PIA Dispatch - Friday, July 30, 2010

President Aquino: Barangay officials frontliners in governance

President Benigno S. Aquino III today underscored the frontline role of barangay leaders in attaining the government’s objectives laid out in his first State of the Nation Address delivered before Congress last Monday.

Addressing the opening of the 3rd National Convention of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City this morning, the President also thanked the barangay officials for their full support to his administration.

Speaking in Filipino, the Chief Executive said he was inspired by their offer of support to work harder in the realization of their common goals. 

The President stressed that because of the people’s renewed trust and confidence in governance, “every problem will have a solution, which can be realized with the support of the barangay leaders.”

The President also emphasized that a nation can only move forward if the leaders will act in favor of the majority and not for self-advancement.

He also asked the barangay leaders to police their ranks so the government’s campaign against corruption would be successful.

According to President Aquino, barangay leaders, as frontliners in community development, play a vital role in the achievement of the goals of the Aquino administration 

“With your support, I assure you that reforms will be implemented. Now that we are united in working together to implement these reforms, I am confident we will achieve our vision of a better future and a brighter tomorrow for the next generations,” he said.

At the same time, the President assured the barangay leaders that his administration will provide them with the power and knowledge needed to implement reforms at their level.

He added that if the barangay leaders encountered seemingly insurmountable problems, they can count on the national government to help them find solutions.


President creates Truth Commission

President Benigno S. Aquino III today signed Executive Order No. 1, establishing the Philippine Truth Commission, an independent fact-finding body that will investigate allegations of anomalies during the last nine (9) years, the years of the incumbency of his predecessor Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The creation of the Commission is part the President’s first 100 days agenda and is consistent with his campaign battlecry “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” 

“The process of bringing a necessary closure to the allegations of official wrongdoing and impunity has begun,” President Aquino said in statement released to Palace reporters during a news conference in Malacañang. Media men were given copies of Executive Order (EO) No. 1 which was formally signed by the President today, July 30, 2010. 

The EO tasked the Truth Commission to probe reports of graft and corruption “of such scale and magnitude that shock and offend the moral and ethical sensibilities of the people.”

It will conduct a thorough investigation involving third level public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any, during the previous administration. 

Once finished with its investigation, the Commission will submit its report and recommendations to the President, Congress and the Ombudsman.

The fact-finding body is particularly empowered to identify and determine the reported cases of such graft and corruption which it will investigate; and it will collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to these cases. 

It can also invite or subpoena witnesses and take their testimonies and, administer oaths or affirmations.

Any government official or personnel who, without lawful excuse, refuses to obey subpoena, take oath or give testimony, shall be subject to administrative disciplinary action. Private persons who do the same may be dealt with in accordance with law. 

The Commission also has the power to recommend, in cases where there is a need to utilize any person as a state witness to ensure that the ends of justice be fully served, that such person who qualifies as a state witness be admitted for that purpose. 

For purposes of expeditious prosecution, the Commission may turn over from time to time to appropriate prosecutorial authorities, by means of a special or interim report and recommendation, all evidence on corruption when, in the course of its investigation, the Commission finds there is reasonable ground to believe that they are liable for graft and corruption under pertinent applicable laws. 

A five-man collegial body, the Commission will be headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. whose name has been previously announced by the President. 

DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima said they have already submitted to the President 10 names, which include retired justices, to possibly constitute the Commission. 

It may engage the services of experts as consultants or advisers as it may deem necessary to accomplish its mission. 

As to the conduct of proceedings, the hearings shall be open to the public but, upon the request of the person testifying, it may hold an executive or closed-door hearing where matters of national security or public safety are involved, or when the personal safety of the witness warrants it. 

Through the EO, departments, bureaus, offices and other instrumentalities of the government are directed to extend assistance and cooperation as the Commission may need in the exercise of its powers and functions. 

The Commission is given until December 31, 2012 to accomplish its mission but its mandate can be extended through a supplemental EO.

Funding for the operations of the Commission will be provided by the Office of the President.