Palace appointments to continue says Ochoa
Malacañang will continue to fill the positions occupied by government officials who are not Career Executive Service Officers (CESO) and will not be derailed by the status quo ante order issued by the Supreme Court on the implementation of Executive Order No. 2 involving the office of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday.
Ochoa made the statement to stress that the temporary restraining order (TRO) of the High Tribunal covers only one post, and not all the “midnight appointments” made by the previous administration.
“Let’s take the action of the Supreme Court in the proper context,” Ochoa said. “The TRO was issued only in the case of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). So the TRO only applies to that case and does not cover everybody.”
The Supreme Court issued the resolution last week in response to a petition filed by Bai Omera Dianalan-Lucman, who was named commissioner of the NCMF by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the election ban. Lucman’s appointment carries a Cabinet rank.
According to Ochoa, the process of designating replacements for non-CESO appointees of the past government remains uninterrupted.
“Many of them have already been reappointed and some have already been terminated from the service. So this is a continuing process,” the Executive Secretary explained.
The executive order issued by President Benigno Aquino III following his assumption to office revoked the appointments made by his predecessor two months before the national elections in May.
The order, which covered close to a thousand appointees, applied to officials appointed on or after March 11, appointed before March 11 but took their oaths and assumed office after the date, or designated during the 45-day ban provided in the Omnibus Election Code.
This was followed by a memorandum circular, which extended the appointment of non-career government officials occupying CESO positions until October 31 or until their resignations have been accepted or their respective replacements have been named, to ensure the uninterrupted services to the public.
In cases where the head of agency or office has resigned and whose resignation has been accepted or is deemed separated on June 30, 2010 and no replacement has been appointed or designated, the next-in-rank and most senior official of the agency shall be designated by the department secretary as officer-in-charge.
They will perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the position until October 31, 2010 or until a replacement has been appointed or designated unless his designation is extended in the meantime. (PCOO)
Aquino satisfied over efficient handling of super-typhoon “Juan”
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed satisfaction over the excellent handling by the national government and local government units (LGUs) of the super-typhoon “Juan” (international codename Megi).
“I am very happy to report to the public that everyone has delivered. The thorough preparations of all concerned agencies are in marked contrast to the official helplessness of the past, and at present, we haven’t had to ask the public to contribute outside resources,” the Chief Executive said in a statement read by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday at the Briefing Room in Malacanang.
According to the President, the excellent handling of the storm allowed him to focus on other equally important matters such as presiding over the Anti-Poverty Cabinet Cluster Meeting and meeting with the Mindanao governors on Monday.
The President noted that Typhoon Juan, the strongest typhoon the world experienced this year with gustly winds of 260 kilometers per hour, left significant damages but minimal loss of life.
He cited the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) through the leadership of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, for its accurate and timely weather forecasts that prompted other agencies to prepare for Typhoon “Juan.”
The President also commended Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, and National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council Executive Director Benito Ramos “for their effective management of their respective mandates” and that the needs of affected communities were promptly delivered.
At the same time, the President extended his deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones.
Initial reports said Typhoon Juan killed at least 10 people as it generated waves as big as houses and destroyed thousands of hectares of crops.
As the super typhoon is moving away from the Philippines area of responsibility, the President said that work of bringing life back to normal in the soonest possible time is underway.
The President likewise said authorities are now geared up to restore power in areas where power supply was shut down as a precautionary measure while the DSWD is attending to the needs of 8,042 evacuees (as of 6:00AM, October 19, 2010).
He added that affected LGUs were advised to inform concerned agencies if they need any additional assistance.
The President also issued today Memorandum Circular No. 4 suspending office work in Regions I and II and the Cordillera Administrative Region for all non-essential personnel, to allow affected communities to attend to clean up and do rehabilitation work.
He said that the minimal damage and loss of life due to Typhoon Juan can be credited to the cooperation of both the government and the people.
“This should serve as a timely reminder to all to depart ourselves from the notion that government resides or depends on one person. It is the sum of all parts, the product of group effort and individual initiative and responsiveness…we proved that, together, we can mitigate risk; and that Filipinos working together, minimized of the costs of natural disasters,” the President stressed.
He also asked every Filipino to remain vigilant and be prepared for any eventuality until the weather condition improves. (PCOO)
Deles to remain as Peace Process Adviser, says Palace
It’s final.
President Benigno S. Aquino III will not heed the call of lawmakers to appoint Philippine Public Safety College president Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco as replacement for Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita “Ging” Deles.
In a news briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Cojuangco is within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity with the President, so therefore, she cannot be appointed to any position.
“We cannot appoint Ms. Tingting Cojuangco. It’s against the constitution,” Lacierda said Tuesday, noting that the President will be violating the constitution if he heeds the lawmakers.
“She is prohibited by affinity dahil si Gng. Cojuangco ay maybahay ni Peping Cojuangco, amaing-buo ng Pangulo, kaya talagang bawal,” he said.
Lacierda pointed out that the lawmakers pushing for Cojuangco’s appointment may not be aware of the constitutional prohibition on relatives in government.
He added that Deles’ replacement as peace adviser is a remote possibility because the President has already expressed his full support and confidence on her leadership.
"The President is standing by Secretary Deles. He has full confidence in her," Lacierda said.
Deles according to him, knows her job because prior to her appointment, she also headed the same office during the previous administration. (PCOO)
Aquino wants comprehensive plan for poverty reduction
President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday urged the Poverty Reduction Cluster to come up with a comprehensive plan that will help alleviate poverty in the country.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino convened the anti-poverty group on Monday to discuss the ongoing plans and measures towards poverty alleviation.
Secretary Lacierda said the President directed the multi-agency cluster to formulate a master plan that will be implemented in the next five years.
He added that the Chief Executive wanted to have a speedier benchmark system that will gauge the success of the program.
Poverty reduction is one of the centerpiece programs of the government which aims to uplift the living standard of the people.
The cabinet secretaries involved presented their framework for poverty reduction based on the previous discussions amongst themselves.
Present during the meeting are representatives from member-agencies including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Health (DOH), among others.
Also present is Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles who discussed issues on the peace process affecting poverty reduction.
Recently, the United Nations observed the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which aims to promote awareness of the necessity to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries. It has become a development priority among nations. (PCOO)
