Pres.Aquino LIVE on "Balitang America"---Be Part of the Global Conversation

                                 

Pres.Aquino LIVE on "Balitang America"---Be Part of the Global Conversation

                                    President Benigno Aquino III

Overseas Pinoys, OFWs, President Aquino will have a heart-to-heart talk

with overseas Filipinos on "Balitang America"!

Got questions, comments, suggestions?

Be part of the global conversation!

The Filipino-American community welcomes Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino on his first official visit to the United States of America. He is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in New York and meet with US investors, bringing the good news to the international community: “The Philippines is open for business!”For the first time as president, Aquino will also have his first heart-to-heart talk with the Fil-Am community, as well as with all other Pinoys around the world.

In his departure statement on September 20, Aquino said, “We are committed to untangling a cumbersome bureaucracy; empowering industries that hold great promise, especially those that will elevate the living conditions in rural areas; and rationalizing a regulatory system that for many years has been a disincentive to foreign investors. With the help of our people, who are now exhibiting a newfound optimism founded on our pledge of professional, transparent governance, we can achieve our goals.”

President Aquino hopes to entice international businesses like IBM and Hewlett-Packard to invest in the Philippines -- expected to bring thousands of jobs for Filipinos. The cost of this official business trip—Php25-million, to be paid for using Filipino taxpayers’ money.

Malacanang officials say this is but one third of how much his predecessor, former Pres. Gloria Arroyo used to spend in her US trips. As austerity and simplicity have become among President Aquino’s guiding principles, he has instituted several cost-cutting measures -- taking a commercial flight; staying at a business-type hotel (The Sofitel in New York instead of Waldorf Astoria where Arroyo used to stay); and bringing a very lean delegation with him on his trip. Traveling with Pres. Aquino are Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Energy Secretary Rene Almendras and a support staff adding up to no more than 50 to 60 people.

Just before he left for the United States, President Aquino received the report of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC). Through said report, IIRC recommended the filing of criminal or administrative complaints against 12 individuals and 3 media companies for the hostage crisis. President Aquino wanted to make sure that the recommended charges will be successfully prosecuted in court. Moreover, he said this could have serious repercussions on the reputations and careers of the people involved.

“As I am now leaving on an important mission, I want to emphasize that I do not want make decisions regarding such important matters without a thorough review. I will study their findings upon my return, and decide accordingly,” Aquino said.

While the hostage tragedy will remain to be a hot topic that will require accountability from Aquino, there are also other urgent issues that we overseas Filipinos will want to discuss with our President in his first US visit. Part of the Aquino’s itinerary is to have a dialogue with the Filipinos living outside the country. One forum will be a town hall meeting with the Global Filipinos through “Balitang America”, the daily newscast of The Filipino Channel, where I am privileged to be the news anchorperson.

One of President Aquino’s campaign promises was to address the problems and concerns of Filipinos living abroad, especially the plight of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), whose steady contribution of dollar remittances has sustained the country’s economic growth. The downside of a remittance economy, however, is that it has subjected a lot of our kababayans to abuses and inhumane experiences from the hands of foreigners and yes, even from our kapwa Pilipino, as they toil to make their dreams and their families' dreams in the Philippines come true.

You may have your own particular concerns about employment, immigration, election, citizenship, corruption, red tape,etc.--- I invite you, Filipinos where ever you may be around the world,  to send me your questions, concerns and suggestions to guide us in our town hall meeting and interview with President Aquino. This special event will take place on Sunday, September 26, with live streaming online via ABS-CBN News website and ANC, to be aired on TFC on Monday and Tuesday on “Balitang America” at 5:05pm.

I look forward to your questions and suggestions. Maraming salamat po at nawa’y maging matagumpay ang pagdalaw sa America ni Pangulong Aquino para sa ikabubuti ng Pilipinas at nating mga Global Filipinos!