PIA Dispatch - Thursday, March 26, 2009

PGMA lauds PNPA’s Top Graduate

PGMA lauded the woman valedictorian of PNPA. She also told the PNPA graduates to exercise frugality and to focus on resolving the political killings in the country. She also emphasized the police contribution in the reduction of crime incidents in the country. (IBC-13)

PGMA orders state agencies to “cut government waste”

Silang, Cavite, March 26 (PNA) -- “Cut government waste. Tighten your belts and live within your means.”

This was the marching order of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday to all government departments and agencies to save money for food, fuel and rice subsidies for the poorest of the poor.

Speaking before the 30th commencement exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Kaisang-Bisig Class of 2009, the President said the government “is now taking a series of moves to stop unnecessary and wasteful spending.”

She ordered all state agencies including the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the PNPA to spearhead the “belt-tightening measures” that would allow the government to provide incentives to help the private sector to generate jobs, and rescue the poor by providing them subsidies on food, fuel, and rice.

”How do we fund all these? The answer is: cut government waste. In challenging economic times, the government must tighten its belt and live within its means just like the average Filipino household," the President said.

Recently, the President had directed departments and agencies to set aside 1.5 percent of their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and save up to P7 billion to fund emergency employment and subsidies to mitigate the negative effects of global economic crisis.

She also ordered electricity and fuel saving measures to bring down by 25 percent the consumption of fossil fuels, reduce electric consumption by at least 10 percent within 10 weeks, obliging all government offices to use incandescent fluorescent bulbs to save energy and electric consumption.

The President also reiterated that the government must convert 20 percent of its vehicles in major cities to non-fossil fuels like bio-diesel.

“Government vehicles including police cars, not on official trip, should be garaged in the agency office and the keys kept by guards during weekend and holidays. Government vehicles used by officials below Cabinet rank may not have security plates unless there is imminent danger to their lives,” she stressed.

And to further save money, beginning June 12, the commemoration of the country’s 111th Independence Day, the government shall forego the annual parade which costs P30 million.
“Instead, we will hold a mega jobs fair so that our workers displaced by the global crisis can find employment or livelihood,” she continued.

The President added that savings and revenue sourced out from MOOE of all government agencies will be allocated to emergency employment for the next six months.

She, then, tasked Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to head the emergency employment champion for the province of Rizal and in Cavite, respectively.

Not only that, the President also directed Puno to provide more slots for the PNPA from 340 up to 400 slots in the next school year, upgrade the academy’s medical clinic into a primary hospital, and spend part of their savings for providing breakfast in the public schools nearest the police camp.

PGMA honors 2009 10 outstanding Filipino soldiers

Manila, March 26 - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led today the presentation of awards to the Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) 2009 in recognition of the soldier’s professionalism, gallantry and patriotism in protecting the people and preserving the nation's sovereignty.

The President led the awarding of trophies to the TOPS awardees in simple ceremonies Thursday noon at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.

The members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who were chosen outstanding soldiers from the Philippine Army are Lt. Col. Lope C. Dagoy, Staff Sergeant Fidel C. Delara, and Master Sergeant Romeo H. Jandugan.

Dagoy led joint operations of various intelligence units in his area of operations and was the first Battalion Commander to conduct Legal Offensive Seminars among his troops, while De Lara brought the military closer to the people through radio programs that disseminated information as part of the military’s counter-insurgency measures.

Jandugan, on the other hand, trained inexperienced soldiers to become effective fighters at the same time providing them with the best role model of an excellent military professional.

Winners from the Philippine Navy (PN) are Col. Romeo T. Tanalgo, Data Processor 2nd Class (Staff Sergeant) Reynor S. Calzado and Technical Sergeant Ramon B. Cabeguin.

Col. Tanalgo crafted and facilitated the approval of the Philippine Navy’s Standing Operating procedures on the accreditation of various foreign career courses for the advancement of marine and naval officers.

Calzado conceptualized and established a computerized program for the maintenance and repair of offices of the Navy which simplified the process involved in recording and monitoring administrative and operational data of navy vessels.

Cabeguin was part of the 2004 team that courageously rescued survivors of the burning Super Ferry in the vicinity of El Freile and Carballo Islands.

From the Philippine Air Force are Colonel Restituto F. Padilla Jr., Staff Sergeant Blas C. Austria and Technical Sergeant Salvador S. Buenaobra Jr.

A commandant of the PAF Flying School, Padilla managed and directed a total of 324.8 hours of air combat missions in Mindanao and against New People’s Army (NPA) rebels all of which had zero accident records.

Aside from conducting successful intelligence operations in Luzon, Austria helped established safety rules and guidelines and initiated the manufacture and installation of safety sign boards around Basa Air Base in Pampanga.

From scrap materials, Buenaobra manufactured the Portable Runway Lighting System now being used in most PAF bases in the country. He also incorporated the dual-band amateur hand-held radio in the MD-520MG attack helicopter that allowed better communication between pilots and ground troops.

The tenth awardee is Colonel Pedro G. Herrera-Davila of the Judge Advocate General Service who has recorded hundreds of convictions, including a 97 percent conviction rate among members of the Magdalo, involving commissioned officers and enlisted personnel of the military.

Each of 10 awardees received from the President their plaque and a cash prize of P250,000, courtesy of Metrobank Foundation.

Assisting the President were Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Alexander Yano, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepena, Rotary Club of Makati Metro president Hernando Perez Jr. and Dr. Placido Mapa.

The Search for TOPS is an annual project of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro that honors excellence in the military as the private sector’s appreciation and gratitude for the soldiers' selfless acts of gallantry in protecting the people and preserving the nation's sovereignty. (PNA)

DND downplays Abu threat to behead hostages, ensures safety of Red Cross workers in mind

The Department of Defense assured that government will “continue to do with what its doing and explore all possible options for the safe release” of the Red Cross volunteers held hostaged in Sulu,

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the President has strict instructions to make efforts to protect the safety of hostages.

“We deemed it best that local crisis management committee formulate the best response possible on the basis of conditions to include the latest demands or threats of ASG,” said Teodoro who appealed to the public for understanding that the Abu Sayyaf is not an ordinary group to deal with.

“The ASG is not a normal organization, they thrive in terror,” Teodoro said.

The secretary of defense added that the military will remain where they are to maintain pressure and prevent escape of Albader Parad and his gang of bandits.

Parad threatened to behead hostages if soldiers do not withdraw from Indanan by the end of the month.

The Abu Sayyaf has been holding Mary Jean Lacaba, Andreas Notter and Eugenio Vagni for more than two months.

Last week, the military caught up with the bandits who were believed to be hiding between the towns of Parang and Indanan.

“Our troops are pre-positioned in such way that they are not too far to allow kidnappers to escape but not to near to trigger a premature confrontation, “said Armed Forces of Philippines Chief of Staff Alexander Yano, adding that the set-up will prevent reinforcements of Abu Sayyaf to coming in.


DND, gagawin ang lahat para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng Red Cross workers na bihag ng Abu Sayyaf

Tiniyak ng Department of Defense na gagawin ng pamahalaan ang lahat para masiguro ang ligtas na pagpapalaya sa mga Red Cross volunteer na binihag ng Abu Sayyaf sa Sulu,

Ayon kay Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, may direktiba ang Pangulo na tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga bihag.

“We deemed it best that local crisis management committee formulate the best response possible on the basis of conditions to include the latest demands or threats of ASG,”(ipinauubaya naming sa local crisis management committee para balangkasin ang pinakamahusay na gagawin alinsunod sa sitwasyon sa lugar at sa mga hinihingi ng ASG) sabi ni Teodoro kasunod ng paghingi ng pang-unawa sa publiko na hindi madaling makipag-usap sa isang grupo tulad ng Abu Sayyaf .

Para kay Teodoro ang Abu Sayyaf ay isang organisasyong nabubuhay sa pananakot.

Idinagdag pa ng kalihim na mananatili ang militar sa kanilang kinalalagyan para mapanatili ang pressure sa mga bandido at tiyakin hindi makakatakas sina Albader Parad at ang kanyang grupo.

Naiulat na nagbanta si Parad na mamumugot ng bihag kapag hindi umatras ang mga sundalo palayo sa Indanan sa katapusan ng buwan.

Mahigit nang dalawang buwang hawak ng Abu Sayyaf ang mga biktimang sina Mary Jean Lacaba, Andreas Notter at Eugenio Vagni

Noong nakaraang linggo, nagkabakbakan ang mga military at mga bandido na hinihinalang nagkukuta sa pagitan ng mga bayan ng Parang at Indanan.

Ayon naman kay Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano, nakapwesto ang kanilang tropa sa mga lugar kung saan mapipigilan ang pagtakas nina Parad at ang pagpasok ng iba pang bandido.

Tiniyak ni Yano na sapat ang distansya nila sa mga bandido para maiwasan ang mga di kina-kailangang konprontasyon.

AFP CS Gen. Yano: No re-positioning of troops in Sulu

Manila, March 26 (PNA) – The leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said troops pursuing the extremist Abu Sayyaf in Sulu will remain in their positions as he reiterated that there will be no pull out of military forces in the bandits' stronghold.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano remains unfazed with the renewed demands of the Abu Sayyaf bandits to pull back from their stronghold despite a threat that one of the hostages will be beheaded if they do not comply.

”The response would be the same. We have to continue with the present setup and explore possible options for the safe release of hostages,” Yano said.

Yano said the government is exhausting all possible means to secure the safe release of the hostages -- Swiss Andreas Notter, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba and Italian Eugenio Vagni — as he noted that the bandits are difficult to deal with and cannot be trusted.

”Given those threats, these organization thrives on terror and it's quite difficult to deal with them ... we explore legal and legitimate means within our power to secure the safe release of hostages,” he said.

It could be remembered that last week, the military gave in to the demands of the ASG to reposition its troops in exchange for the release of one hostage but turned out to be just a tactic of the bandits.

”The most important thing is the safe release of the hostages. We must stress that this does not include the payment of ransom,” he added.

The latest threat was made by ASG commander Albader Parad and said that the military should carry out the demand within the week.

Yano said the military will maintain its presence in the area to ensure that the bandits will not escape.

”We have to be present there to prevent an escape and to prevent entry of possible reinforcement. We cannot really say that all escape routes are closed. Troops are not too far to allow kidnappers to escape but not too near also to trigger a premature confrontation,” he said.

The military official also reiterated that the government sticks to its no-ransom policy as this is a way to discourage the bandits from further continuing with their acts.

"No ransom, no money will change hands. This is a 'disincentive' for them not to repeat this. Rest assured all peaceful and legitimate options will be observed for the safe release of hostages," he said.
The three Red Cross workers were abducted on Jan. 15 while conducting humanitarian mission in Jolo, Sulu's capital.


AFP WESCOM: Abu forces weakening

AFP West Command said the Abu Sayyaf forces are slowly weakening. The AFP also assured that will not give in to the group’s demand of military pull-out from Sulu before March 31.

Lt. Col. Edgar Arevalo: No need for pull-out as peaceful negotiation for the hostages’ release is still on-going. We are doing our best for the safe release of the hostages.

Sulu Vic Gov. Lady Ann Sahidulan appeal to Abu Sayyaf to release the hostages as incidents of kidnapping are bringing embarrassment to the province


Ex-DPWH execs welcome investigation on alleged rigging of WB project (NBN-4)

The 17 DPWH executives facing suits and collusion charges welcome the investigation to clear their names.

Florante Soriquez: I see no problem with the WB funded projects, sees no anomalies in the bidding.

Malacanang is glad over Ombudsman’s filing of charges against DPWH officials involved in the anomaly (IBC-13)

Ombudsman, Magsasagawa ng imbistigasyon sa di-umano’y anomalya sa bidding ng WB assisted road projects (DZRB)

Magsasagawa ng pangunang imbestigasyon ang Ombudsman sa umano’y anomalya sa WB-assisted road projects. Inirekomenda ng field investigation office ng Ombudsman ang imbestigasyon sa 17 opisyal ng DPWH. Dito malalaman kung sila’y puedeng kasuhan sa Sandiganbayan ng kasong katiwalian


Sec. Teodoro says he will run on cha-cha platform if 'anointed' as admin candidate in 2010

Manila, March 26 (PNA) – Department of Defense Secretary and presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro on Thursday said he will run on a platform of Charter change if he is chosen to be the standard bearer of the administration coalition in the 2010 polls.

”The best thing for one who is seeking public office in the future to do is to run on that mandate of charter change, so it would be a clear mandate from the people to pursue it,” Teodoro said.

The defense chief said that while it is difficult to amend the Charter, “it must be done” as he stressed that he has been in favor of amending the charter since he was still the representative of the first district of Tarlac province.

”From day one, I've always been for it and I'll always be publicly advocating for it,” he said.
The defense secretary said he would push for a unicameral legislature with a federal structure that would provide local government units chance for an autonomy.

”Autonomy would allow them to provide basic services to the people, You have to give capacity building to local government,” he said.

”Allow those that can have freedom of more economic power, more political power in their own right so that the national government can concentrate on others that can't do it,” he added.

Under this setup, he said the national government would take care of infrastructure development, national defense, international relations, and monetary systems.

Teodoro, as a potential presidential candidate, said: “I guess what I can offer in that sense is a studied reform. I’m also disdainful, sometimes, of the contemporary connotation of what a non-traditional politician is; you know, change just for the sake of change. We need stability and continuity of policy especially in strategic matters.

He stressed: Studied reform means leadership is balancing not only between good and evil but also in two competing good.”

He also defended President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the claim by critics that she is pushing for Charter change through her allies in the House of Representatives.

”I, for one, have not seen any effort on part of the President to be involved directly or indirectly on this,” he said.

Nograles to fastrack Cha-Cha (RPN-9)

Nograles to fastrack cha-cha resolutions to amend some economic provisions that gained the support of 175 congressmen; denied that PGMA is behind the move; dismiss talk of his ouster as instigated by Mikey Arroyo and Martin Romualdez.


Palace dismisses talk of NO-EL (IBC-13)

Palace dismiss talk of no election; reiterated that cha-cha is dead.

Speaker Nograles: In all my talks with PGMA, the President has never, never, never talked or pressured me about the passage of ChaCha. No one in Congress can offer the speakership alone to anyone. I don’t think Mikey Arroyo will do that.

Speaker Nograles: I hope this issue will reach the SC to tell us what is right.


Search committee to determine administration poll bets

Manila (PND) -- Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the search committee, headed by Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio, has been tasked by President Arroyo to screen the administration’s candidate for president, vice president and senator.

He stressed the search committee "will zero in on the candidate’s winnability, and the vision must jibe with those of President Arroyo’s to ensure continuity for the economic and development programs of the President.”

Remonde said most likely the candidate will come from the administration like Vice President Noli de Castro, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando or even Senator Richard Gordon.

“Pero alam mo naman sa pulitika na wala ring imposible. So, may posibilidad din na kukuha din sa labas, for as long as itong kandidatong ito ay ipagpatuloy ang mga programa ng ating Pangulo lalo na po ang pagpapalago sa ating ekonomiya,” Remonde said.

On whether there has been a deadline set for announcing the candidate, Remonde said “wala pa nga specific deadline but for all practical purposes by June or July of 2009, dapat malalaman na natin kung sino.

In a radio interview, Remonde said: “You know, what can be said is, kahit na anong sinasabi ng iba, the fact remains that under President Arroyo lang natin na-experience iyong ating bansa ang 28 quarters na sunod- sunod na economic growth.”

He added that despite the continued decline of remittances from the overseas Filipino workers, the Philippines is among one of the two countries in Asia predicted to experience more positive economic growth for the rest of the year. Remonde repeatedly stresses this point throughout the interview, confident of it "even if 2/3 of the world's economies went haywire (because of the global financial crisis)."

Remonde reiterated that the charter change has not been discussed in the Palace for quite some time. With the numerous concerns (the economy and job creation) that the President has to focus on, “she hardly has time to even think of Cha- Cha.”

On the issue of 10-centavo tax on text messaging, Remonde said Malacanang is leaving this to the Congress, but is open to this issue on two conditions: 1) this will not be passed on to the consumers and, 2) funds accruing from this tax will go to a specific sector like education or any other program for the poor.

One advantage of the tax on text is that it has “electronic foot prints so madaling kolektahin kasi madaling ma-trace,” Remonde stressed.


COMELEC schedules bidding conference for 2010 polls

Comelec scheduled a conference for 10 potential bidders for the 2010 automated poll.

Bayan Muna opposes Comelec approved optical scan counting system; pushing for semi-automated system instead.


Palace demands oil firms to explain surprise price hike

Manila (PNA) – Malacanang has demanded oil firms, both the Big Three and independent players, to explain the oil price hikes implemented Tuesday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said Department of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes already called on Petron, Shell, Caltex, PTT Philippines and Total to discuss the 'surprise' hike of their gasoline prices by P1 per liter and diesel and kerosene prices by 50 centavos.

”Pinatatawag ni Secretary Reyes ang mga oil firms to explain why prices of their oil product is increasing. Kailangan pa rin na malaman natin ang dahilan sa pagtaas (Secretary Reyes will gather the oil firms and let them explain why prices of their oil product is increasing. We need to know the reason for the hike),“ Golez said.

Under the Oil Deregulation law, oil firms should inform the DOE about any adjustment on oil products.

The DOE also requires that the oil firms announce the price changes a day before implementation.

”Hintayin na lamang natin ang sasabihin ni Secretary Reyes tungkol sa kanilang pag-uusap (Let's wait for the outcome of their discussion),” Golez said.

Both Shell and Caltex failed to announce their oil price hike. It implemented the adjustment at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday but made the announcement hours later. (PNA)


DOE asks oil firms to explain latest oil price hike

The Department of Energy wanted some oil companies to justify their recent price adjustments without prior advice.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes is set to summon the oil firms to find out the reason for the price hike that annoyed motorists and consumer groups.

Petron, Pilipinas Shell, Chevron, Total, Seaoil, Unioil and PTT increased gasoline prices by P1 per liter and diesel and kerosene prices by 50 centavos per liter.

Reyes cited provisions in the Oil Deregulation Law wherein oil firms are obliged to inform government 24 hours in advance.

The average price for gasoline is now Php 32 per liter, for diesel is Php 23 per liter and for kerosene is Php 34 per liter.

The recent hike encouraged some members of Congress to call for a thorough review on the Oil Deregulation Law.

Mga kumpanya ng langis, pinagpapaliwanag ng gobyerno hinggil sa pinakahuling oil price hike

Hinihingi ng pamahalaan ang paliwanag ng mga kumpanya ng langis hinggil sa kanilang ginawang panibagong pagtataas ng presyo ng kanilang mga produkto.

Naiulat na pupulungin ng Department of Energy ang mga oil firm para alamin ang ugat ng biglaang oil price hike na ikinagulat at ikinagalit ng mga consumer.

Kamakailan lang dinagdagan ng Petron, Pilipinas Shell, Chevro, Total, Seaoil, Unioil at PPT ng piso kada litro ng gasolina at singkwenta sentimos naman ang presyo ng kerosina at diesel.

Ang presyuhan ngayon ng gasolina ay Php 32 kada litro, Php 23 kada litro para sa diesel at Php 34 kada litro para sa kerosina.

Binigyang diin ni Reyes na hinihingi ng batas sa mga kumpanya na langis na magpa-abiso sa pamahalaan dalawamput apat na oras bago ipatupad ang anumang oil price increase.

Dahil na rin sa biglaang oil price increase, nabuhay naman sa Kamara de Representates ang panukalang pag-aralan muli ang Oil Deregulation Law.

RP temporarily bans entry of bird and poultry products from Japan and Czech Republic

The Department of Agriculture ordered a temporary ban on Japanese and Czech poulty and bird products following the confirmation of Bird Flu outbreaks in both countries.

The ban covers domestic and wild birds, and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen.

Shipments of live birds and poultry products originating from Japan and the Czech Republic in all airports and seaports will be confiscated.

The processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Certificates for all bird and poultry imports from both countries were suspended.

Meanwhile, government lifted the ban of poultry products from Idaho after US authorities and international organizations confirmed that bird flu in the state has been eradicated.

The Philippines is one of the so-called Bird Flu free countries in South East Asia.

Pagpasok ng mga produktong poultry mula Japan at Czech Republic, pansamantalang ipinagbawal ng Pilipinas

Pinagbawalan ng Department of Agriculture ang pagpasok ng mga bird at poultry products mula sa bansang Hapon at sa Czech Republic.

Ang pagbabawal ay bunga ng pagkalat ng Bird Flu sa mga nasabing bansa.

Kasama sa mga hindi papasukin sa bansa ay ang karne, sisiw, itlog at punlay ng mga apektadong ibon at manok mula sa Hapon at sa Czech Republic.

Dahil dito, lahat ng mga kargamentong pang poultry mula sa dalawang bansa ay sasamsamin sa lahat ng paliparan at pantalan.

Suspendido rin ang aplikasyon at paglalabas ng veterinary quarantine certificates para sa mga produktong pang-ibon at manok mula sa dalawang bansa.

Samantala, pinayagan na ng pamahalaan ang pagpasok ng mga poultry product mula sa Idaho matapos makumpirma sa mga awtoridad at dalubhasa ng Estados Unidos na wala nang bird flu sa nasabing lugar.

Ang Pilipinas ang isa sa mga Bird Flu countries ng South East Asia.