Fighting corruption to remain PNoy's biggest challenge in 2011 - Palace

Fighting corruption and poverty will be the biggest challenge of President Benigno Aquino III in 2011, a Malacañang spokesperson said on Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Aquino administration is expecting a tough fight when it comes to fulfilling it campaign promise of “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap (if there’s no corruption, there’s no poverty)." “Our vision is really moving forward and implementing reforms. We are confident that these reforms will continue until 2011 so that the investments will come in," she said. She said the Aquino administration has shown that it is transparent in its governance. “Ito po ay isang pamahalaan na talagang nagmamalasakit sa inyo. Walang mistrust, walang suspicion (This government really cares about the people. No mistrust, no suspicion)." Aquino has already created a commission to investigate allegedly corruption scandals in the Arroyo administration. In his speech to the Filipino community in Vietnam last October, Aquino spoke of projects that had been reviewed and whose costs have been brought down. He said one project in the Department of Agriculture was supposed to cost P60 million, but the cost was cut by half after the government was informed that the specifications for the equipment were made to favor one company. Aquino has repeatedly said in his speeches that the new government is being hampered from implementing reforms by people who want to keep the status quo because they benefit from it. He has also urged overseas Filipinos and investors not to be dissuaded by negative news from the media. Valte advised Filipinos to prepare for the challenges of 2011 by taking care of their health during the Christmas season and to practice austerity. “We can celebrate a meaningful Christmas without going over the top…Eat in moderation, take care of yourself because we still have 2011 to prepare for. Sana po walang (I hope there’s no) common illnesses. Enjoy Christmas with good health," she said. - KBK, GMANews.TV