4 from ‘Morong 43’ fear communist death squad

MANILA, Philippines – Four of the 43 detainees who have been ordered freed by President Benigno Aquino III now fear for their lives after admitting their involvement in the communist movement.

Ellen Carandang, Cheryllyn Taoagon, Valentino Paulino, Jennyllyn Pizzaro, and John Mark Barrientos were among the “Morong 43” who were arrested by police and military troops in February during an alleged bomb-making training session.

While other members of the group are waiting to be released from detention, Carandang said she would rather stay in Camp Capinpin, where they are in military custody.

"Walang kapatawaran iyong ginawa namin pag-amin na NPA [New People’s Army] kami, at pagsabi na sila ay NPA din, markado na kami ng [communist execution squad], kaya ayaw namin umuwi,” she said.

Taoagon and Paulino share the same sentiment – and they want to join the military.

"Kasi marunong naman kami sa baril tapos alam din namin mag-organisa puwede kami taga-pagsalita," Taoagon said.

"Sanay naman ako sa bundok kaya di nalalayo sa pagiging sundalo," said Paulino.

Pizzaro, the youngest of the group, wants to continue her studies.

"Sa mga dati naming kasamahan, sana pabayaan kaming mabuhay ng normal," she said.

The Morong 43 may finally gain their freedom next week, when the court is expected to formally withdraw charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against the health workers.

FDI net inflow at $66-M in Sept

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign direct investments (FDI) recorded a net inflow of $66 million in September, reversing the $54 million outflow in the same month last year.

For the first 9 months of the year, the FDI net inflow amounted to $1.1 billion versus $1.6 billion in 2009.

"The moderate inflows this year reflected cautious investor sentiment on the back of renewed concerns over the exposure of European banks to sovereign debt and the health of the American economy, notwithstanding the strong fundamentals in the domestic economy," the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said.

Equity capital registered a net outflow of $22 million in September, better than the year ago's net outflow of $45 million.

Net FDI, portfolio inflows, and remittances from Filipinos working overseas help keep the country's balance of payments (BOP) in surplus.

The central bank has forecast a net FDI inflow of $2 billion this year, up 5.3% from $1.9 billion in 2009.

It said it expects the BOP surplus to hit $8.2 billion, more than double an earlier estimate of $3.7 billion, on strong exports, remittances and fund inflows.

The BOP surplus in the first 9 months of the year stood at $6.54 billion.

The Philippines' BOP was in surplus of nearly $5.3 billion in 2009, the biggest in 2 years.

3 ex-MWSS governing board members face tax evasion raps

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - Tax evasion charges were filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) at the Justice Department on Thursday against 3 former governing board members of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

Charged were Oscar I. Garcia, Ferdinand P. Mahusay and Lorenzo S. Sulaik who were found to have concealed their true income "by their deliberate and willful failure to file their income tax returns (ITRs)."

The three sat as members of the Governing Board of the Corporate and Regulatory Offices of the MWSS.

Deputy Commissioner Estela Sales of the Legal and Inspection group bared that based on documents of the Commission on Audit (COA), Garcia earned P2.6 million, P3.5 million and P5.3 million from 2007 to 2009 but failed to pay the correct taxes amounting to P1.6 million in 2007, P1.982 million in 2008 and P2.7 million in 2009 for an estimated aggregate tax liability of P6.3 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests.

COA records showed Mahusay earned P897,220 for taxable year 2008 and P4.5 million for taxable year 2009. His total tax liability amounts to P2.715 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests.

Sulaik, meantime, earned P3.2 million and P4.5 million in 2008 and 2009 but failed to pay the correct taxes amounting to P4.051 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests.

Sales said the charges against the three were the result of separate investigations by the BIR following the Senate Committee on Finance inquiry on the "excessive salaries and unwarrante bonuses and allowances of GOCC (Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporation) and GFI (Government Financial Institution) executives."

The filing of separate criminal charges against Garcia, Mahusay and Sulaik are the 18th, 19th and 20th, respectively, under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program of the BIR under the Aquino administration.

Tax evasion charges vs toy firm

Meantime, the BIR also filed tax evasion charges at the Department of Justice against a toy company for "willful attempt to evade or defeat payment of taxes and deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information".

Wanly Toys International Corp. (Wanly Toys) and its responsible corporate officers were found to have deliberately underdeclared its income for taxable year 2008 amounting to a tax liability of P26.398 million, inclusive of increments.

Wanly Toys officers charged before the DOJ include Imee Tan Yao, president; Haide Yao, corporate treasurer; and William Pan, Jr., certified public accountant.

Wanly toys is engaged in trading imported toys and other items on wholesale basis. Its offices are located at Elcano St., Tondo, Manila.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Estela Sales of the Legal and Inspection Group bared that data obtained by the bureau's Reconciliation of Listings for Enforcement (RELIEF) System show that Wanly Toys made total sales amounting to P107.3 million in the year in question but underdeclared its income by P81.7 million or by 76.34%.

Under the Tax Reform Act of 1997, an underdeclaration of more than 30% is considered as "substantial underdeclaration" and constitutes prima facie evidence for a false or fraudulent return.

The case against Wanly Toys and its responsible officers is the 21st filed under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program of the BIR under the Aquino administration.

PNoy swears in envoys to Japan, Holy See, ASEAN

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday inducted Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel "Manolo" Lopez and 10 other new government officials during ceremonies held at Malacañang’s Premier Guest House.

Aside from Lopez, the other officials who were sworn in by the President were:

• Mercedes Tuason, ambassador to the Holy See;
• Wilfrido Villacorta, permanent Representative of Philippines to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia;
• Imelda Nicolas, chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas;
• Edgar Galavante, acting executive director of the Dangerous Drugs Board;
• Felix William Fuentebella, commissioner of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board;
• Nariman Ambolodto, acting assistant secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government;
• Herminio Alcasid, member and chairman of the board of directors of the Philippine National Oil Company– Development and Management Corporation.

Alcasid is the father of singer-composer, actor, and TV host Ogie Alcasid.

Three officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process also took their oath before Aquino.

They are:

• Zenaida Brigida Hamada-Pawid, commissioner (representing Island Groups and the rest of the Visayas region);
• Dionesia Banua, commissioner (representing Island Groups and the rest of the Visayas region); and,
• Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, executive director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

The oathtaking was held after the President’s private meeting with Ryoki Sugita, chairman of Japanese publishing giant Nikkei, Inc.

Lacson cannot dictate terms of surrender: De Lima

MANILA, Philippines – Fugitive Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson cannot dictate the conditions of his surrender, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday.

De Lima said Lacson should follow the advice of his lawyer, Alexander Poblador, and follow the legal process “instead of laying down conditions that are not legally feasible at this point.”

Lacson, who has been charged for the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito, earlier said that he will continue to remain in hiding until justice is served or, in his own words, “when I’m already dead.”

The Interpol has also placed Lacson, a former director-general of the Philippine National Police, on its "red notice" list of international fugitives.

“Senator Lacson has a standing warrant of arrest and is a fugitive from justice. He knows that his present status does not accord him the privilege of laying down terms with a tenor of finality,” de Lima said.

The senator wants her to ask the courts to reinvestigate his case.

The DOJ chief, however, stressed that her office cannot act on Lacson’s motion for reinvestigation as doing so would violate the law. “The DOJ cannot, at this point, review what is for the courts to decide.”

Lacson, through his lawyer, had filed a second motion for reconsideration before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila in his bid to have his case reinvestigated. He also filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals with regard to the Manila RTC’s denial of his first motion for reconsideration.

“The issue of reinvestigation is now a single incident pending before 2 courts, the RTC and the Court of Appeals. The DOJ is without jurisdiction to preempt the decision of 2 courts of law on this matter,” she explained.

Surrender first

She said that Lacson's statements could be overtures for negotiating terms of his surrender that should not include involving the lifting of his warrant of arrest and the granting of his motion for reinvestigation.

“The issues Lacson has raised as conditions for his surrender, such as the granting of his motion for reinvestigation, should be discussed after his coming back into the fold of the law,” de Lima said. “If the new evidence as presented by Lacson's lawyers is indeed meritorious, at least one of the 2 courts of law which have jurisdiction over the incident will rule in Lacson's favor, and the DOJ will respect that ruling.”

De Lima added that the most that the DOJ can do is to withdraw its opposition to Lacson's motion for reinvestigation. “Lacson's surrender should precede any favorable response that may come from the government. Surrender, under criminal law, is a mitigating circumstance that can be properly appreciated not only by the courts but also by the DOJ.”

She said the government has to enforce the law and implement the arrest warrant against the senator.

“Any government concession will have to depend on Lacson's show of good faith and respect for our laws which apply to everyone, senator and ordinary citizen alike,” she said.

The DOJ chief also allayed Lacson’s concerns regarding his personal safety after he gives himself up.

“Given his stature, Senator Lacson has no reason to fear that he will be treated differently and persecuted by the government. But his refusal to return to the fold of the law and observe the legal processes will only galvanize the government's resolve to take him into custody, not to persecute him, but to enable him both to properly face his accusers, and to defend his innocence in the only venue where it can be sufficiently proven, in a court of law,” de Lima said.

Palace can’t interfere

The Palace echoed de Lima’s stand on the issue.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the case, including Lacson’s appeal for reinvestigation, is now in the courts’ hands.

"We welcome the fact that Senator Lacson has broken his silence on the issue," Valte said Thursday. "From what I understand there are already two courts that are hearing this matter. So hindi naman po yung executive ang magde-decide nito. Korte na ang may hawak ng kaso."

She said the senator will be given due process after he surrenders. "The fact remains that we will afford him due process if he decides to submit himself to the justice system."

The Malacañang deputy spokesperson declined to comment on Lacson’s apparent distrust of the Aquino administration. "Hindi ko naman po gusto [lagyan] ng kulay yun mga naging statement po ni Senator Lacson dahil yun po yung kanyang saloobin.”

She also explained that the P2-million peso bounty on Lacson’s head is just a proposal.

Fairness

Aside from a criminal case, Lacson is also facing an ethics complaint in the Senate.

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption filed the complaint amid Lacson’s perceived failure to perform his government duties since he went into hiding.

His colleague, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, said the ethics committee has yet to act on the complaint.

“The Senate will still have to approve the rules for the ethics committee. I will assure all sides of fairness and due process,” he said.

“I can’t comment on the merits because I have to hear both sides first and be fair in chairing the committee. Having said that, the [Aquino administration] should assure Sen. Ping of justice, due process and that he will be safe if detained,” Cayetano said.

He also urged Lacson to surrender. “Sen. Ping should surface and realize the DOJ and the courts have to treat him like any other fugitive from justice.”

Ayala trims number of residential units for sale

MANILA, Philippines - Property giant Ayala Land, Inc. will fall short of the target number of residential units to be launched this year because of delays in paperwork, an executive said.
The property arm of the Ayala group, however, is taking a look at fund-raising options to bankroll capital spending to sustain growth next year.
Instead of the target 11,600 units, Ayala Land will launch “a little less than 11,000 because of timing issues,” Jaime E. Ysmael, Ayala Land senior vice-president and chief finance officer, told reporters late on Tuesday.
“But it is still an aggressive launch,” he added.
Mr. Ysmael said segments Alveo and Avida were affected by the delays.
The target is more than 5 times the 2,200 units launched last year and more than double the recent 5-year average of 4,500 units per year.
The property firm initially aimed to start selling 9,275 units early this year. This was hiked to 11,600 in the middle of the year.
Ayala Land operates under four major brands -- Ayala Land Premier for the high-end segment, Alveo Land for the middle-income segment, Avida Land for the “affordable” market, and Amaia Land for economic housing.
Mr. Ysmael said growth in the fourth quarter would be led by Ayala Land’s mall business. “There are indications that [the growth momentum] will be sustained. In the last quarter, mall spending is higher because of holiday spending.”
Fewer spaces for lease because of the renovation of the Glorietta 1 mall in Makati, which will reopen in the second half of 2012, will be offset by improved operations of Glorietta 5 and Greenbelt 5 in Makati and the Marquee Mall in Pampanga, he said.
Higher sales across all business units allowed the property giant to post a 35% increase in net income to P3.94 billion in the nine months that ended in September.
“Lease rates go up because of escalation in contracts. New contracts are back to 2008 levels before the industry had a challenging period in 2009,” Alfonso Javier D. Reyes, head of investor relations at Ayala Land, told reporters.
The property giant is looking at selling peso-denominated bonds to raise funds for next year. “There is demand for peso-denominated instrument given the strength of peso,” Mr. Ysmael said.
Meanwhile, the company’s residential project in China will start this month.
“This project is purely residential but we have the option of participating in other developments, which includes retail, within the complex,” Mr. Ysmael said.
“Construction will commence this month. There will be 11 towers in the first phase ... then eight in the second phase,” Mr. Ysmael said. There will be 50 to 60 units per building.
In August, Ayala Land signed a deal with Sino-Singaporean Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co. Ltd. for one of the first developments in the 3,000-hectare Tianjin Eco-City project in China.
The partners will develop more than 1,100 units within a 19-tower residential complex on a 9.78-hectare property in Tianjin Eco-City.
“We are looking at learning from the process, and mobilizing people and access to the supplier base,” he said.
Ayala Land also said it was looking at a mixture of malls and office buildings for its foray into real estate investment trusts or REITs. Malls to be included have stable earnings like Greenbelt in Makati, Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa, TriNoma in Quezon City, and Market! Market! in Taguig.
Shares in Ayala Land fell by 1.05% or P0.18 to P17.00 each yesterday.

Vista Land profits up on strong property sales

MANILA, Philippines - High residential sales boosted Villar-led Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc.'s earnings for the first 9 months of the year.
Based on the company's financial filing, it recorded a net income of P2.16 billion for January to September 2010, up 35.8% from P1.59 billion in the same period last year.
Real estate revenues rose 13.9% to P8.2 billion from P7.2 billion.
The firm said it may exceed its full-year targets of P2.8 billion income and approximately P20 billion sales.
"... General consensus [is] that consumer confidence remains strong," said Vista Land Senior Vice President for Finance Ricardo Tan Jr.
"We should comfortably exceed our sales target for the year by just repeating our 3rd quarter performance," he added.
Vista Land is the holding company of 5 real estate brands, namely Brittany, Crown Asia, Camella Homes, Communities Philippines and Vista Residences.
It launched 30 projects worth P19 billion for the first 9 months and these are mostly in areas outside Mega Manila.
Its capital expenditures for 2010 was set at P10.2 billion.
"We remain optimistic about the outlook for the property sector in general and are confident that will continue to be a dominant force in the affordable housing market where demand has been stable," Tan said.

Exports climb 46.1% in September

MANILA, Philippines - Exports continued to post strong double-digit growth in September, buoyed by a surge in demand for the country's electronic products.
Data from the National Statistics Office showed the total export bill climbed 46.1% to $5.314 billion in September from last year's level of $3.638 billion, beating August's 37% growth.
Month on month, exports rose 11.7% from the $4.758 billion posted in August.
Meanwhile, aggregate merchandise exports for the period January to September 2010 increased by 38.5% to $38.298 billion from $27.649 billion registered during the same period in 2009.
Electronic products, the country's main export item with a share of 65.5% of the total bill, surged by 54.6% to $3.478 billion from last year's $2.250 billion.
Singapore was the Philippines' top market, accounting for 24.2% of the total exports at $1.283 billion.
Japan came in second, with $765.85 million, followed by China ($669.74 million), US ($558.68 million), and Hong Kong ($383.99 million).
The government expects exports to climb 15% this year, and imports are forecast to increase 20%.
The electronics industry group, meanwhile, expects its exports to climb by 25% to 30% this year.
As demand from the country's trading partners continues to improve alongside with the global economy, the government is confident it can beat its growth targets this year.

Air France-KLM targets ‘discriminatory’ airline taxes in RP

MANILA, Philippines - European carrier Air France-KLM has elevated its complaints against the Philippines’ "discriminatory" taxes on foreign airlines to the government level, hoping bilateral talks along with planned lobbying in Congress will resolve the matter, ranking executives said on Tuesday.
This tack is being pursued instead of an outright filing of a dispute case at the World Trade Organization which is still a "subject of discussion," said Marnix H. Fruitema, senior vice-president for Asia Pacific at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
In the meantime, the company may reconsider operations here as profit margins are being wiped out by the country’s common carrier tax and gross Philippine billings tax, said Cees Ursem, KLM’s general manager for the South China sea division.
"Our governments are fully aware. We have our governments talk with the Philippines," Mr. Ursem said in an interview, referring to the ongoing tax dispute.
Under the National Internal Revenue Code, international air carriers must pay a 5.5% tax on revenues broken down as a 3% common carrier tax on their gross receipts and a 2.5% tax on all cargo and passenger revenues "originating from the Philippines in an uninterrupted flight, irrespective of the place of sale or issue...of the ticket."
The Tourism department itself has noted that this tax policy is unique to the Philippines.
KLM is the only remaining carrier that flies direct between Manila and Europe. It celebrates its 60th anniversary in the Philippines next year.
"And a number of congressmen are aware of this. We will look for support within Congress and Senate. The government is aware we don’t have such a long time," Mr. Ursem added.
"We have the fullest confidence it (the tax issue) will come in order," Mr. Fruitema said.
Batangas Rep. Hermilando I. Mandanas (2nd district), chairman of the House of Representatives ways and means committee, could not be immediately reached for comment. But he had earlier said he would file a bill to address foreign airlines’ concern on this matter.
For now, complying with Philippine tax laws has meant the carrier has enjoyed little to no margins from its operations here, the officials claimed.
"The margin in our industry in the good years is 5%-7%. If you have to pay 5.5% tax, what you earn is gone. You might as well close shop," Mr. Fruitema said.
The picture is worse, said Mr. Ursem, as the profit margin for Philippine operations is "negative," with other regional flights subsidizing costs here.
The carrier’s revenues from the Philippines are expected to flatten this year from 2009, in contrast to the 20% growth expected from its Asia-Pacific operations, the officials said.
"We can’t say definitely [we will stay here]. We will take [the tax issue] step by step with fullest confidence it will be solved soon. If it continues like this, we will reconsider," Mr. Fruitema said.
It is keen on resolving the issue and remain in the Philippines, however, as the company enjoys a niche of having the only "nonstop product to Europe," he said.
"[Connecting flights] is not the idea for Manila. I’m not sure the customer will like it," he said.
"We play a major role in the economy... and we would love to expand that role."

Clinton, Aquino talk about anti-poverty programs

Clinton doesn't disappoint Manila audience
MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) - Former US President Bill Clinton paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday and expressed his support for the Philippine government's various programs, particularly on anti-poverty.
The "social call" happened past 3 p.m. at the Premier Guest House inside the Malacañang compound. The meeting was also attended by several Cabinet members, including Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, and Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad.
"The discussions were casual, they were very friendly, and they focused primarily on anti-poverty programs of the Philippine government," Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang told ANC's Top Story.
Carandang noted that the former US president was most interested about the Philippine government's efforts in alleviating poverty, which is also at the core of programs carried out by an organization he set up in 2005.
The Clinton Global Initiative is a non-partisan organization that convenes global leaders to devise and implement solutions to the world's most pressing problems.
Carandang said President Aquino shared with Clinton his plans to expand the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program from 1 to 2.3 million households, and several long-term investments in education and healthcare.
"President Clinton said the CCT was a good idea and it's been known to work in other countries and he said he supports that program," he said.
Rice, energy
Aside from anti-poverty efforts, Clinton and Aquino also discussed the Philippines' rice self-sufficiency goals, and plans to build new capacities in the power sector.
"President Clinton seemed to be interested in the Philippines' rice production. He is also particularly interested in geothermal power because it's a renewable energy source."
Carandang noted that the discusssions were "general," and "no specific thing [was laid] on the table because it was just a courtesy call."
President Aquino earlier said Clinton's visit was a vote of confidence for the Philippines despite supposed terror threats.
Last September, Aquino met Clinton's wife, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during the signing of the $434-million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant in New York.
The MCC grant would fund infrastructure and rural development programs in the Philippines to reduce poverty and spur economic growth.
On a lighter note, Carandang said Clinton asked for a Diet Coke during the meeting. President Aquino is known to be fond of regular Coke.
Praises PNoy, GMA, Ramos
In his speaking engagement at the Manila Hotel, Clinton said President Aquino possesses the qualities of a good leader, and though he had met him only briefly, he said he saw that Aquino has a clear idea of where to take the country and the energy behind it.
Clinton also praised the two former presidents in attendance, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and former President Fidel Ramos. He made special mention of the corporate social responsibility bill filed by Arroyo in Congress.
Clinton said he sees the Philippines finally reaching its potential if only there was a relentless focus on the future, and if there was a capacity to abandon grievances the way Rwanda in Africa had done despite its harrowing past.
He also acknowledged that the colonization of the Philippines by Spain and the US has not been good for the Philippines.
He praised the Philippines' effort to maximize domestic sources of energy, and singled out the country's development of geothermal energy as something other countries can emulate.
Sustainable growth, light moments
Clinton also spoke about the need to change the world's economic way of life, and predicted how the 21st century could be the most progressive and excited period in history if there is a common effort to minimize the negatives.
He also warned of calamitous prospects if the world continued to cling to the past, citing the need to minimize the generation of greenhouse gases.
Clinton had several light moments in the question and answer portion, saying the vast power he once possessed made him realize he wasn't quite as smart as he thought he was.
He also joked he was free to speak his mind now and be much more open. But, he added, not much people pay attention to what he says until he says something that may be embarrassing to his wife, now US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and, her boss, US President Barack Obama.
Clinton doesn't disappoint
Clinton did not disappoint those who paid between P10,000 to P25,000 each for tickets just to listen to his speech at the Manila Hotel.
Big names in politics and showbiz gathered for a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to learn from one of the most powerful leaders the United States has offered the world.
One of Clinton’s most striking messages, according to former Senator Richard Gordon, was when the former US President mentioned how leaders should treat power, money, and responsibility they have.
"One of his most powerful messages was about the powerful leaders who should use their power with humility," he said.
Sen. Loren Legarda shared the same sentiment. She said: "He says it's not all about power but it's about quality of service. Ito ang malaking naging pagkukulang hindi lang sa Pilipinas kung hindi sa buong mundo, na ang power ay panandalian lamang."
Neophyte Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, for her part, said she was awakened upon hearing the words from formerly the most powerful man in the world.
“Sabi niya hindi dapat power hungry, iniiisip dapat na we are hired by our constitutents," she said. For others, it was not the message about politics that struck them the most.
Sen. Pia Cayetano said she can’t forget the story of Clinton putting up his own foundation to bring the cost of medicine down to an affordable level, especially to a developing country like the Philippines.
"Nababaan presyo ng gamot para mas marami ang makinabanag, yan ang pinakamagandang sinabi niya," she said.
TV personalities impressed, too
Even showbiz personalities were impressed by how Clinton discussed the issue of governance and social responsibility under a single theme.
“Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano said he thought he would be listening to a pure political discussion but Clinton proved him wrong.
Valenciano said: "He kept on stressing, look at the future, forget about the past… that's a hindrance to a lot of people, to society itself."
TV host Johnny Litton was also all praises for the former US President. "The approach was beyond presidency, it's continuation of his belief even if he is not anymore the most powerful president in the world,” Litton said.
Despite the tone of Clinton's speech as more of making politicians realize their ineptness and lack of humanity in serving a developing country, US Ambassador Harry Thomas said the former President saw what is good in President Benigno Aquino III when they met at Malacañang Palace.
"He enjoyed how the President Aquino wants to do things, the president's energy, and how he is taking care of his job," Thomas said.