Remarks by Ambassador Francis Ricciardone
At the 15th Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Fellowships
for Professional Development awards ceremony
December 11, 2003
Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. Welcome.
Mrs. Aquino, members of the Aquino family, Father Layson, Mr. Rimban,
embassy colleagues, distinguished guests, former IVP grantees, Aquino
grantees, friends.
Thank you so much for coming. It’s a privilege and honor
to welcome you to my home for the 15th Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Fellowships
for Professional Development Award Ceremony.
This event gives us a perfect opportunity not only to celebrate
but also to join in carrying forward the lifework of two Filipino
heroes. Senator Ninoy Aquino and former President Cory Aquino, dedicated
advocates for freedom and democracy, this couple continues to strengthen
civil society and democratic institutions in the Philippines due
to their untiring efforts and inspiring legacy. And what more important
moment to do so than this one – the eve of national elections
campaigns in both our countries.
The media in any country play the single, most indispensable role
in any democracy, and particularly during elections campaigns. Here
in the Republic of the Philippines where there is no formal, primary
election process, nor any party-winnowing process for the candidates,
the media plays an increasingly and unusually powerful role in determining
who will stand for election to lead this country.
Thus the Philippines media bears a civic responsibility that could
not be any higher. It could not be a heavier burden than that which
is born by the media representatives in this country. Senator Aquino
was a talented journalist and he was a dedicated public servant.
To commemorate his service in these two professions, and to contribute
to elevating the standards of public service and the standards of
journalism to the levels that he upheld and that President Aquino
has always upheld, the United States Embassy selects two Aquino
fellows each year. The honorees for 2004 are Father Roberto Layson
for public service and Ms. Luz Rimban for journalism.
Father Layson, Parish Priest in Pikit, Cotabato is a champion for
peace. He dedicated his career to promoting interreligious dialogue
and conflict resolution in strife-ridden areas of Mindanao. Through
his “Spaces for Peace” he has helped to create some
normalcy in the lives of his community.
Luz Rimban, the Broadcast Director for the Philippine Center for
Investigative Journalism, is a champion for responsible journalism.
Through her award-winning investigative reports, she has educated
the Philippine public about environmental disasters, child-labor
cases, women’s issues, government corruption, and examples
of good governance.
The Aquino Fellows will travel on a 3-4 week professional exchange
program to the United States through the U.S. Embassy’s International
Visitor Program. We hope this people-to-people diplomacy will bolster
their efforts to promote a free, yet responsible, press and to foster
peace and mutual understanding among diverse communities in the
Philippines.
Madame President, thank you for lending your proud name and your
personal support as well as your late husband’s name and his
memory, to this mission and to this program. And thanks to all of
you who have joined us here today for coming and helping the United
States Embassy celebrate the achievements and the promise of the
2004 Aquino fellows. I have no doubt that Senator Aquino would have
been very, very proud of their work.
Welcome again to everyone, mabuhay, maraming salamat.
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