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Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Here’s my surprise – a 2-hour long exclusive interview with President Aquino

April 20, 2015

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Exclusive by Raïssa Robles

Suddenly last Thursday, I finally obtained an interview with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.


Here is an excerpt from the first story on Vietnam and the Philippines that appeared today on the newly launched website of South China Morning Post (HK).

Some of you guessed it right!

I’d like to thank Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma for arranging the interview which has been five years in the making. And President Aquino for patiently answering three pages worth of questions. But more on that later.

I still have to write the other stories.

Meanwhile, here’s the first one –

Vietnam asked Philippines to form pact to counter China, Aquino reveals

Both countries are embroiled in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea

A new “strategic partnership” being negotiated between two states fending off China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea was suggested by Vietnam, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has revealed.

It had been widely assumed that the proposed pact between Vietnam and the Philippines was initiated by Manila, which has taken a high-profile stand against China.

In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, the Philippine president said China’s moves in the South China Sea were even more alarming than a year ago, when he likened global inaction to China’s push to appeasing Hitler – comments that angered China.

In the interview last Thursday, Aquino stood by his remarks. Pulling out a map of the South China Sea, he said: “Perhaps it’s even worse today.”

To read the rest, which is still rather long, please click on this link.

 

Tagged With: Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III, South China Sea, Vietnam

Comments

  1. Mel says

    June 11, 2015 at 9:41 PM

    Philippines, China in ‘video war’ over West PH Sea
    By Manny Mogato, Reuters
    Posted at 06/11/2015 6:56 PM

    MANILA – The Philippines will broadcast a three-part documentary to defend its position on the disputed South China Sea on Friday, countering a Chinese television series that laid out Beijing’s so-called nine-dash line claims.

    The documentary titled “Karapatan sa Dagat”, or maritime rights, will be aired on state-run television as the country observes Independence Day.

    “Our objective is to inform our people,” Charles Jose, the foreign ministry spokesman, said adding they hoped to “rally support of our people behind our Philippine government’s policy and action”.

    The Philippines has filed an arbitration case against China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to be rich in energy resources and where $5 trillion ship-borne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims on the sea.

    In 2013, China’s state-run CCTV network aired an eight-part documentary called “Journey on the South China Sea”, a rare peak into how Beijing was trying to consolidate its claims in the disputed sea.

    The “video war” comes as China rapidly expands its footprint in the South China Sea, constructing at least one airstrip and other military facilities on reclaimed land in the Spratly islands.

    Jose said Manila was also planning to release a comic book to raise Filipinos’ awareness. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

    http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/11/15/philippines-china-video-war-over-west-ph-sea

  2. Mel says

    June 8, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    In an interview over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Coloma [Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.] noted that while they welcome the statement of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua that Beijing is against any military solution to the dispute and is open to the possibility of holding bilateral talks to defuse tensions, the other claimants from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) should not be left out.

    “Regarding the [resumption of] bilateral talks and ‘willing to share the facilities it is building in the [West Philippine Sea],’ the statement of the President (Benigno Aquino 3rd) is different, that we must respect the Declaration of the Code of Conduct between China and the Asean itself,” the official said in Filipino.

    Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rejects-china-sharing-offer/189985/

    -I-M-0-

    Wise-up Big Brother

    From Bi, not Multi-lateral, but to Block approach of 2 Chinas with ASEAN member nations.

    Association of West South East Asian Nations (ASEAN + 2 Chinas = AWSEAN) a Win Win map for a sound ‘Maritime Silk Road’.
    When Japan and Korea (North + or – South) finally jumps in, equals Association of Asian Nations, AAN.

    Entrepreneurial Approach
    That’s 10 asian nations to jump-in the AIIB bandwagon. Not only on infrastructure developments, investments, loans on progress to include oil ang gas explorations with claimant countries in the South China – West Philippine Seas. Incorporates the Block Investments & Commercical Developments inclusive to AAN member nations. While the AIIB provides the capital investment loans for Exploration, and Extraction of mineral resources from overlapping beds of claimant countries (Bi, Trilateral). Why not Multilateral INCorporation with claimant countries.

    A good sign is when China attends the next ASEAN Leaders Meeting.

    • Mel says

      June 8, 2015 at 10:20 PM

      ————————-

      AIIB, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Infrastructure_Investment_Bank

      • Mel says

        February 8, 2016 at 9:20 PM

        AIIB bandwagon

        Philippines joins China’s infrastructure bank | ABS-CBN News

        ABS-CBN News
        Posted at 12/30/15 3:07 PM

        MANILA (UPDATE) – President Aquino has approved the recommendation of the Department of Finance (DOF) that the Philippines join the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said Wednesday.

        The AIIB, which has become one of China’s biggest foreign policy successes, has been formally established and is expected to be operational early next year.

        AIIB will co-exist and may compete with Washington-backed World Bank and Tokyo-led Asian Development Bank (ADB).

        But Purisima believes the AIIB “will augment and complement existing multilateral institutions in accelerating economic growth.”

        “Our shared pursuit of growth and development has only become more challenging as the global environment becomes increasingly complex. We thus welcome platforms where countries can work towards shared development goals in the spirit of partnership,” Purisima said.

        – http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/30/15/philippines-joins-chinas-infrastructure-bank

  3. Mel says

    June 7, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    Ideal tone, initiative of Good Will from Asia’s big brother for its neighbors –

    ‘Beijing is … even offering to share the facilities it is building in the West Philippine Sea’ to all of it’s asian brothers for multi maritime security (against sea pirates), island base(s) for Emergency Services and Preparedness for seafarers against Natural Calamities and Disasters.

    ‘China should instead look at shared intentions, common ground, and strengthening economic ties’ with its asian neighbors for common maritime peace and joint sea lane security.

    China to PH: Let’s talk
    June 6, 2015 10:50 pm
    by DANTE “KLINK” ANG 2ND
    EXECUTIVE EDITOR

    No preconditions in Beijing’s offer to sit down and diffuse tensions

    To diffuse tension over the disputed territories, Beijing is urging Manila to resume bilateral talks and is even offering to share the facilities it is building in the West Philippine Sea.

    Zhao Jianhua, China’s ambassador to Manila, told a small group of journalists on Friday: “We want the Philppines to return to the negotiating table.”

    He added that China would always welcome bilateral talks with the Philippines, even as Manila had abandoned it to pursue its claim with a United Nations arbitral tribunal.

    Zhao stressed that China has no precondition to the resumption of talks, not even the dropping of the arbitration case Manila has lodged with the UN tribunal in The Hague which China does not recognize anyway.

    Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/china-to-ph-lets-talk/189733/

    • Mel says

      June 7, 2015 at 7:59 AM

      Sincere or just propaganda?

      And to quote –

      Zhao Jianhua, China’s ambassador to Manila. ‘… insisted that the Chinese facilities would be open, despite earlier media reports of their coast guard ships repelling Filipino fishermen with water cannons from entering the disputed territories. Referring to those encounters at sea, the ambassador blames media for hyping the incidents, and points out that the water cannons were merely warning the fishermen. The Chinese navy did not target people or parts of their boats that could have harmed them, the envoy said.‘

      —

      “China’s words and actions do not match. They drive away our fishermen from Scarborough Shoal even when they try to go there to seek shelter during inclement weather.

      “When China illegally occupied Mischief Reef in 1995, they said the facilities were fishermen’s shelter but [it] later turned out to be a military garrison.” – Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs

      • duquemarino says

        June 7, 2015 at 9:12 AM

        @Mel

        Sincere or propaganda? IMHO it’s more of a propaganda (paganda ng image).
        Naalarma siguro ang China dahil sa panukala ng US Senate.

        “US Senate Wants to Arm The Philippines to Counter China”

        “………. the United States Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has added a provision ” China Sea Initiative” to the 2016 defense bill.

        A bill to arm and train American allies in the Pacific. A countermeasure to what legislators claim is Beijing’s increasingly aggressive attitude in the region.”

        “SASC Chairman Senator John McCain inserted the inoitiatoive to offer support – in the form of training and weapons – in the Philippines and other allied countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.”

        United States defense analysts said, “Arming US allies, possibly by providing fighter jets and fast corvette ships in the way they can handle any incoming threat or unexpected surprise attack or retaliation from China in case their unlawful reclamation stop, dismantled or targeted.”

        “The new provision was accompanied by a letter from lawmakers to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to strengthen the US military’s response in the region.”

        (From Manila Livewire)

        • Mel says

          June 7, 2015 at 10:58 AM

          @duque, Naturalamente, propa – paguwapo si Ambassador Zhao.

          Although the Ambassador can not announce his own policy and opinion on the maritime matter. He represents the PRC interest. Just like the spokesperson from mainland China ‘admonishing’ PNoy to repent or so… in the mainstream media.

          To better prepare the Philippines’ maritime defense, navy capabilities is to push for a ‘Lend-Lease‘ pact with the USA. They have so many fighter planes, ships and carriers on que for the scrap, recycle heap. They can supply these to the Philippines Armed Forces. There are so many Fil-Americans in the US Military Service to operate these ‘defense articles’ in such a short but foreseeable time frame to cope with China’s aggressiveness in the WPS to date.

          @duque in your comment, is the USA sincere in its pronouncements to helping and assisting the Philippines in its arm defense needs? The Philippines is handicap to another super power like China.

          How come, the ISIS has just been picking US armaments for free at their Middle East exploits. The air drops of US Armaments have been mistakenly supplying the IS militants with free ammo and weapons.1

          —

          1. http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/american-aircraft-airdropped-weapons-to-isis-says-mp/

        • Mel says

          June 7, 2015 at 11:05 AM

          1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQpOQA3xbjg

          —
          Unwanted ‘Defense Articles’

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQpOQA3xbjg

          http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140918-secrets-of-the-aircraft-boneyards

        • Mel says

          June 7, 2015 at 11:10 AM

          1. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/22/isis-us-airdrop-weapons-pentagon

          —

          Another sample of an Unwanted ‘defense article’, sold for one cent.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJrdL0-nb0A

        • duquemarino says

          June 7, 2015 at 11:25 AM

          @Mel
          The question “Sincere or propaganda?” Is addressed more to China as quoted in your #43.1

        • Mel says

          June 7, 2015 at 11:59 AM

          heh he heh

          ‘parang go figure it out’ ala RR.

          OO, @duque, your return suplementary was for China, amok kadi.

          ibinabalik ko lang kay uncle sam, sincere rin ba sila? ayun ….

          sign off ak pay kabsat, napintas nga agpasyar kadwa-an iti pamilya, catch you later.

      • vander says

        June 7, 2015 at 2:23 PM

        propaganda.
        anufavah.
        eto ang test kung sincere.
        pag iniwan nila ang ni-reclaim nila at hinayaan tayong mag-occupy ng iniwan nila.
        yun.
        sincere talaga sila.

    • Mel says

      June 17, 2015 at 9:04 PM

      Mainland China (PRC), getting more transparent?

      May its ASEAN neighbors and brothers welcome big brother to its bonding forums and meetings.

      China gives more details on South China Sea facilities
      by Ben Blanchard, Reuters
      Posted at 06/17/2015 7:14 PM

      BEIJING – The Chinese government on Wednesday rolled out more details of the building work it is undertaking in the disputed South China Sea, listing lighthouses, communications stations and other facilities for civilian and emergency use.

      […]

      China, … says the construction on the islands will help with maritime search and rescue, disaster relief, environmental protection and offer navigational assistance as well as have undefined military purposes.

      […]

      These facilities would help improve living conditions there and also fulfil China’s international obligations on environmental monitoring, disaster relief and navigational safety, the NDRC said.

      Large lighthouses for navigation are included in the building plan, along with base stations for wireless navigation equipment, weather stations to monitor for tsunamis, scientific research stations and equipment to tackle oil spills, it added.

      Facilities will also be provided for the supply of search and rescue ships and places for fishing boats to seek shelter from storms and undergo repairs, the NDRC added, though did not specifically mention what sort of harbors or docks would be built.

      In order to protect the environment, waste water and garbage handling facilities will also be built, the NDRC said.

      It did not provide a timeframe for when these facilities would be completed and nor did it name the specific islands they were being built on.

      […]

      Recent satellite images have shown a hive of work on China’s new islands. U.S. officials say China has reclaimed 1,500 acres of land this year alone.

      Military facilities under construction include a 3,000-meter (10,000-foot) runway and airborne early warning radars, which could be operational by the year-end, according to one U.S. commander.

      Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/17/15/china-gives-more-details-south-china-sea-facilities

      Bold emphasis mine

      • Mel says

        June 17, 2015 at 9:27 PM

        Reminiscing (3-4 years back) pre Xi Jinping
        With the above news, other nations (e.g. OECD) yearned for China to be more proactive in global affairs (humanitarian). Now with samples as detailed in the above media press release.

        Previous articles of RR relating to the South China – West Philippine Seas maritime issues, was heavy on comments. With web links provided, (reading materials) in support for a peaceful China in positioning itself as one of the biggest economies (then second).

        It is ideal that it will engage with its asian (ASEAN) neighbors of its pro regional (asia), ‘maritime silk road’ aspirations of improving their respective economies.

        Make Peace, not war. Leave the physical to Olympic meets, Athletics and AWSEAN GAMES.

      • Mel says

        February 8, 2016 at 10:04 PM

        … bonding forums and meetings.

        Can Asean ever solve the South China Seas dispute through multilateral dialogue?

        By David Martin Jones and M.L.R. Smith, King’s College London

        6:00AM GMT 24 Nov 2015

        The 27th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit concluded in Kuala Lumpur at the weekend. The Malaysian host declared the summit ‘gruelling’ but a success.

        The Gala dinner celebrating the event witnessed the ten ASEAN leaders, together with delegates from China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia, dressed in the Malay national costume which bore a striking resemblance to the Beatles cover for their Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

        http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/12012915/Can-Asean-ever-solve-the-South-China-Seas-dispute-through-multilateral-dialogue.html

        Bold emphasis mine

  4. Mel says

    May 25, 2015 at 9:48 PM

    PH, US defense chiefs to meet in Hawaii on sea dispute

    FORT SAN FELIPE, Philippines — US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will meet in Hawaii this week to discuss the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

    The two defense chiefs will meet after the turnover rites in the US Pacific Command based in Hawaii. Adm. Harry Harris will take over as USPACOM Commander, replacing Adm. Samuel Locklear.

    Gazmin told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Navy’s 117th anniversary rites here on Monday that during his meeting with Carter, he would ask the United States what help and assistance it could offer to the Philippines amid China’s aggression in the disputed waters.

    “Tatanong natin hanggang saan ang tulong na mabibigay sa atin, kung paano tayo matutulungan. Right now tayo ang naaapi; tingnan natin kung ano ang extent ng assistance na mabibigay nila to keep us safe from harassment (We’ll ask what they could do to help us and how. Right now, we’ll see what assistance they can extend to keep us safe from harassment),” he said.

    Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/123472/ph-us-defense-chiefs-to-meet-in-hawaii-on-sea-dispute

    • Mel says

      May 25, 2015 at 9:50 PM

      Can the Philippines request its treaty ally the USA for “any defense article”? Read President Roosevelt’s “Lend-Lease” act signed on March 11, 1941 – http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/?dod-date=110

      • Mel says

        May 25, 2015 at 9:58 PM

        WWII lend-lease: was the US aid that helpful?(I)

        By Evgeniy SPITSYN (Russia)

        The Lend-Lease Act, or “An Act to Promote the Defense of the United States,” which was signed by President Roosevelt on March 11, 1941, gave the US president the right “to sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of … any defense article … for the government of any country whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States.” The term “any defense article” was understood to mean weapons, military equipment, munitions, strategic raw materials, ammunition, food, and civilian goods required by the army and homeland-defense forces, as well as any information of military significance.

        The structure of the Lend-Lease Act required the recipient nation to meet a number of conditions:

        1) payment is not required for any items that go missing or that are lost or destroyed during hostilities, but any property that survives and is suitable for civilian use must be paid for in full or in part, as repayment of a long-term loan granted by the US

        2) military articles being stored in the recipient countries may remain there until the US requests their return

        3), in turn, all leasees must assist the United States using all the resources and information in their possession

        The Lend-Lease Act required countries requesting American assistance to provide the US with an exhaustive financial report. US Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, Jr. was correct to recognize this requirement as something unprecedented in world affairs, claiming during a Senate Committee hearing that for the first time in history, one state and one government was willingly providing information to another about its own financial position.

        Source: http://orientalreview.org/2015/05/12/wwii-lend-lease-was-the-us-aid-helpful-enough-i/

  5. Mel says

    April 26, 2015 at 3:49 PM

    PH: China poised to take ‘de facto control of S. China Sea’

    Agence France-Presse
    Posted at 04/26/2015 1:35 PM | Updated as of 04/26/2015 2:33 PM

    KUALA LUMPUR (1st UPDATE) – Beijing is poised to take “de facto control” of the South China Sea, the Philippines warned on Sunday as it called on fellow Southeast Asian countries to “stand up” to their massive neighbor.

    Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of the strategic South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), but Beijing claims nearly all of it and its increasingly aggressive moves to assert those territorial ambitions have caused concern in the region and beyond.

    “(China) is poised to consolidate de facto control of the South China Sea,” Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told fellow ministers at a regional meeting in Kuala Lumpur, according to a transcript of his remarks.

    Foreign ministers met a day ahead of a summit by regional leaders that will convene amid growing concern over a Chinese land-reclamation campaign that is building up disputed reefs into full-fledged islands.

    Satellite photos that emerged earlier this month triggered alarm bells by providing fresh evidence of the activities, which defense analysts have said are creating land masses big enough for airstrips and other large facilities.

    Rosario told his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) colleagues that China “was clearly and quickly advancing with its massive reclamation” works.

    “The threats posed by these massive reclamations are real and cannot be ignored or denied. Their adverse implications are urgent and far-reaching, going beyond the region to encompass the global community,” he said.

    “Is it not time for ASEAN to say to our northern neighbor that what it is doing is wrong and that the massive reclamations must be immediately stopped?”

    The Philippines and Vietnam have repeatedly been involved in tense confrontations with China at sea, and have been the most outspoken countries in the region in criticizing Chinese actions.

    Manila is pushing for summit hosts Malaysia to come out with a strong statement rebuking China, something that ASEAN historically has avoided due to Beijing’s immense trade and diplomatic leverage.

    A draft statement prepared before the gathering began calls for “self-restraint”, avoiding threats or use of force, and the peaceful resolution of disputes at sea, but avoids direct criticism of China, a diplomatic source said previously.

    The statement could change, however, based on discussions in Malaysia.

    Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/26/15/ph-china-poised-take-de-facto-control-s-china-sea

  6. Mel says

    April 23, 2015 at 10:31 PM

    What if China starts reclamation work at Scarborough Shoal?

    That is only 220 kilometers (about 140 miles) off the main Philippine island of Luzon.

    Will the Philippines try to re-claim its shoal back? Will its treaty ally (USA) help force to redeem it back too? That shoal used to be a target practice for its navies’ cannons and guns.

    – http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/23/15/ph-accuses-china-coast-guard-armed-robbery

    • Mel says

      April 23, 2015 at 10:33 PM

      IN PHOTOS: China’s reclamation in West Philippine Sea

      http://globalnation.inquirer.net/121023/in-photos-chinas-reclamation-in-west-philippine-sea/

    • Mel says

      April 23, 2015 at 10:43 PM

      – http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/04/23/15/malaysia-avoids-chinese-ire-over-disputed-sea-asean-summit

    • Mel says

      April 23, 2015 at 10:51 PM

      Plus or Minus 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone

      ‘UNCLOS supports China’s claims, says PH expert’
      – http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/focus/04/22/15/unclos-supports-chinas-claims-says-ph-expert

  7. Mel says

    April 23, 2015 at 10:21 PM

    PH, Vietnam to hold naval drills, scientific research in South China Sea
    By Tessa Jamandre and Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files
    Posted at 04/23/2015 6:31 PM

    The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to conduct joint naval drills and scientific studies amid concerns over China’s intensified reclamations in the South China Sea.

    The planned activities are part of the soon-to-be signed “Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” a copy of which was obtained by VERA Files.

    In the strategic partnership agreement, which is considered a final draft until it is signed, the Philippines and Vietnam “reaffirm their commitment to resolve territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, as well as to the freedom of navigation in and over flight above the SCS (South China Sea) all in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

    TO read the rest of the article, http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/04/23/15/ph-vietnam-hold-naval-drills-scientific-research-south-china-sea

  8. kalakala says

    April 22, 2015 at 4:59 PM

    habang hinihintay natin ang susunod na pangyayari, i would like to ask an appeal to all Re: Nicolas Enciso V

    sya at si atty. bondal ang naglakas loob para sampahan ng kaso ang mag-amang binay. napasali lamang si ex mayor mercado dahil binanggit ni b-anay jr. sa senate hearing. his (mr. enciso) health is now fast deteriorating due to cancer. anytime ay mawawala na sya: watch: [Sub-Committee on PS Res. Nos. 826 and 1114] senate blue hearing committee on binay april 16,2015 http://www.youtubedotcom/watch?v=H8ECjkubhus
    at 1:59:55

    imho, parang it was his death wish…therefore i am calling/asking for prayers for him and for the strength of his family, friends and love ones. maybe a poem or a letter of thanks so he can still read and feel that there are still lots of people who care about our beloved country. thank you all.

  9. JBL says

    April 22, 2015 at 2:30 AM

    Congratulation to Alan, he must be very proud of his Amal Alamuddin. LOL

    • Alan says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:45 PM

      Call me George Loony

      • Parekoy says

        April 22, 2015 at 11:06 PM

        Nice comeback!

  10. marieta woo says

    April 21, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    I’ve always thought of that enigmatic out of place smile as the President’s attempt at holding back/reigning his displeasure and frustration at the particular situation at hand.

    • moonie says

      April 22, 2015 at 2:07 PM

      that smile is PNoy’s version of mona lisa smile. unforgetable.

      in her walkabouts, Elizabeth the 2nd, the queen of england, has habit of smiling too, but while smiling she takes a step back, it’s a warning for her ladies in waiting to flank her as she has spotted obnoxious person ahead, either a known brash journalist o, kaya, paparazzi, out to annoy her. in the meantime, PNoy have to bear and grin.

  11. AUGUST C FERNANDO says

    April 21, 2015 at 4:34 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS, RAISSA! PNOY’s grant of interview to you confirms my belief that you are one of our country’s most respectable and most honest journalists. Tiyak na mas berde pa sa ampalaya sa inggit ang mga TIGLAOS at TORDESILLAS of the world! HAHAHA! :) :)

    • MC says

      April 21, 2015 at 5:33 PM

      How pathetic indeed can one get to write just to fawn on someone who writes without depth. For him to think that interviewing simyon is a milestone is rather puerile, to say the least. Even from an academic or geopolitical standpoint, I am sure that there was nothing new that simyon said in that soliloquy. Indeed, whatever simyon may have uttered following the script was never a product of his wisdom nor academic depth. I could have viewed the interview in a better light if it was conducted with no prior questions listed where the interviewee will be talking from stock knowledge. Surely, a scripted question-and-answer portion is better fodder in variety shows where the attempt is to project “intellect”.

      • Rolly says

        April 21, 2015 at 8:44 PM

        As far as I understand, Raissa had an impromptu interview with Pnoy before at FOCAP forum held sometime in October 2014.

        http://raissarobles.com/2014/10/26/grilling-the-president-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines/

        http://raissarobles.com/2014/10/22/president-aquino-told-me-hes-prepared-to-go-to-jail-if-were-back-to-an-unjust-judicial-system-after-his-term/

        • raissa says

          April 22, 2015 at 12:28 AM

          No, that’s part of the regular focap forum.

      • pelang says

        April 21, 2015 at 9:14 PM

        @MC what can i say, whatever, INGGIT ka lang.

      • chit navarro says

        April 22, 2015 at 10:27 AM

        @MC –

        what a pathetic soul you are! envy really consumes one’s soul…

        and what a great soliloquy the President made in front of the venerable Raissa Robles and her cameramen and the other persons in the room, as can be gleaned in the pictures attached by the independent, fearless journo.

        If you can not even spell the name of the President correctly or just too afraid to refer to his correct name and position, what makes you think you are better than the writer of this blog? And what credentials do you have to say that “on someone who writes without depth?”

        • moonie says

          April 22, 2015 at 2:17 PM

          guys, it’s clear to me mc is just sourgraping. nag-aasim. instead of being happy raissa was finally granted her much awaited interview, and doing high fives; ito, pinalabas ni mc ang sariling pagka-crabby. it was raissa’s call, her interview of the president, her moment, and mc can only lament.

        • vander says

          April 22, 2015 at 2:46 PM

          he is not happy the mother hen was granted her long-awaited request…:)
          tsk tsk tsk.
          EMSHI…ang sabi ni ali badbad..

        • MC says

          April 24, 2015 at 6:25 PM

          You mean to tell me that an “interview” with a scripted question-and-answer flavor academically and intellectually sound and truthful? In better societies, it is even the subject that craves to be heard and interviewed. A leader even arranges with media that he/she is given airtime. Here, you have a sciolist hiding behind a veneer of a hectic schedule to avoid displaying a lubberly cranium. A principled political writer would just have focused on better brilliant minds or wrote on more arrant quests. Well, as the stylus needs the bread and butter, she may just have to invent a euphemism for the rambling and corybantic display of Asperger Syndrome and sugar-coat the farce with a euphemism as cover for an exercise of self adulation.

        • Alan says

          April 24, 2015 at 7:31 PM

          I believe Homonculus Geny left his old body and created a new identity. Unable to spell very well he’s just used two letters for his name.

          But literacy deficits have not stopped him from trying to plunder a dictionary for BEEG words that he has very little familiarity with. Rather than going for pomposity he should try for clarity: for instance I can’t even spot the main verb in his first sentence, so cunningly has he concealed it. Oh wait, that’s just plain stupidity sorry.

        • raissa says

          April 26, 2015 at 9:56 PM

          you do love your words.

          you are so in love with your words that it doesn’t matter if they do not reflect reality.

      • raissa says

        April 26, 2015 at 9:52 PM

        so what are YOU doing here, MC?

        FYI, I only submitted some of the questions. And the Q and A wasn’t scripted.

  12. Edgar Lores says

    April 21, 2015 at 2:31 PM

    Excellent interview.

    I think the President’s measured responses attest to his moderate views… and underline his diplomatic approach.

    I find him steady… and cool. Perhaps he smiles to hide the pain?

    And perhaps instead of psychoanalyzing him we should start psychoanalyzing ourselves?

    • Parekoy says

      April 22, 2015 at 11:15 PM

      In trying to shield the Aquino from any form of criticisms, many supporters are justifying his shortcomings. I don’t fall into that trap for I believe we can make him a better president for we perceive that he has more untapped potentials that he has not even aware of.

      Public figures are open for psychoanalysis. As elected leader of our Nation, his frame of mind has great consequence thus a need for study.

      The issue is not that he is not corrupt or he needs to act in an overacting crying fashion in attending wakes.

      The issue is, does he make any effort at all to represent his office, the Presidency, in certain standard that is required to leaders of nations?

  13. duquemarino says

    April 21, 2015 at 12:10 PM

    When Raissa asked for a wish list of topics for 2015 China’s creeping invasion was on top of my list. With Raissa’s interview of PNoy, touched na ang isa sa wish list ko.

    Ganun pala katagal magschedule ng interview kay PNoy, 5 years. Parang Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, explosive nga.

    • duquemarino says

      April 21, 2015 at 12:19 PM

      Maroon din ba ASEAN Integration 2015 and Philippines’ readiness? Nasa wish list ko rin yun.

  14. leona says

    April 21, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    INGAT! Mga KABABAYAN FILIPINOS! VP Bi Nai GUSTO MAGING INTSIK!

    Sabi ni maging Intsik BI NAI:

    ‘ if elected president, Vice President Jejomar Binay stressed China’s economic might as he pushed for bilateral talks between Manila and Beijing over the disputed South China Sea.

    sa Tagalog: Kunyari Ako halal el presidente, si Ako Bise Presidente Bi Nai dini-diin Ko na ang yaman ng TSINA patuloy Akyin Usapan banda Maynila at Bei Jing ukol sa Atyin Walang Laban sa South Tsina Kadagt-dagatan.’

    Ito pa sabi niya: “May pera po ang China, kailangan po natin ng kapital (China has money, we need capital),” Binay said in an interview on Saturday, April 12, over the radio station DZYM in Catarman, Northern Samar.

    sa Tagalog: “China is rich. Much Money. We need China MONEY. (Kailangan Natin PERA). Bi Nai sa salita niya sa radyo estasyun DZYM sa Catarman, Northern Samar.”

    sabi pa ni VP Bi Nai: “Yung problema natin sa Tsina, nakakalungkot, pero tanggapin po natin na hindi naman po matatapos ‘yan kaagad. Siguro, ilang taon na tayong namamatay eh hindi pa rin nareresolba ‘yan,” he said in the radio interview.’

    sa English: ‘Our PROBLEMA with TSINA, is a SAD THING, but WE MUST ACCEPT that IT WILL NEVER END soon. Maybe, after SO MANY YEARS we are all DEAD eh and WE CANNOT SEE ANY PEACEFUL RESOLUTION in that.’ VP Bi Nai sabi sa radyo interbyo’

    These stand and remarks is MISCHIEF by VP Bi Nai ! Like Mischief Reefs!

    Sa Tagalog, what is ‘mischief?’ Sagot: Magpakaabala; Maabala; Walang kapararakan.

    Are those remarks proofs of loyalty to the Filipino people? Those remarks are clearly against the stand of President PNOY!

    Diyos ko! Kam Pai na lang!

    • leona says

      April 21, 2015 at 10:27 AM

      Link

      http://www.rappler.com/nation/89880-binay-china-philippines-south-china-sea

  15. JoeC says

    April 21, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    Way to go Raissa! Is that a feather I see in your hat?

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First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist Then they came fof the Trade Unionists, and I did not out speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me— And there was no one left to speak for me. —Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

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