Aquino: Filipino again held in high esteem in the world

President Benigno Aquino III with AFP chief Gen. Oban during his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after the US visit.ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines–The Filipino is again held in high esteem in the world stage following a year of the government’s efforts in curbing corruption and prudent spending, President Aquino declared upon his return from his working visit in the US early Friday morning.

Mr. Aquino reported that the Philippines isn’t just one of the members of US President Barrack Obama’s Open Government Partnership but is one of the leaders in promoting “an open, more honest and more trusted governance in the whole world.”

“We have seen the result of good governance. We are recognized by the whole world, not only by businessmen but also by governments,” President Aquino said in his arrival speech just minutes after his Philippine Airlines flight touched down around 2:45 a.m.

“As I told the foreigners that we met: Good governance is good economics. Much has indeed changed. When you think about it, before we exported horror stories about our country’s situation, now we have numerous invitations to share our best practices here in the Philippines,” he added.

No less than Obama and his co-chair in the OGP, Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff, invited President Aquino to the launch of the initiative for transparency and against corruption in government. Mr. Aquino sat beside Obama during the event.

Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. has said the Philippines was chosen to be among the founders of the initiative because of Mr. Aquino’s “commitment to good governance and his determination to fight corruption in order to create more jobs for Filipinos and eventually reduce poverty.”

President Aquino also shared the Philippine experience in fighting corruption in speeches before an OGP-related forum, The Power of Open Government: A Global Discussion, wherein he was the only head of state to speak.

He also had opportunities to speak on the same topic before the Asia Society and even the World Bank.

“I am glad to be part of this extraordinary opportunity. We’re now not just a member but are now one of the leaders in promoting open, more honest and more trusted governance in the whole world. The Philippines is one of the members of the steering committee,” President Aquino said.

The other members of the steering committee are Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa at United Kingdom, the US and Brazil.

“Even now, many countries are joining the Open Government Partnership,” President Aquino said.

President Aquino said he and his delegation maximized their trip to the US as from New York they went to Washington to honor the invitation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to share “our good experience over the past year.”

He also met with the Filipino community in Washington.

President Aquino, together with his Cabinet, also met with US lawmakers to “strengthen the relationship that will ensure we have some assistance in taking on the straight path toward progress.”

“We intensified our initiatives in promoting a clean and accountable administration to maintain an honest, effective and dependable government,” President Aquino said.

“And along with our diligent economic managers, we asked businessmen in America to put their capital in the Philippines,” he added.

President Aquino said the international community has seen how the government is paving the country’s systems.

“The result, trust and confidence that is the reason that more businessmen and worthwhile projects come in,” President Aquino said.