No gun ban violators in Maguindanao -- AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that not even a single arrest was made in the
Maguindanao is still under a state of emergency following the Maguindanao massacre last November 23 that claimed the lives of 57 civilians, including 15 women and 30 media practitioners in Ampatuan town.
According to AFP Spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., no one was reported arrested in Maguindanao since the start of the total gun ban nationwide.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) imposed the total gun ban that began on Jan. 10, 2010 and will end on June 9, 2010 in order to prevent violence during the election period.
Maguindanao has been a political hotbed due to the intense political rivalries between the Mangudadatus and the Ampatuans.
Buluan, Maguindanao Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, whose wife and two sisters were among the victims in the Maguindanao massacre, is seeking the governorship of Maguindanao.
Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.; former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Jr.; Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan; former Maguindanao Acting Governor Sajid Ampatuan; Akmad Ampatuan and Anwar Ampatuan are all suspects in the Maguindanao massacre.
PGMA has the prerogative to appoint the next Chief Justice -- Macalintal
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has the prerogative to appoint the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) once a vacancy in the position exists, a prominent election lawyer said on Monday.
Atty. Romulo Macalintal, however, explained that this will still depend on the action of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) members because they are the ones who will make the recommendation.
The JBC is an independent constitutional body that screens applicants to the Judiciary and submits its shortlist of nominees to the President.
"If we will stop the President, who will be the Chief Justice from May 17 up to June 30?" Macalintal asked.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 on May 17, 2010.
"The 1987 Constitution provides that the President shall not make an appointment 30 days before the election, except in executive position. This Article pertains to the Executive Department," Macalintal said.
The national and local elections will be held on May 10, 2010.
"In Article 8 (1987 Constitution), which is exclusive for the Judicial Department, there's a provision that says that there's a need to immediately fill up the vacancy in the 15-member Supreme Court and there's no mention that even if during election period, otherwise, there will be a conflict which will require to harmonize this provision," Macalintal stressed.
Likewise, Macalintal pointed out that once the Chief Justice retires, the President should immediately appoint a replacement and within 90 days, the JBC should immediately take an action.
"We cannot have an Acting Chief Justice, because Chief Justice Puno will be retired on May 17," Macalintal said.
According to Macalintal, the problem here is that others are putting political colors to it, claiming that the reason why the President wants to appoint an SC Chief Justice is to save herself from possible lawsuits after her term.
President Arroyo's term will end on June 30, 2010.
Malacanang will not allow the vacancy in the highest post in the Judiciary with the retirement of Chief Justice Puno on May 17, 2010, according to Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
On the other hand, former Senate President Franklin Drilon said that there should be a vacancy first before a new SC Chief Justice may be appointed.
Macalintal also clarified that the President cannot appoint a new SC Chief Justice without a recommendation from the JBC.
The problem in this issue, he said, is that political undertones is immediately thrown into it.
"Once a recommendation is made by the JBC, it is the duty of the President to make the appointment," Macalintal stressed.
The election lawyer urged that the matter should not anymore be painted with too much political color so that the Judiciary will function properly, adding that those who have political agenda should not politicize the same.
PCIERD sets 8th S&T Fora and Competitions in Industry and Energy Research
Every two years, the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development, an agency of the Department of Science and Technology, gathers the best researches across the industry and energy sectors for the past five years (2005-2009) and present them through fora and competitions.
The Outstanding Research and Development in Industry and Energy for the year 2010 will be selected during the 8th PCIERD Regional and National S&T Fora and Competitions and presented on the 28th anniversary of PCIERD on March 17, 2010.
Filipino engineers, scientists, and researchers from universities and colleges, R&D institutions and private industries involved in R&D work in the industry and energy sectors are invited to present results of their undertakings.
As minimum requirements, such research results must be easily used, replicated, present economic opportunities, and contribute to science and technology advancement.
Research works should cover 1) chemicals/processing, 2) construction, 3) disaster mitigation, 4) energy, 5) environment, 6) metals and engineering, 7) mining and minerals, 8) processed food, 9) textile, and 10) transportation.
Moreover, each entry should cover applied R&D activities including prototyping of industrial and energy-related equipment, process/product development and/or improvement, environmental issues, and resource utilization.
Prizes for the regional level are P125,000 [1st] , P100,000 [2nd], and P75,000 [3rd] along with plaques, respectively.
Regional winners will compete in the national level with bigger prizes of P300,000 [1st], P250,000 [2nd], and P200,000 [3rd], respectively along with trophies.
All qualified entries will receive certificates of recognition and P10,000 each, and a chance to win any of the major prizes. Winners will receive their awards during PCIERD’s 28th anniversary celebration on March 17, 2010.
Deadline for submission of entries is January 15, 2010 to the chairperson of PCIERD steering committee, 8th Regional and National Competitions in Industry and Energy Research, 3/F DOST main building, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila.
For on-line submission, please visit www.pcierd.dost.gov.ph. Contest guidelines and entry form can be downloaded from the website or viewed under the electronic press releases (e-PR) column. For inquiries, please call (02) 8372926, 8372935, 8376154 or (trunklines) 8372071-82, local 2120 and 2121, or e-mail PCIERD at pcierd@dost.gov.ph
DOST rolls out durable Philippine tropical fiber roadmap
The Department of Science and Technology and leading textile industry stakeholders are weaving what they hope to be a finely knit industry recovery particularly for the Philippine tropical fabric industry.
DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro said during the National Conference on Natural Fibers last December that the science community will take on a more aggressive strategy to implement the programs for natural fibers through the Textile Industry S&T Roadmap put together by DOST along with millers, spinners, and textile exporters.
All the critical S&T interventions covering technologies, equipment, manpower, and marketing are integrated in the roadmap. PTF’s mission is to apply process technologies leading to commercial production, she said.
The Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development together with key industry players spearheaded the development of the PTF roadmap, which starts this year.
The PTF anticipates the revival of 3-5 textile mills with the implementation of Republic Act 9242 and the exploration and establishment of new markets for non-traditional textile products.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed RA 9242 in 2004 prescribing the use of Philippine tropical fabrics for uniforms of public officials and employees, and which raised hopes for an earnest push for commercialization of local tropical fabrics covered by DOST’s major R&D efforts.
Consultations among millers, spinners, and DOST showed that aggressive implementation of RA 9242 could revive the industry even if tropical fabrics are the main target.
In 2004 alone, about 1.4 million government employees were required to use local tropical fabrics for uniforms under the law, equivalent to approximately 571 metric tons of pineapple, or 691 MT of banana, or 627 MT of abaca fibers for just one set of uniform for each government employee containing 20% indigenous fiber blend.
Meanwhile, the conversion of any local fibers into yarns and finished fabrics could wrap revenues of P126.5 million for pineapple, P122.8 M for banana, and P110.1 M for abaca fiber in processing alone. Numerous jobs will be generated across agricultural and industrial sectors, including the garments industry, handloom weavers, and fiber converters.
But the law has yet to be fully implemented. DOST uniforms were made from tropical fabrics in 2005.
As part of the PTF revival effort, the production and post-harvest management technologies for the
Some observations, misconceptions, and typical Filipino attitude towards tropical fabrics have been included and expected to be addressed in the PTF roadmap.
Other agencies that signed a resolution to enhance the PTF and ensure steady tracking of the roadmap include the Department of Agriculture, Fiber Industry Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments, Export Development Council, Garments and Textile Industry and Development Office, Civil Service Commission, University of the Philippines-College of Home Economics, Textile Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, Uniform Association of the Philippines, and Labo Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
Gov’t “very good” at promoting OFWs' welfare — SWS survey
A recent non-commissioned face-to-face survey by pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) rated the national government “very good,” or +26 per cent, at “promoting the welfare of OFWs.”
Government also received a net satisfaction rating of +51 on “helping victims of disasters,” and “moderate” ratings on “being prepared for natural calamities” (+27). It earned +20 per cent on “ensuring that medicines are affordable” and +17 per cent on “helping the poor.”
However, the December 5 to 10 survey also showed that 41 per cent was “satisfied” and 44 percent “dissatisfied,” for a neutral net satisfaction rating of –2 on their opinion of “what the government had done up to that point to resolve the (November 23) Maguindanao massacre case with justice.” The remaining 15 per cent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
It showed that the news on the Maguindanao massacre was followed closely by 75 per cent of the public. The survey also showed the national administration receiving a net satisfaction rating of –17 on “suppressing politicians with private armies in
The national administration received neutral -4 per cent ratings on “fighting terrorism,” -3 on “campaigning against illegal drugs, -4 on “reconciliation with Muslim rebels, -5 on “reconciliation with Communist rebels, -9 on both “fighting crimes, and “fighting inflation.” It also rated very poorly on eradicating graft and corruption, at -27 per cent.
PGMA names Cabral as new DOH secretary – Ermita
In a text message to Malacanang reporters, Ermita said Secretary Cabral will replace Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who has been named by President Arroyo to head the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Ermita also said that Undersecretary Celia Yangco will replace Cabral at the DSWD.
Meanwhile, Secretary Agnes Devanadera now heads the Department of Justice (DOJ) after her temporary appointment as DOJ chief already ended, according to Ermita.
In June last year, President Arroyo appointed Devanadera as temporary replacement of DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez, who was named Chief Presidential Legal Counsel. (PNA)
PGMA orders probe of gov't website hacking
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) to look into the hacking of Philippine government websites.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo told the CICT to come up with a technical proposal designed to prevent similar unauthorized entries in the future.
The TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Department Authority) website, tesda.gov.ph, is the latest to suffer at the hands of hackers.
The other government websites hacked were those of the Department of Labor and Employment, the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health.
The integrity of the government websites have already been restored.
