Crown Prince of Johor visits Aquino, renews ties started 30 years ago
Crown Prince of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj, on Thursday night called on President Benigno S. Aquino III to take a few days rest in the country and renewed his friendship with him that began 30 years ago in Boston.
As requested by the Prince, no parade or trooping the line was held when he entered Malacanang Palace at around 6:50 p.m. The sultan arrived in Manila via private jet plane Wednesday afternoon.
According to the President’s uncle, Antolin Oreta Jr. the Sultan’s call was not an official visit and no specific agenda was set up. “It was just a visit by a friend,” he said.
“Long time no see, my friend. How are you? It’s been almost 30 years when we last saw each other,” Sultan Ibrahim told the President when they met inside the President’s Hall at exactly 7:00 pm.
After few minutes of conversation they continued their “kumustahan” in a simple dinner.
Sultan Ibrahim of Malaysia’s visit to President Aquino renews a friendship that began 30 years ago when he was a frequent house guest at the latter’s Boston residence dressed in dungarees and fondly called “the king.”
Proclaimed Sultan of Johor in January 22, 2010 after the death of his father, Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, the Malaysian prince was a student at Harvard University in 1981 when the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the President’s father, addressed the students.
The Sultan’s visit in Manila was finally considered after the President and the Crown Prince failed to meet in Singapore during his state visit there last March.
Born on November 22, 1958 in Johor Baru and studied in the United Kingdom, the Crown Prince was the eldest son of Sultan Iskandar and his first wife Josephine Trevorrow of the United Kingdom.
A motorcycle enthusiast, Sultan Ibrahim is best known as the founder of the long-running annual event Kembara Mahkota Johor (Royal Johor Motorcycle Expedition). He also received military training in the United States, at Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
He became Crown Prince or Tengku Mahkota of Johor when his father became Sultan of Johor in 1981 and Regent of Johor when his father served as King of Malaysia from 1984-1989.
Sultan Ibrahim has five sons and one daughter. His wife is Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris Shah of Perak. His eldest son Tengku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is the Tengku Mahkota of Johor. (PCOO)
Palace declares June 20 a special non-working holiday
Malacañang has declared June 20 a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday.
Ochoa said Proclamation No. 154, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on April 26, moved the commemoration to June 20 instead of June 19, which falls on a Sunday, on recommendation of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to allow more people to participate in various activities related to the event.
“The President deems it as an opportune time for our kababayans to commemorate our national hero’s achievements and sacrifices for our beloved country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, as well as participate in the various ceremonies that were prepared to celebrate this occasion,” Ochoa said.
In a letter to the Chief Executive, NHCP Executive Director III Ludovico Badoy said various activities to celebrate Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary had been prepared by the government and the private sector, including the commemorative rites at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba City in Laguna, the Philippine national hero’s birth place. (PCOO)
Ochoa reorganizes Legal Affairs office
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday the appointment of Michael G. Aguinaldo as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs as part of the reorganization in the Palace legal office to streamline its operations and further strengthen Malacañang’s legal team.
Ochoa said Aguinaldo was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III on April 27, 2011 and now heads the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA).
Aguinaldo's appointment is expected to bolster the team behind ODESLA, which now oversees three divisions following the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission pursuant to Executive Order No. 13.
Aside from the Legal and Legislative Divisions, ODESLA also handles the Investigative and Adjudicatory Division, which has taken over the responsibilities of PAGC.
ODESLA reviews administrative cases appealed before the Office of the President (OP), provides the President with input on legal matters and reviews proposed legislation.
"We are conscious of the need to bolster the capabilities of our Legal Department because aside from its added responsibilities, we also want to make significant inroads into cutting the backlog of cases in ODESLA, some of which have been pending there for years," Ochoa said.
Under the reorganization, ODESLA will report directly to the Executive Secretary instead of Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Jose Amor Amorado, whose resignation has been accepted by Ochoa to allow him to pursue his other career plans that have been shelved when he joined the 2010 presidential campaign and the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Amorado had given himself one year to help organize the OES in its formative months prior to accepting the position. He was a practicing lawyer before he actively campaigned for President Aquino in last May’s elections and was director of PiNoy Lawyers, a group of volunteer lawyers who served as the President’s poll watchdog in the last elections.
"We are thankful for his contributions during the presidential campaign and at the time when we were organizing the OES. His efforts are very much appreciated,” the Executive Secretary said.
Aguinaldo has been a professor at the Ateneo School of Law since 1994 and was a partner in the Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles Law Office, where he handled litigation and arbitration for foreign and local clients.
A graduate of Philosophy in De La Salle University in 1987, Aguinaldo took up law at the Ateneo School of Law and placed 7th in the Philippine bar exams in 1993. He later obtained his Masters of Law Degree from the University of Michigan in 1997, with special concentration on international economic law. (PCOO)
New Thai envoy vows to further enhance relations with PHL
Newly-designated Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Prasas Prasasvinitchai of Thailand assured President Benigno S. Aquino III that he will do his best to further enhance relations between the Philippines and Thailand during his tour of duty in the country.
Ambassador Prasasvinitchai echoed his assurance when he handed over to President Aquino his letters of credentials on Friday at the Malacanang Music Room.
Ambassador Prasasvinitchai thanked the Chief Executive for the warm welcome accorded him as he introduced the members of his delegation.
“In behalf of the Filipino people, we welcome you here in the Philippines,” the President replied.
After the ceremony, the President, together with Assistant Secretary Virginia H. Benavidez of the Department of Foreign Affairs, then ushered Ambassador Prasasvinitchai and his party to the adjoining Music Conference Room for a closed-door meeting. (PCOO)
Aquino orders search for new Ombudsman
President Benigno Aquino ordered the search for a new Ombudsman after Merceditas Gutierrez resigned Friday barely two weeks before the start of an impeachment process aimed at removing her from office.
“I now urge the Judicial and Bar Council to begin the search for a new Ombudsman. With the support of the public, we can now proceed more decisively in making government officials more accountable to their bosses, the Filipino people,” the President said in a statement Friday.
President Aquino said he was glad with the resignation of Gutierrez adding Congress can now focus on matters that concern national welfare rather than spend time deliberating in a lengthy impeachment process.
“Her action has spared the country from a long and divisive impeachment process that would have distracted our lawmakers from dealing with the many problems we face today,” the President said.
With the cancellation of the impeachment process, Congress can now focus on over 20 priority measures that his administration supports, bills that need urgent passage because of its benefits to the people, he said.
At the same time, the President thanked the House of Representatives that worked hard on debating and submitting the impeachment complaint to the Senate.
Asked by reporters whether Gutierrez will be off the hook after stepping down and whether he asked for concessions, the President said he didn’t ask for anything in return for the resignation of Gutierrez.
The President added that judicial reform is one of his plans under his leadership and at the same time acknowledged the weaknesses of the country’s judicial system noting that there must be prioritization in going after those who committed misdeeds.
As the new Ombudsman is selected, the President said a fresh start will be given the office, an office that can be trusted by the people knowing that those who violated the law will be punished. (PCOO)
Crown Prince of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj, on Thursday night called on President Benigno S. Aquino III to take a few days rest in the country and renewed his friendship with him that began 30 years ago in Boston.
As requested by the Prince, no parade or trooping the line was held when he entered Malacanang Palace at around 6:50 p.m. The sultan arrived in Manila via private jet plane Wednesday afternoon.
According to the President’s uncle, Antolin Oreta Jr. the Sultan’s call was not an official visit and no specific agenda was set up. “It was just a visit by a friend,” he said.
“Long time no see, my friend. How are you? It’s been almost 30 years when we last saw each other,” Sultan Ibrahim told the President when they met inside the President’s Hall at exactly 7:00 pm.
After few minutes of conversation they continued their “kumustahan” in a simple dinner.
Sultan Ibrahim of Malaysia’s visit to President Aquino renews a friendship that began 30 years ago when he was a frequent house guest at the latter’s Boston residence dressed in dungarees and fondly called “the king.”
Proclaimed Sultan of Johor in January 22, 2010 after the death of his father, Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, the Malaysian prince was a student at Harvard University in 1981 when the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the President’s father, addressed the students.
The Sultan’s visit in Manila was finally considered after the President and the Crown Prince failed to meet in Singapore during his state visit there last March.
Born on November 22, 1958 in Johor Baru and studied in the United Kingdom, the Crown Prince was the eldest son of Sultan Iskandar and his first wife Josephine Trevorrow of the United Kingdom.
A motorcycle enthusiast, Sultan Ibrahim is best known as the founder of the long-running annual event Kembara Mahkota Johor (Royal Johor Motorcycle Expedition). He also received military training in the United States, at Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
He became Crown Prince or Tengku Mahkota of Johor when his father became Sultan of Johor in 1981 and Regent of Johor when his father served as King of Malaysia from 1984-1989.
Sultan Ibrahim has five sons and one daughter. His wife is Raja Zarith Sofia Sultan Idris Shah of Perak. His eldest son Tengku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is the Tengku Mahkota of Johor. (PCOO)
Palace declares June 20 a special non-working holiday
Malacañang has declared June 20 a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday.
Ochoa said Proclamation No. 154, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on April 26, moved the commemoration to June 20 instead of June 19, which falls on a Sunday, on recommendation of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to allow more people to participate in various activities related to the event.
“The President deems it as an opportune time for our kababayans to commemorate our national hero’s achievements and sacrifices for our beloved country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, as well as participate in the various ceremonies that were prepared to celebrate this occasion,” Ochoa said.
In a letter to the Chief Executive, NHCP Executive Director III Ludovico Badoy said various activities to celebrate Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary had been prepared by the government and the private sector, including the commemorative rites at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba City in Laguna, the Philippine national hero’s birth place. (PCOO)
Ochoa reorganizes Legal Affairs office
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday the appointment of Michael G. Aguinaldo as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs as part of the reorganization in the Palace legal office to streamline its operations and further strengthen Malacañang’s legal team.
Ochoa said Aguinaldo was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III on April 27, 2011 and now heads the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA).
Aguinaldo's appointment is expected to bolster the team behind ODESLA, which now oversees three divisions following the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission pursuant to Executive Order No. 13.
Aside from the Legal and Legislative Divisions, ODESLA also handles the Investigative and Adjudicatory Division, which has taken over the responsibilities of PAGC.
ODESLA reviews administrative cases appealed before the Office of the President (OP), provides the President with input on legal matters and reviews proposed legislation.
"We are conscious of the need to bolster the capabilities of our Legal Department because aside from its added responsibilities, we also want to make significant inroads into cutting the backlog of cases in ODESLA, some of which have been pending there for years," Ochoa said.
Under the reorganization, ODESLA will report directly to the Executive Secretary instead of Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Jose Amor Amorado, whose resignation has been accepted by Ochoa to allow him to pursue his other career plans that have been shelved when he joined the 2010 presidential campaign and the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Amorado had given himself one year to help organize the OES in its formative months prior to accepting the position. He was a practicing lawyer before he actively campaigned for President Aquino in last May’s elections and was director of PiNoy Lawyers, a group of volunteer lawyers who served as the President’s poll watchdog in the last elections.
"We are thankful for his contributions during the presidential campaign and at the time when we were organizing the OES. His efforts are very much appreciated,” the Executive Secretary said.
Aguinaldo has been a professor at the Ateneo School of Law since 1994 and was a partner in the Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles Law Office, where he handled litigation and arbitration for foreign and local clients.
A graduate of Philosophy in De La Salle University in 1987, Aguinaldo took up law at the Ateneo School of Law and placed 7th in the Philippine bar exams in 1993. He later obtained his Masters of Law Degree from the University of Michigan in 1997, with special concentration on international economic law. (PCOO)
New Thai envoy vows to further enhance relations with PHL
Newly-designated Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Prasas Prasasvinitchai of Thailand assured President Benigno S. Aquino III that he will do his best to further enhance relations between the Philippines and Thailand during his tour of duty in the country.
Ambassador Prasasvinitchai echoed his assurance when he handed over to President Aquino his letters of credentials on Friday at the Malacanang Music Room.
Ambassador Prasasvinitchai thanked the Chief Executive for the warm welcome accorded him as he introduced the members of his delegation.
“In behalf of the Filipino people, we welcome you here in the Philippines,” the President replied.
After the ceremony, the President, together with Assistant Secretary Virginia H. Benavidez of the Department of Foreign Affairs, then ushered Ambassador Prasasvinitchai and his party to the adjoining Music Conference Room for a closed-door meeting. (PCOO)
Aquino orders search for new Ombudsman
President Benigno Aquino ordered the search for a new Ombudsman after Merceditas Gutierrez resigned Friday barely two weeks before the start of an impeachment process aimed at removing her from office.
“I now urge the Judicial and Bar Council to begin the search for a new Ombudsman. With the support of the public, we can now proceed more decisively in making government officials more accountable to their bosses, the Filipino people,” the President said in a statement Friday.
President Aquino said he was glad with the resignation of Gutierrez adding Congress can now focus on matters that concern national welfare rather than spend time deliberating in a lengthy impeachment process.
“Her action has spared the country from a long and divisive impeachment process that would have distracted our lawmakers from dealing with the many problems we face today,” the President said.
With the cancellation of the impeachment process, Congress can now focus on over 20 priority measures that his administration supports, bills that need urgent passage because of its benefits to the people, he said.
At the same time, the President thanked the House of Representatives that worked hard on debating and submitting the impeachment complaint to the Senate.
Asked by reporters whether Gutierrez will be off the hook after stepping down and whether he asked for concessions, the President said he didn’t ask for anything in return for the resignation of Gutierrez.
The President added that judicial reform is one of his plans under his leadership and at the same time acknowledged the weaknesses of the country’s judicial system noting that there must be prioritization in going after those who committed misdeeds.
As the new Ombudsman is selected, the President said a fresh start will be given the office, an office that can be trusted by the people knowing that those who violated the law will be punished. (PCOO)
