Aquino vows leadership by example No sirens for Pnoy; others must follow

Tacloban City (July 1) -- President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III in no simple words revealed his resolve to practice leadership by example.
"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 sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin."
True enough, on his way to the Quirino Grandstand with former President Arroyo, their car stopped when the traffic lights turned red.
President Aquino knows that becoming a leader means that one must now possess much more than good intentions; he must also have the ability to translate intention into reality and to sustain it with action and behavior.
During the first press conference under the new Administration, the new Justice Secretary said that she would make a research on what particular law, the prohibition on the use of sirens, is found.
The Philippine Information Agency found Presidential Decree NO. 96 dated January 13, 1973, declaring unlawful the use or attachment of sirens, bell, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including domelights, and other signaling or flashing devices on motor vehicles and providing certain exceptions therefore.
That it shall be unlawful for the owner or possessor of any motor vehicle to use or attach to his vehicle any siren, bell, horn, whistle, or other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including domelights, blinkers and other similar signalling or flashing devices.
The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances.
In compliance with the directive of President Aquino, the Philippine National Police, immediately after the Presidents Inaugural Address, has banned the use of sirens for its vehicles escorting VIPs. At the same time, the PNP will no longer allow its vehicles to counterflow when escorting VIPs. (olive tiu)

P-Noy highlights role of media as sentinel of democracy

Tacloban City (December 3) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the active role of media in protecting the well-being of the people.
President Aquino made the statement speaking at the silver anniversary of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the launching of the commemorative book entitled "From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer" on December 1, at the Makati Shangrila in Makati City.
"There is no doubt that media plays an active role in guarding our freedoms and making the powerful accountable," the President said, stressing that when our institutions were weak, "the media put truth to power for the well-being of our citizenry."
The President underscored that media does not operate in a vacuum or was it not immune from the pressures heaped by influential people in the government, he urged all journalists and broadcasters to watch their own ranks and condemn their colleagues who try to exert a corrupt influence on the government.
He also asked the assistance of media to help the government in maintaining the highest form of professionalism, integrity, and truth-telling.
"Together, it is vital for us to raise the level of public discourse so that important issues are distinguished from vulgar personalities and trivial stories," he added.
Quoting his late father and icon of people power, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the President said that "a free media is indispensable if a democracy is to function efficiently, if it is to be real. The people, who are sovereign, must be adequately informed all the time."
The President acknowledged the contribution of Inquirer for igniting and catalyzing professionalism through its fair reporting and exposes against the government, having started before martial rule and continuing to the present.
He assured the men and women of the country's leading broadsheet that his government is not after fame but to protect the meaning of democracy which the Filipino people had recovered from 20 years of dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand R. Marcos.
"This is the path the Filipino people have committed to, and we all have a role to play in defending it," he said and admitted that he will personally proudly claim and inform his late parents, Senator Ninoy and former President Corazon Aquino, if his administration succeeds in defending democracy during his term which would be ending in 2016. (olive tiu)