P-Noy wins Asian communication award

MANILA, Philippines –  President Aquino won this year’s prestigious Public Affairs Asia’s Gold Standard Award for Political Communications, beating Lee Kuan Yew, minister mentor and first prime minister of Singapore, British Prime Minister David Cameron, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan,and Ambika Soni, India’s minister of information and broadcasting.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said in a press briefing yesterday that presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda accepted the award on behalf of the President on Thursday night in Hong Kong.

Carandang said that the President was recognized for his efforts to put government publications online, specifically the Official Gazette aimed at putting all historical documents emanating from the government online.

In the Gazette, presidential speeches, pronouncements, and other presidential activities are posted online, allowing accessibility to the public.

Carandang further said that the President was also recognized for his ability to communicate his message “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap” both domestically and internationally.

Public Affairs Asia executive director Craig Hoy said: “These awards celebrate the achievements of corporations, governments and NGOs (non-government organizations) and identify those professionals, consultancies and governmental figures who are driving this important process of engagement and partnership in Asia Pacific.”

Public Affairs Asia is a network of senior government relations, public affairs and corporate communications professionals operating across the Asia Pacific region.

Last year, the award went to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his exemplary work in addressing corruption in Indonesia through his Corruption Eradication Commission.