Aquino assures families of Maguindanao massacre victims there will be no deal with Zaldy Ampatuan
President Benigno Aquino III assured the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre that he will do everything in his power to give them justice following a meeting in Malacañang on Thursday.
President Benigno Aquino III assured the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre that he will do everything in his power to give them justice following a meeting in Malacañang on Thursday.
“In the meeting a while ago with the victims, the President said ‘I will do everything possible to get justice.’ And that’s his commitment to the families of the massacre victims. That’s the commitment from the President himself,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in the press briefing at the Palace after the meeting.
At the same time, Maguindanao Gov. Ismael Mangudadatu, whose wife was one of the victims, said the President assured them that the fight for the Manguindanao massacre case will continue and the President will remain on their side.
He added that the President as well as Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo made it clear that there is no compromise between the Palace and Ampatuans regarding the Maguindanao massacre case.
Mangudadatu, who together with other families of victims opposed suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan becoming a state witness in the gruesome Maguindanao killings. He said the President wants Zaldy Ampatuan to talk more so that the government gets more information on the massacre incident and other cases.
It was reported that Zaldy Ampatuan has sent feelers stating his desire to become a state witness in the massacre case although the justice department rejected it.
De Lima said during the press briefing that nobody knows the real intention or the motive of Zaldy Ampatuan for revealing information about alleged graft of the Arroyos and the cheating during the 2007 senatorial elections.
“Pero ang posisyon lang natin ay ito: Anuman ‘yan… totohanan man ‘yan o hindi, pagdating sa massacre case ay magiging maingat tayo because we cannot sacrifice this trial for anything. Because this is supposed to be the trial of the century, the litmus test of the Philippine justice system,” she said.
“Kasasabi lang din ni Pangulong Noy na, ‘If we fail in this case then the entire justice system of this country also fails,’” she said, adding that the President wants the trial finished within his term.
According to lawyer Nena Santos, the lawyers for the Mangudadatus, Zaldy Ampatuan is a principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre case. He is also facing a plunder case as well as a graft and corruption case at the Office of the Ombudsman.
“There is also a separate anti-money laundering case against him filed at the Court of Appeals. And he could possibly be charged with tax evasion, and other cases that he himself opened, like election fraud,” the lawyer said.
At least 57 people, including 32 journalists, were killed in November 2009 in Maguindanao in the run up to the 2010 elections.
The Ampatuans, close allies of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were tagged as the main suspects. The trial has been ongoing although some of the main suspects have yet to be arraigned while there are other suspects who remain at large.
Aquino leads awarding of housing units to AFP, PNP personnel in Bulacan
BOCAUE, Bulacan: Fulfilling his promise of a mass housing program, President Benigno S. Aquino III led the ceremonial distribution of housing units to qualified personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Barangay Batia, here.
Aquino leads awarding of housing units to AFP, PNP personnel in Bulacan
BOCAUE, Bulacan: Fulfilling his promise of a mass housing program, President Benigno S. Aquino III led the ceremonial distribution of housing units to qualified personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Barangay Batia, here.
Upon his arrival at the housing project site on Friday, the President was welcomed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, National Housing Authority (NHA) general manager Chito Cruz and local government officials led by Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado and Bocaue Mayor Eduardo Villanueva Jr.
Cruz briefed the Chief Executive on the progress of the AFP-PNP Bocaue Hills Housing Project covering some 30 hectares with 4,000 lot allocations for the project.
President Aquino handed over the Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocations (CELAs) to the beneficiaries from both the AFP and the PNP.
Recipients of CELAs from the PNP were Police Officer 4 Myrna Cruz and Police Officer 1 Ulysses Cabanting while Technical Sergeant Rodrigo Pagaduan and Technical Sergeant Macario Calimag from the AFP.
The average size of each unit is 36 square meters for the Type RH1 and 40 square meters for the Type RH2.
Amenities of the housing project include a basketball court, day care centers and livelihood training centers, among others. It also has an underground drainage system, concrete road network with sidewalks and concrete curb and gutter.
Water supply may be sourced from a deep well or from the Bocaue Water District through an industrial water connection system. Individual power service connection will also be accessible from Meralco.
Representatives from the AFP and the PNP expressed gratitude to President Aquino for realizing what he has promised for them during the 25th anniversary celebration of the People Power EDSA Revolution in February this year.
Soldiers and policemen will be paying a monthly amortization of P200 for the first five years, and will gradually increase to P1,307 for the last five years of payment.
The 140,000 selling price of each housing unit is payable in 30 years at six percent interest rate per annum. A total of P35,000 for each unit was subsidized by the government from its original price of P175,000.
Aquino leads ceremonial distribution of housing units to police and military personnel in Calamba City
President Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday the ceremonial distribution of housing units to the members of police and military in Brgy. Looc, Calamba City in Laguna to uplift the living conditions as well as the morale of men and women in uniform.
Aquino leads ceremonial distribution of housing units to police and military personnel in Calamba City
President Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday the ceremonial distribution of housing units to the members of police and military in Brgy. Looc, Calamba City in Laguna to uplift the living conditions as well as the morale of men and women in uniform.
The chief executive distributed Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELAs) to the initial batch of qualified enlisted personnel who form part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police (AFP/PNP) Housing Program’s first phase that targets the completion of 21,800 units within the year.
The President acknowledged the sacrifices of the men and women in the armed services saying it’s hard for them to have peace of mind while doing their duties if they worry about the shelter of their families, the President said.
“Tulad ninyo, may sinumpaan din akong tungkulin: ang magsilbi sa abot ng aking makakaya; ang magsilbi nang tapat, marangal, at walang ibang iniintindi kundi ang kapakanan ng kapwa ko Pilipino,” the President said during a speech at the turn over ceremony.
He added that this is the reason he made a pledge earlier this year to give decent housing to police and military personnel.
“Sa inyong mga benepisyaryo ng proyektong ito: Ngayon, mahahawakan na ninyo ang susi sa isang panibagong pinto ng pagkakataon: susi sa mas panatag na pagseserbisyo-publiko; susi sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa inyong mga pamilya,” he added.
The government is spending P4.2 billion to fund the mass housing project, the President said noting that the money came from the P23.8-billion income of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) through efficient management.
At the same time, the President said the people now have a government that cares for them especially about their basic needs. He encouraged the Filipinos to unite and trust each other to realize the dream of a better future.
Following the awarding ceremony, the President inspected model units and turned over keys of the housing units to housing beneficiaries.
The 9.5-hectare project in Brgy. Looc, Calamba City is being administered by the National Housing Authority (NHA), which is expected to generate 1,500 house and lot units out of the 21,800 units intended for the qualified AFP and PNP personnel.
Physical development works and provision of community facilities such as three-storey, 15- classroom school building, day care center, health center, multi-purpose covered court, wet market, tricycle terminal, police outpost and materials recovery facility and livelihood opportunities are being prioritized by the NHA as part of the package.
Other AFP/PNP housing sites are also being built in Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal. Proposed sites have been identified in Visayas and Mindanao as part of phase 2 housing program for military and police personnel.
President Aquino said personnel form the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will also be given opportunities to have their own homes.
Today, there are about 19,000 housing unit applications received by the AFP/PNP housing boards and the NHA expects that the demand for housing for the military and the police will exceed the 20,000 target which President Aquino announced earlier.
President Aquino brings dream of owning a home a reality for military, police personnel
President Benigno S. Aquino III today fulfilled the dreams of the men and women in uniform to own a home in a community equipped with decent amenities that will help provide the enlisted personnel peace of mind while serving the country.
Fulfilling a promise to boost the morale and uplift the living standards of men and women in uniform, President Aquino today distributed Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELAs) to the initial batch of qualified enlisted personnel who form part of the AFP/PNP Housing Program’s first phase that targets the completion of 21,800 units within the year.
In his speech, the President recognized the diligent efforts of the AFP and PNP in protecting the citizenry and ensuring peace and harmony. “Before we expect our enlisted men and women to serve our community and our country, we must make sure their family is well taken care of and safe,” he told military and police representatives and local officials of Barangay Looc, Calamba City.
Barangay Looc is the site of 1,500 units on 9.5 hectares developed by Malate Construction & Development Corporation, which represents part of a total of 21,800 units to be completed by this year.
Simultaneous awardings were also conducted in the AFP/PNP Bocaue Hills Housing Project, Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan and Barangay Pinugay, Baras, Rizal.
President Aquino promise to ensure the well-being of military and police personnel was made during the 25th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution. He subsequently issued Administrative Order 9, last April 11 ordering the National Housing Authority (NHA) to formulate, implement and manage housing projects for 20,000 military and police personnel.
The AO directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to give priority in providing funds for the P4.2 billion housing program.
The AFP/PNP housing sites are in various stages of construction in Luzon. These include Bocaue, San Jose del Monte and Norzagaray in Bulacan; Baras and Rodriguez in Rizal and in the south, Calamba Laguna, Trece Martires and Gen. Trias, Cavite.
President Aquino brings dream of owning a home a reality for military, police personnel
President Benigno S. Aquino III today fulfilled the dreams of the men and women in uniform to own a home in a community equipped with decent amenities that will help provide the enlisted personnel peace of mind while serving the country.
Fulfilling a promise to boost the morale and uplift the living standards of men and women in uniform, President Aquino today distributed Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELAs) to the initial batch of qualified enlisted personnel who form part of the AFP/PNP Housing Program’s first phase that targets the completion of 21,800 units within the year.
In his speech, the President recognized the diligent efforts of the AFP and PNP in protecting the citizenry and ensuring peace and harmony. “Before we expect our enlisted men and women to serve our community and our country, we must make sure their family is well taken care of and safe,” he told military and police representatives and local officials of Barangay Looc, Calamba City.
Barangay Looc is the site of 1,500 units on 9.5 hectares developed by Malate Construction & Development Corporation, which represents part of a total of 21,800 units to be completed by this year.
Simultaneous awardings were also conducted in the AFP/PNP Bocaue Hills Housing Project, Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan and Barangay Pinugay, Baras, Rizal.
President Aquino promise to ensure the well-being of military and police personnel was made during the 25th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution. He subsequently issued Administrative Order 9, last April 11 ordering the National Housing Authority (NHA) to formulate, implement and manage housing projects for 20,000 military and police personnel.
The AO directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to give priority in providing funds for the P4.2 billion housing program.
The AFP/PNP housing sites are in various stages of construction in Luzon. These include Bocaue, San Jose del Monte and Norzagaray in Bulacan; Baras and Rodriguez in Rizal and in the south, Calamba Laguna, Trece Martires and Gen. Trias, Cavite.
Sites in Visayas and Mindanao have already been identified and will soon be on the drawing board to mark subsequent phases of the program.
The National Housing Authority under the leadership of General Manager Atty. Chito M. Cruz will administer the housing project.
As a total community package, the NHA has earmarked as priority physical development works and community facilities to include a 3-story (15 classroom) school building, day care center/health center, basketball court, wet market, tricycle terminal, police outpost and materials recovery facility and livelihood opportunities.
According to the NHA, there are now about 19,000 applications lodged at the AFP/PNP housing boards. The NHA expects demand to exceed the 20,000 units currently programmed.
This AFP/PNP Housing Program will largely provide permanent housing and security of tenure to the military and police personnel whose need for housing must be addressed immediately by the Aquino administration.
President Aquino, Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chair Jejomar C. Binay and some government and local officials, and the military and police were on hand to participate and witness the awarding of CELAs.
Following the awarding ceremony, the President also inspected model units and turned over keys of the housing units to housing beneficiaries. Average lot size of these housing units is 36 sq. meters – 40 sq. meters.
Physical development works and provision of community facilities such as 3 storey (15 classroom) school building, day care center/health center, multipurpose/basketball covered court, wet market, tricycle terminal, police outpost and materials recovery facility and livelihood opportunities are being prioritized by the NHA as part of the program total package. Power will be provided by MERALCO individual power service connection and water system thru the existing water providers within the area.
The National Housing Authority under the leadership of General Manager Atty. Chito M. Cruz will administer the housing project.
As a total community package, the NHA has earmarked as priority physical development works and community facilities to include a 3-story (15 classroom) school building, day care center/health center, basketball court, wet market, tricycle terminal, police outpost and materials recovery facility and livelihood opportunities.
According to the NHA, there are now about 19,000 applications lodged at the AFP/PNP housing boards. The NHA expects demand to exceed the 20,000 units currently programmed.
This AFP/PNP Housing Program will largely provide permanent housing and security of tenure to the military and police personnel whose need for housing must be addressed immediately by the Aquino administration.
President Aquino, Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chair Jejomar C. Binay and some government and local officials, and the military and police were on hand to participate and witness the awarding of CELAs.
Following the awarding ceremony, the President also inspected model units and turned over keys of the housing units to housing beneficiaries. Average lot size of these housing units is 36 sq. meters – 40 sq. meters.
Physical development works and provision of community facilities such as 3 storey (15 classroom) school building, day care center/health center, multipurpose/basketball covered court, wet market, tricycle terminal, police outpost and materials recovery facility and livelihood opportunities are being prioritized by the NHA as part of the program total package. Power will be provided by MERALCO individual power service connection and water system thru the existing water providers within the area.
Aquino issues administrative order directing gov’t entities to coordinate the acquisition of data
President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued an administrative order (AO) directing government entities to coordinate with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in the acquisition of data from airborne and spaceborne platforms such as satellite imageries, aerial photographs and other related products and services for mapping purposes in their respective projects.
By virtue of Administrative Order (AO) No. 16 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on July 5 this year, Aquino issued the directive to all government entities to prevent wasteful duplication of expenses in the implementation of various national development programs.
Aquino said the mapping activities of the government is part of cross-cutting strategy under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 for research, development, extension, and knowledge management on the environment and natural resources.
“The topographic base maps and other thematic maps are important tools in the planning and implementation of various national development programs,” Aquino said.
He noted that “the acquisition of data from airborne and spaceborne platforms, such as satellite imageries, aerial photographs and other related products and services, is an essential and major cost component in the production of topographic base and thematic maps.”Aquino further said that “the uncoordinated mapping activities of various government agencies result in wasteful duplication of expenses and effort in the acquisition of satellite imageries and aerial photographs, and in the production of various topographic base and thematic maps, and result further in incompatibility and sub-optimal use of geographic information.”
The NAMRIA is mandated by Section 22(a) of Executive Order (EO) No. 192 (s. 1987) to be the central mapping agency of the government, the AO said.
The AO shall apply to all government agencies, local government units (LGUs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), Government Corporate Entities (GCEs), Government Instrumentalities with Corporate Powers (GICPs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), which are referred to as government entities.
It also said that government entities shall submit to NAMRIA a complete inventory and index of all their data holdings within one month from the effectivity of this order.
“Pursuant to Section 22(a) of EO No.192, NAMRIA shall take into account the requirements of other agencies in the formulation and implementation of a nationwide development program on data acquisition, aerial photography, topographic base mapping programs, and other remote sensing mapping activities,” the AO said.
“Data from airborne and spaceborne platforms, such as satellite imageries and aerial photographs, and other related products and services for mapping purposes shall be procured from the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), except for projects funded from foreign grants and other official development assistance for which procurement can remain with the procuring entity,” the AO said.
The AO likewise stated that “a government entity intending to procure data from airborne and spaceborne platforms and other related products and services for mapping purposes shall secure a clearance certificate from NAMRIA as one of the supporting documents for the procurement.”
“NAMRIA shall advise the procuring entity within 15 days on the compliance or non-compliance of the Government Entity to the foregoing conditions, recommend changes in specifications and scope, resolve overlapping procurements in consultation with the procuring entities concerned, or issue a conditional clearance certificate, as may be appropriate,” the AO continued.
The AO added “that all government entities shall, as far as practicable, furnish NAMRIA metadata and copies of all imageries, aerial photographs, and map outputs for integration into the latter’s database.”
Aquino to announce new Ombudsman next week
President Benigno Aquino III said he will announce next week who will fill the vacancy left by former Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierrez.
In an interview after the distribution of housing units for police and military personnel in Calamba City on Friday the President confirmed that he already met with two of the candidates for the next Ombudsman.
When asked by reporters if he has selected a new Ombudsman he said: “By next week, I will tell you.”
The new ombudsman will replace Gutierrez who resigned a few months ago after an impeachment case was filed by the members of the House of Representatives.
Gutierrez was primarily accused of protecting former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, from prosecution over large scale anomalies such as the Fertilizer fund scam, Hello Garci scandal and national broadband network (NBN) deal.
Recently, the President appointed former law professor and San Miguel Corp. lawyer Francis Jardeleza as the new deputy ombudsman for Luzon.
Aquino leads AFP command conference in Camp Aguinaldo
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday met with key commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Aquino to announce new Ombudsman next week
President Benigno Aquino III said he will announce next week who will fill the vacancy left by former Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierrez.
In an interview after the distribution of housing units for police and military personnel in Calamba City on Friday the President confirmed that he already met with two of the candidates for the next Ombudsman.
When asked by reporters if he has selected a new Ombudsman he said: “By next week, I will tell you.”
The new ombudsman will replace Gutierrez who resigned a few months ago after an impeachment case was filed by the members of the House of Representatives.
Gutierrez was primarily accused of protecting former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, from prosecution over large scale anomalies such as the Fertilizer fund scam, Hello Garci scandal and national broadband network (NBN) deal.
Recently, the President appointed former law professor and San Miguel Corp. lawyer Francis Jardeleza as the new deputy ombudsman for Luzon.
Aquino leads AFP command conference in Camp Aguinaldo
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday met with key commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
After the Chief Executive visited Bocaue, Bulacan and Calamba City in Laguna where he led the awarding of housing units to AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, he proceeded to the AFP headquarters and led the AFP Command Conference in order to check the status of the ongoing implementation of reforms in the military.
Among the top agenda in the conference were the following: the status of financial and logistics management reforms, the AFP modernization and status of its funds, and the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan and the Department of Energy (DOE) funded projects.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr. said the conference provided the President an update on the implementation of Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan.
He said the Bayanihan Plan presentation included recommendations on improving its implementation.
On the AFP modernization, Oban said the military is committed to further improve its existing systems and continuously institute new reforms that will lead into a more transparent and credible Armed Forces.
“Geared towards capability development and continuing professionalization of its ranks, your AFP is committed to further improve its defense capability with the implementation of the modernization program,” Oban noted.
Also present in the command conference are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin.
Aquino says he’ll raise Spratly issue in his visit to China
The Philippines will insist on its position to bring the Spratly issue before the United Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas when President Benigno Aquino III visits China.
Aquino says he’ll raise Spratly issue in his visit to China
The Philippines will insist on its position to bring the Spratly issue before the United Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas when President Benigno Aquino III visits China.
“I think that is the only recourse open to us. We want to establish first and precisely who is right in terms of the definition under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas," the President said during an interview in Calamba City after the turn-over ceremony of a mass housing project for the police and the military on Friday.
“We don’t actually go to China to ask them to define what the Philippine rights are as far as the West Philippine Sea is concerned. We have to go to where everybody is a signatory and that is the UN and specifically the International Tribunal on the Laws of the Seas,” he said adding he would press China on the issue during his visit.
China has rejected the Philippine proposal to have the West Philippine Sea dispute settled before the International Tribunal on the Laws of the Seas.
The President’s trip to China is now being arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has just arrived from China after discussing Philippine-China relations.
This week, Malacañang allayed fears over the tension in the West Philippine Sea saying diplomats from claimant countries continue their dialogue to resolve the issue peacefully.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday that they are leaving the issue to the DFA and the diplomatic channels to settle it in the best interest of all the parties.
Earlier, Malacañang welcomed reports that both China and the Philippines have agreed to work together to ensure peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea following the recent visit of Secretary del Rosario to China.
Del Rosario and his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also agreed that the two countries would work together to ensure stability in those waters.
Aside from China, the Philippines and Vietnam, other claimant countries include Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
The Spratlys, a chain of barren, largely uninhabited islands, reefs and banks in the West Philippine Sea, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas. It also has busy sea lanes for global trade and commerce.
Aquino to prioritize fixing PCSO finances to address indigent needs
President Benigno Aquino III said he’ll prioritize fixing the finances of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to ensure continuing assistance to indigents rather than investigate its public relation mess.
Aquino to prioritize fixing PCSO finances to address indigent needs
President Benigno Aquino III said he’ll prioritize fixing the finances of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to ensure continuing assistance to indigents rather than investigate its public relation mess.
“My first priority as far as PCSO is concerned is that they are in arrears, I understand, the debt with government hospitals is to the tune of P3 billion. Their guarantees are no longer accepted by these government hospitals,” he said during an interview after the ceremonial distribution of houses in Calamba City on Friday.
The President said he wants the PCSO to retain its solid financial footing so it can address the issues of non-payment or delayed payments to government hospitals and ensure continuing services to poor Filipinos.
The PCSO has a big deficit that it always asks the support of the Office of the President to fill its deficiencies through the Presidential Social Fund (PSF), the President said.
Also the President said he wants to find out why the PCSO went bankrupt, why its board authorized a huge advertising budget and why its intelligence funds were too large for the last six months.
“All of these are part and parcel of trying to get them on a solid financial footing to be able to address the needs of the indigents that is its primary responsibility,” he said.
There is no need to investigate it and the President said he’ll just call the Chairman Margarita Juico and ask her if that is precisely the case.
Congress has an ongoing investigation in the alleged abuses and misuse of money in the PCSO.
