Malacanang applauds the Egyptians in historic victory of 'People Power'
Malacanang on Saturday joined the international community in congratulating the Egyptians in their historic victory and called for a peaceful transition to democracy.
“Egypt has entered a new era as democracy, vision and reforms begin. The Philippines hopes that the process will be peaceful and coherent and reflective of the aspirations of the Egyptian people, “Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned on Friday, giving in to 18 days of mass demonstrations calling for his ouster and democratic reforms.
Mubarak ended his 30-year grip on power by ceding control of the nation to the military.
In light of the recent developments in Cairo, Valte said the Philippine Embassy in Cairo will continue to assess the situation.
She stressed that voluntary repatriation of Filipinos in Cairo who want to come home will still continue.
Valte added that the third batch of repatriates are due to depart Cairo on Sunday and will arrive Monday in Manila.
The third batch is composed of 30 women, 3 men and 3 minors who availed of the voluntary repatriation program being conducted by the Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the light of the on-going protest actions in Egypt.
Earlier, a batch of 26 Filipinos arrived last Sunday, composed of Filipino scholars from the Al Azhar University and their families, three nurses from the Dar Al Fouad Hospital and household service workers. The second batch of 32 Filipinos arrived last Wednesday.
Like the previous batches, the Embassy received assistance from the International Organization for Migration office in Cairo in securing arrangements for this batch of Filipino repatriates, also with the assistance of Filipino community organizations. (PCOO)
Malacanang announces more new appointments
Malacañang on Saturday announced more appointees to government posts.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced through government radio dzRB that the new appointees include Aurora Javate De Dios as Philippines Representative, representing Women’s Rights in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children for a term of three years.
Danilo Jamora was also appointed Acting Director III of the News and Information Bureau, which is under the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Other new appointees were Ruben S. Reinoso, Jr. as Assistant Director-General for Investment Programming of the National Development Office, under the National Economic Development Authority; Patrocinio Jude H. Esguerra III as Deputy Director-General of the National Anti-Poverty Commission; and Jesusa I. Rebete as Acting Director II of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
Atty. Melchor V. Ocaso was appointed as Prosecutor I of the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Capiz while Editho A. Castillo, Jr. was appointed Prosecutor II of the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Eastern Samar, and Atty. Jocam Joseph C. Jocson as Prosecutor II of the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Davao Oriental. (PCOO)
Justice and livelihood -- key elements in promoting peace, says Coloma
CAMP VICENTE LIM, Calamba, Laguna -- The Aquino administration is exerting necessary efforts to ensure the success of the ongoing peace talks between the government and insurgency groups in the country as it stressed the two key elements in winning the long elusive peace for all.
In his message at the culmination of the “Padyak para sa Kapayapaan” here, Saturday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. noted the government’s stringent initiatives to win the peace through the delivery of justice and providing livelihood for the people.
“There are two key elements needed for the success of the peace talks: justice and the availability of livelihood,” Coloma noted stressing the importance of strengthening the criminal justice system.
With regards to livelihood, Coloma noted that the lack of gainful employment or economic opportunity more often leads to the commission of crimes due to poverty. “Many crimes are committed out of hunger or out of desperation,” he said adding that these two key elements are being pushed by the President through various programs committed to poverty reduction.
He said that one of the concrete programs of the government geared towards poverty alleviation is the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program that will help at least 23 million families across the country.
“The CCT program is one of the aggressive and comprehensive programs of the Aquino government,” Coloma noted. “For the first time, the government has allocated 21 billion pesos for this program that will directly benefit the underprivileged Filipinos with the help of the local government units.”
Coloma asked the help of the people to promote Region 4A which includes the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON) as the premiere zone of peace and prosperity. He encouraged them to promote efforts that will help in winning the peace rather than waging war against insurgency in the region, and the whole country.
He also stressed the relevant role of mass media in the promotion and eventually attaining peace by sharing developmental stories to the people.
Also present during the event were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, local government executives and members of various sectors of society.
“Padyak para sa Kapayapaan” is a bikathon and peace advocacy forum launched by the Calabarzon PNP in support of the Aquino administration’s initiatives to end the four-decade communist insurgency through the peace talks.
CALABARZON police director, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said the national police believes that the peace talks is the best chance to foster trust and confidence among the negotiating parties and bring an end to the fighting between government forces and alleged members of the insurgency. (PCOO)
