Aquino reports fruitful Thailand trip
President Benigno Aquino III reported a fruitful 2-day trip to Thailand noting that the Philippines made several gains, particularly in trade and investment.
“Ito pong biyahe natin bagama’t kulang-kulang sa 24-oras ay talaga naman pong magiging makabuluhan lalo na sa mga darating na linggo at buwan,” the President said in his arrival speech at Centennial Terminal 2 on Friday evening.
“Tinutupad natin ang ating mga obligasyon na patibayin ang ugnayan sa buong Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], isa po ang Thailand sa mga founding members.”
The President also said he was able to meet the Filipino community in Thailand during his short trip and was able to start addressing their concerns as they work in Thailand.
President Aquino said he talked to the four biggest corporations in Thailand that have existing investments in the Philippines. While those companies raised some concerns they promised to bring in more investment and technology as the government address those concerns.
Those companies are engaged in agriculture and aquaculture, the President said.
Some Thai experts, who previously studied in Philippines, have expressed their willingness to share their expertise with Filipino experts, the President said.
Both countries have common origins, conditions and problems, and the President said that he and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed to join hands in fighting climate change, human and drug trafficking, piracy and many other concerns.
It was also agreed that in August, after the Thai election, a joint commission on bilateral consultations will be created to give all the details that will strengthen the bilateral relations of the Philippines and Thailand, according to the President.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be the lead agency for the Philippine side and this will tackle human and drug trafficking, as well as share best practices in disaster mitigation by both countries. It will also include other agencies of the government.
Thailand is also interested in knowing the Philippine experiences in dealing with Muslim separatists as it handles a budding Muslim rebellion in southern Thailand.
Among those who welcomed the President in his arrival were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Peace adviser Teresita Deles and other officials. (PCOO)
Aquino awaits DOJ report on Leviste case
President Benigno Aquino III said the justice department is in the final stages of writing a report on the case of former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste and the chief executive said he might come up with a decision in the middle of next week.
Leviste, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing an aide, was caught wandering outside the New Bilibid Prison sometime ago.
The President said that upon his arrival from Thailand Friday evening, he asked Justice Secretary on the case and was informed that the report was in the finishing stages.
On the case of the Ampatuans, who were reported getting special treatment inside their detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa, the President reiterated that allowing such kind of treatment on detained suspects is not the policy of his administration.
“Obviously that is not the policy of this administration. But at the same time, we will not act or react on the statement of anybody, there has to be rule of law, there has to be due process,” the President said in an interview at Centennial Terminal 2 right after meeting the members of his Cabinet.
Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno has looked into the matter and Interior and Local government Secretary Jessie Robredo has already conducted an investigation on the issue, the President said.
The President also said there were changes in personnel handling the Ampatuans to pave the way for an impartial investigation.
Robredo had focused on the issue for several months and conducted many surprise visits to unearth the truth on the allegations of special treatment, the President added.
“Once the investigation is completed they will settle once and for all whether the Ampatuans did receive special treatment or not,” he stressed. (PCOO)
Palace issues new guidelines on purchase of government vehicles
President Benigno Aquino III has delegated the authority to approve the acquisition of government motor vehicles to Cabinet secretaries, and to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for purchases by local government units (LGUs), under a new set of guidelines aimed at streamlining operations in the bureaucracy while promoting public accountability.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Saturday that the Chief Executive signed Administrative Order No. 15 on May 25, 2011 to transfer such authority from the Office of the President (OP) to specific government agencies and to reiterate existing policies on the prohibition on the acquisition of luxury vehicles.
“Our objective here is to delegate the authority to approve the requests for the purchase of vehicles to the line agencies that are in a better position to determine whether the requests to purchase vehicles are justified,” Ochoa explained.
“In our 10 months here, we have determined that there is a need to decentralize a lot of procedures because so many papers need Malacañang approval even though we may not be the best office to process these requests. For example, we could not see the purpose behind requiring OP approval for administrative matters like the purchase of vehicles by LGUs in the provinces when there is an agency that is tasked to oversee LGU concerns,” he added.
According to Ochoa, AO 15 also directs all government offices to immediately account for all their motor vehicle units and draw up a disposal program for all luxury motor vehicles, which they will submit to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) within six months.
Under the new guidelines, the DBM has the authority to evaluate requests and recommend acquisition of motor vehicles by departments and attached agencies, including government-owned and -controlled corporations and government financial institutions. The authority to approve the requests rests with the heads of the concerned departments.
LGUs planning to acquire motor vehicles, on the other hand, must secure the approval of the DILG instead of the Office of the President.
For "specific-purpose vehicles” such as medical ambulances, military and police patrols and fire trucks, road construction and cargo equipment, among others, local executives may approve the purchase of these types of vehicles if the funds come from their own funds. LGUs who intend to purchase these types of vehicles using funds from the national government, however, must secure approval from the DBM.
For motor vehicles of other government offices and agencies not covered by the AO, evaluation and recommendation will be done by the DBM and the approval by the OP.
AO 15 amends AO 233 dated August 1, 2008, which governs the purchase and use of luxury vehicles by government agencies for their operations. This was further strengthened under Memorandum Order No. 9 issued in December 2010, which prohibits the acquisition of high-end cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs). (PCOO)
President Benigno Aquino III reported a fruitful 2-day trip to Thailand noting that the Philippines made several gains, particularly in trade and investment.
“Ito pong biyahe natin bagama’t kulang-kulang sa 24-oras ay talaga naman pong magiging makabuluhan lalo na sa mga darating na linggo at buwan,” the President said in his arrival speech at Centennial Terminal 2 on Friday evening.
“Tinutupad natin ang ating mga obligasyon na patibayin ang ugnayan sa buong Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], isa po ang Thailand sa mga founding members.”
The President also said he was able to meet the Filipino community in Thailand during his short trip and was able to start addressing their concerns as they work in Thailand.
President Aquino said he talked to the four biggest corporations in Thailand that have existing investments in the Philippines. While those companies raised some concerns they promised to bring in more investment and technology as the government address those concerns.
Those companies are engaged in agriculture and aquaculture, the President said.
Some Thai experts, who previously studied in Philippines, have expressed their willingness to share their expertise with Filipino experts, the President said.
Both countries have common origins, conditions and problems, and the President said that he and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed to join hands in fighting climate change, human and drug trafficking, piracy and many other concerns.
It was also agreed that in August, after the Thai election, a joint commission on bilateral consultations will be created to give all the details that will strengthen the bilateral relations of the Philippines and Thailand, according to the President.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be the lead agency for the Philippine side and this will tackle human and drug trafficking, as well as share best practices in disaster mitigation by both countries. It will also include other agencies of the government.
Thailand is also interested in knowing the Philippine experiences in dealing with Muslim separatists as it handles a budding Muslim rebellion in southern Thailand.
Among those who welcomed the President in his arrival were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Peace adviser Teresita Deles and other officials. (PCOO)
Aquino awaits DOJ report on Leviste case
President Benigno Aquino III said the justice department is in the final stages of writing a report on the case of former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste and the chief executive said he might come up with a decision in the middle of next week.
Leviste, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing an aide, was caught wandering outside the New Bilibid Prison sometime ago.
The President said that upon his arrival from Thailand Friday evening, he asked Justice Secretary on the case and was informed that the report was in the finishing stages.
On the case of the Ampatuans, who were reported getting special treatment inside their detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa, the President reiterated that allowing such kind of treatment on detained suspects is not the policy of his administration.
“Obviously that is not the policy of this administration. But at the same time, we will not act or react on the statement of anybody, there has to be rule of law, there has to be due process,” the President said in an interview at Centennial Terminal 2 right after meeting the members of his Cabinet.
Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno has looked into the matter and Interior and Local government Secretary Jessie Robredo has already conducted an investigation on the issue, the President said.
The President also said there were changes in personnel handling the Ampatuans to pave the way for an impartial investigation.
Robredo had focused on the issue for several months and conducted many surprise visits to unearth the truth on the allegations of special treatment, the President added.
“Once the investigation is completed they will settle once and for all whether the Ampatuans did receive special treatment or not,” he stressed. (PCOO)
Palace issues new guidelines on purchase of government vehicles
President Benigno Aquino III has delegated the authority to approve the acquisition of government motor vehicles to Cabinet secretaries, and to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for purchases by local government units (LGUs), under a new set of guidelines aimed at streamlining operations in the bureaucracy while promoting public accountability.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Saturday that the Chief Executive signed Administrative Order No. 15 on May 25, 2011 to transfer such authority from the Office of the President (OP) to specific government agencies and to reiterate existing policies on the prohibition on the acquisition of luxury vehicles.
“Our objective here is to delegate the authority to approve the requests for the purchase of vehicles to the line agencies that are in a better position to determine whether the requests to purchase vehicles are justified,” Ochoa explained.
“In our 10 months here, we have determined that there is a need to decentralize a lot of procedures because so many papers need Malacañang approval even though we may not be the best office to process these requests. For example, we could not see the purpose behind requiring OP approval for administrative matters like the purchase of vehicles by LGUs in the provinces when there is an agency that is tasked to oversee LGU concerns,” he added.
According to Ochoa, AO 15 also directs all government offices to immediately account for all their motor vehicle units and draw up a disposal program for all luxury motor vehicles, which they will submit to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) within six months.
Under the new guidelines, the DBM has the authority to evaluate requests and recommend acquisition of motor vehicles by departments and attached agencies, including government-owned and -controlled corporations and government financial institutions. The authority to approve the requests rests with the heads of the concerned departments.
LGUs planning to acquire motor vehicles, on the other hand, must secure the approval of the DILG instead of the Office of the President.
For "specific-purpose vehicles” such as medical ambulances, military and police patrols and fire trucks, road construction and cargo equipment, among others, local executives may approve the purchase of these types of vehicles if the funds come from their own funds. LGUs who intend to purchase these types of vehicles using funds from the national government, however, must secure approval from the DBM.
For motor vehicles of other government offices and agencies not covered by the AO, evaluation and recommendation will be done by the DBM and the approval by the OP.
AO 15 amends AO 233 dated August 1, 2008, which governs the purchase and use of luxury vehicles by government agencies for their operations. This was further strengthened under Memorandum Order No. 9 issued in December 2010, which prohibits the acquisition of high-end cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs). (PCOO)
