PRESIDENT BENIGNO “NOYNOY” AQUINO III

Submitted by:

ANDRES, Shara Mae

AVELLANOSA, Noa Selene Marie

CATAMISAN, Josielyn

BARRUELA, Patricia Marie

INTRODUCTION
BIOGRAPHY

The 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, has come to stand

for Filipinos’ reinvigorated passion to build a nation of justice, peace, and inclusive progress.

Aquino—the only son of democracy icons Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino and President Corazon

Aquino—has in different junctures throughout his life responded to the challenge of acting with and

serving the Filipino people.

In 1983 after the assassination of his father, he returned from exile to the country to help show the way

for the EDSA People Power Revolution—the nonviolent and prayerful revolution by ordinary people

that toppled a dictatorship and restored Philippine democracy.

In 1998, Aquino entered public service to make sure that the democracy his parents fought for would

bring changes in people’s lives. He served as Representative of the 2nd District of Tarlac from 1998 to

2007. In May 2007, he joined the Philippine Senate, wherein he worked to bring about legislative

initiatives anchored on the protection of human rights and honest and responsible governance.

The most despondent days perhaps in Aquino’s life took place in 2009 when his mother passed away

from cancer after suffering for nearly a year. Her demise prompted mourning from all over the country.

And yet it also awakened a remembrance of the values she stood for. It stirred up the people’s yearning

for a leadership that is honest and compassionate, and a nation that trusts and works with its

government.

Immediately after her wake, people began to call on Aquino, urging him to run for presidency in the
2010 elections to continue his parents’ work. Signature drives and an outpouring of support through

yellow ribbons and stickers went full blast, convincing him to run. Moreover, candidates for president

such as Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio, and Isabela Governor

Grace Padaca gave up their presidential aspirations to support Aquino.

After a spiritual retreat at the Carmellite Monastery in Zamboanga City, Aquino responded to the call to

make the people’s passion for change the driving force behind a new government. On September 9,

2009, the 40th day after former president Cory Aquino’s passing, he officially announced his candidacy

for president at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan—where his mother took oath on the final day

of the EDSA People Power Revolution. “I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and well

connected but for everybody,” he said.

On June 9, 2010, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino as the President Elect of the

Philippines. In his inaugural address on June 30, 2010, he told the Filipino people: “We are here to

serve and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching

orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of

the nation.”

The presidency of Benigno Aquino III has been marked by a hardy dedication to bringing about shared

progress by doing things the right way. Aquino’s determination to lead the government and the nation

towards the straight path has been the catalyst for unprecedented economic growth, which has trickled

down to the margins of society through improved government services, reforms in the education

system, and conditional cash transfers for the poor; an inspired campaign for good governance and

justice as evidenced by the prosecution of corrupt and abusive government officials; and the

empowerment of every citizen so that they may participate in building a nation of hope and
opportunity.

“My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have traveled far on the right path, and

that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Join me in continuing this fight for

change.”

EARLY YEARS

President Aquino was born on Feb. 8 1960. He studied from elementary to college in the Ateneo de

Manila University, and finished a degree in Economics in 1981.

Aquino’s classmates remember him as a “quiet” yet “friendly” student. Gene Manalastas, a batch mate

in grade school, said: “He could not go to parties with us on weekends because he was always visiting

his dad in prison.”

His father, then a senator and opposition leader to President Ferdinand Marcos, was incarcerated after

the declaration of Martial Law in September 1972. In confinement, the senator wrote his son a letter,

asking him to continue the family legacy of working for the good the every Filipino:

“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.”

In 1980, his father was allowed after a series of heart attacks to receive medical treatment in the United

States. Aquino joined the family in a period of self-exile until 1983—when they had to return to the

Philippines after the assassination of his father.

AFTER EDSA

Following his return to the Philippines, Aquino served as assistant of the Executive Director of the

Philippine Business of Social Progress, an institution that coordinates the efforts of private companies

to help struggling Filipinos. He was also Assistant Retail Sales Supervisor of Mondragon Philippines,

and was the Assistant Promotions Manager of Nike Philippines.

Aquino continued to work in the private sector even during the presidency of his mother. He was the

Vice President of the Intra-Strata Assurance Corporation all through her term.

In August 28, 1987, Aquino was wounded by five bullets when rebel soldiers assaulted Malacanang

Palace in an unsuccessful coup attempt. One of the bullets remains embedded in Aquino’s neck—an

enduring reminder of the sacrifices one must make to defend democracy.

THE PUBLIC SERVANT

“I will be there because of the people and I will stay there because of the people and hopefully, I will be

true to my word to serve the people.” Aquino’s response to a reporter’s interview after announcing his

candidacy for president illustrates his approach to public service.

As the Representative of the 2nd District of Tarlac, and legislator in the House of Representatives, he

worked to pass a number of bills and resolutions to uphold public accountability and address the

people’s pressing concerns. These include: House Bill No. 4251, which grants annual productivity

incentives to all workers in the private sector; House Bill No. 4397, which strengthens the regulatory

power of the Department of Trade and Industry to effectively enforce consumer laws; and House

Resolution No. 788, which creates a Congressional Oversight Committee to check and study the use of

intelligence funds by government agencies.

Aquino served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He, however, relinquished the post

after calling for the resignation of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when the Hello Garci

Scandal was exposed.

In the Senate, Aquino worked to make sure that accountability processes in the government were at

work. He spent long hours examining the General Appropriations Act of 2009, and proposed key

amendments to make sure that public funds were prudently spent. Aquino vigorously participated in

Senate investigations on the abuses of government officials, and fought for justice for victims of human

rights violations.

Aquino, then chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Government, introduced substantial
amendments to the Cooperative Code to make it more responsive to the needs of the people for which

the code was enacted. Among his proposed measures were: Senate Bill 2035, which seeks to raise

standards in the construction of all public infrastructures by penalizing contractors of defective

infrastructures; and Senate Bill 2160, which seeks the amendment of Government Procurement Act.

Although Aquino was elected president before these bills were passed into law, his efforts to make sure

that government acts to bring about fairer outcomes for all Filipinos continue today.
ACHIEVEMENTS

PH near to filling up the half-full glass

President Aquino yesterday expressed confidence that the country is likely to reach the 5 percent to 6

percent gross domestic product (GDP) target, citing that different industries are doing well as seen in

the 5.9 percent second-quarter growth.

“I am sure you have all heard that, in the second quarter of 2012, the Philippine economy grew by 5.9

percent. If all goes as planned, we’ll be on target in achieving between 5.0–6.0 percent GDP growth for

2012.

These achievements, together with the 44 record highs of the Philippine Stock Exchange Index, and the

fact that the Philippines is now only one level below investment grade according to two of the three

major ratings agencies, show that we are well on our way to filling up the half-full glass,” Aquino said

in addressing the IBM Think Forum in Makati City.

The President, in a chance interview at the Bakas Parangal awards ceremony that followed in Camp

Aguinaldo in Quezon City, enjoined everyone to keep praying that the Philippines would continue to do

well.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation between the private and public sectors, saying that “if

we continue to support each other, we can do this in our respective fields, and, together, we can give

rise to a country that not only rises to meet its potential, but exceeds it regularly.”
Aquino cited that among the contributing factors are the: growing number of investments in the

country, the good performance of the agricultural sector, the ongoing government spending and

implementation of projects like the school building programs among others.

The President initially cited that the best indication of the country’s success was the 2012-2013 World

Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report where the Philippines jumped another 10 spots to

rank 65th out of 144 economies from 85th in 2010.

“In total—for those less challenged in math—a twenty-place jump in rankings since we took office—

and allow me to emphasize that this is the first time we have broken into the top 50 percent of

countries, I’m told, since 1994, the year the Philippines was first included in the report.

He also cited the statement of International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde that

while there are external pressures and factors that can impede or have already impeded the progress of

some global economies, these factors can also open up new prospects for other countries like the

Philippines, he said.

“For example, with instances of capital outflow from more developed but troubled economies,

emerging markets like the Philippines are given the opportunity to make the most of their competitive

advantages and become prime locations for investment. We all need to take advantage of opportunities

like this,” he said.

“The Philippines is truly on the right path. Everyone—from our countrymen and tourists, to leaders of

industry both in the country and beyond its shores, to organizations and other governments—share our

optimism. And this has allowed us to succeed: to regain our confidence and make the most of even
more opportunities to achieve inclusive growth for all Filipinos. In the midst of these uncertainties,

leaders must ask themselves how they can spark a virtuous cycle of inspiring others to contribute to

tangible change that can be felt by the entire society,” he added.