Taiwan reaffirms sovereignty over Spratlys

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

Taipei, Jan. 17 (CNA) Taiwan reiterated its sovereignty over the disputed Spratly Islands Thursday after the Philippines recently revealed its plan to repair an airstrip in the area.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Steve Hsia said that from the perspective of history, geography and international law, the Spratly Islands, the Paracel Islands, the Macclesfield Bank and the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, as well as their surrounding waters, are the inherent territory of the Republic of China.

“We will not recognize any party that takes unilateral action that undermines our sovereignty over the South China Sea region,” he said at a news briefing.

His remarks came in response to Manila’s plans to repair an airstrip on Zhongye Island in the Spratlys to develop tourism on some adjacent islets.

Hsia also urged other countries with claims to the South China Sea area to refrain from any unilateral action that could affect peace in the region.

Taiwan is willing to explore resources in the region under the principles of safeguarding ROC sovereignty, shelving differences, pursuing peace and reciprocity and jointly developing the resources, he reiterated.

Meanwhile, commenting on the recent escalating tension between China and Japan over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands, Hsia called on the parties involved to seek peaceful dialogue to address the dispute.

Reaffirming Taiwan’s sovereignty over the Diaoyutais in the East China Sea, Hsia said Taiwan is also willing to jointly develop resources in the region.

The uninhabited islands, which lie about 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan, are currently controlled by Japan but are also claimed by Taiwan and China. They are known as the Senkakus in Japan and as the Diaoyu Islands in China.

Tension between China and Japan intensified last year when the Japanese government nationalized some of the islets in the island group that were privately owned.

China and Japan have deployed aircraft to the area in recent weeks in a further escalation, although no actual clashes have taken place.

(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/J/tc

http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aIPL&ID=201301170017

Why China Thinks It Can Annex The South China Sea

By Michael Kelley 
Business Insider

China patrol ship (AP)

It seems that China, or at least part of it, has thrown down the gauntlet in the South China Sea with the announcement that police in the southern island province of Hainan will board and search ships which enter what China considers its territory in the disputed waters.

Before discussing the implications of the “revised regulations,” it’s helpful to know why China thinks it can commandeer the territory in the first place. In October James R. Holmes of NamViet News cited the book “How Communists Negotiate” to note that going into negotiations “Chinese communists try to rig the game in their favor” by trying to force the opposite side to agree to Beijing’s bargaining positions as a condition for convening talks.

China’s currently claims everything within the “nine-dashed line” – which takes in about 90 percent of the South China Sea – and now its law enforcement will act to defend it.

In August the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China stated: “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters. This is supported by clear historical facts.”

(Note: A 2008 U.S. diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks reported that a senior Chinese government maritime law expert “admitted” he was unaware of the historical basis for the nine dashes.)

China’s stance makes diplomacy difficult since negotiation, as Holmes notes, “presupposes give-and-take between two parties. But indisputable means indisputable.”

Consequently, the Hainan decree raises the stakes in the region’s territorial disputes and creates immediate problems for other claimant countries as well as the world economy.

South china Sea (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

As James Fallows of the Atlantic points out, “Brunei is a very long way from mainland China, but China contends that its waters reach practically down to Brunei’s shores.”

He also notes that some of the affected shipping lanes “have nothing directly to do with mainland China” since export paths from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan pass through the waters on their way to the Indian Ocean while half the world’s oil-cargo traffic from the Middle East travels the route in the opposite way.

Yesterday Dr. Ely Ratner, a Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told BI that the situation is “an incredibly difficult problem” that will come down to how far China is willing to go in terms of getting out on the high seas and arresting fishermen and others who think they’re within their rights to be in the disputed waters.

China will dictate how heated things get, but there’s no doubt that the Red Dragon is aggressively staking out its position.

“It is easy to imagine things becoming dangerous, quickly, if the new Chinese administration actually tries to carry out this order,” Fallows wrote. “A Chinese government deliberately courting this kind of showdown would be a very bad sign.”

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/china-south-china-sea-2012-11#ixzz2HnSCZ5C4

Asia-Pacific, the Next Battleground?

By Erick San Juan

If this happen, people will be repeating history that has caused millions of lives in the past. We are talking here of the centenary of the First World War and in the same period a hundred years ago when the brewing regional conflict has started and dragged the rest of the world into a world war and after which laid the foundations for the Second World War.

At present there are several flashpoints that can trigger a conflict in this region and like before, two superpowers are involved here that has established their ‘clout’ either economically or militarily (or both). Virtual alliances are formed and if ever a conflict will start, such alliances will surface and then another war begins.

In our past article (can be seen @ericksanjuan.blogspot.com), we cited the brewing conflict between China and Vietnam over the disputed area being claimed by Vietnam in which China (also as claimant) has started its oil exploration. And now, with Japan over the disputed islands of Senkaku (in Japanese) and Diaoyu (in Chinese).

This tension between China and Japan intensifies as the United States showed its support for Japan, an ally which in fact, as stated by some pundits believe that US is using Tokyo as strategic tool to put pressure on Beijing. Actually, like any other ally in the region, US and Japan have this Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security that they will jointly help each other in times of aggression from an outside enemy.

Sounds familiar?

Yes, same holds true in the Philippines with our Mutual Defense Treaty with the US and its offspring – the Visiting Forces Agreement, any misunderstanding with China will surely intensify because of our relationship with Uncle Sam. And how Uncle Sam is using this territorial dispute to contain China, or worse to provoke China into a war via a witting pawn like our country.

Through such military agreements, nations like ours are forced to ride the arms race bandwagon, without thinking that we are also using our precious resources that will dig our own grave. Remember – everything is for sale in the US and we will never be treated equally as an ally, we will always be an inferior ally and a willing slave to a perceived master, allowing to be shortchanged in the process.

When are we going to wake up and assert our right as an equal partner? Sadly, this can only happen if we will have a true Filipino ideology and unite.

Political – Economic – Strategic Crisis

A few days ago, three prominent analysts discussed the issue over Press TV (http://www.presstv.com/detail/2013/01/10/282827/uk-empire-after-war-with-russia-china/) and one of them, from Executive Intelligence Review (EIR) Mike Billington. He sounded the alarm (like what we have been warning since the middle of 2012) that any day now, or maybe weeks, an impending war is in the offing.

“This could be literally any day or any week if these wars are kicked off through an attack on Syria or Iran or perhaps, even to start in Asia as it has [had] in the past.” (Mike Billington)

The Sino-Japanese dispute is just one of the other brewing clashes in the region, specifically in the South China Sea where the Philippines is also one of the claimants trapped in the web of economic and geopolitical turmoil.

Just like what was pointed out by the analysts over Press TV, the situation in the Asian region, may it be in the Middle East or in the Pacific region, is like a ticking bomb, a time bomb that was planted by some evil genius in the US via the military-industrial complex.

The timer was already set through the arms race, translation – countries are in their buying spree mode of war materiel in spite of economic hardships and the global economic downturn. And like what we have been saying so many times now, that how the military-industrial complex is cashing-in hard-earned money from developing countries just to protect their sovereignty against an imagined aggressor.

There is now a race against time, when humanity is faced with the reality of an impending war. Any miscalculation or plain stupidity could light the bomb that will explode into a global war.

Scary indeed!

A national embarrassment

President Benigno S. Aquino III was reported to have complained to a high-ranking official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines  that he was not too happy with the pastoral letter the bishops issued on Monday at the end of their annual January conference.  I do not know exactly what the official said.  But a less charitable or less diplomatic bishop would probably have said, “Sorry,  son, but making you happy was farthest from our thoughts.”

The nation, not just the bishops, has every reason to be pissed with this president.  He has become a national embarrassment.  After spending P49 million on a  Swiss junket, exclusive of the $160,000 in fees paid by his Cabinet members just to attend the 43rd Davos World Economic Forum, where he spoke more to his own 63-strong entourage than to anybody else in the small, ill-attended breakout session of the Forum,  he came home to tell us tall stories about imaginary mega investors rushing  to make the Philippine economy grow beyond its modest target.

Then trampling once again on the long defiled separation of powers, he admonished the senators, like their true lord and master, to stop their feuding over cash transfers and buckle down to work as though he himself had anything to teach them about work.  He asked them to pass so-called important bills, without mentioning  those which the public believes are truly important to the nation, like the freedom of information bill.

Then  he called on the bishops to “forgive” Carlos Celdran, a well-known poster boy for reproductive health, who had created a scandal inside the Manila Cathedral during an ecumenical service  last year, and who has just been sentenced by a Metropolitan Trial Court to jail. Like the conscript media, Aquino forgot to inquire if  the bishops had anything  to do with the case,  that the jail sentence was still subject to appeal to a higher court, and that he (Aquino) and not any bishop, is the only one who could “pardon” his fellow RH supporter, if and when his sentence became final and executory.

The heavily funded RH propaganda machine has been mobilized to denounce the law used against Celdran as archaic and obsolete, and his conviction as a threat to human rights and free speech, and Aquino has  allowed himself to be used by the same.  Did Aquino ever wonder what could have happened to that RH poster boy if he had  performed a similar act inside a Moslem mosque,  a Jewish temple or  a local Iglesia ni Cristo place of worship?  And yet Aquino chose to wade into the affair without any sign of thinking.

As the young readers would say, it really sucks, mate.  After two and a half years in office, there is no sign that our machine-elected president has understood the true meaning of presidential character or conduct,  that the presidency is not merely a decorative thing but a serious job, and that Malacañang is not at all to be confused with a play station.

In what it called a “litany of storms,” the CBCP lamented: the promotion of a culture of death and promiscuity; the continuing corruption and abuse of power; the widening practice of political dynasties;  the issues raised to the Comelec on automated election which, if not properly addressed, could lead to wholesale cheating in the May elections; the inability and unwillingness of those in power to take the road of social justice (new “rights” are being pushed while the most basic rights are being ignored!); the deepening culture of impunity (the government lacks the political will to touch powerful people and prosecute the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings, unsolved crimes and kidnappings); the unabated suffering of the poor (in spite of bright economic ratings, there is little inclusive growth).

By Francisco S. Tatad

The CBCP denounced the passage of the RH law, the political and financial pressures imposed on lawmakers, and the imperialism exercised by secularist international organizations in the legislative process.  It pledged support for the laity in challenging the RH law before the Supreme Court, and “other venues within the bounds of our democratic system;” urged the laity to elect competent and morally upright candidates faithful to their “correct and informed conscience;” and vowed to act against moves that are destructive of family and life.

The bishops did not say everything. They merely scratched the surface.  But at this point Aquino seems to enjoy trust and support  from Filipinos abroad who seem to use rose-colored glasses when looking at his administration. They seem to find everyone venal and blameworthy except the President.

In my inbox is a letter from one Mike M. Moreno of Richmond City, B.C., Canada, who says he is chair of Fil-Am Fil-Can Alliance, a US and Canada-based NGO, suggesting that Aquino “sign a proclamation abolishing or temporarily closing down Congress”. It is quite understandable, from a certain perspective.

But Aquino does not have that power, even with his virtual control of the three branches of government. That would require a revolutionary government. But if there were to be a revolutionary government, I believe Aquino should be the first one to be separated.

fstatad@gmail.com

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/01/a-national-embarrassment/

Did drugs nearly kill Pacquiao?

No Limitations  
By Ted Laguatan 

Recently, in the Oprah Winfrey Show, Lance Armstrong, the incredible seven time winner of the Tour de France cycling tournament, the most grueling competition in the sports world – shocked millions by confessing publicly that he used an array of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) in winning all seven events. Previously, he had repeatedly denied doping allegations.

What does Armstrong’s confession about his use of PEDs mean to the entire sports world?

Among other things, it confirms the effectiveness of PEDs in significantly pushing to extremes the capabilities of athletes. It also means that certain kinds of PEDs are undetectable with the current standard testing protocols. The number of athletes willing to use them is likely to increase because of the fabulous fortune, fame and other rewards that usually come with being top dog in major sports.

In 2005, a case involving the sale of PEDs to elite athletes by a small laboratory in Burlingame, California – made the headlines. Known as Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative or BALCO – it’s Chairman and founder Victor Conte – pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute steroids and other PEDs.

Conte referred to specific drugs as “the clear,” “THG” and “the cream” which were either taken orally, injected or rubbed into the skin. While these can be detected if specialized detailed testing is done, they are practically undetectable when usual standard testing procedures are done on athletes. Years later, Conte also revealed that there are certain ways to beat different testing systems for PEDs in sports events.

Some 30 elite athletes were listed as among the secret customers of BALCO which included the great Barry Bonds, holder of baseball’s all time home run record and seven time MVP; Marion Jones, dubbed the “fastest woman alive” and the biggest track and field star in the 2000 Olympics in Australia and former boxing champion Shane Mosley, winner of world titles in three divisions.

Bonds pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of obstruction of justice in connection with PEDs investigations but a dark cloud remains over his outstanding record denying him what would have been certain entry into baseball’s Hall of Fame.

In 2007, Jones admitted in court her use of PEDs and lying about it. She was sentenced to six months in prison, stripped of her five Olympic medals and lost all her endorsement deals.

As for Mosley, the World Boxing Council indicated that they would investigate his admitted drug use but probably lost interest as Mosley’s career had come to an end. However, his boxing record will forever be tainted by his drug use.

Users of PEDs display certain observable signs: a new physique with ripped bulked up muscles, markedly increased power and strength, speed and remarkable stamina.

It was not only these visual indicators that Juan Manuel Marquez showed in his last fight with Manny Pacquiao which caused many in the press box to suspect that he was using PEDs but also the presence in his corner of a shadowy figure named Angel Hernandez. Angel is officially designated as Marquez’ conditioning trainer.

Just before Marquez’ spectacular dead to the world knockout of Manny Pacquiao last December 8, 2012, while watching HBO’s reality show “24/7 Pacquiao – Marquez” on TV, convicted BALCO Chairman and PEDs supplier Victor Conte recognized Angel Hernandez and came out with the bombshell public revelation that “Hernandez” was an assumed name and that the man was formerly known as “Angel ‘Memo’ Heredia” – a user and supplier of PEDs to elite athletes.

In 2008, in the US government’s case against Olympics track coach Trevor Howard, in order to avoid prosecution, Angel agreed to testify for federal prosecutors. He revealed that he supplied PEDs to Marion Jones and other star athletes in various sports.

During the trial, a New York Times article profiled him:

“Mr. Heredia, a former Mexican national discus champion, is a secretive figure on the track circuit who describes himself as a chemist, scientist and nutritionist…He said he used family connections to pharmacies and labs in Mexico to help his business. For years, Mr. Heredia said, he helped clients flout the rules and easily avoided detection. Substances like the human growth hormone and the blood booster erythropoietin or EPO, are still virtually impossible to detect, and it’s still easy to use testosterone with fast acting creams, he said. ’You combine all these things – boom! – you get amazing results.’ Mr. Heredia said.”

One report also indicated that he had created about 20 different PEDs which he claimed are undetectable.

A 2009 German documentary downloadable in YouTube shows Angel injecting himself with a PED and telling the viewers how easy it is to get these drugs in Mexico.

Even the famed Freddie Roach, iconic trainer of Manny Pacquiao, doubted that the new bulked up chiseled body the 39 year old Marquez brought to the ring – was the result of natural training. Roach’s comment: “I’ll kiss his ass if it is.” Marquez so far has kept his pants up.

In their three previous fights, Pacquiao took Marquez’ best punches and not once did Marquez knock him down. In this last fight, Marquez showed unusual power first knocking down Pacquiao in the third round with a powerful hard right on the face and then in the sixth, knocked Pacquiao cold with a frightful monster right on the jaw. The Pacman crushed to the canvas face down unconscious for a scary two to three minutes. A lesser conditioned fighter could very well have died from that Hulk punch.

Was Marquez fueled by PEDs in his last fight with Pacquiao?

Maybe yes. Maybe no. Visual indicators certainly point to that direction. Various articles in the electronic and printed media suggest that this may be the case especially with PEDs expert Angel in Marquez’ corner. According to TV boxing commentator Jim Lampley, after the Pacquiao-Marquez fight, Mexican boxing great Erik Morales tweeted the comment: “The Mexican pharmacy was better.” – and then deleted this, probably concerned about being criticized by his countrymen.

Or course, Marquez and his camp understandably deny these doping allegations. However, he and his trainer should welcome investigations to clear the air of these accusations of cheating.

Not only is it obvious cheating to use PEDs in any sport, but in boxing and other martial arts sports, it’s deadly dangerous and criminal to do so. It can result in death, brain damage, blindness or other serious injuries to boxers.

But PEDs testing in boxing is among the most lax in sporting events. Standard uniform testing for PEDs are not even required for major boxing events. Strict testing for PEDs has to be included in the contract between two fighters to make it happen. In the case of Pacquiao-Marquez 4, no pre-fight testing was even done for both fighters.

One would think that the gods of boxing such as the managers, trainers, promoters, state boxing commissioners, federal officials and the boxers themselves – ought to recognize that they bear a heavy moral responsibility in preventing death or permanent brain and other serious damages to boxers by establishing uniform stricter testing protocols for PEDs – but they don’t.

“As long as the money is very good, why rock the boat?” seems to be the attitude.

Bovine dung! Greed should not be the primary polestar and mantra of the movers and shakers in the sweet science world. They owe it to the fans, the boxers and the sport to at least have fair fights and reasonable protection of life and limb for the gladiators who are engaged in an already dangerous sport.

In the case of cycling, the situation was similar. Despite heightened suspicions of PEDs use by Armstrong and other cyclists, the governing International Cycling Union appeared not to be taking affirmative action to correct the situation. In fact they were party to constant general denials that PEDs were involved in their sport. Too much money was involved from sponsors, advertisers and other sources to risk changes.

It took the US Anti Doping Agency (USADA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to seriously investigate drug use by cyclists that helped lead to Armstrong’s shocking confession of his use of PEDs to win an unprecedented seven Tour de France titles.

In the case of the US boxing world, it is high time for state and federal officials to step in and seriously investigate the use of PEDs by boxers – starting with the last Pacquiao-Marquez fight. Preventing cheating as well as unnecessary deaths and serious injuries to athletes is a very legitimate moral concern for everyone.

The USADA should also be involved in urging uniform strict testing for PEDs in boxing. Even if this organization’s main mandate is control over the anti-doping programs for U.S. Olympics, Paralympics, Pan American and Parapan American sporting events, it can use its influence to change the doping landscape for the good of all.

Angel is also the conditioning coach for Jamaican track and field star Usain Bolt who broke speed records and won all kinds of medals in the last Olympics.

The phone number of USADA within the US is 800-233-0393. From outside the U.S., call 001-719-785 2020. Their email is: drugreference@usantidoping.org

Please join the call to have a uniform strict drug testing protocol for the sport of boxing. It will prevent cheating, save lives and prevent brain damage and other serious injuries to boxers.

Email this article to the USADA or call urging them to investigate the Pacquiao-Marquez fight and for them to push for a uniform strict drug testing procedure for boxing events. Thank you for your concern.

(laguatanlaw@gmail.com)

Philippines, Japan Pledge Tighter Cooperation

Source: Voice of America

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (R) talks to Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in Manila, January 10, 2013. (Reuters)

The Philippines’ top diplomat has pledged cooperation with Japan on tighter security, warning that China’s efforts to defend its maritime claims are threatening stability in Asia.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario made the comments after meeting in Manila with his counterpart from Tokyo, which is involved in its own tense territorial dispute with China.

Handout photograph shows the disputed islets, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, Dec. 13, 2012.

“We talked about the challenges that we appear to be facing in view of the assertions made by China,” he said. “And we did express, as I said in the bilateral meetings, what our strategies are, and how consistent we were.”

Handout photograph shows the disputed islets, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, Dec. 13, 2012. (Reuters)

Del Rosario said he was concerned about what he called China’s “very threatening” moves in the South China Sea, including establishing a local authority to govern the disputed area and giving police permission to board and seize unauthorized foreign ships.

He said he expects the Philippines to soon acquire 10 new patrol vessels and a communications system from Japan to help boost its maritime patrolling capabilities.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said deeper ties with Manila were necessary to help shape a “peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.”

Both countries are involved in territorial disputes with China that have worsened in recent months. Japan and China both claim an uninhabited archipelago in the East China Sea, while the Philippines and China have overlapping claims to a shoal in the nearby South China Sea.

Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan also have disputes with China over maritime territory.

Fight Less and Work More

GLIMPSES
By Jose Ma. Montelibano

If there is a moment in these last almost 500 years for the country and our people to finally take off, it is now. It is now actually a situation where the dream is so near, but we must not let it slip away.

It used to be that we had to fight the Spaniards to be free. It used to be that we had to fight the Americans to control our own land. It used to be that we had to fight the Japanese when they invaded us.

Now, we have mostly only ourselves to fight – and we do. Old habits die hard. Almost five centuries of being divided and the Filipino psyche has no memory of oneness. There have been moments when Filipinos achieved a modicum of solidarity, but less from a desire for unity than a forced reaction from external threats or unbearable abuse by the foreign master.

Maybe, then, the China situation can help bring us together. China has been growing steadily for decades – politically, economically and militarily. It appears that China has attained parity with the United States, for so long the only superpower of the world. This new found power has been accompanied with new found confidence – maybe even arrogance. It does not only threaten to soon be the number one economy of the world, it has laid claims over lands and seas that all its neighbors have also considered theirs.

The territorial claims of China can be considered ridiculous if it were not for the fact that China has begun talking and acting aggressively. Historical disputes with Japan and Vietnam have been rekindled by these claims – so much so that Japan is suddenly thinking of re-arming itself and is setting aside more than $2 billion for new military equipment.

The Philippines has not been spared by this bullying posture of China. From Scarborough Shoal to the Spratlys, the sovereignty of the Philippines has been attacked by Chinese pronouncements and actions. Filipino fishermen are now unable to fish at Scarborough because Chinese maritime ships prevent them. That is tantamount to a Chinese takeover.

For one reason or another, the potentially explosive conflict with China over territories of strategic importance to Filipinos has not generated widespread interest, much less concern. It is almost as if there is a concerted effort to downplay the controversy. Most Filipinos appear unaware while Chinese media in some southern provinces of China have actually been engaged in massive propaganda to turn the sentiments of the people there against the Philippines.

I can understand that our government will not wish to whip up a hysteria against China among our people. Faced with the extreme superiority of the Chinese military that we do not know how to address effectively, there is also the economic and social factor.

The dominance of Chinese goods in the Philippines is not because we think these are the best but because these are what we can afford. A little noise has been raised about boycotting Chinese products. It has not generated much support because there are no substitutes for Chinese products that our people can afford.

More seriously in special ways is the dominance of Chinese-Filipinos over the Philippine economy. Most major companies and general trading business are owned by Filipinos of Chinese descent. These Filipino-Chinese, or Chinoys, have remained deliberately quiet ever since the Scarborough Shoal issue erupted last year. Nothing is more threatening to them than an emotional backlash against China that will focus its attention on them.

There are other issues that have diverted public attention away from China’s creeping takeover of Philippine territory. Typhoon Pablo is one with its deadly impact on Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. The death and missing toll is the worst in our history. The impact to land and people cannot just be fixed even by the most massive of rehabilitation work. Banana trees have to be replanted and safer ground for the displaced residents of these provinces have to be identified and developed.

Then, there is the RH Bill that is now a law – signed, sealed and delivered. Not so, says the Catholic Church, who says it will question its constitutionality before the Supreme Court. It is not enough for some that great controversy and emotional conflict had accompanied the long process of a bill ultimately becoming a law, they want more. It is not enough that politicians fight politicians, that NPAs fight government, that Muslims fight Christians, that even police fight police, we must have Catholics fight Catholics.

Countering this contentious background is the desire of Filipinos to have more than just a continuing replay of a broken society. The spirit of involvement and volunteerism is alive. More citizens are prepared to take responsibility and contribute to building their communities. It helps greatly that the vast majority of Filipinos trust and support the President, and that P-Noy has translated political capital to political will.

A resolute leadership and a cooperative people are seeing the fruits of their alliance. The Philippine economy is not only improving, it is performing beyond expectations, attracting more investments, providing more jobs. Major infrastructure projects are in the pipeline to prepare the ground for more mobility, more connectedness, and more economic activities.

The stock market has broken record after record for two years. There are more foreign reserves than there are foreign debts. Tourism is setting its own record number of visitors as the world is beginning to know just how beautiful and fun the Philippines can be. Today, too, more Filipinos are proud to be Filipino.

Yes, there is still poverty, hunger, landlessness, and homelessness. We need to have less Filipinos work abroad at the cost of separating from their families. But the meter for despair is lower, and the meter for hope is much higher. Even hunger incidence found improvement recently, again giving hope that we may yet beat it.

We are almost there. We just need to fight less and work more. We just need to be together.