Rizal Hall, Malacañang
12 January 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III offered a toast as he thanked the partners from other nations and the different sectors of Philippine society during the New Year’s Vin d’Honneur in Malacañan Palace.

In his brief remarks, President Aquino expressed his gratitude to all those who responded when the country was hit by natural disasters. “As President, I will never forget how the world reached out to the Philippines when we were affected by Typhoons Haiyan and Hagupit,” he said.

He also stressed that each nation is responsible for the world and its future, whether in combating climate change and its effects, in fighting for equality or in taking a stand against terrorism and instability. “We can work together: each person and each country doing its part to collectively solve all these issues,” he added.

In reply, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto thanked President Aquino and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario for their assistance rendered to the diplomatic community. He then raised a glass to President Aquino and to the greater prosperity of the Filipino people.

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