Saturday, January 8, 2011

A Toast to Conviviality?

President Noynoy Aquino offered a toast to the New Year at an annual Palace event for the Diplomatic Corps in Manila the other day.


[Delivered at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall, January 7, 2011]
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to propose a toast to the New Year that we usher in today. It is a year in which record numbers of Filipinos anticipate with optimism that their lives undoubtedly will improve.
Their optimism will be validated. This year, businesses will invest more in this country, creating new jobs for families. This year, government resources will be spent to uplift the lives of the poor. This year, the Philippines will once again be a voice in the world for freedom and fairness.
There will be challenges ahead—from an uncertain outlook for the global economy, to a noisy minority who want to rekindle the malicious practices of the past.
But if we work together, we will overcome the challenges and fulfill the promise of the year ahead. We have much to look forward to.
Your Excellencies, may we lift our glasses to a prosperous and peaceful New Year for all of us in 2011.
Happy New Year to all.


It contained the sentence, "There will be challenges ahead—from an uncertain outlook for the global economy, to a noisy minority who want to rekindle the malicious practices of the past." which has generated some controversy. What do you think of this? 

3 comments:

Ben Vallejo said...

The Fuhrer once said something similar in a New Year's toast at the Reich Chancellery.

The destruction of democracy starts with such statements!

Frederick Tomas said...

I think the President is just looking for trouble. It's an uncouth thing to say, considering that he's ushering in a new year.

Admittedly, though, he doesn't identify who this 'minority' is, so Rep. Edcel Lagman may be out of line for reacting to it. Does Lagman feel guilty?

Thinking about it further, the minority could mean those corrupt officials who continue their corrupt ways under this administration, and what the President simply means is that the challenge lies in ferreting out these corrupt officials and bringing them to justice.

Of course, Rep. Lagman has every right to feel guilty, considering that he was one of the most loyal lapdogs of the previous administration.

Jhay said...

A cheap shot at the Arroyo loyalists in the House most likely. Whose been closing coordinating with their buddies in Fadre Paura and their darling the Ombudsman.