‘Ondoy’ hero honored at EDSA rites
President Benigno S. Aquino III paid tribute to the extra-ordinary heroism and bravery of an 18-year old construction worker in Quezon City, who gave up his life in order to save others in distress during the height of tropical storm Ondoy’s onslaught in 2009, by awarding him posthumously for his sacrifice.
The President led the awarding of a special recognition award to Muelmar “Toto” Magallanes “for having heroically and selflessly displayed his love for his fellowmen by saving the lives of over 30 people from drowning during the wrath of Tropical Storm Ondoy on September 26, 2009.”
The awarding was held at the People Power Monument along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue during the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the People Power Revolution Friday afternoon.
Magallanes, a resident of Barangay Bagong Silangan, was able to save seven families and 18 children who were trapped on their rooftops after rains spawned by Ondoy flooded his community.
But because of extreme exhaustion, Magallanes was carried away by strong currents. His body was found the following day covered in thick mud.
A P50,000 check from the Spirit of EDSA Foundation led by it chair Christopher Carrion was also given to the family of Magallanes represented by his mother. (PCOO)
Aquino lauds ‘salubong’ re-enactment at EDSA rites
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the re-enactment of the “salubong” between military and civilian forces during the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of EDSA People Power on Friday afternoon. He noted that it was “a very good tool for remembering EDSA 1986” as it provides the younger generation with a glimpse of what happened during the people power revolution then.
The pivotal moment when military forces met with its civilian counterpart to join forces and oust a dictator during that fateful day along EDSA in 1986 was played out once again in the “salubong” segment of Friday’s festivities.
The military contingent represented by former President Fidel Ramos and composed of soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, members of the Philippine National Police and two armored personnel carriers patiently awaited their cue at the Camp Aguinaldo portion of the highway.
Meanwhile, the civilian contingent composed of civic leaders and proponents of the first EDSA People Power led by former Senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino were likewise waiting for the go-signal at the EDSA shrine.
At the given time, the two forces began their march towards the nearby People Power Monument.
Loud cheers and applause greeted the two contingents as they met at the stage fronting the monument with Ramos and Aquino re-enacting their embrace, which in 1986 meant they had joined forces to topple a regime.
“Kaya ang salubungang ito ay isa ring makabuluhang pagtatagpo ng nakaraang henerasyon ng EDSA at ng henerasyon ngayon,” President Aquino said.
He added that with this re-enactment, he hoped the younger generation will have an idea of the sacrifice their elders gave for their freedom.
“Maunawaan at mapangalagaan sana ng ating mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ng mga naging sakripisyo natin noong EDSA,” the President said.
“Dahil sa paglaban natin sa kamay na bakal, malaya tayong nakakapagpahayag ngayon ng ating saloobin; nakakapagtipon nang walang banta o panganib na madakip; at may media tayong nag-uulat sa bayan ng mga nangyayari sa ating lipunan,” he added.
He further pointed out that despite the current controversy hounding the military, this re-enactment shows to the people the unwavering dedication of the Filipino soldier to serve the people.
It, the President said, shows that the Filipino soldier and the military will not think twice to turn their backs against any leader who would put the people in harm’s way.
“Sa salubungang ito, nasaksihan natin kung paano hindi magdadalawang-isip na talikuran ng militar ang pinuno nilang idadamay ang inosenteng sibilyan para sa kapangyarihan,” the President said. (PCOO)
Aquino directs DOLE to look into concerns of Filipino domestic helpers Hong Kong
President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz to look into the complaints of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong that some employment agencies still charge placement fees for the deployment of household helpers abroad.
The President issued the directive during his teleconference with Maritess Elvinia, a household helper in Hong Kong, on Friday at the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority as part of the 25th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
An existing policy against charging placement fees for the deployment of household workers abroad is absolute, and recruiters cannot charge before deployment and then for reimbursement later.
In December 2006, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration issued a new set of policies, which among others prohibited placement fees in the deployment of household helpers. The set of policies, which also raised the minimum monthly salary from $200 to $400, seeks to upgrade the status of Filipino domestic helpers being deployed worldwide.
The President asked all those who have paid such fees to report the incident to the POEA so that the erring recruitment agencies could be reprimanded.
According to POEA rules, agencies that collect placement fees from workers despite the ban would be penalized with cancellation of license and would be asked to refund the fee collected from the worker. (PCOO)
Aquino confers awards on 6 key people who inspired EDSA revolt
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred on Saturday morning the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Supremo on the late Joaquin “Chino” Roces and five Legion of Honor Awards with the rank of Commander to the late Teodoro Benigno and the late US Rep. Stephen Solarz, as well as Fr. James Reuter (SJ), Napoleon Rama and Billy Esposo.
The awarding was held at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang as part of the weeklong celebration of the 25th anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution.
In a speech, the President said it has recently become fashionable to point out the unfulfilled promises of EDSA with some daring to say that “maybe a one-man rule was not such a bad idea, never mind the oppression and the lack of liberties.”
“It is true that much remains to be resolved. But at the same time, who could deny what we have already achieved? Are we not better off today than we were a generation ago? Have we not finally regained the respect of the global community as a beacon of democracy? Are we not on the way to becoming a more equitable society,” he asked.
The President said he disagreed because “I do not think we would have become another Singapore had we stayed the course with Marcos. Singapore is one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia; it’s a place where poverty has become an exception, and where there is a growing room for artistic expression. This was not the case during Martial Law. During those dark years, inequality worsened and free expression was stifled. We were far from becoming another Singapore. Were it not for EDSA, we probably could have become another Libya,” he said.
He challenged his critics to talk to people who were there during the dark days. “Just ask Fr. James Reuter, who was tried for 12 days in Camp Aguinaldo for editing and publishing The Communicator,” a four-page paper on Martial Law and who subsequently was put under house arrest for two years.
“Ask Tito Nap Rama (journalist and floor leader of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, who shared a prison cell with my father, his crime, for sponsoring the “Ban Marcos” Resolution, which would have prevented the Marcoses from running for the top post under a new Constitution,” he added.
“Ask our favorite chair wrecker, Billy Esposo, who also put up a Cory Media Bureau that battled against media monopoly. Or the families of the late Chino Roces, Teddy Benigno and Representative Solarz,” continued the President.
“Chino Roces, who was my father’s mentor in journalism, who was also detained in Fort Bonifacio during Martial Law for bravely publicizing the unsanitized truth about the Marcos regime.
“Teddy Benigno, who found it necessary, along with other foreign journalists, to establish the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, so that they could help balance the Marcos-controlled media.”
He thanked the awardees and their families for the sacrifices they undertook to restore democracy in the Philippines. “It is those sacrifices that we honor today. The revolution did not end in 1986, nor will it end after this 25th anniversary. As Senator Ted Kennedy said: ‘The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.’”
He said much of what needs to be done will be difficult and will be met with some opposition. “It will not be achieved merely by marching on the streets. For example, through Executive Order 23, we imposed comprehensive restrictions on commercial logging in an effort to preserve our environment,” he added.
He said he also sought “to intervene in an unjust plea bargain in the case of Gen. Carlos Garcia, because this would have made a mockery of our justice system. All of these will be resisted by certain quarters that will be affected adversely by these actions.”
“These are the things that will eventually fulfill the promise of EDSA, and it is imperative that we, like those that flooded the streets in February 1986, persevere so that these things are achieved at the soonest time possible,” the Chief Executive added.
Among those present in the awarding ceremonies were members of the diplomatic community, the Cabinet, the families of the awardees, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga, columnist Conrad de Quiros and members of both houses of Congress. (PCOO)
