New Aquino defense policy to provide direction for PH
In line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s efforts to ensure the country’s peace and stability, the Department of National Defense (DND) will sustain efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity to effectively carry out its role in addressing internal security, disaster management and response; humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping; international defense and security cooperation; and support to national development.
The DND recently came out with its defense policy paper entitled, “The Department of National Defense: Meeting the Challenges to Philippines Defense and Security,” which will provide the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the civilian bureaus of the DND the direction on which to anchor their programs.
At the same time, the policy paper aims to communicate to the public the various thrusts of the department; how the DND intends to engage in regional and global affairs, and utilize their resources in a judicious and accountable manner.
Under its major policy thrusts, the DND said it needs to further enhance the capability of the AFP; modernize the government arsenal; strengthen the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD); further develop the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP); utilize the reserve force to complement the AFP and OCD particularly in relief and rescue operation; ensure the welfare of veterans; and work closely with local government units (LGUs) and cultivate partnership with the private sector.
Aside from its policy thrusts, the DND will also actively engage with the regional and global defense establishments to further develop its capability, pursue greater cooperation with regional states and other strategic partners, contribute to the strengthening of regional and global institutions, and address terrorism and other transnational security challenges.
Defense budget proposals under the DND-issued Defense Planning Guidance will also provide a rational and coherent framework for defense spending through a judicious and optimal allocation of resources for priority areas such as maintenance, training and operations.
Last Oct. 12, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin presented the DND defense policy paper during the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus held in Hanoi, Vietnam where Defense Ministers shared their views on pressing regional security concerns and discussed the direction of future practical cooperation.
The ADMM-Plus summit was held to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners -- Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States -- in the areas of maritime security, terrorism, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and military medicine.
“Through this Defense Policy Paper, the DND hopes to contribute in building confidence and trust among countries in the region. Most importantly, it could contribute in cultivating partnership with other stakeholders in the Philippines. After all, the security and defense of the Philippines is not simply a concern of the Department of National Defense but of the entire Filipino nation,” Gazmin said. (PCOO)
Why PCSO must be with office of the President
The urgency of reverting the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office back to the Office of the President, where it was meant to be under the charter creating it, is because of the nature and scope of the numerous health assistance and social services, charities and local governments that PCSO must fund from its revenue generating activities.
In an interview, PCSO Chairman Margarita Juico said for many years since the PCSO was created in 1954, it had always been under the Office of the President, until the Arroyo administration transferred it from the OP to the Department of Health then to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and then back to the DOH.
“For what reason the agency was being moved from one department to another, I could never understand,” Juico said on Thursday.
PCSO has two vital functions namely: a) to raise funds through the regular Sunday Sweepstakes draws and the daily lotteries such as 6/42, 6/45, 6/49 and 6/55 aside from the three digit daily lottos and b) to allocate resources for social services and charities of national character.
Juico said the PCSO’s resource allocation is covered by two sets of laws: 10 Republic Acts and four executive orders.
Recipients under the RAs are the Philippine Sports Commission Program (for six sweepstakes draws); Commission on Higher Education; documentary stamp tax (10% of gross sales); National Shelter Program (10% of charity fund); the Shared Government Information System on Migration under the Department of Foreign Affairs (P10 million) and P150 million of lotto draws from the Charity Fund for the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund; crop insurance program (10% of net income); P100 million from lotto agents for the upgrading of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center; P50 million for the indigenous peoples for the ancestral domain fund; P250 million from annual net earnings from lotto for the Museum Endowment Fund and Dangerous Drugs Board (10% of forfeited or unclaimed prizes after one year).
Recipients under the EOs are: P1 billion standby fund for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS); P250 million standby fund for avian influenza or bird flu and 5% lotto share of local government unit.
Juico, meanwhile, said it would be unfair to put a cap to the prize winnings in lotteries as the money belong to the bettors and no one can just limit what they ought to get. She was reacting to a proposed measure by Rep. Ben Evardone of Samar.
Juico said the winners normally get a lump sum check of the Land Bank of the Philippines, which they must withdraw at the right branch. “It is up to the winner if she/he decides to keep part or most of the winnings with the bank or allow the bank to invest it in high yielding instruments and even trust funds,” Juico said. (PCOO)
P-Noy leads 700th store opening of local food chain in Baguio City
BAGUIO CITY: President Benigno Simeon Aquino III underscored Friday the Filipino resiliency and perseverance that allow him compete with others and be a success in any field of endeavor.
In his speech at the opening of Jollibee’s 700th store on Harrison Road, here, the President noted Jollibee’s exemplary showing founded on determination despite hardships and competition from other food chains in the country and abroad.
“Pinakita ng Jollibee na kaya niyang makipagsabayan sa mga banyaga at kaya niyang higitan ang mga ito. Ito ang marka ng Pinoy, hindi nagpapatinag, matatag at mapag-punyagi”, the President said.
The Chief Executive also noted Jollibee’s unwavering support to the Filipino people by providing jobs and giving them chance to maximize their potentials.
“Ang katangi-tangi sa Jollibee ay ang hindi matatawarang pag-bandila sa kakayahan ng mga Pilipino, wala na pong mas hihigit pang tagumpay dito”, he said.
“Bawat branch ng Jollibee ay sumasagisag sa kakayahan ng negosyanteng Pilipino na maging bukod tangi sa anumang larangan na kanyang papasukin. Ang mga nalikha niyang trabaho ang siyang nagbibigay lakas sa ating mga kababayan na umahon mula sa kahirapan,” the Chief Executive added.
Upon his arrival, the President was welcomed by local officials led by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Congressman Bernardo Vergara and Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC) officials Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ernesto Tan Mantiong, president and Jose Minana Jr. president of Jollibee Philippines.
A memento of Jollibee’s newest store was given to the President with a token presented by Grace Tan Caktiong, president of Jollibee Foundation representing JFC’s commitment in helping the government to meet the Millenium Development Goals (MDG), particularly in mitigating hunger and poverty.
One of the biggest business establishments in the country, Jollibee Foods Corp. operates the largest quick service restaurant chains with a system wide sales of P68.7 billion and net income of P2.7 billion last year.
JFC operates eight food chains, five locally, which include Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich Pizza, Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Manong Pepe and Mang Inasal. The other two are in China, namely Yonghe King and Hong Zhuang Yuan. (PCOO)
Palace confident peace talks with reds, MILF to push thru
Malacañang is confident that the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) will resume before the end of this year.
In a media briefing in Malacanang on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles has bared “that there is a planned meeting this December with the MILF and NDF.”
A month ago, President Benigno S. Aquino III reconstituted the government panel led by human rights lawyer Alexander Padilla for the resumption of talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
To finally put an end to the 41-year-old insurgency, the President directed the panel to pursue time-bound and agenda-bound peace negotiations with the communist rebels anchored on the principles of peace, justice and human rights.
Lacierda said peace talks with the MILF will also resume once stakeholders settle on the Philippine request for a new facilitator on the talks.
“With respect to the peace process with the MILF, we are prepared to sit down with them. The only problem is the issue on facilitator. So that is the problem that we are trying to address right now between us, the MILF and Malaysia,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said a World Bank study estimated that some $2 billion to $3 billion worth of investment opportunities were lost between 1979 and 2000 as a result of the conflict in some provinces of Mindanao. (PCOO)
Aquino defends budget cut for state universities
BAGUIO CITY: The government is not taking education for granted. Nor it is neglecting the needs of students in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
This, President Benigno S. Aquino III emphasized Friday in answer to allegations by student protesters here that state colleges and universities are being left out due to cuts in next year’s budget.
Aquino, who is here as guest in the opening of the 700th store of local fast food chain Jollibee pointed out in an ambush interview that the proposed P23.4-billion budget for SUCs for 2011 is even higher than the P21 billion the previous administration proposed for the year 2010.
Some complain that the budget should have been higher. Some say we do not give value to education. My answer is this: do not forget that the tertiary level is not the only thing we should give attention to when it comes to education,” he said.
The Chief Executive said the proposed overall 2011 budget for education – including the budget for basic education that includes elementary and high school – rose by 12.92 percent, or to P271.67 billion from the P240.58 billion allotted for this year.
“We are merely focusing on who needs help the most. Basic education should be free for all, that is why we had a huge increase for the budget of the Department of Education. Through this, we can give children the opportunity to go to school,” he said.
The President said the budget for the University of the Philippines went down from P6.9 billion in 2010 to the proposed P5.5 billion for 2011 because it has other means to source funds such as from the UP-Ayala Technohub, students’ tuition fees and state subsidies.
In a related development, Malacanang on Friday advised students holding protest actions against the cut in government spending for state universities and colleges (SUCs) to talk to their respective university officials.
We have emphasized that in the past, the income of SUCs were reverted back to the national treasury. But it is not being done now. In fact, we allow SUCs to retain their own income,”
The President, in his budget message said: “We are gradually reducing the subsidy to SUCs to push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent, given their ability to raise their income and to utilize it for their programs and projects.” (PCOO)
President wants quiet, private commemoration of Ninoy’s birth
BAGUIO CITY: President Benigno Simeon Aquino III will be hearing mass with his family on Saturday at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City where both his parents lie to commemorate the 78th birth anniversary of his father, the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
After his speaking engagement at the opening ceremonies of Jollibee’s 700th store on Harrison Road, here, the President said he intends to remember his father privately to have quality time with his family and relatives.
“We have a mass, but we’d like to keep it private as usual, dun lang kami nagkita-kitang lahat…it’s the 78th birthday of my dad”, the President said.
President Aquino also said that the commemoration of Ninoy’s birth anniversary will give them ample time to reflect.
“It’s quiet, we will be able to reflect…maaalala mo yung pinagdaanan para maituro nila sa iyo yung dapat patunguhan”, he added.
The late Senator Aquino was born in Tarlac from a highly respected family that had long been involved in politics. His paternal grandfather, General Servillano Aquino, was a famed revolutionary who fought the Spaniards and then the Americans at the turn of the century. His father, Benigno Aquino Sr. was a House Speaker and then a senator.
At a very young age, Ninoy became mayor of his hometown Concepcion, then Governor of Tarlac, then Senator of the Republic.
As Senator, he was a staunch defender of human rights and became a top critic of the Marcos administration. He was imprisoned during Martial Law. In 1980, Ninoy was allowed to fly to the United States along with his family to seek medical treatment for his heart ailment. He spent three years in the U.S.
Despite advice from friends not to return, he decided to come home after learning of the deteriorating political situation in the Philippines.
He was shot dead on Aug. 21, 1983 at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport. The airport has since been named after him. (PCOO)
PH condemns NoKor attack on South
The Philippines has joined other nations in condemning North Korea’s artillery attack on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong island, urging the two nations to resolve their difficulties in a peaceful manner.
In a statement read by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Abigail Valte during a media briefing this afternoon, she stated that “the Philippine government is gravely concerned over the resulting rise in tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the recent attack by North Korea constitutes a clear and flagrant violation of international law.”
The statement came out two days after President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the two countries to end provocative actions and called for sobriety following their exchange of artillery attacks last Wednesday.
Valte said the assault would adversely affect peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Pacific region.
“The Philippines commends the Republic of Korea for having demonstrated extraordinary restraint in the wake of the attack on the corvette ROKS Cheonan on 26 March this year, and again in the wake of this unprovoked and overt attack. We call for the continued exercise of restraint,” the statement said.
“The Philippines strongly urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abide by its obligations under international law and the UN Charter, and to adhere to the Armistice Agreement of 1953, the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement of 1991, and the Declaration on the Advancement of South-North Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity of October 4, 2007,” it added.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda meantime reassured relatives and families of the overseas Filipino workers in South Korea that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Seoul are closely monitoring the situation.
He said the President had already directed Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Luis Cruz to review the existing contingency plan to test its current validity.
“We have to prepare for any eventuality,” Lacierda said adding that the President also tapped Special Envoy retired general Roy Cimatu to facilitate the evacuation process of some 50,000 Filipino nationals in Korea in case the situation worsen.
Lacierda divulged that the President had ordered the Philippine Embassy in Seoul to start constant communication with the leaders of some 15,000 Filipinos residing in the northern part of Korea and coordinate with key agencies such as DFA, DND, DOLE, DSWD and DOTC to ensure the safety of Filipinos in South Korea and the DPRK.
“The Philippines calls for peace and seeks an end to the instability in the region,” Lacierda said. (PCOO)
