The minister had visited Manila on a four-nation swing that included stops in Paris, New Delhi, Hongkong and Beijing. The visits centered on issues such as illegal immigration, human trafficking and smuggling, border security and resettlement of refugees.

 

Kenney said that after meeting and talking with Aquino on Sept. 17 at the presidential Malacanang Palace, it struck him that the President was "a man of sincerity, intelligence and ability".

 

The statement drew applause from the predominantly Filipino churchgoers who filled the Our Lady of Assumption church on Bathurst St. in north Toronto for the 5 p.m. Mass on Sunday (Sept. 26, 2010). 

 

A film clip of the event is available at: &feature=channel" target="_blank mce_href=&feature=channel">&feature=channel

 

"President Aquino seems authentic, he's someone who has the right orientation, someone who's working for good faith, and not out to enrich himself but to enrich the people of his country," Kenney stated.

 

His emphasis on Aquino not enriching himself received warm ovation and mild cheering, evidence that he had touched the hearts and minds of Filipinos who are toiling hard in Canada to sustain their families in the Philippines but are frustrated with rampant corruption there.

 

Kenney had only good words for Aquino and the Filipinos, specially those who are presently in Canada as doctors, nurses, ITs, caregivers and the like.

 

He thanked Filipino-Canadians for their contributions and for taking the courage to immigrate to Canada. "Canada has been enriched by the special gifts brought to it by the people of the Philippines".

 

"No one is perfect. He (Aquino) is going to have challenges -- deep economic and social challenges," the minister stressed.

 

After he spoke to the congregation, Kenney joined officials and the caregiving community in an early evening dinner of Filipino food. He obliged every single person in the church auditorium for a picture-taking with him.

 

Earlier on, Kenney briefly attended the Mass and took communion. News footage at: &feature=channel" target="_blank mce_href=&feature=channel">&feature=channel