Aquino confers Order of Sikatuna on outgoing European Commission envoy
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Gold Distinction) on European Commission Ambassador Alistair Bell MacDonald in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening relations between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) over the past four years.
The President conferred the award on Monday during Ambassador MacDonald’s farewell courtesy call at the Yellow Room in Malacañang Palace.
Ambassador MacDonald was accompanied by his wife, Brigette and Andrea Fennesz, deputy head of the Commission.
During his tour of duty to the Philippines, Ambassador MacDonald played an important role in the conclusion of the Philippines-European Union Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that serves as a general framework of relations between the Philippines and European Union.
It was also during his term when the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Philippines and the European Union was signed setting out the priorities for the European Union’s development cooperation for the Philippines for the period 2011 to 2013.
The agreement played an integral part in the country’s progress towards achieving its development goals under the Aquino Administration.
The assistance focused in the areas of social services, health, and governance which had a strategic significance, especially in the government’s objectives of inclusive growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
Ambassador MacDonald was also instrumental in implementing socio-economic development programs and projects that have benefited the Filipino people, such as support for the provision of health services through the Department of Health (DoH) and the protection and promotion of human rights through the Justice Support Program.
He ensured the European Union’s sustained support for peace development efforts in Mindanao, through the humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance and active participation in the International Monitoring Team.
The European envoy also facilitated EU’s vital aid in the aftermath of typhoons that ravaged the country and supported disaster risk reduction measures.
Ending his second stint as ambassador to the country, MacDonald previously served as Deputy of the European Commission when it opened the commission delegation to the Philippines in 1990. (PCOO)
Palace unveils new press room signage
Malacanang on Monday unveiled the new signage for the Press Briefing Room of the New Executive Building.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, in a press briefing, said the 2011 revision is the latest update since 1986.
“The present modified design harmonizes the elements of past official signage, incorporating the famous Pasig River façade of the Palace with its arched windows and two towers, the name of the official residence and its location,” he explained.
The background color according to him is the national blue, as used in the national flag and presidential seal. The font used he added is in keeping with the traditional typography used in official stationery since the Commonwealth era.”
Lacierda further explained that in the original signage adopted during the administration of former President Corazon C. Aquino for use in the Radio-TV Malacanang studio in Kalayaan Hall, the Palace riverfront façade prior to martial law was portrayed--- a combination of the arched riverfront balcony erected during the era of the American governors-general, the two towers built during the Commonwealth, and the ground-floor hall also originally built during the Commonwealth but renovated and turned into an arched arcade during the administration of Diosdado Macapagal.
He said that the oval signage was changed during the Estrada administration to a half-moon shape with a version of the blue background which is in current use. It was changed again during the Arroyo administration—when the briefing room was relocated to the New Executive Building, with a few variations before the more familiar one in use today was adopted.
As to the “Malacanan” placed below the Palace façade, Lacierda said that in 1986, by means of a presidential issuance, former President Corazon C. Aquino officially restored the designation of “Malacañan Palace” for the residence of the President of the Philippines.
It had officially been changed to “Malacañang” in 1953 during the Magsaysay administration. A distinction was made between “Malacañan Palace” as the designation for the official residence of the President, and “Malacañang” as shorthand for the Office of the President of the Philippines.
This is why, today, executive issuances such as Executive Orders and Proclamations personally signed by the President of the Philippines bear the header “Malacañan Palace,” while executive issuances delegated to subordinates and signed by them, bear the heading “Malacañang. (PCOO)
Aquino confident in choice of Brillantes as COMELEC Chairman
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed confidence that newly- appointed Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman veteran election lawyer Sixto Brillantes , Jr., is capable of ensuring reforms in the country’s electoral system.
“I have always said that correct identification of a problem leads to the correct solutions. Brillantes’ long career in election law has given him extensive on-the-ground expertise, not just of the law, but also of the systems and processes that govern our electoral exercises,” the President said in a statement read by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a press briefing in Malacanang Monday.
The President appointed Brillantes last Jan. 15 to serve out the unexpired term of former COMELEC chairman Jose Melo, who resigned on the same date.
The Chief Executive stressed that Brillantes’ extensive knowledge of the law and experience as election lawyer is what the country needs to initiate electoral reforms.
“We need someone with practical knowledge and not just theoretical understanding of election law, and an intensive knowledge of the bureaucracy, who could hit the ground running.
“We need someone who understands, and can fix, the defects in the system: nuisance candidates who end up disqualified late in the day, leaving too little time to inform the Board of Election Inspectors, the President said.
He added that Brillantes’ main task is to ensure that there will be an orderly and credible election in 2013. (PCOO)
Aquino to hold first Cabinet meeting for 2011
President Benigno S. Aquino III will preside over a full cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the first for this year, to discuss, among others, the legislative agenda as discussed in the Cabinet workshop held last week.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, in a press briefing in Malacanang on Monday, said the cabinet’s proposed 32 priority measures will be studied and firmed up at the meeting.
“The full cabinet will be discussing the legislative agenda along with the President,” Lacierda said.
Last week, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. revealed that 32 bills will be submitted to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III ahead of the LEDAC meeting this month.
“The priority legislative measures we have crafted are consistent with the President’s social contract with the Filipino people,” Ochoa said.
According to Ochoa, the objectives of the priority legislative agenda are the following:
· address poverty and promote a healthy, educated, and empowered citizenry
· promote productivity, generate employment and promote food sufficiency
· encourage more public-private partnerships and promote a competitive policy environment
· protect our sovereignty, ensure security and promote the rule of law
· strengthen the capacity of the bureaucracy to govern.
The 32 bills have been sourced from 139 proposed bills put forward by Cabinet officials and 41 by the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines.
Cabinet officials, grouped into five clusters, chose the 32 measures during the workshop.
The heads of the five clusters are Vice President Jejomar Binay, Human Development; Economic Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr., Economic Development; Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Infrastructure Development; Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Rule of Law; and Ochoa, Good Governance. (PCOO)
