Watch, President Aquino remarks from Auckland New Zealand offend Former President Arroyo's supporters.
Meanwhile, here's the full Remarks of President Aquino at the state dinner hosted by Governor-General Mateparae in Auckland, October 23, 2012
Remarks
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
At the state dinner hosted by the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae
[Delivered at the Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, on October 23, 2012]
His Excellency Lt. Gen., the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae; Right Honourable John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Right Honourable Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Archbishop Charles Balvo, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Papal Nuncio; of course, our very efficient and energetic ambassador to our country, Ambassador Reuben Levermore; honorable officials of New Zealand; Secretary Albert del Rosario and other members of the Philippine Cabinet present; Ambassador Virginia Benavidez; ladies and gentlemen:
Good evening.
Since the Right Honourable Governor General has mentioned the traditions of “threes,” I guess my being the third “Benigno Simeon” has some significance to it and if there is an emergency, we are ready to cooperate. [Laughter] And when I get home, perhaps that’s a number I should bear in mind for the national lotto draw. [Laughter]
Allow me to begin by thanking Your Excellency, as well as the people and government of New Zealand for extending to us such a very warm and cordial reception. This is my first time in New Zealand, and I am very—and I stress—I am very glad to be here.
Seems like, since stepping into office, this has been the first real vacation I’ve had. [Laughter and applause]
And if vacations can be this productive, I want to go on a vacation again. [Laughter]
The cooperation between our two countries extends farther than the 46 years that we have had diplomatic relations. We remember that during World War II, Filipinos and New Zealanders fought side by side for democracy, and from there, we have continued to work shoulder to shoulder in valuing and promoting the democratic way of life. Back in 1986—earlier mentioned by the honorable Governor General—right after my country’s EDSA revolution, then Prime Minister David Lange of New Zealand was among the first to visit and offer his support to my mother, who had been recently elected after a long struggle against dictatorship. That support helped accelerate our nation’s return to democracy.
Our bonds cannot be found merely in our history of fighting together for the values we share; it is gratifying to know that we continue to assist each other as we address today’s challenges. These past few years, we have seen our relationship deepened by how we come to each other’s aid during natural calamities. During the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, Filipinos the world over stood in solidarity, not only with our compatriots lost, but with you as you mourned and pledged to rebuild. And when the powerful typhoons caused flooding and destruction in Mindanao earlier this year, so, too, did New Zealanders demonstrate their solidarity by extending a helping hand. So perhaps I can also take this opportunity to extend mine and my people’s gratitude to New Zealand, for your generous contributions to the Philippine Red Cross and UNICEF that helped the victims of the typhoons and contributed to the rehabilitation of affected areas especially in Southern Philippines.
Our people-to-people relations have also flourished through the years. More than 36 thousand skilled Filipino migrants have built lives here in New Zealand, actively contributing to your economy and your society. Among them were two individuals I had the opportunity to meet in the last two days. One has called New Zealand his home for the last 40 years; he was able to land a job within your shores, which gave him the opportunity to escape the depredations of Martial Law in my country.
The other individual I met has been here for nine years. Soon after the previous administration came into power in 2001, he said, “That was the last straw. I give up hope for my country” packed up his bags, and pinned his future in this newfound promised land which was New Zealand.
It takes substantial courage and emotional fortitude to uproot oneself—to move away from kin, and start anew in an unfamiliar land. The value of family is as dear to Filipinos as it is to New Zealanders. But in my two days here, I am somehow made to understand the reason for their leave taking. I have witnessed the better life that my countrymen are enjoying here, borne of opportunities they would no doubt have been deprived of, had they chosen to stay in the Philippines of the past.
This understanding propels me to further accelerate the transformation we are now experiencing in our country. Time and again, I have witnessed the decent, dignified lives of my countrymen who live abroad and that is why I have refocused government to what truly matters: Opening doors of opportunity for my people, working towards stability and prosperity, and ensuring that the growth we are experiencing is just, equitable, and all inclusive.
This, I know, is a goal I share with our friends in the community of nations—a goal whose fulfillment comes within closer reach as we expand the already fertile common ground between our nations, and lift each other to even greater heights. I look forward to a future of even deeper, even more meaningful, and even more positive engagement between our two respective countries countries.
Thank you. Good evening.
credit:official gazette
"'Di ba marami hong tupa rito pero siguro ho baka mas madali dairy: Ginagatasan mo na, gusto mo pang gawing bulalo (There are many sheep [here in New Zealand] but let's use dairy [as an analogy]: You are milking [the cow], but you still want to turn it into bone marrow soup)," the President said to the delight of over a thousand Filipinos gathered at SkyCity Convention Centre.
With the crowd roaring its approval, the President continued: "'Yung mga kababayan raw ho nating corrupt sa Pilipinas kagagara ng kotse, kamamahal, katutulin. Pero pagka ginustong tumakas, ang ginagamit wheelchair (Our fellow citizens, who are engaged in corruption in the Philippines, have opulent, expensive and fast cars. But if they want to escape [prosecution], they use a wheelchair)."
Transcript credit to newsasia.com
Remarks
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
At the state dinner hosted by the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae
[Delivered at the Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, on October 23, 2012]
His Excellency Lt. Gen., the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae; Right Honourable John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Right Honourable Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Archbishop Charles Balvo, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Papal Nuncio; of course, our very efficient and energetic ambassador to our country, Ambassador Reuben Levermore; honorable officials of New Zealand; Secretary Albert del Rosario and other members of the Philippine Cabinet present; Ambassador Virginia Benavidez; ladies and gentlemen:
Good evening.
Since the Right Honourable Governor General has mentioned the traditions of “threes,” I guess my being the third “Benigno Simeon” has some significance to it and if there is an emergency, we are ready to cooperate. [Laughter] And when I get home, perhaps that’s a number I should bear in mind for the national lotto draw. [Laughter]
Allow me to begin by thanking Your Excellency, as well as the people and government of New Zealand for extending to us such a very warm and cordial reception. This is my first time in New Zealand, and I am very—and I stress—I am very glad to be here.
Seems like, since stepping into office, this has been the first real vacation I’ve had. [Laughter and applause]
And if vacations can be this productive, I want to go on a vacation again. [Laughter]
The cooperation between our two countries extends farther than the 46 years that we have had diplomatic relations. We remember that during World War II, Filipinos and New Zealanders fought side by side for democracy, and from there, we have continued to work shoulder to shoulder in valuing and promoting the democratic way of life. Back in 1986—earlier mentioned by the honorable Governor General—right after my country’s EDSA revolution, then Prime Minister David Lange of New Zealand was among the first to visit and offer his support to my mother, who had been recently elected after a long struggle against dictatorship. That support helped accelerate our nation’s return to democracy.
Our bonds cannot be found merely in our history of fighting together for the values we share; it is gratifying to know that we continue to assist each other as we address today’s challenges. These past few years, we have seen our relationship deepened by how we come to each other’s aid during natural calamities. During the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, Filipinos the world over stood in solidarity, not only with our compatriots lost, but with you as you mourned and pledged to rebuild. And when the powerful typhoons caused flooding and destruction in Mindanao earlier this year, so, too, did New Zealanders demonstrate their solidarity by extending a helping hand. So perhaps I can also take this opportunity to extend mine and my people’s gratitude to New Zealand, for your generous contributions to the Philippine Red Cross and UNICEF that helped the victims of the typhoons and contributed to the rehabilitation of affected areas especially in Southern Philippines.
Our people-to-people relations have also flourished through the years. More than 36 thousand skilled Filipino migrants have built lives here in New Zealand, actively contributing to your economy and your society. Among them were two individuals I had the opportunity to meet in the last two days. One has called New Zealand his home for the last 40 years; he was able to land a job within your shores, which gave him the opportunity to escape the depredations of Martial Law in my country.
The other individual I met has been here for nine years. Soon after the previous administration came into power in 2001, he said, “That was the last straw. I give up hope for my country” packed up his bags, and pinned his future in this newfound promised land which was New Zealand.
It takes substantial courage and emotional fortitude to uproot oneself—to move away from kin, and start anew in an unfamiliar land. The value of family is as dear to Filipinos as it is to New Zealanders. But in my two days here, I am somehow made to understand the reason for their leave taking. I have witnessed the better life that my countrymen are enjoying here, borne of opportunities they would no doubt have been deprived of, had they chosen to stay in the Philippines of the past.
This understanding propels me to further accelerate the transformation we are now experiencing in our country. Time and again, I have witnessed the decent, dignified lives of my countrymen who live abroad and that is why I have refocused government to what truly matters: Opening doors of opportunity for my people, working towards stability and prosperity, and ensuring that the growth we are experiencing is just, equitable, and all inclusive.
This, I know, is a goal I share with our friends in the community of nations—a goal whose fulfillment comes within closer reach as we expand the already fertile common ground between our nations, and lift each other to even greater heights. I look forward to a future of even deeper, even more meaningful, and even more positive engagement between our two respective countries countries.
Thank you. Good evening.
credit:official gazette
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