MANILA, Philippines -- President Benigno Aquino III has vowed to step up efforts in running after those "who seek to perpetuate the culture of impunity" in the country during the New Year's vin d' honneur at the Palace on Friday.
Aquino said his administration will "not relent" in its accountability efforts as he raised a toast to "stability and prosperity" during the event which was attended by members of the diplomatic community, lawmakers from both the majority and minority, the top brass of the military and the police, and several industry captains.
"I am confident that so long as we stand together and remain consistent in our services to the public, our countrymen will be behind us every step of the way," Aquino said.
In his response, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, dean of the diplomatic corps, underscored the resiliency of Filipinos during times of calamities.
"Filipinos never yield to calamities. Survivors of typhoon Sendong did not lose hope and courage to start again," Pinto said.
The ambassdor also expressed support to Aquino's efforts at forging peace agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front.
