Last two 'Pilipinas Natin' cluster forums to unfold Tuesday, Wednesday
The last two “Pilipinas Natin” Cabinet cluster forums will unfold Tuesday (July 19) and Wednesday (July 20) this time from the Kalayaan studio in Malacanang.
The fourth forum on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster set for Tuesday will be lead by Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad. He will be joined in the panel by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.
The fifth and last forum on Security, Justice and Peace Cluster on Wednesday will be led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. He will be joined in the panel by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and a representative of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario who will be out of the country.
As in the first three forums on Economic Development Cluster, the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster, and the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Cluster, Tuesday and Wednesday’s forums will discuss accomplishments and plans in their respective Cabinet clusters.
The first three forums were broadcast live from NBN4 studio in Quezon City. The fourth and fifth forums will be broadcast live on NBN 4, IBC 13 and Radio ng Bayan from 9 a.m. and 10:30 from the Kalayaan studio in Malacanang.
Tuesday’s forum will have taped interviews with Kim Henares of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Peter Perfecto of the Makati Business Club and Teresita Ang See of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order.
There were will be questions to be asked from Marikina City and Olongapo City. Members of the Malacanang Press Corps will also have a chance to ask their questions in the last two forums.
In the fifth forum, there will be questions from Zamboanga City and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite.
In Tuesday’s forum, Abad will discuss the government’s anti-corruption campaign, efforts to protect government funds and strengthening government institutions.De Lima will talk about good governance and the government’s anti-corruption campaign. She will also touch on extra-judicial killings, human trafficking and the anti-illegal drugs drive.
Singson will delve on the image fixing efforts in the Department of Public Works and Highways and programs related to transparency and accounting.
He will also talk on the initial successes in savings in taxpayers’ money with the cancellation of anomalous contracts and DPWH actions against substandard public works.
Malacañang welcomes US House support of PHL position over West Philippine Sea dispute
Malacanang welcomes the resolution passed by the United States House of Representatives supporting the Philippine stand for a peaceful, multilateral and rules-based approach with respect to the West Philippine Sea dispute in accordance with international law.
The last two “Pilipinas Natin” Cabinet cluster forums will unfold Tuesday (July 19) and Wednesday (July 20) this time from the Kalayaan studio in Malacanang.
The fourth forum on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster set for Tuesday will be lead by Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad. He will be joined in the panel by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.
The fifth and last forum on Security, Justice and Peace Cluster on Wednesday will be led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. He will be joined in the panel by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and a representative of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario who will be out of the country.
As in the first three forums on Economic Development Cluster, the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster, and the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Cluster, Tuesday and Wednesday’s forums will discuss accomplishments and plans in their respective Cabinet clusters.
The first three forums were broadcast live from NBN4 studio in Quezon City. The fourth and fifth forums will be broadcast live on NBN 4, IBC 13 and Radio ng Bayan from 9 a.m. and 10:30 from the Kalayaan studio in Malacanang.
Tuesday’s forum will have taped interviews with Kim Henares of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Peter Perfecto of the Makati Business Club and Teresita Ang See of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order.
There were will be questions to be asked from Marikina City and Olongapo City. Members of the Malacanang Press Corps will also have a chance to ask their questions in the last two forums.
In the fifth forum, there will be questions from Zamboanga City and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite.
In Tuesday’s forum, Abad will discuss the government’s anti-corruption campaign, efforts to protect government funds and strengthening government institutions.De Lima will talk about good governance and the government’s anti-corruption campaign. She will also touch on extra-judicial killings, human trafficking and the anti-illegal drugs drive.
Singson will delve on the image fixing efforts in the Department of Public Works and Highways and programs related to transparency and accounting.
He will also talk on the initial successes in savings in taxpayers’ money with the cancellation of anomalous contracts and DPWH actions against substandard public works.
Malacañang welcomes US House support of PHL position over West Philippine Sea dispute
Malacanang welcomes the resolution passed by the United States House of Representatives supporting the Philippine stand for a peaceful, multilateral and rules-based approach with respect to the West Philippine Sea dispute in accordance with international law.
Echoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario's statement, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace is really elated over a resolution by US lawmakers supporting the country’s position over the disputed Spratly Group of Islands.
“As Secretary Albert Del Rosario has said, we welcome the resolution by the US lawmakers supporting our position calling for a peaceful resolution to this dispute and the rules-based approach on the resolution,” Valte said at a press briefing Monday.
In a statement, Secretary Del Rosario said the Philippines welcomed US House Resolution 352 calling for “a peaceful and collaborative resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and its environs and other maritime areas adjacent to the East Asian mainland” by select members of the US Congress.
He said the US House resolution clearly supports the Philippine position of peaceful, multilateral and rules-based settlement of the dispute in accordance with international law and condemns the use of force and overt threats.
In a report sent to the DFA (in Manila) by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, the US House resolution chaired by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, introduced the resolution last Friday, together with co-sponsors Rep. Don Manzullo, chairman of the House subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, ranking member of the same subcommittee, stating its unequivocal support to the Philippine position.
The US House resolution also had 27 co-sponsors – 18 Republicans and nine Democrats.
Malacañang orders DOH to effect dismissal of Pichay
Malacañang has ordered the implementation of the dismissal of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chairman Prospero Pichay Jr. on grounds of grave misconduct and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
In a press briefing at the Palace Monday, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has ordered Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona to implement the dismissal order from the Office of the Ombudsman.
Valte added that Secretary Ona, for his part, has coordinated with LWUA acting administrator Salvador Ner for the immediate implementation of the order.
“I have checked with the Office of the Executive Secretary and ES Ochoa has written to Secretary Enrique Ona of the DoH about the transmittal of the order of the Office of the Ombudsman for the dismissal of Chairman Pichay, and I have checked with the office of Secretary Ona and they have written to the acting administrator of LWUA giving instructions to effect the order of dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman,” Valte said.
LWUA is under the DOH.
Valte further said that Pichay could still appeal the decision before the Supreme Court but his dismissal will be implemented immediately pursuant to the rules of the anti-graft agency.
“Pwede pa ho siyang umapela sa korte ngunit ang desisyon po kasi ng Office of the Ombudsman na meron pong ganitong penalty ay immediately executory even pending appeal,” Valte said.
On July 4, acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro ordered the dismissal from duty of Pichay and two other LWUA officials – acting administrator Daniel Landingin and acting deputy administrator Wilfredo Feleo – for their alleged unlawful use of P780 million in state funds for acquiring Express Savings Bank Inc. in 2009.
Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said that the three sacked LWUA officials were stripped of all benefits and permanently disqualified from working in government.
Malacañang stands by no-ransom policy
Malacañang stressed the government's no-ransom policy for kidnapped victims, following reports that kidnappers reportedly demanded millions of US dollars for the release of the two Americans and a Filipino who were snatched from a resort on the island of Tictabon, Zamboanga City last July 12.
Malacañang orders DOH to effect dismissal of Pichay
Malacañang has ordered the implementation of the dismissal of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chairman Prospero Pichay Jr. on grounds of grave misconduct and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
In a press briefing at the Palace Monday, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has ordered Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona to implement the dismissal order from the Office of the Ombudsman.
Valte added that Secretary Ona, for his part, has coordinated with LWUA acting administrator Salvador Ner for the immediate implementation of the order.
“I have checked with the Office of the Executive Secretary and ES Ochoa has written to Secretary Enrique Ona of the DoH about the transmittal of the order of the Office of the Ombudsman for the dismissal of Chairman Pichay, and I have checked with the office of Secretary Ona and they have written to the acting administrator of LWUA giving instructions to effect the order of dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman,” Valte said.
LWUA is under the DOH.
Valte further said that Pichay could still appeal the decision before the Supreme Court but his dismissal will be implemented immediately pursuant to the rules of the anti-graft agency.
“Pwede pa ho siyang umapela sa korte ngunit ang desisyon po kasi ng Office of the Ombudsman na meron pong ganitong penalty ay immediately executory even pending appeal,” Valte said.
On July 4, acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro ordered the dismissal from duty of Pichay and two other LWUA officials – acting administrator Daniel Landingin and acting deputy administrator Wilfredo Feleo – for their alleged unlawful use of P780 million in state funds for acquiring Express Savings Bank Inc. in 2009.
Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said that the three sacked LWUA officials were stripped of all benefits and permanently disqualified from working in government.
Malacañang stands by no-ransom policy
Malacañang stressed the government's no-ransom policy for kidnapped victims, following reports that kidnappers reportedly demanded millions of US dollars for the release of the two Americans and a Filipino who were snatched from a resort on the island of Tictabon, Zamboanga City last July 12.
“Ang policy po ng gobyerno diyan is we don't pay ransom and it is something that the local crisis committee knows,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a regular news briefing held at Malacanang on Monday amid repoheld on the said kidnapping incident.
Valte said Malacanang is closely monitoring the progress of rescue efforts being undertaken by authorities to secure the safety of the captives - naturalized American Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, her son Kevin, 14, and nephew Romnick Jakaria, 19.
"The authorities are on top of the situation. Hopefully magiging maganda po ang outcome nitong situation na ito at wala pong masasaktan,” Valte said.
Reports said Lunsmann arrived in the country recently to retrace her roots. She was adopted by an American couple when she was still a nine-year-old girl in Pangapuyan Island.
A group of armed men snatched Gerfa, along with Kevin Eric and Romnick while at the beach house last July 12. They were forced at gunpoint to board awaiting boats. The boats then sped toward the island of Basilan, a stronghold of the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf.
The Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Army have joined the police in the search and rescue operations.
