[86] Obama expressed his determination to elevate RP-US relations to a higher level, and welcomed the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption efforts.[86] Aquino and Obama also discussed military matters, about the possible removal of thousands of tons of war materials that Allied forces had left behind on Corregidor Island during World War II.[87] On September 26, 2010, during a visit to the Seasons Market Place in Milpitas, California, Aquino was greeted by cheering members of the Filipino community of San Jose, California.[88] Aquino also delivered his speech in front of the Filipino community at the Mission San Francisco de Asís in San Francisco, California. On September 28, 2010, Aquino arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), after his week-long working visit to the United States.[89] Aquino delivered his arrival statement at NAIA.[89]
On September 30, 2010, Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said that Aquino might face excommunication from the Catholic Church for supporting the Reproductive Health Bill, the plan to distribute and give Filipino couples the choice to use contraceptives for artificial birth control.[90] However, despite the possibility of excommunication, Aquino said that he is not changing his position on contraceptive use.[90]
On October 1, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 9, amending Section 1 of Executive Order No. 67, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on January 22, 2002, and reorganizing the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement created under Executive Order No. 199, signed by former President Joseph Estrada on January 17, 2000.
On October 2, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 10, declaring October 2, 2010 as the Nationwide Philhealth Registration Day (NPRD) and directing the Department of Health (DOH) to lead concerned government agencies to facilitate the nationwide Philhealth registration.
President Benigno Aquino III (3rd to the right) and other ASEAN leaders during the 2nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, Hanoi, Vietnam, October 30, 2010.On October 26, 2010, Aquino delivered his departure statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), before leaving for his first official trip to Vietnam.[91] Aquino met with President of Vietnam Nguyễn Minh Triết at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam.[91] Aquino and Triết signed four memorandum of agreement on four areas of cooperation, namely, higher education, defense, oil spill preparedness and response, and search and rescue at sea.[91] Aquino also met with Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyễn Tấn Dũng.[91] Aquino delivered a toast at the State Banquet hosted by Triết at the Government Guest House. On October 27, 2010, Aquino delivered his extemporaneous remarks during a meeting with the Filipino community in Vietnam. On October 28, 2010, Aquino delivered his statement during the ASEAN Leaders’ Retreat in Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 29, 2010, Aquino delivered his statements during the 13th ASEAN-Japan Summit, 13th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, 13th ASEAN-China Summit, 13th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, and 3rd ASEAN-UN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 30, 2010, Aquino delivered his statements during the 8th ASEAN-India Summit, 5th East Asia Summit, 2nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, ASEAN-Australia Summit, and ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 31, 2010, Aquino arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), after his first official trip to Vietnam.[92] Aquino delivered his arrival statement at NAIA.[92]
On November 8, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 11, transferring the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the Office of the President.
On November 9, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 12, delegating to the Executive Secretary the power to approve compromises or releases of any interest, penalty or civil liability to the Social Security System (SSS) pursuant to Section 4(6) of Republic Act No. 8282, otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 1997.
On November 10, 2010, former President of the United States Bill Clinton arrived in Manila.[93] Aquino met with Clinton in a courtesy call at Malacañang Palace.[94] Clinton gave a talk on globalization and delivered a lecture titled "Embracing Our Common Humanity" at the Manila Hotel, attended by politicians, business executives and members of the media.[93][94] The next day, Clinton quietly left for Singapore.[93]
On November 11, 2010, Aquino delivered his departure statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), before leaving for his first official trip to Japan for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Yokohama, Japan.[95] On November 12, 2010, Aquino delivered his speech during the APEC CEO Summit in Yokohama, Japan. On November 14, 2010, Aquino delivered his statement during the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting Retreat in Yokohama, Japan.
On November 15, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 13, abolishing the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and transferring its investigative, adjudicatory and recommendatory functions to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs and the Office of the President.
On November 19, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 14, transferring the control and supervision of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Office of the President.
On November 22, 2010, Aquino signed Proclamation No. 73, declaring November 23, 2010, as a national day of remembrance for the victims in the Maguindanao massacre.