The President’s speech, which was said to be personally written by him, revolved around fighting corruption and having a strong administration which is true to its promises.

“Ang natamasa po natin ngayong unang isandaang araw ng ating panunungkulan: Mayroon na po kayong gobyernong hindi kayo binabalewala o inaapi,” Aquino said in his speech which seemed like another SONA.

President Aquino also cited successes of the administration in different sectors such Defense, Agriculture, and Education.

The President conjured up hope in the people by ending his speech on a promising note: “Hinding-hindi po tayo titigil sa tuwid na landas. Unti-unti na pong natutupad ang ating mga pangarap.”

Full speech.

“I was about to [resign], but the President told me to continue,” Puno said. Dismissing the allegations as lies, he also denied benefitting from the illegal numbers game: “I did not and will never receive a single centavo from jueteng or any illegal activity for that matter.”

When asked to recall the jueteng operators and the emissaries who were to set the meetings with Puno, the Undersecretary said the he could only remember Rodolfo, “the husband of the Pampanga governor” (Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda). He could not, however, recall the emissaries.

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chair of the blue ribbon committee, found it “strange” that Puno could not remember his friends and relatives who were used as intermediaries.

“We are acceding to the request for us not to issue any unnecessary statements,” said Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) Commission on Family and Life.  This will, further, hold until the bishops and President Aquino meet “face-to-face” on the issue, Fr. Castro added.

PrPollsesidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that “President Aquino himself will meet with the bishops” as this will settle misunderstandings between the two parties. Regardless of the dialogue, Fr. Castro said that the Church will not reconsider its opposing stance on artificial contraception to solve the population problem.

Lacierda stressed that President Aquino is against abortion.

“We constantly and consistently assess with the government of the Philippines what we need to do,” said Harry Thomas, US envoy to Manila. He also said that Washington will be willing to send “military advisers” as long as they were welcome.

The Abu Sayyaf was formed in the 1990s with help from the organization of Osama bin Laden. It is also allied with Jemaah Islamiyah based in Indonesia.

The witness, Norodin Mauyag, said that he was five meters away from Datu Kanor Ampatuan when the datu gave instructions on November 20, 2009 for the scheme. This was done three days before the massacre.

Mauyag, a farmer, gave his statement before Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221. The witness’ claim gave strength to the side of the prosecutor which believes that the crime was organized.

“I deny the news report aired in a TV network this evening that I threatened President Aquino with excommunication in the interview with Radio Veritas,” Bishop Odchimar said.

According to the bishop, the Church had not considered this to be imposed on Aquino. What he meant by his previous statement on the possibility of the President’s excommunication was that excommunication is imposed on those who commit abortion. Thus, Aquino should reconsider his stance on birth control.

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, CBCP media director, said that Bishop Odchimar was “misunderstood” by the media and that there were mistakes in the transcript of the interview on Radio Veritas.

The context of the sudden interest in matters of excommunication arose after Carlos Celdran, a known tourist guide, shouted at the clergy inside the Manila Cathedral with his “Damaso” placard.

President Aquino, however, did not give any direct reply to the bishop. His stance on the matter of family planning is still for couples making an informed choice.

Excommunication is the gravest sentence the Catholic Church can give. It entails the denial of the sacraments to an individual.

“He did not change his position because what we are after is responsible parenthood,” Lacierda said.

President Aquino has shown intent in having a dialogue with the Church. Members of the House of Representatives urge the president to be “steadfast” in his stand on family planning.

“If he’s going to conduct a dialogue with Church representatives, he should be firm in his stand. He should not buckle down,” Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said.

The RH Bill, or House Bill No. 5043, includes provisions of, aside from others, sex education starting Grade 5 and the promotion of contraceptives.

“To those of you who are guilty: The full resources of the state are being unleashed against you. Surrender,” Aquino said.

Police reported that the grenade attack left 44 people wounded with two female students losing their legs. It is believed that the incident was due to a fraternity war. Manila Police District spokesperson Erwin Margarejo said, however, that it was too early to point fingers as investigations were still being done.

President Aquino has taken a “personal interest” in the matter as the crime affected women and the youth who were preparing for their future. He has instructed the Presidential Management Staff to assist the victims of the event.

“It is my earnest hope, and in the greatest interest of humanity, that we harness the energies of dialogue, solidarity and communal responsibility, so that a global People Power toward equitable progress may be achieved,” the President said.

The speech of President Aquino revolved around working for the UN Millennium Development Goals with an emphasis on helping developing nations.

In the Philippines, National Treasurer Leonor Briones said that the speech was “bland”; it lacked force and emphasis on specifics. “In terms of content, it was bland, non-controversial. Walang politically wrong pero kulang in details.”