Presidency of Benigno Aquino III

When Aquino assumed office on June 30, 2010, the Supreme Court of the Philippines was dominated by a Chief Justice and associate justices that were appointed by his predecessor Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The only vacancy was for the associate justice seat that Renato Corona left behind after Arroyo appointed him Chief Justice on May 17, 2010 — a move that Aquino considered as a midnight appointment.[18][19] To fill the vacancy, Aquino appointed Maria Lourdes Sereno, a former government counsel in the Fraport case in Singapore involving the construction and turnover of the NAIA Terminal 3, as the 169th associate justice on August 13, 2010.[33][34]

Aquino made no secret of his opposition to Chief Justice Corona's appointment. He openly criticized the latter, such as on December 6, 2011, at the National Criminal Justice Summit held in Manila Hotel, when Aquino said in a speech that Corona, who was seated meters away from him, is beholden to Arroyo.[35] Aside from Arroyo's midnight appointment of Corona, Aquino also questioned the court's granting of a temporary restraining order lifting the watch list order of the Department of Justice against Arroyo[35] and the ruling of Camarines Sur's two new legislative districts as constitutional despite falling short of the required population set by the Constitution, which Aquino earlier questioned in the Supreme Court in 2009.[36][37]

On December 12, 2011, six days after Aquino's speech, his allies in the House of Representatives, where he has a sizable majority, voted to impeach Corona from his position.[38] Among the violations he was accused of committing that were included in the Articles of Impeachment are betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption stemming from his alleged failure to disclose to the public his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth as required under the Constitution.[39] In an impeachment trial in the Senate that lasted from December 14, 2011, to May 29, 2012, senators voted to impeach Corona in a 20–3 vote based on Article 2 of the impeachment articles,[40][41][42] after it was revealed that Corona failed to disclose four dollar accounts and three peso accounts in his SALN.[41][42][43] Following Corona's impeachment, Aquino appointed Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on August 24, 2012.[44][45][46]

Aside from Sereno, Aquino also appointed five other associate justices to the Supreme Court:

1. Bienvenido L. Reyes – August 20, 2011[47]
2. Estela Perlas-Bernabe – September 16, 2011[48]
3. Marvic Leonen – November 21, 2012[49]
4. Francis Jardeleza – August 19, 2014[50]
5. Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa – January 22, 2016[51]

• Inaugural Address, (June 30, 2010)
• First State of the Nation Address, (July 26, 2010)
• Second State of the Nation Address, (July 25, 2011)
• Third State of the Nation Address, (July 23, 2012)
• Fourth State of the Nation Address, (July 22, 2013)
• Fifth State of the Nation Address, (July 28, 2014)
• Sixth State of the Nation Address, (July 27, 2015)

Throughout his presidency, Aquino promoted a larger private sector role in infrastructure development in the Philippines in order to hasten the financing, construction and operation of key infrastructure projects such as expressways, airports, and railways that would spur economic activity and growth. On September 9, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 8, which reorganized the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) Center into the Public-Private Partnership Center, which was tasked to facilitate, coordinate and monitor all public-private partnership projects, build-operate-transfer scheme projects, and private sector participation projects.[64][65]

The Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway was the first PPP project approved by the Aquino administration, with Ayala Corporation winning the concession to build and operate the P2.2 billion four-kilometer toll road on December 16, 2011.[66] After delays in the acquisition of right-of-way, construction began in May 2013 and the expressway opened on July 24, 2015, with Aquino being the first person to drive through the toll road.[67]

Several other PPP projects were also either approved, constructed or completed during the Aquino administration:

• The P9.89 billion PPP for School Infrastructure Project Phase 1, which the Aquino administration approved on December 19, 2011, aims address the backlog in the number of classrooms in public elementary and high schools in the Philippines by building 9,303 one-storey and two-storey classrooms, including furniture and fixtures, in various sites in Regions I, III and IV-A. The project was completed and inaugurated on January 6, 2016.
• The P3.86 billion PPP for School Infrastructure Project Phase 2, which the Aquino administration approved on November 29, 2012. The project aims to construct 4,370 one-storey, two-storey, three-storey and four-storey classrooms, including furniture, fixtures, and toilets in 1,895 public schools in six regions (Regions I, II, III, X, CAR, and CARAGA). By October 31, 2015, 1,690 classrooms were already completed and delivered to the government, with the rest expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
• The P1.72 billion Automated Fare Collection System for the MRT 3 and LRT Lines 1 and 2. The project, which the Aquino administration approved in 2012, aims to decommission the old magnetic-based ticketing system and replace it with contactless-based smart card technology called the Beep card, with the introduction of a centralized back office that will perform apportionment of revenues. AF Payments Inc., a joint venture of Ayala Corporation and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation won the contract to develop, operate and maintain the fare collection system. The company launched the Beep card in the MRT 3 and LRT Lines 1 and 2 on July 20, 2015. It has since been introduced in other forms of public transportation such as the EDSA Busway, BGC Bus and Cebu's Topline Express Ferries, as well as in convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Ministop.
• The P26.5 billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, a 14.8-kilometer, elevated expressway envisioned to decongest traffic in Metro Manila. The project is an extension of the original Skyway project from Buendia to Magallanes (Stage 1) and Magallanes to Alabang (Stage 2), which would connect it with the North Luzon Expressway in Caloocan.

During the inaugural address, Aquino created the no ‘wang-wang’ policy, strengthening the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 96.[68][69] The term ‘wang-wang’ is a street lingo for blaring sirens.[70] Presidential Decree No. 96 was issued on January 13, 1973, by former President Ferdinand Marcos, regulating the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns and other similar devices only to motor vehicles designated for the use of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and ambulances.[68][69] However, despite having the privilege of using ‘wang-wang’, Aquino maintained he would set the example for his no ‘wang-wang’ policy, not to use ‘wang-wang’, even if it means being stuck in traffic and being late every now and then.[71][72] Aquino also traded the official black presidential Mercedes Benz S-Guard limousine for a white Toyota Land Cruiser 200.[71] After the inaugural address, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority began to enforce Aquino's no ‘wang-wang’ policy, confiscating ‘wang-wang’ from public officials and private motorists who illegally used them.[69]

On June 29, 2010, Aquino announced the formation of a truth commission that will investigate various issues including corruption allegations against outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Aquino named former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. to head the truth commission.[73] However, the Supreme Court struck down the said commission because it "violates the equal protection clause of the constitution".

On July 30, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 1, creating the Truth Commission.[74] The commission is tasked to investigate various anomalies and issues including graft and corruption allegations against the past administration, government officials and their accomplices in the private sector during the last nine years.[74] The commission has until December 31, 2012, to complete its mission.[74] Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. will head the commission.[74]

On August 4, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 2, signed on July 30, 2010, ordering the immediate removal of all midnight appointments made by the previous administration for violating the 60-day constitutional ban on presidential appointments before a national election.[75]

On August 6, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 3, signed on July 30, 2010, an executive order revoking Executive Order No. 883, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on May 28, 2010, that automatically promoted lawyers in government executive service to the rank of Career Executive Service Officer III (CESO III).[76]

On August 9, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 4, signed on July 30, 2010, reorganizing and renaming the Office of the Press Secretary as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO),[77][78] and creating the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).[77][78] Aquino appointed former ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) anchor Ricky Carandang and Herminio Coloma as secretaries of the new media communications group.[78][79]

On September 1, 2010, Aquino implemented Executive Order No. 5, signed on August 25, 2010, an executive order amending Executive Order No. 594, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on December 20, 2006, stating the rules governing the appointment or designation and conduct of special envoys.[80] Executive Order No. 5 prevents special envoys from using the title "ambassador".[80]

On September 2, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 6, extending the duration of the operations of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC) to December 30, 2010.[81]

On September 8, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 7, ordering the suspension of all allowances, bonuses and incentives of board members of government-owned and-controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) until December 31, 2010.[82]

On September 9, 2010, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 8, reorganizing and renaming the Build-Operate and Transfer Center (BOT) to the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPP) and transferring its attachment from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).[83]

On August 14, 2010, Aquino directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to fully implement Executive Order No. 255, issued on July 25, 1987, by former President Corazon Aquino, requiring all radio stations to broadcast a minimum of four original Filipino musical compositions every hour.[84]

On August 16, 2010, Aquino launches his official presidential website. The presidential website's aim is to create communication between Aquino and the people, getting feedback from the people, telling Aquino their woes and grievances.[85]

On July 14, 2010, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) called an emergency meeting in Camp Aguinaldo to assess the damage caused by Typhoon Basyang.[86] Aquino attended the meeting to obtain information on the damage caused by Typhoon Basyang and to personally monitor the repair and recovery work in the aftermath of the typhoon.[86] In the meeting, Aquino criticized the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for failing to predict and to warn the residents of Metro Manila that Typhoon Basyang would ravage Metropolitan Manila.[86][87]

On August 6, 2010, Aquino announced the removal of Prisco Nilo as administrator of PAGASA.[88] PAGASA was directly under Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Research and Development (R&D) Graciano Yumul.[88] A special order from DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, dated August 5, 2010, designated Yumul as PAGASA administrator, replacing Nilo.[88] On August 7, 2010, Malacañang announced that Yumul will be heading PAGASA temporarily, for only three months, as PAGASA will undergo a "reorientation" to improve its services.[89] Aquino has yet to name the new administrator who will permanently head PAGASA.[89]

During Aquino's first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Aquino announced his intention to reform the education system in the Philippines by shifting to K–12 education, a 12-year basic education cycle.[90] K–12 education is used in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

On September 30, 2010, Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said that Aquino might face excommunication from the Catholic Church for supporting the Reproductive Health Bill, the plan to distribute and give Filipino couples the choice to use contraceptives for artificial birth control.[91] However, despite the possibility of excommunication, Aquino said that he is not changing his position on contraceptive use.[91] In January 2013, Aquino signed legislation which funds contraceptives for poor individuals; the law has been challenged in the Philippine Supreme Court.[92]

United States President Barack Obama with President Benigno Aquino III at a working lunch with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations around the United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York City.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers remarks at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact agreement signing ceremony with President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, on September 23, 2010.

On September 20, 2010, Aquino delivered his departure statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), before leaving for his first official trip to the United States.[93] Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Finance Cesar Purisima, Secretary of Trade & Industry Gregory Domingo, and Secretary of Energy Jose Rene Almendras, including 34 businessmen and 12 officials and support staff of the Presidential Communications Operations Office joined Aquino in the trip.[93] On September 28, 2010, Aquino arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), after his week-long working visit to the United States.[94] Aquino delivered his arrival statement at NAIA.[94]

On September 22, 2010, Aquino delivered his speech during yes the Citibank Economic Conference in New York City.

On September 23, 2010, Aquino delivered his remarks at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact agreement signing ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The US$434-million MCC compact agreement will fund the Aquino administration's various programs on poverty reduction, revenue generation, and infrastructure development.[93]

On September 24, 2010, Aquino delivered his statement before the 65th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

On September 24, 2010, Aquino had a seven-minute one-on-one talk with President of the United States Barack Obama during the 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-US Leaders Meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.[95][96] During the meeting, Aquino recognized the United States’ commitment to reinvigorating its relationship with the region and its individual nations at a time of ever-increasing complexity in global affairs.[95] Obama expressed his determination to elevate RP-US relations to a higher level, and welcomed the Aquino administration's anti-corruption efforts.[95] Aquino and Obama also discussed military matters, about the possible removal of thousands of tons of war materials that Allied forces had left behind on Corregidor Island during World War II.[96]

President Benigno Aquino III (3rd to the right) and other ASEAN leaders during the 2nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, Hanoi, Vietnam, October 30, 2010.

On October 26, 2010, Aquino delivered his departure statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), before leaving for his first official trip to Vietnam.[97] On October 31, 2010, Aquino arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), after his first official trip to Vietnam.[98] Aquino delivered his arrival statement at NAIA.[98]

On October 26, 2010, Aquino met with President of Vietnam Nguyễn Minh Triết at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam.[97] Aquino and Triết signed four memorandum of agreement on four areas of cooperation, namely, higher education, defense, oil spill preparedness and response, and search and rescue at sea.[97] Aquino also met with Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyễn Tấn Dũng.[97]

On October 28, 2010, Aquino delivered his statement during the ASEAN Leaders’ Retreat in Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 29, 2010, Aquino delivered his statements during the 13th ASEAN-Japan Summit, 13th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, 13th ASEAN-China Summit, 13th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, and 3rd ASEAN-UN Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. On October 30, 2010, Aquino delivered his statements during the 8th ASEAN-India Summit, 5th East Asia Summit, 2nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, ASEAN-Australia Summit, and ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.

On November 11, 2010, Aquino delivered his departure statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), before leaving for his first official trip to Japan for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Yokohama, Japan.[99]

On November 12, 2010, Aquino delivered his speech during the APEC CEO Summit in Yokohama, Japan.

On November 14, 2010, Aquino delivered his statement during the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting Retreat in Yokohama, Japan.