The Asian Journal, which has a weekly New York/New Jersey edition attended the “strictly by invitation only” press conference with Mayor Giuliani together with a few selected members of the media, including AJ publisher Roger Lagmay Oriel, who was a personal guest of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. Mr. Oriel talked briefly with Mr. Giuliani after the press conference regarding the forthcoming Republican Party convention in August. The Asian Journal was the only Filipino-American newspaper invited to the exclusive press conference where Mr. Giuliani said, “Ronald Reagan is my hero.”
Distinguished for his handling of the post-World Trade Center attacks, Giuliani delivered a talk on Leadership in Times of Crisis. For his efforts during and after the 9-11 attacks, he was named “Person of the Year” by Time Magazine in 2001, knighted by the Queen of England, dubbed “Rudy the Rock” by French President Jacquest Chirac and presented with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Freedom Award by former first lady Nancy Reagan.
Mayor Giuliani was also credited with cutting the murder rate in New York City by 66% and the overall crime index dipped by 56%, making New York City—once considered the crime capital of the country—the safest among the largest cities in America, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. New York City’s law enforcement strategy has become a model for other cities around the world.
He also implemented the largest and most successful welfare-to-work initiative in the country, turning welfare offices into Job Centers and reducing welfare rolls by 640,000—nearly 60%.
Aside from Mayor Giuliani’ lecture, the forum was highlighted as well by a roundtable discussion from the key Philippine leaders of government, business and foreign service. Discussants were Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, British Ambassador Peter Beckingham, Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of TLC Beatrice, Mr. Miguel Belmonte, Philippine Star publisher, Bro. Armin Luistro, De La Salle-Manila president and general manager of James Lafferty, Procter & Gamble Philippines.
Also delivering addresses were Mr. Oscar Lopez, chairman and CEO of First Philippines Holdings Inc., and Benpres Holdings Inc.; Butch Jimenez, senior VP of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.; and Ces Drilon, broadcast journalist of ABS-CBN.
Former President Joseph Estrada also attended the event.
The event was also mounted in partnership with ANC, Business Mirror, Business World, Manila Bulletin, Manila Broadcasting Company and Philippine Daily Inquirer.
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