Aquino receives Sun Life Financial officials in Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Sun Life Financial, Incorporated officials who called on the Chief Executive in Malacañang.
Donald Stewart, Chief Executive Officer; Thomas Bogart, Executive Vice President; Dikran Ohannessian, president for Asia operations; and Rizalina Mantaring, president and CEO for Philippine operations arrived at Malacañang on Wednesday to pay a courtesy call on the President.
In an interview, Stewart said his group met with the President to update him on the status of various projects being undertaken by the company in the Philippines.
This included the company’s recent buy-in of almost half of the Yuchengo family-owned Grepalife, an insurance provider, to form Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc.
The joint venture will allow Sun Life Philippines to form a bancassruance relationship with the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and provide insurance products to the bank’s clients.
Under the deal, Sun Life Grepa Financial will enter into an exclusive distribution agreement with RCBC, giving rise to a line of insurance products that will be made available to the bank’s two million customer base through over 350 branches.
“The call was primarily to engage the President with some of our recent initiatives here in Manila,” Stewart said.
“We recently entered into a joint venture with RCBC to form Sun Life-Grepa Financial, Inc. that’s going to be a very important part of our business going forward,” he added.
Aside from talking business, Stewart said the President took the time to showcase the many “economic projects and other advances” the government is implementing to uplift the lives of the people.
Without elaborating, Stewart said he and his companions were “impressed” and “encouraged” with what they heard.
“The President took the opportunity to tell us about the many economic projects and other advances he and his administration are making in the Philippines and I would say, from a point of view of a foreign company that has been in the country over a hundred years, this was very encouraging,” Stewart said.
“…we came away from the meeting very impressed about all of the activities that the administration has underway to advance the general prosperity of the country,” he added.
“I’ve been coming to the Philippines in over a decade and the Philippines has always seemed to me to be a country of enormous potential but that potential could be realized a little more strongly, and I came away from this meeting greatly encouraged that the potential is being realized and being realized in a robust fashion,” Stewart said. (PCOO)
Aquino to witness signing of agreement for the construction of new school buildings
In an effort to address the backlog of public school, President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to witness on Thursday the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Gawad Kalinga for the construction of 1000 new school buildings nationwide.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the signing of the MOA between the DepEd, PAGCOR, and Gawad Kalinga will take place during the launching of the “Pilipinas Natin” program marking the first year in office of President Aquino.
Under the MOA, Coloma said, PAGCOR is tasked to channel some of its resources to finance the construction of additional 1000 class rooms. Once completed it will immediately be turned-over to the DepEd.
Gawad Kalinga, Coloma said will provide manpower or their “sweat equity” for the construction of the public school buildings.
He also said that the President is confident that as long as the Filipino people will continue to support his administration he can bring the changes that he promised for the sake of the country and the Filipino people.
“The President is as determined as what he said one year ago to lead the country towards the provision of the vision that was enunciated with the social contract and this is now embodied in the Philippine development plan,” Coloma stressed.
“Naniniwala siya na ang ating mga mamamayan ay nananatiling bukas at handa na iaalay ang kanilang pagsuporta at pagtulong sapagkat ito naman po ay para sa ating lahat. Tiyak na tiyak po ang Pangulo, matatag ang kanyang paniniwala na kasama niya at kaagapay niya ang buong sambayanan sa kanyang pagpapatupad ng mga pangako,” he added. (PCOO)
Aquino marks his first year in office with ‘Pilipinas Natin’ launching
President Benigno Aquino III will launch the Pilipinas Natin program at the Philippine Sports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, a campaign for partnership between the government and the Filipino people for national progress.
The program, which also marks the first year in office of President Aquino, will revisit his vision and renew his commitment in the social contract he made with the Filipino people when he launched his candidacy in 2009.
“We are affirming the spirit of people power and volunteerism that gave President Aquino an overwhelming mandate to lead the country last year,” Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma said in the press briefing on Wednesday in Malacanang.
“Humility and solidarity among all sectors in Philippine society is essential to the attainment of the vision. And that is why the audience tomorrow at Ultra will be made up mostly of volunteers, citizens and peoples organizations all over the country who will affirm their support for the President and his program of government,” he added.
The Aquino government is inviting all sectors to join the launch, Coloma said, adding it is inclusive to all those who want to contribute to build a community that is progressive and beneficial to the people.
The President envisioned a country with a reawakened sense of right and wrong through the living examples of its highest leaders, Coloma said. The President also wanted an organized and widely shared rapid expansion of the government through a leadership dedicated to mobilizing the people and using their skills and energies as well as harnessing the country’s natural resources.
“And finally and most importantly the public institutions that we will have public institutions rebuilt solidly from the strong solidarity of our society in each communities,” Coloma said.
The President’s vision is now imbedded in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), according to Coloma that will be put into action by the administration to realize the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people.
Coloma also said he didn’t see volunteerism and spirit of people power drying down among the people, noting: “Sa amin pong palagay ay buhay na buhay pa rin ang spirit of volunteerism and people power. Yan po ang diwa na nagbunsod sa kandidatura sa tagumpay ng ating Pangulo. Yan din po ang animating force of the Aquino administration,” he stressed.
“Panatag po ang ating Pangulo, matibay po ang kanyang panininidigan at paniniwala na kasama pa niya at kaagapay niya dito ang ating mga mamamayan. Hindi po siya natitinag mula dun sa kanyang pinanumpaang panata one year ago,” he said.
“Ang kanyang outlook ay napaka-positive. Naniniwala po siya na ang mga mamamayan ay nananatiling bukas at handang iaalay ang kanilang pagsuporta at pagtulong.”
Coloma said he anticipates a festive and youthful event because of the expected large number of young volunteers who will join the launch, describing it as “upbeat and very positive.”
Tickets will be issued to control the number of people, Coloma said, adding that security will be paramount concern. (PCOO)
PNR resumes ‘Bicol Express’ train route
In line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s directive to improve the transportation industry in order to spur economic development in the countryside, the Philippine National Railways has resumed operations of its Manila-Naga train route Wednesday.
The “soft opening” of the PNR’s famed “Bicol Express” is meant to test the market and get objective feedbacks from paying train passengers.
“PNR will just have a soft opening of the Bicol Express Wednesday (June 29). The purpose of this measure is to get an impartial and unbiased feedback from the paying passengers and have enough time to improve PNR's services before it proceeds with its grand opening later,” the PNR said in a statement.
Ever since the long hiatus of the Bicol Express, PNR decided it best to have the operation in stages starting with a soft run and giving reduced train fares for the coming few trips.
In this manner, the PNR can test the market and adjust and correct minor problems or inconveniences that might arise before it makes the Bicol Express fully operational. (PCOO)
DBM to release P104-M for salary differential of judges
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release some P104 million to cover the deficiencies in salary increases for judges and justices, a Palace official said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the P104 million covers the salary differentials of 1,465 judges.
“We would like to point out that this is the result of the productive and harmonious discussions between the judiciary and the executive, to harmonize our laws and the needs of the judiciary,” he said.
Malacanang earlier said it is open to work with the Supreme Court (SC) particularly in achieving judicial reform, facility upgrade as well as improving the judiciary’s budget. (PCOO)
Ochoa: Organized crime threat to national security and economy
Organized criminal activities are threats to the economy and national security and should be dealt with a clear, well-defined and integrated policy, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday.
Ochoa told Strictly Politics in an interview on ANC that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) recently reorganized by President Benigno Aquino III under Executive Order No. 46 is envisioned to combine the resources and expertise of various law enforcement agencies in order to craft solid policies and guidelines against organized crimes.
“The seriousness and magnitude of our problems involving organized crimes would need strong and resolute actions,” said Ochoa, who now chairs the PAOCC.
To illustrate the magnitude and economics of criminal activities by organized syndicates, Ochoa said the illegal drug trade alone has been estimated to be worth over P300 billion a year, or three times the size of the entire Philippine pharmaceutical industry, which is worth around P100 billion.
This crime, taken together with carnapping, illegal gambling, kidnap-for-ransom, human trafficking and smuggling, among others, endanger peace and national security, he said.
“Organized crime has a huge economic, social, cultural and political impact,” said Ochoa, who also heads of the Cabinet cluster on security, peace and justice. “Organized crime also thrives in part because of the corruption of our political system and society. And it feeds this corruption to perpetuate itself.”
The Executive Secretary said eliminating these threats require strong policies that are clear and coherent to ensure that the “room for errors in implementing programs and in enforcing the laws become smaller.”
“If law enforcement agencies follow these polices, guidelines and targets, they will know how to act accordingly,” he explained.
Ochoa outlined the following proposed programs the PAOCC will prioritize:
• Rationalize the anti-crime programs of law enforcement agencies to eliminate redundancy and maximize government resources;
• Establish central base crime index to consolidate data on crime and to better assess resources to be allocated;
• Strengthen existing laws like the Anti Money Laundering Act to enable prosecution of organized crime elements;
• Link up, coordinate and share resources with the Anti-Terrorism Council and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), which are under the supervision of the Office of the Executive Secretary;
• Improve prosecution rates;
• Direct the special envoy on transnational crime to step up liaison work and information sharing with other countries;
• Strengthen the Witness Protection program;
• Address the killings of journalists and political activists;
• Enhance police training on exercises and proper legal procedures and increase performance standards; and
• Link Metro Manila CCTV systems.
PAOCC is composed of the secretaries of the Departments of Justice, the Interior and Local Government, National Defense and Foreign Affairs, as well as the national security adviser, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, director general of the Philippine National Police, director general of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, director of the National Bureau of Investigation, and the executive director of the PCTC. (PCOO)
Malacanang says good governance and regaining people’s trust in government marks Aquino’s first year in office
Good governance and regaining the people’s trust and confidence in the government are major achievements of the Aquino administration as it marks its first year in office on Thursday, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a press briefing on Wednesday in Malacanang.
Change was the cry and call of the people when the President declared his candidacy in 2009, Coloma said adding that the President affirmed his commitment to the people during the Edsa celebration with the theme “Pilipino Ako, Ako ang Lakas ng Pagbabago.”
“I think it is setting fort new governance, good governance characterized by integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability. Ito po ang nagpanumbalik sa pagtitiwala ng ating mga mamamayan hindi lamang sa pamahalaan kundi ang pagtitiwala na puwede naman palang mangarap at puwede naman palang matamo yung mga hinahangad na mga pagbabago sa lipunan,” he said.
Coloma noted that he country has moved forward towards the direction set by the President, who initiated reform measures that ensure transparency in government and curtail corruption.
“Mula sa isang pamahalaan na ang nakikinabang lamang ay ang iilan tungo sa isang lipunan na lahat ng mamamayan ay nakikinabang,” he said.
Highlighting his first year in office, President Benigno Aquino III is also launching the Pilipinas Natin program in Pasig City, a campaign for partnership between the government and the Filipino people for nation building.
The program, which also marks the first year in office of President Aquino, revisits his vision and renews his commitment in the social contract he made with the Filipino people.
The administration is also starting five pre-state-of-the-nation (SONA) presentations showcasing the government’s thrust towards national progress and unity. (PCOO)
Malacanang lauds a Zamboanga prosecutor for bagging US State Dep’t Global Trafficking in Persons Hero Award
Malacanang commended a Zamboanga prosecutor for receiving the United States (US) State Department’s Global Trafficking in Persons Hero Award.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they commended Darlene Pajarito, Assistant Zamboanga City Prosecutor, for bagging the award.
“Justice must be done, not only swiftly, but successfully. Atty. Pajarito’s efforts are proof that with official support, investigatory thoroughness and zeal, the filing of cases can result in convictions,” Lacierda said.
“Let us keep working together against human trafficking. Government and civil society, the bureaucracy and the citizenry, together, can help make sure that no person works under conditions or circumstances that are against their will,” he said.
Lacierda, meanwhile, said President Benigno S. Aquino III will write to United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to thank her for citing the Philippines as among the “countries that have made a lot of progress” in the global campaign against human trafficking.
“The President will be writing to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to thank her for her encouraging remarks about the administration’s efforts against human trafficking. These are of particular significance as they come from a committed advocate of liberating persons from the evils of human trafficking,” Lacierda said. (PCOO)
Malacanang using other fronts to resolve alleged scandals during previous administration
Malacanang is using other fronts to resolve high-profile scandals reportedly committed during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo despite the initial adverse ruling of the Supreme Court (SC), stopping the Truth Commission to handle such cases.
In a news briefing at Malacanang, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said the SC’s ruling on the Truth Commission did not hinder the Aquino administration’s efforts to finally put closure on the said cases.
“Iyong mga high-profile scandals and anomalies, na sana nga iyong Truth Commission ang haharap diyan, bubuno sa mga kasong iyan, pero dahil sa naging initial adverse ruling ng Supreme Court – that is now the subject of a motion for reconsideration – medyo naantala iyan,” he told reporters.
Coloma said the motion for reconsideration (MR) is now pending before the SC, seeking to reconsider the SC ruling. Voting 10-5, the SC earlier declared unconstitutional President Aquino’s first executive order creating the Truth Commission.
The Truth Commission was created to investigate of a slew of anomalies that hounded the nine-year rule of Aquino’s predecessor, former President now Pampanga Rep. Arroyo.
Coloma said there are other fronts which are being used as avenues to resolve the reported scandals and anomalies that marred the past administration.
“Pero alalahanin natin that on other fronts, tuloy naman yung determinasyon, at naipakita nating pursigido tayo. Iyong every other week na nag-a-alternate lang yung pagpa-file ng kaso laban sa big time and high-profile tax evaders and smugglers, ipinagpapatuloy iyan. More than 40 cases have been filed for each category. Iyong paglinis ng ating judicial system, patuloy na isinasagawa iyan,” Coloma said.
Apart from the move to resolve and put closure on the scandals during the past administration, Coloma said the present administration is also implementing reforms in the government agencies and departments.
“Let us not lose sight of the reforms that are being carried out throughout the bureaucracy. That is really part of the cleaning up process,” he said.
Coloma cited the reforms being implemented in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure that there would be no overpricing in government’s contracts.
“In other words, hindi natin pinababayaan na iyun initial setback na hindi ma-operationalize yung Truth Commission ay naging balakid. We just proceeded with our initiatives on all the other fronts. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Sun Life Financial, Incorporated officials who called on the Chief Executive in Malacañang.
Donald Stewart, Chief Executive Officer; Thomas Bogart, Executive Vice President; Dikran Ohannessian, president for Asia operations; and Rizalina Mantaring, president and CEO for Philippine operations arrived at Malacañang on Wednesday to pay a courtesy call on the President.
In an interview, Stewart said his group met with the President to update him on the status of various projects being undertaken by the company in the Philippines.
This included the company’s recent buy-in of almost half of the Yuchengo family-owned Grepalife, an insurance provider, to form Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc.
The joint venture will allow Sun Life Philippines to form a bancassruance relationship with the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and provide insurance products to the bank’s clients.
Under the deal, Sun Life Grepa Financial will enter into an exclusive distribution agreement with RCBC, giving rise to a line of insurance products that will be made available to the bank’s two million customer base through over 350 branches.
“The call was primarily to engage the President with some of our recent initiatives here in Manila,” Stewart said.
“We recently entered into a joint venture with RCBC to form Sun Life-Grepa Financial, Inc. that’s going to be a very important part of our business going forward,” he added.
Aside from talking business, Stewart said the President took the time to showcase the many “economic projects and other advances” the government is implementing to uplift the lives of the people.
Without elaborating, Stewart said he and his companions were “impressed” and “encouraged” with what they heard.
“The President took the opportunity to tell us about the many economic projects and other advances he and his administration are making in the Philippines and I would say, from a point of view of a foreign company that has been in the country over a hundred years, this was very encouraging,” Stewart said.
“…we came away from the meeting very impressed about all of the activities that the administration has underway to advance the general prosperity of the country,” he added.
“I’ve been coming to the Philippines in over a decade and the Philippines has always seemed to me to be a country of enormous potential but that potential could be realized a little more strongly, and I came away from this meeting greatly encouraged that the potential is being realized and being realized in a robust fashion,” Stewart said. (PCOO)
Aquino to witness signing of agreement for the construction of new school buildings
In an effort to address the backlog of public school, President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to witness on Thursday the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Gawad Kalinga for the construction of 1000 new school buildings nationwide.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the signing of the MOA between the DepEd, PAGCOR, and Gawad Kalinga will take place during the launching of the “Pilipinas Natin” program marking the first year in office of President Aquino.
Under the MOA, Coloma said, PAGCOR is tasked to channel some of its resources to finance the construction of additional 1000 class rooms. Once completed it will immediately be turned-over to the DepEd.
Gawad Kalinga, Coloma said will provide manpower or their “sweat equity” for the construction of the public school buildings.
He also said that the President is confident that as long as the Filipino people will continue to support his administration he can bring the changes that he promised for the sake of the country and the Filipino people.
“The President is as determined as what he said one year ago to lead the country towards the provision of the vision that was enunciated with the social contract and this is now embodied in the Philippine development plan,” Coloma stressed.
“Naniniwala siya na ang ating mga mamamayan ay nananatiling bukas at handa na iaalay ang kanilang pagsuporta at pagtulong sapagkat ito naman po ay para sa ating lahat. Tiyak na tiyak po ang Pangulo, matatag ang kanyang paniniwala na kasama niya at kaagapay niya ang buong sambayanan sa kanyang pagpapatupad ng mga pangako,” he added. (PCOO)
Aquino marks his first year in office with ‘Pilipinas Natin’ launching
President Benigno Aquino III will launch the Pilipinas Natin program at the Philippine Sports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, a campaign for partnership between the government and the Filipino people for national progress.
The program, which also marks the first year in office of President Aquino, will revisit his vision and renew his commitment in the social contract he made with the Filipino people when he launched his candidacy in 2009.
“We are affirming the spirit of people power and volunteerism that gave President Aquino an overwhelming mandate to lead the country last year,” Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma said in the press briefing on Wednesday in Malacanang.
“Humility and solidarity among all sectors in Philippine society is essential to the attainment of the vision. And that is why the audience tomorrow at Ultra will be made up mostly of volunteers, citizens and peoples organizations all over the country who will affirm their support for the President and his program of government,” he added.
The Aquino government is inviting all sectors to join the launch, Coloma said, adding it is inclusive to all those who want to contribute to build a community that is progressive and beneficial to the people.
The President envisioned a country with a reawakened sense of right and wrong through the living examples of its highest leaders, Coloma said. The President also wanted an organized and widely shared rapid expansion of the government through a leadership dedicated to mobilizing the people and using their skills and energies as well as harnessing the country’s natural resources.
“And finally and most importantly the public institutions that we will have public institutions rebuilt solidly from the strong solidarity of our society in each communities,” Coloma said.
The President’s vision is now imbedded in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), according to Coloma that will be put into action by the administration to realize the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people.
Coloma also said he didn’t see volunteerism and spirit of people power drying down among the people, noting: “Sa amin pong palagay ay buhay na buhay pa rin ang spirit of volunteerism and people power. Yan po ang diwa na nagbunsod sa kandidatura sa tagumpay ng ating Pangulo. Yan din po ang animating force of the Aquino administration,” he stressed.
“Panatag po ang ating Pangulo, matibay po ang kanyang panininidigan at paniniwala na kasama pa niya at kaagapay niya dito ang ating mga mamamayan. Hindi po siya natitinag mula dun sa kanyang pinanumpaang panata one year ago,” he said.
“Ang kanyang outlook ay napaka-positive. Naniniwala po siya na ang mga mamamayan ay nananatiling bukas at handang iaalay ang kanilang pagsuporta at pagtulong.”
Coloma said he anticipates a festive and youthful event because of the expected large number of young volunteers who will join the launch, describing it as “upbeat and very positive.”
Tickets will be issued to control the number of people, Coloma said, adding that security will be paramount concern. (PCOO)
PNR resumes ‘Bicol Express’ train route
In line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s directive to improve the transportation industry in order to spur economic development in the countryside, the Philippine National Railways has resumed operations of its Manila-Naga train route Wednesday.
The “soft opening” of the PNR’s famed “Bicol Express” is meant to test the market and get objective feedbacks from paying train passengers.
“PNR will just have a soft opening of the Bicol Express Wednesday (June 29). The purpose of this measure is to get an impartial and unbiased feedback from the paying passengers and have enough time to improve PNR's services before it proceeds with its grand opening later,” the PNR said in a statement.
Ever since the long hiatus of the Bicol Express, PNR decided it best to have the operation in stages starting with a soft run and giving reduced train fares for the coming few trips.
In this manner, the PNR can test the market and adjust and correct minor problems or inconveniences that might arise before it makes the Bicol Express fully operational. (PCOO)
DBM to release P104-M for salary differential of judges
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release some P104 million to cover the deficiencies in salary increases for judges and justices, a Palace official said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the P104 million covers the salary differentials of 1,465 judges.
“We would like to point out that this is the result of the productive and harmonious discussions between the judiciary and the executive, to harmonize our laws and the needs of the judiciary,” he said.
Malacanang earlier said it is open to work with the Supreme Court (SC) particularly in achieving judicial reform, facility upgrade as well as improving the judiciary’s budget. (PCOO)
Ochoa: Organized crime threat to national security and economy
Organized criminal activities are threats to the economy and national security and should be dealt with a clear, well-defined and integrated policy, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday.
Ochoa told Strictly Politics in an interview on ANC that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) recently reorganized by President Benigno Aquino III under Executive Order No. 46 is envisioned to combine the resources and expertise of various law enforcement agencies in order to craft solid policies and guidelines against organized crimes.
“The seriousness and magnitude of our problems involving organized crimes would need strong and resolute actions,” said Ochoa, who now chairs the PAOCC.
To illustrate the magnitude and economics of criminal activities by organized syndicates, Ochoa said the illegal drug trade alone has been estimated to be worth over P300 billion a year, or three times the size of the entire Philippine pharmaceutical industry, which is worth around P100 billion.
This crime, taken together with carnapping, illegal gambling, kidnap-for-ransom, human trafficking and smuggling, among others, endanger peace and national security, he said.
“Organized crime has a huge economic, social, cultural and political impact,” said Ochoa, who also heads of the Cabinet cluster on security, peace and justice. “Organized crime also thrives in part because of the corruption of our political system and society. And it feeds this corruption to perpetuate itself.”
The Executive Secretary said eliminating these threats require strong policies that are clear and coherent to ensure that the “room for errors in implementing programs and in enforcing the laws become smaller.”
“If law enforcement agencies follow these polices, guidelines and targets, they will know how to act accordingly,” he explained.
Ochoa outlined the following proposed programs the PAOCC will prioritize:
• Rationalize the anti-crime programs of law enforcement agencies to eliminate redundancy and maximize government resources;
• Establish central base crime index to consolidate data on crime and to better assess resources to be allocated;
• Strengthen existing laws like the Anti Money Laundering Act to enable prosecution of organized crime elements;
• Link up, coordinate and share resources with the Anti-Terrorism Council and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), which are under the supervision of the Office of the Executive Secretary;
• Improve prosecution rates;
• Direct the special envoy on transnational crime to step up liaison work and information sharing with other countries;
• Strengthen the Witness Protection program;
• Address the killings of journalists and political activists;
• Enhance police training on exercises and proper legal procedures and increase performance standards; and
• Link Metro Manila CCTV systems.
PAOCC is composed of the secretaries of the Departments of Justice, the Interior and Local Government, National Defense and Foreign Affairs, as well as the national security adviser, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, director general of the Philippine National Police, director general of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, director of the National Bureau of Investigation, and the executive director of the PCTC. (PCOO)
Malacanang says good governance and regaining people’s trust in government marks Aquino’s first year in office
Good governance and regaining the people’s trust and confidence in the government are major achievements of the Aquino administration as it marks its first year in office on Thursday, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a press briefing on Wednesday in Malacanang.
Change was the cry and call of the people when the President declared his candidacy in 2009, Coloma said adding that the President affirmed his commitment to the people during the Edsa celebration with the theme “Pilipino Ako, Ako ang Lakas ng Pagbabago.”
“I think it is setting fort new governance, good governance characterized by integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability. Ito po ang nagpanumbalik sa pagtitiwala ng ating mga mamamayan hindi lamang sa pamahalaan kundi ang pagtitiwala na puwede naman palang mangarap at puwede naman palang matamo yung mga hinahangad na mga pagbabago sa lipunan,” he said.
Coloma noted that he country has moved forward towards the direction set by the President, who initiated reform measures that ensure transparency in government and curtail corruption.
“Mula sa isang pamahalaan na ang nakikinabang lamang ay ang iilan tungo sa isang lipunan na lahat ng mamamayan ay nakikinabang,” he said.
Highlighting his first year in office, President Benigno Aquino III is also launching the Pilipinas Natin program in Pasig City, a campaign for partnership between the government and the Filipino people for nation building.
The program, which also marks the first year in office of President Aquino, revisits his vision and renews his commitment in the social contract he made with the Filipino people.
The administration is also starting five pre-state-of-the-nation (SONA) presentations showcasing the government’s thrust towards national progress and unity. (PCOO)
Malacanang lauds a Zamboanga prosecutor for bagging US State Dep’t Global Trafficking in Persons Hero Award
Malacanang commended a Zamboanga prosecutor for receiving the United States (US) State Department’s Global Trafficking in Persons Hero Award.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they commended Darlene Pajarito, Assistant Zamboanga City Prosecutor, for bagging the award.
“Justice must be done, not only swiftly, but successfully. Atty. Pajarito’s efforts are proof that with official support, investigatory thoroughness and zeal, the filing of cases can result in convictions,” Lacierda said.
“Let us keep working together against human trafficking. Government and civil society, the bureaucracy and the citizenry, together, can help make sure that no person works under conditions or circumstances that are against their will,” he said.
Lacierda, meanwhile, said President Benigno S. Aquino III will write to United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to thank her for citing the Philippines as among the “countries that have made a lot of progress” in the global campaign against human trafficking.
“The President will be writing to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to thank her for her encouraging remarks about the administration’s efforts against human trafficking. These are of particular significance as they come from a committed advocate of liberating persons from the evils of human trafficking,” Lacierda said. (PCOO)
Malacanang using other fronts to resolve alleged scandals during previous administration
Malacanang is using other fronts to resolve high-profile scandals reportedly committed during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo despite the initial adverse ruling of the Supreme Court (SC), stopping the Truth Commission to handle such cases.
In a news briefing at Malacanang, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said the SC’s ruling on the Truth Commission did not hinder the Aquino administration’s efforts to finally put closure on the said cases.
“Iyong mga high-profile scandals and anomalies, na sana nga iyong Truth Commission ang haharap diyan, bubuno sa mga kasong iyan, pero dahil sa naging initial adverse ruling ng Supreme Court – that is now the subject of a motion for reconsideration – medyo naantala iyan,” he told reporters.
Coloma said the motion for reconsideration (MR) is now pending before the SC, seeking to reconsider the SC ruling. Voting 10-5, the SC earlier declared unconstitutional President Aquino’s first executive order creating the Truth Commission.
The Truth Commission was created to investigate of a slew of anomalies that hounded the nine-year rule of Aquino’s predecessor, former President now Pampanga Rep. Arroyo.
Coloma said there are other fronts which are being used as avenues to resolve the reported scandals and anomalies that marred the past administration.
“Pero alalahanin natin that on other fronts, tuloy naman yung determinasyon, at naipakita nating pursigido tayo. Iyong every other week na nag-a-alternate lang yung pagpa-file ng kaso laban sa big time and high-profile tax evaders and smugglers, ipinagpapatuloy iyan. More than 40 cases have been filed for each category. Iyong paglinis ng ating judicial system, patuloy na isinasagawa iyan,” Coloma said.
Apart from the move to resolve and put closure on the scandals during the past administration, Coloma said the present administration is also implementing reforms in the government agencies and departments.
“Let us not lose sight of the reforms that are being carried out throughout the bureaucracy. That is really part of the cleaning up process,” he said.
Coloma cited the reforms being implemented in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure that there would be no overpricing in government’s contracts.
“In other words, hindi natin pinababayaan na iyun initial setback na hindi ma-operationalize yung Truth Commission ay naging balakid. We just proceeded with our initiatives on all the other fronts. (PCOO)
