My Daily Inquirer

If President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III ever decides to quit smoking, he can turn to one of the world's most powerful leaders, US President Barack Obama, for advice.

Aquino said he and Obama, a smoker who is also trying to quit the habit, briefly talked about the issue when the US president congratulated him over the phone Wednesday night.

"At some point I attempted some humor, sabi ko (I told him) 'Mr. President I understand we have the same issue with smoking.' Sabi niya (He told me), 'Well, I quit that already. I quit, it's your sole problem but I'm ready to offer advice,'" recalled Aquino.

"He'll send it raw," Aquino said. "'At the time that you decide to quit, I'll send the advice.' I think that was almost the exact quote."

Obama is known to be waging a public battle against smoking ever since he was elected president January last year. By his admission, Obama has slipped several times and enjoyed an occasional cigarette.

Obama called up Aquino a few hours after Congress proclaimed Aquino the next president and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay the incoming vice president.

Aquino said he had "a very pleasant conversation" with Obama, who he said seemed "very sincere" in his intention in strengthening ties with the Philippines.

The call lasted 15 to 20 minutes, longer than the phone conversation between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Aquino after his proclamation. Obama was the first one to call Aquino.

The Department of Health, anti-tobacco advocates, and other groups have urged Aquino to quit smoking, saying that aside from causing health problems, his habit may pose security woes.

Aquino's smoking habit has even been featured on the New York Times.

Aquino, however, has maintained that he does not intend to kick off the habit anytime soon.

"Noong tumakbo ako, alam ng taumbayan [na] naninigarilyo ako. At the appropriate time na hihinto ako, titigil ako. So long as nako-control ako sa mga batas at wala akong naiistorbo baka parte ito ng kalayaan kong natitira ," Aquino said back then.

Posted by Jessie James

US President Barack Obama called President-elect Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III Wednesday night to congratulate him on his proclamation by Congress as the winner in the May 10 presidential elections.

Obama likewise congratulated Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay thorough Aquino in a phone call past 9 p.m to the Aquino house on Times St., Quezon City.

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US Embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thomas confirmed the call on GMA News’ late-night Saksi newscast.

"President Obama called President-elect Aquino to congratulate him and Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay on their victories in the May 10 elections," said Thomas.

"And also he wanted to congratulate the people of the Philippines for carrying out a successful first-ever automated elections," she added. US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. earlier congratulated Aquino and Binay in a statement. Amb. Thomas affirmed the US' "deep and long relationship with the Philippines, a treaty ally whose soldiers have fought alongside ours in World War II and subsequent conflicts. "We look forward to working with the new Philippine government to deepen the unwavering friendship and partnership between our two nations, and to advance our common goals for the benefit of the Southeast Asia region and the world," Thomas stated. The US maintains close economic, political and diplomatic ties with the Philippines, a former US colony. British Prime Minister David Cameron likewise sent his greetings to Aquino in a letter, referring to the strong relations between the Philippines and the United Kingdom. “As we both start our terms in office, I look forward to strengthening our cooperation in tackling the global economic crisis, working for peace and stability in the southern Philippines and advancing respect for human rights in South-East Asia," said Cameron, who was appointed Prime Minister on May 11.

Other countries, such as China, have also sent their congratulatory messages to Aquino and Binay.

“Today represents an historic moment ushering in a new era for China-Philippine relations," China’s ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao said.

According to GMA News’ Saksi newscast, Liu also noted that the proclamation fell on the exact date when China and the Philippines established diplomatic relations 35 years ago.

Source: News

Posted by Jessie James

MANILA, Philippines – A final count by the Philippine Congress shows that Benigno Aquino III has won last month's presidential elections by a landslide.

Aquino, the son of Philippine democracy icons, promised to battle corruption in his campaign against his closest opponent, ousted leader Joseph Estrada.

Congressional leaders who counted results of the May 10 election said Tuesday that Aquino garnered more than 15 million votes — about 5.7 million ahead of Estrada.

Congress will officially proclaim Aquino's victory on Wednesday.

Aquino, a 50-year-old bachelor and economics graduate, will officially become this Southeast Asian nation's 15th president on June 30. He will replace Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Source: News

Posted by Jessie James