P-Noy spends quiet New Year in Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – President Aquino arrived at the Mansion House in Baguio City Thursday night on a surprise visit.    The President’s staff had not announced an official engagement in the city but he was seen having dinner in a Chinese restaurant along Harrison Road late Thursday.      

The Mansion House has been a favorite out of town destination for presidents. Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo usually spent New Year celebrations in the residence.                        

Presidential Security Group commander Col. Ramon Mateo Dizon said Aquino purposely did not disclose his schedule to the media because he wanted privacy with his family.              

He said Aquino brought with him reports from different government agencies so he can catch up on his reading.        

 Aquino also received a mountain bike during the holidays and is looking forward to using it as part of his regular exercise.

“He intends to use it so we bought jogging shorts and are now ready to follow him,” said Dizon said in a phone interview.

Aquino will be back in Manila after the New Year celebrations.

Senators, meanwhile, expressed their best wishes for the Aquino administration in the coming year.                                   

Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Francis Pangilinan expressed confidence in Aquino’s leadership in the new year.

Zubiri also expressed optimism that the P21-billion conditional cash transfer program, the administration’s centerpiece program, will be successful.                    

 Pangilinan expressed hope that Aquino would be able to inspire people to bring change to the country. 

“We are an extremely talented, hardworking and creative people. We have proven resiliency and tenacity to endure hardships for the sake of our families and loved ones,” he said.

Senator Francis Escudero, meanwhile, renewed his call for the factions in the Cabinet to work out their differences. – With Aurea Calica, Christina Mendez