MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno S. Aquino III is Celebrating his 52nd Birth Anniversary on February 8, 2012. Born February 8, 1960, in Manila, President Aquino is the third of five children of the martyred Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. His sisters are Maria Elena, Aurora Corazon, Victoria Eliza, and Kristina Bernadette.

President Aquino attended the Ateneo de Manila University for his elementary, high school, and college education. In 1981, he graduated with the degree Bachelor of Arts in Economics, after which he joined his family in exile in the United States. He returned to the Philippines after his father passed away on August 23, 1983, and worked for a while in the private sector and family business. In 1998, he was elected member of the House of Representatives, representing his home province of Tarlac, and was reelected in 2001 and 2004. In 2007, he was elected to the Philippine Senate.

After his mother passed away on August 1, 2009, he ran for President on a platform of good governance and won. He was sworn into office at the Quirino Grandstand as the 15th President of the Philippines on June 30, 2010. His policy of “Daang Matuwid” continues to guide agencies and leaders of our government.

He visited the United States for his official trip abroad, followed by trips to several other countries, seeking to strengthen bilateral and diplomatic relationships with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and enhance business partnerships with leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

He signed legislation of far-ranging significance — Republic Act (RA) 10149, GOCC Governance Act of 2011, which seeks to curb abuses in government firms; RA 10150, amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act; RA 10151, allowing the employment of night workers; RA 10152, providing for mandatory basic immunization services for infants and children; RA 10153, synchronizing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s election with national and local polls; RA 10154, to ensure the early release of retirement pay, pensions, gratuities of retiring government employees; and RA 10157, institutionalizing the Kindergarten education into the Basic Education System.

The Manila Bulletin led by its Chairman, President, Editor-in-Chief, and other officials join the nation and the Filipino people in greeting His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, on the occasion of his 52nd Birth Anniversary on February 8, 2012. We wish him all the best and success in all endeavors.  HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  MR. PRESIDENT AND MABUHAY!