Strategic partnership is based on a shared set of values. Benigno Aquino III More Quotes by Benigno Aquino III More Quotes From Benigno Aquino III I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen. Benigno Aquino III brother country son My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its fullest potential: that of ensuring equality for all. My family has sacrificed much and I am willing to do this again if necessary. Benigno Aquino III democracy mother father I was put into office by the people who believed in my idea that corruption is the root of poverty; that an end to corruption would mean an end to poverty. Benigno Aquino III roots mean ideas The Philippines is strategically located and blessed with the greatest resource: its people, who are hard-working, very loyal, and very adaptive. Benigno Aquino III hard-work blessed people The message has to be sent that if you commit a crime there has to be punishment. Benigno Aquino III punishment crime messages Although I was born to famous parents, I know and feel the problems of ordinary citizens. Benigno Aquino III citizens parent ordinary Tourism is a crucial industry that could employ millions of Filipinos, skilled and unskilled alike, cross those 7,107 islands of the Philippines. From the current projection of 3.3 million tourist arrivals in 2010, our aim is to eventually attract 6 million tourists. In the process, we expect to create 3 million jobs in the next six years. Benigno Aquino III islands jobs years I remove a lot of the pressure from myself by saying I'm not competing with my parents. They are the persons who taught me my ideology. They actively practiced what they preached. They're the exemplars and the role models. So how does one compete with a mentor? Benigno Aquino III mentor role-models parent I'm not concentrated or concerned with any other factors rather than just being able to do the best job that I can. Benigno Aquino III best-job able jobs The Philippines has vast minerals that are still untapped. It has one of the world's largest deposits of gold, nickel, copper and chromite. Through responsible mining, we intend to generate more revenues from the extraction of these resources. Benigno Aquino III uranium-mining gold world When I was a congressman, I had occasion to talk to this group of students who were taking their seat. There were about 80 of them and I asked them, 'How many of you will be serving in the country once you graduate?' And, out of the 80, there were two that raised their hands. The rest were thinking of leaving. Benigno Aquino III country hands thinking Peace in the Middle East is of prime importance to the Philippines, due to the presence of around 2 million of our countrymen working in that region. Benigno Aquino III philippines prime middle-east Pictorial is something that I am not used to. You have to pose, smile, bend your arm, straighten up, look to the left. Benigno Aquino III i-am look you smile The most powerful person can wind up in jail. Benigno Aquino III person jail powerful wind Anytime emotions are involved, you cannot come up with an impartial and objective assessment of any given problem. Benigno Aquino III cannot emotions you problem The Philippines-U.S. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement takes our security cooperation to a higher level of engagement, reaffirms our country's commitment to mutual defense and security, and promotes regional peace and stability. Benigno Aquino III security peace country commitment Both President Obama and I shared the conviction that territorial and maritime disputes in the Asia Pacific region should be settled peacefully based on international law. We affirm that arbitration is an open, friendly and peaceful approach to seeking a just and durable solution. Benigno Aquino III solution just peaceful law President Obama and I recognize the importance of strong economic engagement for the continued growth of both the Philippines and the United States. Benigno Aquino III economic growth strong president My administration's compact with the Filipino people will demand no less than the attainment of lasting peace and equitable prosperity. We will employ all the tools at our disposal to achieve this. Benigno Aquino III will achieve peace people I try to put myself in others' shoes: How does any country give up any sovereignty and expect to survive as a government? I don't think that any Philippine president, or any leader for that matter, can afford to give up any portion of territorial sovereignty. That would be political suicide. Benigno Aquino III myself shoes government suicide