PGMA reiterates importance of intercultural, interfaith dialogue as key to peace and prosperity
In her keynote speech before the senior officials’ meeting of the Special Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the President said the primary strategy to attain peace as well as key element to progress is to actively promote intercultural and interfaith dialogue and cooperation, rooted in tolerance, mutual understanding, trust and respect.
“We, in the
“Interfaith dialogue is a major contributor to peace and stability in Mindanao,” the Chief Executive said she narrated how the Philippine government is responding to armed conflict in Mindanao through new paradigm shift on the peace process.
She said that while lasting peace has yet to be achieved, the Philippine government has taken heavy political risks to broker a peace.
“We have reached within the affected communities to change the peace paradigm,” she said.
She said the Bishops-Ulama Conference brings Catholic and Protestant Bishops and members of the Mindanao Ulama League in constant dialogue and a common search for comprehensive development through the unifying aspiration for peace.
Through the steady promotion of interfaith dialogue and respect for the diverse cultures, traditions and practices of the peoples of
In the United Nations, the President also said, the
She said the United Nations General Assembly has adopted by consensus the
“This is a new proof that we are all united by our common humanity and our common quest for peace and prosperity,” she said.
With an improved awareness and understanding of their common values through interfaith dialogue, the Chief Executive said “real cooperation should come next.”
She said that
She said the interfaith practical actions can focus on education, youth empowerment and development and media to combat stereotypes and misperceptions
WCRP official calls for cooperation that protects human dignity
MANILA, March 17 –- World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) secretary-general William Vendley called on Wednesday for an action-oriented cooperation between the governments and religious communities in achieving the peace and development that protects the human dignity.
Vendley made this statement in his speech during the formal opening of the first Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development (SNAMMM) at the Philippine International Convention Center here.
”Religious communities and governments have different and quite distinct identities, mandates and capacities. Cooperation between them should respect these differences even as it helps us all to build the peace for which our hearts hunger,” said Vendley.
The WCRP official said the cooperation action must express the commitments of the 118
”Our human family is faced with new, urgent and decisive threats to peace. Action that combines justice with forgiveness must be urgently taken,” he said.
Vendley cited three decisive steps to achieve the full cooperation of the religious organizations and governments in various interfaith dialogues to build effective mechanisms in searching for lasting peace and development.
”First, religious communities can unite to build the simple and honest mechanism that can serve principled multi-religious cooperation for peace. Many are already cooperating with governments, but more governmental partnerships are needed,” he said.
Vendley suggested also that the governments should better equip themselves for partnerships with religious and multi-religious bodies for them to serve better for the common good.
”In short, states need to build strategies and equip themselves for partnerships with religious communities,” he added.
Lastly, Vendley urged the SNAMMM delegates to have a common conviction to translate into a new political paradigm the golden role which is “do to others as you wish done to you.”
”We need to forge a notion of shared security. Today, my security depends on yours. Yes, we can and do respect the need for state security. But these are not enough. Today, no walls can be built high enough to protect ourselves from the needs of others. Their security has to be our concern,” he explained.
More than 120 foreign delegates are attending the three-day
Like Vendley, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Ali Abdussalam Treki and Egyptian Minister of Endowments and former
SC: PGMA can appoint the next Chief Justice
The Supreme Court (SC) ruled on Wednesday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can appoint the next Chief Justice to replace Chief Justice Reynato Puno who will retire on May 17.
SC Spokesman and Court Administrator Atty. Jose Midas Marquez said that the Court in an en banc session said that under Article 8 of the Constitution which covers the Judiciary, President Arroyo can make the appointment within 90 days upon the existence of the vacancy in the Judiciary.
Article VIII Section 9 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the President can make the appointments to the Judiciary within 90 days upon the existence of a vacancy in the Judiciary.
The SC also ordered the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to submit its shortlist of nominees of at least three to four names to the Office of the President (OP) on or before May 17.
The JBC is an independent constitutional body that screens nominees to the positions in the Judiciary and submits its shortlist of nominees of at least three to four names to the Office of the President (OP) whenever a vacancy occurs in the Judiciary.
In turn, the President has a period of 90 days within which to fill up the vacancy in the Judiciary.
Puno presided over the en banc session but did not participate in the deliberations and in the voting.
He will take his leave beginning Thursday until his retirement on May 17.
Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin wrote the decision saying that President Arroyo can appoint the successor to Chief Justice Puno when he retires.
The JBC was also directed to submit its shortlist to the incumbent President for the position of SC Chief Justice on or before May 17.
Bersamin, in his decision, said that the appointments to the Judiciary are not covered by the election ban.
Thus, he said, the President can appoint the members of the Judiciary from the position of Municipal Trial Court (MTC) judge up to the position of Chief Justice, because appointments to the Judiciary are not covered by the election ban.
Article VII Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the President cannot make an appointment, except on temporary appointment in the Executive Department, two months or 60 days prior to the next succeeding elections until the President's term expires.
Nine of the justices voted yes that the incumbent President can appoint the successor of Chief Justice Puno.
They are Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin, Arturo Brion, Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Mariano de Castillo, Martin Villarama, Jr., Roberto Abad, Jose Perez and Jose Mendoza.
Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales voted no to the power of the incumbent President to appoint the next Chief Justice.
Associate Justices Antonio Eduardo Nachura and Presbitero Velasco, Jr., said that the petitions should be dismissed as they are "premature" as there is still no "actual case of controversy" to warrant the judicial determination of the Court.
Chief Justice Puno, and Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Renato Corona inhibited from the deliberations and did not participate in the voting.
Marquez added that the petitioners can still file their motion for reconsideration within a "non-extendible" period of 15 days from today.
House leader maintains legality of PGMA's appointing new SC chief
"That settles all the legal issues on this matter. I have always maintained that the President can appoint because a chief justice appointment is the exception to the general rule," said Nograles in a text message.
In a special meeting, nine SC justices -- Lucas Bersamin, Jose Perez, Roberto Abad, Martin Villarama, Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Arturo Brion, Jose Mendoza, Mariano del Castillo, and Diosdado Peralta -- voted in favor of the President's appointment of the next chief justice.
Only Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales gave a vote of dissent, while magistrates Eduardo Nachura and Presbitero Velasco Jr. said the case was premature.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Justices Antonio Carpio and Renato Corona inhibited themselves from voting. Carpio, who is the most senior magistrate, and
Puno will retire on May 17, or seven days after the May 10 polls.
The appointment of his successor has triggered legal and political debates, as it is the first time that the retirement of the chief justice falls on the period covered by Section 15, Article VII, which prohibits the incumbent president from making appointments two months before an election and until his/her term expires. Applied this year, the election ban started on March 10 and will last until the end of President Arroyo’s term on June 30.
However, SC spokesperson Midas Marquez said that "according to the majority, that constitutional ban on appointments only covers appointments in the executive department." (PNA)
PCG braces up safety and security measures for Holy Week
The Philippine Coast Guard is bracing up its safety and security measures on all ports and ferry terminals in connection with the expected influx of passengers going back to the province for the holy week.
Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo PCG said that the DOTC Passengers Assistance Centers (Held Desks), in connection with OPLAN MAHAL NA ARAW, will be set-up nationwide from March 30 to April 14, 2010 to address the concerns of our sea- faring passengers. The centers will particularly help ensure the orderly, safe and secure conduct of embarkation of passengers and loading of cargo so as to give the PCG Boarding Teams ample time for boarding and inspection of vessels prior to departure.
The PCG also said on Wednesday that on top the major ports in Manila, Batangas, Cebu and Zamboanga, the Coast Guard Command Center has directed PCG units to deploy additional personnel on the following busy and critical ports: Calapan/roxas ( Oriental Mindoro), Abra de Ilog ( Occidental Mindoro),Odiongan/ Romblon (Romblon), Dalahican ( Lucena), Balanacan/ Kawit/ Sta. Cruz (Marinduque), Atimonan / Puerto Real ( Quezon),Matnog ( Sorsogon),Allen ( Samar),Lipata (Surigao), Balingoan ( Misamis Oriental) and Camiguin among others.
Admiral Tamayo disclosed that as per coordination with the ship owners and operators, passengers should be at the seaport at least three hours before departure time, avoiding restricted cargo such as flammable liquids and solids, corrosive materials, toxic and infectious substances,, compressed gasses, radioactive materials and explosives to avoid search delays and inconveniences. Gun owners bringing their firearms should present complete documents, including Comelec exemption permit.
10,000 workers might loss jobs due to worsening
The Misamis Oriental legislative body has even passed a resolution urging the agriculture department to integrate in its list of priorities the implementation of a program that would grant alternative livelihood for farmers adversely affected by the dry spell caused by El Nino weather disturbance.
The resolution, authored by Misamis Oriental Vice Gov. Norris Babiera, seeks a program similar to the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment program( CLEEP )of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).
The long dry spell in
The Mindanao Fruit Council (MFC) has warned that a prolonged dry spell would kill many fruit trees in affected areas, leading to lay off of fruit tree growers and loss of income of farmers.
MFC executive Larry Miculob said many trees were now "stressed" because of lack of water and if fruit farmers, both small and big producers, do not have sufficient irrigation system, a lot of fruit trees may die after April 15.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Sunday warned of "severe" job losses in
TUCP secretary-general Ernesto Herrera said the DoLE should step in and find ways to mitigate the upcoming problem of the workers due to severe brownouts currently plaguing the southern island.
“Major industries might carry out strategies that include fewer work shifts and the rotation of workers," said the former senator.
Other power-intensive industries being hit hard by the brownouts are steel and cement manufacturing, canning, commercial fishing, food processing, retail trade and telecommunications.
The power crisis in
Last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared a state of calamity in the entire
Mrs. Arroyo placed the national government’s calamity fund at P10 billion, of which P55 billion were allocated for the power sector and P4.5 billion for agriculture.
Meanwhile, the National grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said on its Monday’s advisory that the
The NGCP said a lower deficiency could be attributed to a decrease in peak demand. The limited power supply in the island is still caused by the inadequate available capacities from the grid's main power sources - National Power Corp.'s (Napocor) hydro power plants. Almost all of the company's power plants have water reservoirs that are drying up due to the El Niño phenomenon.
The government is meeting the 33-member cooperatives of the Mindanao Electric Power Alliance (MEPA) to solve the worsening power crisis in the southern island.
The recommendations from MEPA will be submitted to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today.
NGCP will continue to monitor power grid conditions, the advisory said.
As this developed, the Mindanao’s 33 electric cooperatives have started negotiations with power producer Aboitiz Power Corp. (Aboitiz Power) for the possibility of aligning some 150 MW of additional power supplies to the critical Mindanao power grid.
The groups is also exploring the possibility of opening negotiations with Aboitiz Power for the utilization of the additional 50 MW from its diesel-fired power barge stationed in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte province. (PNA)
5,000 hectares of banana plantation expansion set in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte
Dole
The Cabadbaran banana plantation in
AMS Farms and AM Soriano in Cabadbaran and Tubay, respectively, and Dole
“This is another 2,000 jobs for this year in these areas,” said Northeastern Mindanao Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Brielgo O. Pagaran.
Pagaran also said the US$ 2-billion processing plant of Sumitomo Company is also set to operate this year with 300 new jobs also seen.
In another development, farm equipments were distributed to municipalities thru the effort of Agusan del Sur Gov. Maria Valentina G. Plaza.
Components of the equipment include rice drum seeders and knapsack sprayers to the different recipients as per rice cluster municipality like Bayugan with 30 units, Esperanza 15 units, Talacogon 20 units, Prosperidad 10 units, San Francisco, Trento and Bunawan with five units each, Sta. Josefa nine units and a unit for the Agusan del Sur Provincial Agriculture Office.
The recipient farmer-beneficiaries acquire the actual demonstration and lecture on the direct-seeding technology, operation, care and maintenance of rice drum seeders. (PNA)
2 big fires kills 3, razes 630 houses in
The estimated initial damage of the two big fires was placed at P20 million.
The first fire at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday razed 600 houses at Puroks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 of Barangay Ong Yui. The fire also gutted a Muslim community mosque.
The first fatality was a 70-year old woman, identified only as certain “Melody. The victim died during the massive evacuation.
The fire was placed under control at about 5 p.m. by responding fire trucks from various municipalities in Agusan del Norte province and this city, said Agusan Fire Marshal Pedro Balatero.
The fire also injured some of the residents.
The Butuan City Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire and the actual cost of the damage.
In a separate incident, two children died in the 1:45 a.m. Wednesday fire that also gutted 30 houses at Purok 8, Barangay Obrero, this city.
Authorities identified the fatalities as Dyan Sagado, five years old, and her elder brother Henry, seven, both of Purok 8, Barangay Obrero.
The charred bodies of the two were found embracing each other by fire rescue team.
Fire out was declared at 3 a.m. today.
City Mayor Democrito Plaza already mobilized the city’s social welfare office to assist the fire victims now temporarily sheltered at Barangay Ong Yui covered court and a nearby school and Barangay Obrero Hall.
The city chief executive ordered the distribution of foods, clothes, medicines and other immediate needs to the fire victims.
“Everybody must take extra precautions due to severe dry spell, especially that we are observing the fire prevention month,” said
