Aquino government can stamp out corruption – Abad
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad has expresses confidence on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s ability to end corruption in government.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad has expresses confidence on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s ability to end corruption in government.
Abad said during a Pilipinas Natin Forum in Malacañang on Tuesday that the President’s ability to stamp out corruption is hinged on the trust and confidence the people have in him.
He added that President Aquino has a “track record” of being corrupt-resistant which started from his parents former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon C. Aquino.
“Lalong higit pa ang pamahalaang Aquino dahil unang-una may tiwala ang mamamayan na pwede niyang gawin ito (end corruption) at pangalawa, meron siyang track record na sinimulan ng kanyang ama, sinundan ng kanyang ina at siya na mismo,” Abad said.
“Pakinggan mo ang mga sinasabi ng nasa oposisyon, wala kang madidinig na sinasabi na ang Pangulo natin ay corrupt,” he added.
“Talagang tinatanggap nila na ang ating Pangulo, bilang huwaran, ay kayang tapusin ang problemang ito,” Abad said.
Aquino enjoins citizenry to participate in formulation of National Budget
President Benigno S. Aquino III is tapping ordinary citizens, social groups and civil society organizations in formulating the 2012 National Budget, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Tuesday.
Abad said this landmark move was done in line with the President’s social contract with the people to stamp out corruption by opening all government transactions in order to remain as transparent as possible.
“Hinihikayat natin ang partisipasyon ng taong-bayan sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga samahan o ‘yung tinatawag nating NGOs (non-government organizations) or civil society organizations,” Abad said.
“Sa katunayan nga ngayong taon, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ng anumang gobyerno, ang isang direktiba ng ating Pangulo ay gawin ang paraan upang sa ganoon sa anim na pinakamalalaking ahensya at pinakamalalaking tatlong GOCCs, government-owned and -controlled corporations, mayroong partisipasyon ang mga civil society organizations sa paghahanda o ‘yung preparasyon ng ating budget,” he added.
Aquino enjoins citizenry to participate in formulation of National Budget
President Benigno S. Aquino III is tapping ordinary citizens, social groups and civil society organizations in formulating the 2012 National Budget, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Tuesday.
Abad said this landmark move was done in line with the President’s social contract with the people to stamp out corruption by opening all government transactions in order to remain as transparent as possible.
“Hinihikayat natin ang partisipasyon ng taong-bayan sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga samahan o ‘yung tinatawag nating NGOs (non-government organizations) or civil society organizations,” Abad said.
“Sa katunayan nga ngayong taon, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ng anumang gobyerno, ang isang direktiba ng ating Pangulo ay gawin ang paraan upang sa ganoon sa anim na pinakamalalaking ahensya at pinakamalalaking tatlong GOCCs, government-owned and -controlled corporations, mayroong partisipasyon ang mga civil society organizations sa paghahanda o ‘yung preparasyon ng ating budget,” he added.
Abad stressed that all government agencies have been directed to open their books to the public through the posting of all transactions such as allotments, biddings, obligations and disbursements on their respective websites.
“At ang isinasagawa natin ngayon, ang pinakamahalaga ay binubuksan natin sa publiko ang mga gawain ng, hindi lamang ng DBM kung hindi ng mga ahensya sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na lahat ng transaksyon na nakalagay sa GAA (General Appropriations Act) natin ay nasa website ng DBM at ng mga ahensya para malaman ng mamamayan kung ano ‘yung mga allotments, ano ‘yung mga na-bid na proyekto, mga obligations at ano ‘yung mga na-disburse, ginastusan na mga proyekto,” Abad said.
He added that these “transparency measures” were implemented to show the people that the trust they have given to their government is being honestly utilized.
“Kaya ang isang obligasyon [ng] lahat ng mga miyembro ng Gabinete at namumuno sa mga ahensya na meron tayong transparency measures nang malaman nila kung ano ‘yung mga programa natin, saan natin nilalagay ‘yung pera, at anong nangyayari doon sa mga programa at mga proyektong ‘yan,” Abad said.
“Lahat ng ahensya ngayon meron silang obligasyon na ipaalam, hindi lamang ilagay sa kanilang website kung hindi eto ‘yung accountability na ipaalam sa taong-bayan na ‘yung kanilang dapat gawin ay ginagawa nila,” he said.
Govt must convict wrongdoers to break cycle of impunity, says De Lima
The country’s justice system must convict those who have committed grave abuses while in power to break the culture of impunity that has hounded the nation for many decades, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
“Our country has been criticized by the rest of the world for what is perceived to be a prevailing culture of impunity. Anong dahilan ng culture of impunity? Dahil wala namang napapanagot, lalo na yung mga big fish,” de Lima said on the Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-corruption forum Tuesday aired live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“So importante yung conviction ng kung sino pa man whether big or small fish, basta mapatunayan na may kinalaman sila, o kung na-involve ba sila sa sari-saring mga katiwalian sa gobyerno. We have to break the cycle of impunity and the best way to do it is to convict. They needed to be convicted,” she stressed.
The forum held at the Kalayaan studio in Malacanang, is the fourth in a series of fora organized by the government in the run up to President Aquino’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) this July 25.
Asked about the high profile cases being prepared by the administration against the past leadership, de Lima said that currently all said cases are undergoing preliminary investigations. De Lima explained that she has created a panel of prosecutors to strengthen these cases because of their significance.
“So there is due process, pero importante po gumagalaw na ang mga kaso na ‘yan and, of course, ang palagi ko pong instruction sa mga prosecutors natin ay --- ‘Go where the evidence takes you,’” she said.
As to the present revelations of former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol on alleged election cheating, de Lima said the DOJ is evaluating the statements of Bedol.
Although the result of the election can no longer be nullified, de Lima said at least the country can know the truth about what happened during those elections and find out who’s accountable.
“We’re laying down the groundwork for the investigation not to declare the true winner kundi para malaman ang naging dayaan at gaano kalawak at pananagutin ang may sala. The most important is the accountability…hanggang saan ba kataas iyang kalokohan na iyan sa election?”
In an event in Clark, Pampanga last week, President Aquino said the government’s campaign against graft and corruption is now in its final chapter and he vowed that graft charges will be filed soon against corrupt officials in the past administration.
Aquino confident the country will regain reputation as top tourist destination
President Aquino expressed confidence that the Philippines will regain its reputation as a top tourist destination living up to its name as the Pearl of the Orient.
In his speech during the courtesy call of the participants in the 6th Ambassadors and Consuls General and Tourism Directors’ Tour at the Rizal Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, President Aquino said that the government is focused on tourism promotion and development that will eventually create more jobs and better opportunities for the Filipinos.
“Under our administration the tourism sector is finally getting the attention it rightfully deserves… at the bottom line is a better life for the Filipino people. Tourism means jobs… as every person visiting this country means more opportunities,” the President stressed.
The Chief Executive cited the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan as one of the must-see tourist spots in the country considering not only its natural beauty and serenity but also its being one of the major contenders in the search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
“We have focused in promoting tourism hubs around the archipelago, most prominently the Puerto Princesa Underground River which by the way reached the final round in the search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature,” the President said.
The government has launched a nationwide campaign encouraging the Filipinos in the country and around the world to vote for it.
“At ang isinasagawa natin ngayon, ang pinakamahalaga ay binubuksan natin sa publiko ang mga gawain ng, hindi lamang ng DBM kung hindi ng mga ahensya sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na lahat ng transaksyon na nakalagay sa GAA (General Appropriations Act) natin ay nasa website ng DBM at ng mga ahensya para malaman ng mamamayan kung ano ‘yung mga allotments, ano ‘yung mga na-bid na proyekto, mga obligations at ano ‘yung mga na-disburse, ginastusan na mga proyekto,” Abad said.
He added that these “transparency measures” were implemented to show the people that the trust they have given to their government is being honestly utilized.
“Kaya ang isang obligasyon [ng] lahat ng mga miyembro ng Gabinete at namumuno sa mga ahensya na meron tayong transparency measures nang malaman nila kung ano ‘yung mga programa natin, saan natin nilalagay ‘yung pera, at anong nangyayari doon sa mga programa at mga proyektong ‘yan,” Abad said.
“Lahat ng ahensya ngayon meron silang obligasyon na ipaalam, hindi lamang ilagay sa kanilang website kung hindi eto ‘yung accountability na ipaalam sa taong-bayan na ‘yung kanilang dapat gawin ay ginagawa nila,” he said.
Govt must convict wrongdoers to break cycle of impunity, says De Lima
The country’s justice system must convict those who have committed grave abuses while in power to break the culture of impunity that has hounded the nation for many decades, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
“Our country has been criticized by the rest of the world for what is perceived to be a prevailing culture of impunity. Anong dahilan ng culture of impunity? Dahil wala namang napapanagot, lalo na yung mga big fish,” de Lima said on the Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-corruption forum Tuesday aired live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“So importante yung conviction ng kung sino pa man whether big or small fish, basta mapatunayan na may kinalaman sila, o kung na-involve ba sila sa sari-saring mga katiwalian sa gobyerno. We have to break the cycle of impunity and the best way to do it is to convict. They needed to be convicted,” she stressed.
The forum held at the Kalayaan studio in Malacanang, is the fourth in a series of fora organized by the government in the run up to President Aquino’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) this July 25.
Asked about the high profile cases being prepared by the administration against the past leadership, de Lima said that currently all said cases are undergoing preliminary investigations. De Lima explained that she has created a panel of prosecutors to strengthen these cases because of their significance.
“So there is due process, pero importante po gumagalaw na ang mga kaso na ‘yan and, of course, ang palagi ko pong instruction sa mga prosecutors natin ay --- ‘Go where the evidence takes you,’” she said.
As to the present revelations of former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol on alleged election cheating, de Lima said the DOJ is evaluating the statements of Bedol.
Although the result of the election can no longer be nullified, de Lima said at least the country can know the truth about what happened during those elections and find out who’s accountable.
“We’re laying down the groundwork for the investigation not to declare the true winner kundi para malaman ang naging dayaan at gaano kalawak at pananagutin ang may sala. The most important is the accountability…hanggang saan ba kataas iyang kalokohan na iyan sa election?”
In an event in Clark, Pampanga last week, President Aquino said the government’s campaign against graft and corruption is now in its final chapter and he vowed that graft charges will be filed soon against corrupt officials in the past administration.
Aquino confident the country will regain reputation as top tourist destination
President Aquino expressed confidence that the Philippines will regain its reputation as a top tourist destination living up to its name as the Pearl of the Orient.
In his speech during the courtesy call of the participants in the 6th Ambassadors and Consuls General and Tourism Directors’ Tour at the Rizal Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, President Aquino said that the government is focused on tourism promotion and development that will eventually create more jobs and better opportunities for the Filipinos.
“Under our administration the tourism sector is finally getting the attention it rightfully deserves… at the bottom line is a better life for the Filipino people. Tourism means jobs… as every person visiting this country means more opportunities,” the President stressed.
The Chief Executive cited the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan as one of the must-see tourist spots in the country considering not only its natural beauty and serenity but also its being one of the major contenders in the search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
“We have focused in promoting tourism hubs around the archipelago, most prominently the Puerto Princesa Underground River which by the way reached the final round in the search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature,” the President said.
The government has launched a nationwide campaign encouraging the Filipinos in the country and around the world to vote for it.
The President said that the distinction will improve tourism not only in Puerto Princesa but also in other areas of the country.
Apart from these efforts, infrastructure projects are also underway to enhance the capabilities of the country’s aviation facilities that will make traveling easier for the visitors.
“We have also been expanding infrastructure which will lead to an increase in the number of visitors. Just last month, I was in Boracay to inaugurate the new Caticlan Airport which aims to have an increase in the island’s visitors that may reach three million a year once the airport and the runways are extended,” the President said.
Apart from these efforts, infrastructure projects are also underway to enhance the capabilities of the country’s aviation facilities that will make traveling easier for the visitors.
“We have also been expanding infrastructure which will lead to an increase in the number of visitors. Just last month, I was in Boracay to inaugurate the new Caticlan Airport which aims to have an increase in the island’s visitors that may reach three million a year once the airport and the runways are extended,” the President said.
He said that the tourism department has targeted 77 tourism development areas across the country adding that the success of such efforts depends on infrastructure developments that will serve as the foundations of progress.
“We have taken steps to liberalize aviation as well, which will effectively allow our tourists’ access to friendlier airfares and to more plane rides to our tourist destinations. We are making it easier and less tiring for them to reach their destinations,” the President said.
The President also noted the increase of tourists in the country saying that the numbers will continue to rise with the continuing efforts being exerted by the administration.
“We have 3.2 million visitors in the period of July 2009 to June 2010, and the most recent reports bare that the visitors count within the same period during this administration has risen to more than 3.7 million…,” the President said.
He urged the Filipino balikbayans to invite their friends from various parts of the world to visit the country for a relaxing vacation.
The Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomed a delegation of around 500 tourists courtesy of the Philippines’ Foreign Service Posts in North America for the tour.
The publicity and goodwill generated by the tour provide a tremendous boost for the DOT’s efforts to invite overseas Filipinos to come home in the next five years.
Recently, the President signed Proclamation No. 181 declaring 2011-2016 as Pinoy Homecoming Years, aimed at tapping the huge potential of the balikbayan market as a source of tourism arrivals, especially the second- and third-generation Filipinos abroad.
Joining the Tour this year are Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. and Philippine Charge d’Affaires to Canada Minerva Jean Falcon, as well as six consuls general and four tourism attachés stationed in both countries. The DOT estimated 29 million pesos in foreign exchange generated from the participant turnout.
DOJ to continue delivering justice to Filipinos
The Department of Justice (DOJ) vowed to continue delivering justice in the midst of the high public expectations on the Aquino administration.
During the Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-corruption forum on Tuesday aired live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said her department would continue to deliver justice without fear or favor.“At isa pong ipinagmamalaki ng ating departamento sa ngayon at ng buong administrasyon ni President Aquino is the increased trust and confidence. Yung pagtaas ng tiwala ng taumbayan sa administrasyon,” De Lima stressed.
“Nakita po natin ito sa dami ng mga kasong ipina-file sa amin, sa dami ng mga witnesses na nakoko-cover namin under the witness protection program. So with the high trust and confidence on us, nandyan din po yung very high expectations,” she added.
How to maintain and sustain the high public expectations are the biggest challenges so far for the department, De Lima said adding that this is the reason why the DOJ has initiated capacity building programs to continue to inspire and motivate its personnel to be true to their missions.
Touching on the high profile cases being prepared by the Aquino government against the past leadership, de Lima said that presently all the cases are undergoing preliminary investigations. A panel of prosecutors has been created to strengthen the said cases because of their significance, she added.
The forum on good governance and anti-corruption is the second to the last Pilipinas Natin Cabinet cluster fora before the President delivers his state-of-the-nations address (SONA) on July 25. The forum was aired lived from Malacanang’s Kalayaan studio.
“We have taken steps to liberalize aviation as well, which will effectively allow our tourists’ access to friendlier airfares and to more plane rides to our tourist destinations. We are making it easier and less tiring for them to reach their destinations,” the President said.
The President also noted the increase of tourists in the country saying that the numbers will continue to rise with the continuing efforts being exerted by the administration.
“We have 3.2 million visitors in the period of July 2009 to June 2010, and the most recent reports bare that the visitors count within the same period during this administration has risen to more than 3.7 million…,” the President said.
He urged the Filipino balikbayans to invite their friends from various parts of the world to visit the country for a relaxing vacation.
The Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomed a delegation of around 500 tourists courtesy of the Philippines’ Foreign Service Posts in North America for the tour.
The publicity and goodwill generated by the tour provide a tremendous boost for the DOT’s efforts to invite overseas Filipinos to come home in the next five years.
Recently, the President signed Proclamation No. 181 declaring 2011-2016 as Pinoy Homecoming Years, aimed at tapping the huge potential of the balikbayan market as a source of tourism arrivals, especially the second- and third-generation Filipinos abroad.
Joining the Tour this year are Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. and Philippine Charge d’Affaires to Canada Minerva Jean Falcon, as well as six consuls general and four tourism attachés stationed in both countries. The DOT estimated 29 million pesos in foreign exchange generated from the participant turnout.
DOJ to continue delivering justice to Filipinos
The Department of Justice (DOJ) vowed to continue delivering justice in the midst of the high public expectations on the Aquino administration.
During the Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-corruption forum on Tuesday aired live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said her department would continue to deliver justice without fear or favor.“At isa pong ipinagmamalaki ng ating departamento sa ngayon at ng buong administrasyon ni President Aquino is the increased trust and confidence. Yung pagtaas ng tiwala ng taumbayan sa administrasyon,” De Lima stressed.
“Nakita po natin ito sa dami ng mga kasong ipina-file sa amin, sa dami ng mga witnesses na nakoko-cover namin under the witness protection program. So with the high trust and confidence on us, nandyan din po yung very high expectations,” she added.
How to maintain and sustain the high public expectations are the biggest challenges so far for the department, De Lima said adding that this is the reason why the DOJ has initiated capacity building programs to continue to inspire and motivate its personnel to be true to their missions.
Touching on the high profile cases being prepared by the Aquino government against the past leadership, de Lima said that presently all the cases are undergoing preliminary investigations. A panel of prosecutors has been created to strengthen the said cases because of their significance, she added.
The forum on good governance and anti-corruption is the second to the last Pilipinas Natin Cabinet cluster fora before the President delivers his state-of-the-nations address (SONA) on July 25. The forum was aired lived from Malacanang’s Kalayaan studio.
Aside from De Lima, also present at the forum were Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, 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 from the foreign affairs department.
DPWH moves to improve image
The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) is implementing agency-wide reforms to improve the delivery of service to the people as well as to change its image from being one of the most corrupt government institutions to the most effective, efficient and honest.
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 from the foreign affairs department.
DPWH moves to improve image
The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) is implementing agency-wide reforms to improve the delivery of service to the people as well as to change its image from being one of the most corrupt government institutions to the most effective, efficient and honest.
During the Pilipinas Natin on Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Forum in Malacañang on Tuesday Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said that the agency has implemented a “transformation, reform and anti-corruption program” in the department to address the “institutionalized corruption” at the DPWH.
The new battlecry of the DPWH is “Let us do the right project at the right cost and at the right quality.”
He said stemming corruption begins by choosing the right project and by awarding the project to the right bidder chosen through a transparent bidding process.
“Ang una naming pinatupad is what we refer to as the transformation, reform and anti-corruption program. Alam naman natin how institutionalized the corruption and how systemic it has been in the DPWH. So choosing the right project is the start of this transformation,” Singson said.
Next is ensuring that the right cost for each project is above board.
To do this, Singson said, “All our projects are being implemented with full transparency” which entails opening up all transactions within the department to the public.
Singson pointed out that to ensure the right quality of work for all the department’s projects would entail the help of the people and civil groups.
This is where we try to engage civil society and we have many engagements and agreements with civil society dahil kailangan silang tumulong,” Singson said.
“Hindi namin kayang bantayan yung dalawang libo mahigit na proyekto nationwide. They have to participate,” he added.
Singson said that with the implementation of this program, he is confident the DPWH will be able to meet its target of paving the country’s primary roads by 2014, while the secondary roads will be finished by 2016.
Fifth ‘Pilipinas Natin’ cluster forum wraps up five-part series
The fifth and last ‘Pilipinas Natin’ Cabinet cluster forum on Wednesday, July 20, will take up security, justice and peace concerns and will be led by Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa.
He will be joined in the panel by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos representing Secretary Albert Del Rosario who is abroad.
At the end of the program, to be broadcast live from 9 to 10:30 a.m. by NBN4, IBC-13 and Radyo ng Bayan from Kalayaan studio in Malacanang, Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will wrap up the five-part “Pilipinas Natin” Cabinet cluster forums that started last July 4. The forums discussed the accomplishments and plans of the government in five areas of concerns that President Aquino had identified and under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.
The five areas of concerns, which became the basis of the five forums, are economic development; poverty reduction and human development; climate change adaptation and adaptation and food security; good governance and anti-corruption; and security, justice and peace.
Wednesday’s forum will again be hosted by Atty. Marc Castrodes, assisted by Atty Gaby Concepcion.
Questions will be asked from remote points in Zamboanga City, the Philipine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite, and in Hong Kong via Skype.
Members of the Malacanang Press Corps will also pose questions to the panelists at the Kalayaan Hall studio.
There will also be taped interviews and comments from Dr. Ailene Babiera of the UP Asian Center on the Spratlys issue, Dean Marvic Leonen on the government peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Atty. Alex Padilla on the government peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).
During Wednesday’s forum, Gazmin will discuss the security situation, the Armed Forces modernization, efforts to attain sustainable peace, respect for human rights, and the efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters.
Fifth ‘Pilipinas Natin’ cluster forum wraps up five-part series
The fifth and last ‘Pilipinas Natin’ Cabinet cluster forum on Wednesday, July 20, will take up security, justice and peace concerns and will be led by Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa.
He will be joined in the panel by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos representing Secretary Albert Del Rosario who is abroad.
At the end of the program, to be broadcast live from 9 to 10:30 a.m. by NBN4, IBC-13 and Radyo ng Bayan from Kalayaan studio in Malacanang, Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will wrap up the five-part “Pilipinas Natin” Cabinet cluster forums that started last July 4. The forums discussed the accomplishments and plans of the government in five areas of concerns that President Aquino had identified and under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.
The five areas of concerns, which became the basis of the five forums, are economic development; poverty reduction and human development; climate change adaptation and adaptation and food security; good governance and anti-corruption; and security, justice and peace.
Wednesday’s forum will again be hosted by Atty. Marc Castrodes, assisted by Atty Gaby Concepcion.
Questions will be asked from remote points in Zamboanga City, the Philipine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite, and in Hong Kong via Skype.
Members of the Malacanang Press Corps will also pose questions to the panelists at the Kalayaan Hall studio.
There will also be taped interviews and comments from Dr. Ailene Babiera of the UP Asian Center on the Spratlys issue, Dean Marvic Leonen on the government peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Atty. Alex Padilla on the government peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).
During Wednesday’s forum, Gazmin will discuss the security situation, the Armed Forces modernization, efforts to attain sustainable peace, respect for human rights, and the efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters.
Conejos will talk about the foreign policy of the Aquino administration, developments in Mindanao and the ongoing peace process, the role of the ASEAN as the cornerstone of Philippine national security, the defense partnership between the United States and the Philippines and the efforts to settle the Spratlys issue through rules-based system.
He will also discuss the gains against human trafficking and the repatriation this year of some 10,000 overseas Filipinos affected by the “Arab Awakening” crisis in the Middle East and North Africa and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Robredo will dwell on efforts to clean up the budget and procurement process at the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police, the anti-red tape campaign, the anti-criminality campaign and the anti-carnapping initiatives of DILG and PNP.
He will also discuss efforts against illegal recruitment and human trafficking, and the dismantling of private armies.
DPWH reforms attract top contractors to participate in projects under Aquino government
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the country’s top contractors have started to participate in building government projects because of good governance and increased transparency in the present administration.
Leading contractors opted not to join biddings for government projects for a long time reportedly due to graft and corruption that affected their profits.
During the Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-corruption forum on Tuesday aired over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said class A contractors are now joining in government biddings after he met with them and asked them about their concerns.
“Ang una kong ginawa iyan [meeting] dahil nababalitaan natin na ang mga class A na miyembro ng Philippine Contractors Association ay hindi sumasali, so ang sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Ano ba ang puwede naming gawin para makasali kayo ngayon?’” he said.
Singson said the DPWH was able to address the contractors’ concerns after project builders enumerated the drawbacks.
“We have implemented many of these at marami na sa kanila [top contractors] ang sumasali. Marami na rin ang mga nagsusumbong kung mayroon pang mga nangyayaring mga komisyon,” Singson said.
With the present reforms at the DPWH, Singson said they can ensure that buildings and structures being built are of high quality and observing strict government building standards.
Singson appealed to the public and to all other stakeholders in the construction industry to help his department carry out its reform measures by giving their complaints and observations.
“Natitiyak na nasusubukan namin ang lahat para tama yung proyekto at may kalidad. Ngayon dito kami nakikiusap sa taumbayan --- ang tulungan kami sa pag-monitor ng mga proyektong iyan. Huwag nilang balewalain dahil pera ng taumbayan iyan,” he said adding that the department recently opened a call center that could serve the public 24 hours a day.
“Diyan po namin malalaman ang behavior ng aming empleyado, kontraktors, pati na mga pulitiko. So I’m appealing to the general public na ipaabot sa amin yung mga problema,” he added.
He will also discuss the gains against human trafficking and the repatriation this year of some 10,000 overseas Filipinos affected by the “Arab Awakening” crisis in the Middle East and North Africa and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Robredo will dwell on efforts to clean up the budget and procurement process at the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police, the anti-red tape campaign, the anti-criminality campaign and the anti-carnapping initiatives of DILG and PNP.
He will also discuss efforts against illegal recruitment and human trafficking, and the dismantling of private armies.
DPWH reforms attract top contractors to participate in projects under Aquino government
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the country’s top contractors have started to participate in building government projects because of good governance and increased transparency in the present administration.
Leading contractors opted not to join biddings for government projects for a long time reportedly due to graft and corruption that affected their profits.
During the Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-corruption forum on Tuesday aired over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said class A contractors are now joining in government biddings after he met with them and asked them about their concerns.
“Ang una kong ginawa iyan [meeting] dahil nababalitaan natin na ang mga class A na miyembro ng Philippine Contractors Association ay hindi sumasali, so ang sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Ano ba ang puwede naming gawin para makasali kayo ngayon?’” he said.
Singson said the DPWH was able to address the contractors’ concerns after project builders enumerated the drawbacks.
“We have implemented many of these at marami na sa kanila [top contractors] ang sumasali. Marami na rin ang mga nagsusumbong kung mayroon pang mga nangyayaring mga komisyon,” Singson said.
With the present reforms at the DPWH, Singson said they can ensure that buildings and structures being built are of high quality and observing strict government building standards.
Singson appealed to the public and to all other stakeholders in the construction industry to help his department carry out its reform measures by giving their complaints and observations.
“Natitiyak na nasusubukan namin ang lahat para tama yung proyekto at may kalidad. Ngayon dito kami nakikiusap sa taumbayan --- ang tulungan kami sa pag-monitor ng mga proyektong iyan. Huwag nilang balewalain dahil pera ng taumbayan iyan,” he said adding that the department recently opened a call center that could serve the public 24 hours a day.
“Diyan po namin malalaman ang behavior ng aming empleyado, kontraktors, pati na mga pulitiko. So I’m appealing to the general public na ipaabot sa amin yung mga problema,” he added.
The Good Governance and Anti-corruption cluster forum is one of the last two Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Cluster fora before the President delivers his state-of-the-nations address (SONA) on July 25.
Joining Singson in the forum were Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
The fifth and last forum on Security, Justice and Peace Cluster on Wednesday will be led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. Other participants will be Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and a representative from the foreign affairs department.
Malacañang says confidence of the people restored under Aquino administration
Malacañang said that the confidence of the Filipino people towards government institutions has been restored during the one year old leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
The fifth and last forum on Security, Justice and Peace Cluster on Wednesday will be led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. Other participants will be Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and a representative from the foreign affairs department.
Malacañang says confidence of the people restored under Aquino administration
Malacañang said that the confidence of the Filipino people towards government institutions has been restored during the one year old leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
This was how Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda viewed the image of the country today especially when President Aquino started implementing his reform agenda as part of his social contract with the Filipino people.
“The confidence of the people towards government institutions has been restored and the attitude of apathy among the people has been removed, that’s important,” Lacierda said during the regular press briefing on Tuesday in Malacanang.
Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said that to further implement the President’s social contract with the people, the Chief Executive organized his Cabinet based on following the key areas, namely: anti-corruption, transparency, accountable and participatory governance; poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable; rapid, inclusive and sustained economic growth; just and lasting peace and the rule of law; and the integrity of the environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Abad pointed out that the present administration is committed to fulfill his promise to curb corruption in the government up to the end of his term by 2016.
He said the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs is actively pursuing to file a case against erring former and active government officials and employees who are found involved in tax evasion and smuggling activities.
Presently, the DOF had filed 36 criminal cases at the Office of the Ombudsman, while the BIR have 53 cases of tax evasion amounting to P23 billion, and the BOC had a 38 smuggling cases filed.“Ang mga kaso ng katiwalian na naiwang nakabinbin sa ilalim ng nakaraang administrasyon, pupursigihin nating maisara hanggang sa mabilanggo ang dapat mabilanggo,” Abad assured.
