| President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday held a closed-door meeting with Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) leader Eduardo Manalo at the INC headquarters along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.In a media interview after the meeting, President Aquino expressed his gratitude for the support extended by the INC to his administration.
“First, nagpapasalamat muna ako dahil talaga namang nadama natin ang suporta throughout the administration, and even before I have been in office,” he said.
The President, who was endorsed by the religious group during the 2010 elections, said he also shared with the INC leader his vision for the Philippines after he steps down from office.
“Tapos, parang sharing also the vision of sana what [happens] after I step down from office, usual appeals and political appeals.
As usual, maganda ang pagkatanggap sa atin ni Ka Eduardo. I have no complaints but to say thanks for all the support,” said President Aquino, who did not elaborate on the appeals he made.
The INC, whose membership is estimated at one million, practices bloc-voting.
Prior to President Aquino’s visit, presidential contenders in the May 9 elections, namely Manuel Roxas II, Jejomar Binay, Rodrigo Duterte, Grace Poe, and Miriam Santiago, have met with the INC leader.
With a week remaining before election day, President Aquino urged the public to vote for candidates who will continue the reform program of the Daang Matuwid advocacy.
“Sa amin lang, nakita naman ninyo ang pruweba, yung tinatawag nating Daang Matuwid. Nasasainyo kung ipagpapatuloy ito at lalo pang mapapalakas. So, ang dulo, parati naming sinasabi, Boss namin ang taong bayan. Hihintayin namin ang hatol ng taong bayan kung ano ang gusto ng mga Boss natin,” said the President. PND (jm) |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived in Cagayan province on Monday to inaugurate the P639.89-million bridge in Barangay Masi, Pamplona town.The new 489.9-linear meter bridge replaces the 50-year-old highway bridge that connects Cagayan Valley to the Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The newly constructed bridge is expected to promote socio-economic development and spur rapid growth in terms of economic and tourism activities in Pamplona and its neighboring towns as it provides better transport facilities for goods and agricultural products of farmers and traders among the regions.
According to Public Works and Highways Regional Director Engineer Neri Bueno, the bridge is made of nine-span structural steel girders with asphalt overlay concrete deck slab. It has eight piers and two abutments, and its roadway and approaches were widened.
From Pamplona, President Aquino proceeded to Tuguegarao City for a meeting with local leaders and members of the community at the Cagayan National High School in Barangay San Gabriel. PND (jm) |
