The democracy forum in Bali manifests People Power, as it harnesses the resolve of the Asian people to attain a free and opportunity-laden region, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday.
“What we continue to demonstrate here, I believe, is one of the many manifestations of People Power: of harnessing our united resolve towards a democratic regional community, one where our respective peoples fully enjoy the freedoms borne of democratic aspirations, where our peoples have the wherewithal to open the doors of opportunity for themselves and their fellowmen, and where, indeed, no one is left behind,” the President said in his speech at the 7th Bali Democracy Forum in Bali, Indonesia.
He said he stands as a leader of a proud nation that is determined to contribute even more to the discourse on regional issues.
The President also highlighted the importance of ASEAN centrality, noting that the collective growth of the region’s citizenries may only be fulfilled in a regional context.
He recognized the steps taken by the regional bloc, saying ASEAN member countries have worked to strengthen their respective institutions, and have accorded their peoples the rights due them, allowing them to fulfill their duties as citizens.
“As democracies, we share the view that the path to sustainable progress must be one that redounds to the benefit of our Bosses, the very people from whom our mandates emanate,” he said.
President Aquino further said that the current ASEAN mode of engagement considers each one as a brother in the path to mutual progress and encourages citizens to embrace the democratic way of life.
While this process requires a significant amount of time, he said, the prospects it brings are promising, and the regional partners are seeing this method bear fruit at present.
“Thus, it is incumbent upon us to continue to show our brothers and sisters in ASEAN that they chose the right path; we can do this by extending assistance to them, in every manner possible,” he added. PND
