Presidency of Benigno Aquino III


The Presidency of Benigno Aquino III, also known as the Benigno Aquino III administration and the Noynoy Aquino administration, began at noon on June 30, 2010, when he became the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Aquino is the third-youngest person to be elected president, and the
fourth-youngest president after Emilio Aguinaldo, Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos.
He is the second President who complete the whole six-year term under the 1987 constitution to be barred of seeking another term.

Transition

The presidential transition began on June 9, 2010, when the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino the winner of the 2010 Philippine presidential elections held on May 10, 2010, proclaiming Aquino as the President-elect of the Philippines. The transition was in charge of the new presidential residence, cabinet appointments and cordial meetings between them and the outgoing administration.

Official residence

The presidential residence of Aquino is Bahay Pangarap, located inside of Malacañang Park, at the headquarters of the Presidential Security Group across the Pasig River from Malacañan Palace. Aquino is the first president to make Bahay Pangarap his official residence. Malacañang Park was intended as a recreational retreat by former President Manuel L. Quezon. The house was built and designed by architect Juan M. Arellano in the 1930s, and underwent a number of renovations. In 2008, the house was demolished and rebuilt in contemporary style by architect Conrad Onglao, a new swimming pool was built, replacing the Commonwealth-era swimming pool. The house originally had one bedroom, however, the house was renovated for Aquino to have four bedrooms, a guest room, a room for Aquino's household staff, and a room for Aquino's close-in security. The house was originally intended as a rest house, the venue for informal activities and social functions for the First Family by former President Manuel L. Quezon. Malacañang Park was refurbished through the efforts of First Lady Eva Macapagal, wife of former President Diosdado Macapagal, in the early 1960s. First Lady Macapagal renamed the rest house as Bahay Pangarap. During the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, the house was restored and became the club house of the Malacañang Golf Club. The house was used by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to welcome special guests. Aquino refused to live in Malacañan Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines, or in Arlegui Mansion, the residence of former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos, stating that the two residences are too big, and also stated that his small family residence at Times Street in Quezon City would be impractical, since it would be a security concern for his neighbors.

Inauguration

Traditionally, it is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines who administers the oath of office to the incoming President and Vice President, however, Aquino refused to allow Chief Justice Renato Corona to swear him into office, due to Aquino's opposition to the midnight appointment of Corona by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 12, 2010, two days after the 2010 elections and a month before Arroyo's term expires. Instead, Aquino formally requested Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Conchita Carpio-Morales, who opposed the midnight appointment of Corona, to swear him into office.
Aquino took the oath of office on June 30, 2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila. The oath of office was administered by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, who officially accepted Aquino's request to swear him into office, reminiscent of the decision of his mother, who in 1986, was sworn into the presidency by Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee. After being sworn in as the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino delivered his.

Interim Interior Secretary

On June 29, 2010, Aquino officially named the members of his Cabinet, with Aquino himself as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, a position that Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay initially wanted, however, Aquino stated that the post is not being considered for him, but has offered Binay various positions, such as, to head a commission that will investigate the outgoing Arroyo administration, the posts of Secretary of Agrarian Reform, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, and the chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, but Binay refused. However, on July 15, 2010, Binay has accepted the offer of Aquino to take charge of the housing sector as chairman of HUDCC.
From June 30–July 9, 2010, Aquino was Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, until Aquino named Jesse Robredo, a former Naga mayor, as acting Interior Secretary.

Major issues of presidency

Aquino's speeches

No ''‘wang-wang’'' policy

During the inaugural address, Aquino created the no ‘wang-wang’ policy, strengthening the implementation of . The term ‘wang-wang’ is a street lingo for blaring sirens. Presidential Decree No. 96 was issued on January 13, 1973 by former President Ferdinand Marcos, regulating the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns and other similar devices only to motor vehicles designated for the use of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and ambulances. However, despite having the privilege of using ‘wang-wang’, Aquino maintained he would set the example for his no ‘wang-wang’ policy, not to use ‘wang-wang’, even if it means being stuck in traffic and being late every now and then. Aquino also traded the official black presidential Mercedes Benz S-Guard limousine for a white Toyota Land Cruiser 200. After the inaugural address, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority began to enforce Aquino's no ‘wang-wang’ policy, confiscating ‘wang-wang’ from public officials and private motorists who illegally used them.

Formation of a truth commission

On June 29, 2010, Aquino announced the formation of a truth commission that will investigate various issues including corruption allegations against outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Aquino named former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. to head the truth commission. However, the Supreme Court struck down the said commission because it "violates the equal protection clause of the constitution".

Executive orders

On July 30, 2010, Aquino signed , creating the Truth Commission. The commission is tasked to investigate various anomalies and issues including graft and corruption allegations against the past administration, government officials and their accomplices in the private sector during the last nine years. The commission has until December 31, 2012 to complete its mission. Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. will head the commission.
On August 4, 2010, Aquino implemented , signed on July 30, 2010, ordering the immediate removal of all midnight appointments made by the previous administration for violating the 60-day constitutional ban on presidential appointments before a national election.
On August 6, 2010, Aquino implemented , signed on July 30, 2010, an executive order revoking , signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 28, 2010, that automatically promoted lawyers in government executive service to the rank of Career Executive Service Officer III.
On August 9, 2010, Aquino implemented , signed on July 30, 2010, reorganizing and renaming the Office of the Press Secretary as the Presidential Communications Operations Office, and creating the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. Aquino appointed former ABS-CBN News Channel anchor Ricky Carandang and Herminio Coloma as secretaries of the new media communications group.
On September 1, 2010, Aquino implemented , signed on August 25, 2010, an executive order amending , signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on December 20, 2006, stating the rules governing the appointment or designation and conduct of special envoys. Executive Order No. 5 prevents special envoys from using the title "ambassador".
On September 2, 2010, Aquino signed , extending the duration of the operations of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee to December 30, 2010.
On September 8, 2010, Aquino signed , ordering the suspension of all allowances, bonuses and incentives of board members of government-owned and-controlled corporations and government financial institutions until December 31, 2010.
On September 9, 2010, Aquino signed , reorganizing and renaming the Build-Operate and Transfer Center to the Public-Private Partnership Center and transferring its attachment from the Department of Trade and Industry to the National Economic and Development Authority.

Hourly broadcast of original Filipino musical compositions on radio

On August 14, 2010, Aquino directed the Department of Transportation and Communications and the National Telecommunications Commission to fully implement , issued on July 25, 1987 by former President Corazon Aquino, requiring all radio stations to broadcast a minimum of four original Filipino musical compositions every hour.

Launch of official presidential website

On August 16, 2010, Aquino launches his . The presidential website's aim is to create communication between Aquino and the people, getting feedback from the people, telling Aquino their woes and grievances.

PAGASA ''‘Reorientation’''

On July 14, 2010, the National Disaster Coordinating Council called an emergency meeting in Camp Aguinaldo to assess the damage caused by Typhoon Basyang. Aquino attended the meeting to obtain information on the damage caused by Typhoon Basyang and to personally monitor the repair and recovery work in the aftermath of the typhoon. In the meeting, Aquino criticized the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration for failing to predict and to warn the residents of Metro Manila that Typhoon Basyang would ravage Metropolitan Manila.
On August 6, 2010, Aquino announced the removal of Prisco Nilo as administrator of PAGASA. PAGASA was directly under Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary for Research and Development Graciano Yumul. A special order from DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, dated August 5, 2010, designated Yumul as PAGASA administrator, replacing Nilo. On August 7, 2010, Malacañang announced that Yumul will be heading PAGASA temporarily, for only three months, as PAGASA will undergo a "reorientation" to improve its services. Aquino has yet to name the new administrator who will permanently head PAGASA.

Education reform

During Aquino's first State of the Nation Address, Aquino announced his intention to reform the education system in the Philippines by shifting to K–12 education, a 12-year basic education cycle. K–12 education is used in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Reproductive health

On September 30, 2010, Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said that Aquino might face excommunication from the Catholic Church for supporting the Reproductive Health Bill, the plan to distribute and give Filipino couples the choice to use contraceptives for artificial birth control. However, despite the possibility of excommunication, Aquino said that he is not changing his position on contraceptive use. In January 2013, Aquino signed legislation which funds contraceptives for poor individuals; the law has been challenged in the Philippine Supreme Court.

Foreign policies

First official trip to the United States

On September 20, 2010, Aquino delivered his at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, before leaving for his first official trip to the United States. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Finance Cesar Purisima, Secretary of Trade & Industry Gregory Domingo, and Secretary of Energy Jose Rene Almendras, including 34 businessmen and 12 officials and support staff of the Presidential Communications Operations Office joined Aquino in the trip. On September 28, 2010, Aquino arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, after his week-long working visit to the United States. Aquino delivered his at NAIA.

Citibank Economic Conference

On September 22, 2010, Aquino delivered his during the Citibank Economic Conference in New York City.

Meeting with the Filipino community in the United States

On September 23, 2010, Aquino delivered his during a meeting with the Filipino community at Baruch College in New York City.
On September 26, 2010, during a visit to the Seasons Market Place in Milpitas, California, Aquino was greeted by cheering members of the Filipino community of San Jose, California. Aquino also delivered his in front of the Filipino community at the Mission San Francisco de Asís in San Francisco, California.

Millennium Challenge Corporation

On September 23, 2010, Aquino delivered his at the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact agreement signing ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The US$434-million MCC compact agreement will fund the Aquino administration's various programs on poverty reduction, revenue generation, and infrastructure development.

Statement before the 65th United Nations General Assembly

On September 24, 2010, Aquino delivered his before the 65th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

Meeting with Obama

On September 24, 2010, Aquino had a seven-minute one-on-one talk with President of the United States Barack Obama during the 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations -US Leaders Meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. During the meeting, Aquino recognized the United States’ commitment to reinvigorating its relationship with the region and its individual nations at a time of ever-increasing complexity in global affairs. Obama expressed his determination to elevate RP-US relations to a higher level, and welcomed the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption efforts. Aquino and Obama also discussed military matters, about the possible removal of thousands of tons of war materials that Allied forces had left behind on Corregidor Island during World War II.

First official trip to Vietnam

On October 26, 2010, Aquino delivered his at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, before leaving for his first official trip to Vietnam. On October 31, 2010, Aquino arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, after his first official trip to Vietnam. Aquino delivered his at NAIA.

Meeting with the President and Prime Minister of Vietnam

On October 26, 2010, Aquino met with President of Vietnam Nguyễn Minh Triết at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam. Aquino and Triết signed four memorandum of agreement on four areas of cooperation, namely, higher education, defense, oil spill preparedness and response, and search and rescue at sea. Aquino also met with Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyễn Tấn Dũng. Aquino delivered a at the State Banquet hosted by Triết at the Government Guest House.

Meeting with the Filipino community in Vietnam

On October 27, 2010, Aquino delivered his during a meeting with the Filipino community in Vietnam.

Statements during the ASEAN Summits in Vietnam

On October 28, 2010, Aquino delivered his during the ASEAN Leaders’ Retreat in Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 29, 2010, Aquino delivered his statements during the , , , , and in Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 30, 2010, Aquino delivered his statements during the , , , , and in Hanoi, Vietnam.

First official trip to Japan

On November 11, 2010, Aquino delivered his at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, before leaving for his first official trip to Japan for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Yokohama, Japan.

APEC CEO Summit

On November 12, 2010, Aquino delivered his during the APEC CEO Summit in Yokohama, Japan.

APEC Economic Leaders Meeting Retreat

On November 14, 2010, Aquino delivered his during the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting Retreat in Yokohama, Japan.

2013 Midterm Elections

Legislative and local elections were held in the Philippines on May 13, 2013. Positions contested included half the seats in the Senate of the Philippines, which are elected for six-year terms, and all the seats in the House of Representatives of the Philippines, who were elected for three-year terms. The duly elected legislators of the 2013 elections joined the elected senators of the 2010 elections to comprise the 16th Congress of the Philippines.
Aquino's Team PNoy coalition won 9 senate seats and 112 seats in the house.

Manila hostage crisis

On August 23, 2010, in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, the site of Aquino's presidential inauguration, the Manila hostage crisis occurred. Aquino expressed concern over the matter and gave his condolences to the victims. Aquino defended the actions of the police at the scene, stating that the gunman had not shown any signs of wanting to kill the hostages. Aquino ordered a "thorough investigation" into the incident, and would wait until it is completed before deciding whether anyone should lose his or her job. Aquino declared that the media may have worsened the situation by giving the gunman "a bird's-eye view of the entire situation". Aquino also made reference to the Moscow theater hostage crisis, which, according to Aquino, resulted in "more severe" casualties despite Russia's "resources and sophistication". On August 24, 2010, Aquino signed , declaring August 25, 2010, as a national day of mourning, instructing all public institutions nationwide and all Philippine embassies and consulates overseas to lower the Philippine flag at half-mast, in honor of the eight Hong Kong residents who died in the Manila hostage crisis. On August 27, 2010, at a press conference in Malacañang, Aquino apologized to those offended when he was caught on television apparently smiling while being interviewed at the crime scene hours after the Manila hostage crisis. Aquino said;
On September 3, 2010, Aquino took responsibility for everything that happened during the Manila hostage crisis. Aquino actually has direct supervision of the Philippine National Police, since Aquino had asked Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Jesse Robredo to address other concerns, such as coming up with a comprehensive plan on delivering social services to and relocating informal settlers in coordination with the local governments.
Aquino's bungling of the hostage crisis is considered the first major blunder in an administration characterized by misrule, incompetence, and corruption.

Administration and cabinet

Source: malacanang.gov.ph

Judicial appointments

Aquino appointed the following to the Supreme Court of the Philippines:

Chief Justice

  1. Maria Lourdes Sereno - August 13, 2010, August 25, 2012.

    Associate Justices

  2. Bienvenido L. Reyes - August 20, 2011
  3. Estela Perlas-Bernabe - September 16, 2011
  4. Marvic Leonen - November 21, 2012
  5. Francis Jardeleza - August 19, 2014
  6. Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa - January 22, 2016