PGMA orders study on fasttracking soldiers' 2010 salary hike
President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo ordered Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to see if government can hike soldiers' salaries earlier than scheduled this year.
"I asked DBM to help us find the means so you can receive it earlier," she told uniformed personnel during the 113th founding anniversary of Philippine Army (PA) at
DBM must study the matter as President Arroyo said government is shelling out P4-billion a month for its on-going salary standardization program.
"Let's cross our fingers DBM can find a solution," she said.
According to the Chief Executive, she gave DBM the order after hearing about soldiers' request for government to implement before July the salary hike for them this year.
The second round of public sector wage hike under government's latest salary standardization program is due to commence that month.
Under this program, which began in July 2009, government will implement in four annual tranches bureaucracy-wide salary increase to help public servants cope with the times and to make their wages comparable with those in the private sector.
"Due to the Salary Standardization Law, which we worked for, our soldiers can look forward to yearly increases until 2012," President Macapagal-Arroyo said.
Earlier, the President ordered DBM to ensure availability of funds for further increasing this year salaries of public school teachers and other civil servants.
The President recalled that since assuming the presidency in 2001, she continuously worked for making soldiers' basic pay comparable with what public school teachers receive.
"Since then, uniformed personnel had five [rounds of] salary increases," she reported.
She believes this contributed to increased professionalism among soldiers and helped them improve their lives.
For 2010, President Macapagal-Arroyo said soldiers' basic monthly pay will be more than double their wages in 2001.
From P5,500 in 2001, she said basic wage of each private-ranked army personnel will increase to P12,149 this year.
Basic wage rate for the army's private first-class soldiers will also rise this year to P12,993 per month from P5,830 in 2001, she continued.
During the event, President Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the army for helping government address terrorism and other security problems.
She also lauded PA for helping government carry out its infrastructure projects which aim to promote development nationwide.
"As I reflect on the past nine years, I can truly say that in the best and worst of times, the army gave my administration tremendous support," she said.
The President also noted government's ceasefire with Moro Islamic Liberation Front is holding because of the army's help.
"Indeed, the army has achieved much and is expected to do more," she said.
PGMA fetes Pacquiao in Malacañang
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo welcomed back Filipino boxing superstar and WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao who called on her in Malacañang after arriving from the
Looking dapper in a light blue vest over a striped long-sleeve shirt and dark slacks, Pacquiao, who was accompanied by his wife Jinkee, smiled and waved to photographers, members of the media, and Malacañang employees who waited for him at the foyer of the Palace leading to the Music Room.
Upon his arrival and following the customary photo-opportunity, the President, who was accompanied by First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, congratulated Pacquiao for his feat.
“Congratulations! Thank you for doing our country proud,” the President told Pacquiao.
She then presented the boxing icon a three-tiered ginger-barako coffee-chocolate cake especially prepared by Palace chefs Kristen Mae Andres and Lilibeth Biliones.
Each concentric round layer of the cake, which weighed 12 kilos and stood 11 inches tall, was colored red, blue and white to symbolize the colors of the Philippine flag.
A replica of Pacquiao’s welterweight championship belt which has a picture of the champ on it was placed on top of the special cake.
After the presentation, the President and Pacquiao held a closed-door meeting where the boxing champ reportedly regaled the Chief Executive with the highlights of the fight.
Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Organization welterweight title by defeating
In a press conference following his meeting with the President, Pacquiao said he would discuss with his family his future plans: whether to continue boxing or hang-up his gloves.
He appealed to everyone not to “confuse” his popularity in boxing and desire for a congressional seat in his home
“Boxing has brought honor to our people and our country. It has brought about countless opportunities not only for me and my family but for all of us as a race. My wish in joining politics, is to serve the people,” Pacquiao said.
Palace cites proof PGMA will relinquish power on June 30
Stressing action speaks louder than words, Malacanang cited President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ongoing moves for turnover of government projects to the next administration as manifesting her intention to vacate the nation's highest office on June 30, this year.
"It's proof she'll step down from power then," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Charito Planas said.
She noted that President Arroyo is traveling around the country and checking on her administration's projects to ensure these are either completed in time for the turnover or progressing as scheduled.
These projects for boosting development nationwide include bridges, airports and farm-to-market roads.
Planas raised the point amid persistent speculations about possible failure of elections this coming May 10 and extension of the President's term beyond what is prescribed in the 1987 Constitution.
"This year's elections will push through," Planas assured.
She noted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already put in place measures to ensure the country's first automated polls will be held successfully this year as planned.
These measures include provision of back-up electrical power for the elections.
Comelec Chairperson Jose Melo allayed fears the nationwide elections this year might fail.
"As far as Comelec is concerned, there'll be no failure as preparations for the polls were made already," he stressed.
He said, however, that isolated cases of failure could occur in some precincts if untoward incidents like shooting mar the voting process there.
Melo assured that the poll body sees such isolated incidents as having no effect on overall conduct and results of the elections.
Precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines will count votes cast during this year's automated polls.
If these machines fail to function, however, Melo said votes cast can be counted manually.
Palace lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier cited this same point, noting voters must still manually shade in the Comelec-provided paper ballots oblong spaces corresponding to the names of candidates who they want to serve in government.
He said these ballots can be counted manually if needed.
Planas reiterated her call for Malacanang critics to propose solutions for the country's problems instead of merely criticizing President Arroyo and everything she does.
"Set aside such attacks -- it's just part of efforts to grab the public's attention," Planas said.
Pacquiao considers retirement
The dream match between world’s best pound-for-pound fighter ring superstar Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Floy Mayweather may no longer take place after the Filipino ring sensation hinted hanging his gloves on the appeal of his mother Dionisia.
”Perhaps there will be no next fight for me,” Pacquiao told the media at the New World Hotel in Makati, moments after arriving from Los Angeles on board PR 103 at the Centennial Terminal of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Pacquiao said he will use the remaining days before the election campaign for local candidates starts on March 26 to discuss with family members about his mother’s plea to quit boxing.
”My mother told me that she would be on her knees just to make me stop fighting. That word from a parent is difficult to ignore because I respect both of my parents,” he said.
Pacquiao, the only boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight categories, has been given a hero’s welcome right at the NAIA Terminal 2 for the successful defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey last March 13 in Arlington, Texas.
Among the familiar faces who welcomed Pacquiao include: Nacionalista Party Manny Villar,
Villar said he would respect the decision of Pacquiao if the latter decides to quit boxing.
”We have to leave that decision to him. In fairness to Manny Pacquiao, he has to think of his life after boxing,” Villar said in a media interview.
After his press conference, Pacquiao gave in to the clamor of the photographers and cameramen to raise the hands of Villar whom the world champion endorsed without asking any favor.
”While I’m in the
Pacquiao is seeking congressional seat in the lone district of Saranggani province under the NP ticket.
Villar joined Pacquiao for breakfast before leaving for Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon for another
Pacquiao is set to hear mass in Quiapo later and afterward, drop by Malacanang for a courtesy call with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
A motorcade will tour the boxing hero around Metro Manila.
Ex-DOJ chief agrees with SC ruling: PGMA can appoint next chief justice
Former Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. expressed his agreement on Monday with the Supreme Court (SC) decision that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can appoint the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno who is retiring on May 17, 2010.
"I agree with the SC decision that President Arroyo can appoint the new chief justice before her term ends and it's not a midnight appointment because the Constitution is clear," Gonzalez said.
President Arroyo's term will end on June 30, 2010.
By a majority vote, the SC ruled that President Arroyo has the power to appoint the next chief justice to replace outgoing Chief Justice Puno.
The SC also ordered the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to submit its shortlist of nominees to President Arroyo on or before Chief Justice Puno's retirement on May 17.
Earlier, the Supreme Court ruling authorizing President Arroyo to name the next chief justice was greeted with a storm of protests by several groups.
"We are all moving around speculations, always thinking the negative things to happen. Why don't we think of the positive?" Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez was a former member of the JBC during his stint at the DOJ from 2004 up to June 15, 2009.
He is seeking the mayorship of
EL NIÑO DISPATCH
D.A. takes steps to keep meat, milk, eggs, and fish free from veterinary drug residues
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has put in place measures to ensure that the meat, milk, eggs and fish intended for human consumption are free from the presence of residues of banned veterinary drugs, antibiotics, and other restricted drugs which may cause hazardous effects to humans that may lead to cancer, allergies, anaphylactic shock, drug resistance, cardiac symptoms, difficulty in breathing and other commulative effects.
In the interest of the services and to further promote public health through food safety, the
In a report to DA Secretary Bernie Fondevilla, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Davinio Catbagan said DA-A.O. No. 24 Series of 2009: The Implementing Guidelines on the National Drug Residues Control Program in Foods Pursuant to A.O. No. 24 Series of 2006 has been approved by Secretary Arthur C. Yap on the 3rdday of November, 2009. The program is currently implemented by the BAI, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the National Dairy Authority (NDA). These said DA agencies are now continuously enforcing their respective strengthened activities on drug residue control program.
There are Administrative Orders issued by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health on the banning of the following Veterinary Drugs. To wit;
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER SUBJECT DATE OF ISSUANCE
DA-A.O. No 60 Series of Declaring a Ban on the Use of April 30, 1990
1990 and DOH A.O No. 91 Chloramphenicol in Food
Series of 1990 Producing Animals
DA-AO No. 1 Series of 2000 Banning and withdrawal of January 11, 2000
and DOH-AO No. 4-A, series Olaquindox and Carbadox from
of 2000 the Market
Joint Administrative Order of Declaring a ban / Phase-Out of August 17, 2000
DA-DOH No. 2 Series the use of Nitrofurans in
Of 2000 Food-Producing Animals
DA-AO No. 14 Series of 2003 Ban on the Use in Food Animals May 12, 2003
Of Beta-Agonist Drugs in
Human as Bronchodilators
and Tocolytics and Tocolytic Agents
BAI continuously undertakes the monitoring and surveillance of animal feeds and veterinary drugs and products among the manufacturers, importers, distributors, and outlets for the presence of banned veterinary drugs and compliance to the Republic Act (RA) 1556 otherwise known as the “Livestock and poultry Feeds Act”, and the RA 3720 (Foods, Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Act), RA 6675 ( Generics Act of 1988) and other relevant laws. It had collected feed samples for laboratory analysis from the accredited piggery farms in
The safety and quality of food is a matter of concern for everyone and everywhere. The responsibility for drug residue control and prevention cannot lie solely within the government agency, rather the responsibility must be shared by the government, producers, veterinarians, teachers, academicians, marketing associations and all of us who must strive to produce both healthy and drug residue-free animals to have healthy animals and safe food for everyone. (DA-BAI)
