Word: malacanang
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
After ten months in office, Aquino reflects on life in power and also the people and events that most influenced her as she made her way to Malacanang Palace...
Throughout Malacanang Palace there was a festive air. In the hall below the President's office, a large Christmas tree stood festooned with white ribbons and ornaments. The weeks of coup rumors were over now, and the presidential staff was visibly relaxed. The 60-day cease-fire with the Communist insurgents was under way, despite some violations, bringing the promise of the first peaceful Christmas in the Philippines in 17 years. Dressed in a navy blue dress with red piping, President Aquino was in a holiday mood as she greeted Hong Kong Bureau Chief William Stewart and Manila Reporter Nelly...
Security was stepped up sharply. For the first time since the overthrow of Marcos, reporters were not allowed on the Malacanang Palace grounds. Checkpoints were installed on roads leading into the capital. In midafternoon, as soon as she had told the nation of her decision to oust Enrile, the President gave the oath of office to Ileto. Then she went to the Quirino grandstand in Manila's Rizal Park and declared at a religious rally that the country had been spared a catastrophe. "I suppose our prayers have again been answered," she said, "because this afternoon we have once again...
...Sunday afternoon Aquino summoned Enrile and Vice President Salvador Laurel to her Malacanang Palace residence. After a 25-minute session Enrile emerged smiling and waved at bystanders but made no comment. Ninety minutes later Aquino went on television to announce that the Defense Minister had stepped down. She also declared, "We shall be acting on the other resignations in the next few days," and emphasized that Ramos "has taken preventive measures against the recklessness of some elements in the military." Ileto became the first member of the new Cabinet to be sworn in. Lest anyone miss the point, Ramos issued...
While such disputes may involve genuine differences over the future course of Philippine democracy, it became clear last week that much of Enrile's rancor is rooted in the recent past. The seeds of discord date from the very revolution that put Aquino in Malacanang Palace and Enrile at her side. Aquino supporters describe the heady February revolution as a popular uprising that was backed by the military. Enrile, on the other hand, paints Marcos' ouster as a military revolt that enjoyed popular support. "Cory didn't give me my job. I already had it," Enrile said more than once...