Aquino gears up for 2014 after holiday ‘quiet time’

MANILA, Philippines – Back to work.  

President Benigno Aquino III chose to spend the last few days of 2013 quietly as his administration entered 2014 gearing up for the massive rehabilitation of areas hit by calamities and natural disasters over the past year. 

“The President spent a quiet and private New Year, taking a much needed rest and preparing for the great effort in 2014,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement. 

This year, the government is under pressure to jumpstart the reconstruction of calamity-stricken areas after the onslaught of successive disasters in 2013, including the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). 

On top of this, Coloma said attaining inclusive economic growth is also at the top of the President’s agenda. 

The president, a bachelor at 53, spent Christmas with his family. On Christmas eve, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle celebrated mass at the Aquino residence. On Christmas day, Aquino watched My Little Bossings, a Metro Manila Film Festival entry starring his sister host-actress Kris Aquino and nephew Bimby.  

Aquino went on vacation for 3 days in Baguio City, where he was seen by the media jogging and having his photos taken with some tourists. 

Aquino reported back for work on December 30 to celebrate Rizal Day in Tarlac. 

In his New Year message, Aquino urged Filipinos to stay united and keep following the “tuwid na daan” (straight path) as his administration enters the last half of its term. 

Aquino highlighted the increased global confidence in the country’s anti-corruption campaign in 2013. It was also the year the multibillion pork barrel scam was exposed, leading to the abolition of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund – later on declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. – Rappler.com