Aquino declares August 29-30 as regular holidays
President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued Proclamation No. 234 declaring August 30, 2011 as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan).
The proclamation, which was signed on August 11, this year by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., was issued in line with the Republic Act No. 9177 that declared Eid’l Fitr or Feast of Ramadhan as a regular holiday throughout the country.
Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim World for three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting.
“To promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,” President Aquino said.
The President stressed that “In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Tuesday, 30 August 2011, as a regular holiday throughout the country.”
Ramadhan is the month when Muslims observe a strict fast for a period of 12 hours daily, from sunrise to sunset.
The holy month of Ramadhan started on August 1, 2011, and will end with the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month.
By fasting, the Muslims hope to strengthen their self restraint and develop piety.
Ramadhan is also a month of sacrifice and purification as the Muslims worldwide fast, pray and act with kindness towards the poor and less fortunate.
President Aquino also declared August 29, 2011 which falls on a Monday, also as a regular holiday in celebration of National Heroes Day or Araw ng mga Bayani.(PCOO)
Malacañang urges Syrian gov't to end violence
Malacanang called on the Syrian Government for a peaceful end to violence in Syria.
“We are calling on the Syrian government for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Syria,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.
Lacierda said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continues to monitor the situation of some 17,000 overseas Filipino workers in Syria. He assured that contingency measures are now in place to address the needs of the OFWs.
“We view with deep concern the escalating violence in Syria and call on the Syrian government to do its utmost to halt this violence, and to ensure the safety and security of its people and all foreign nationals,” Lacierda said quoting the statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
“We therefore urge the Syrian Government to address the Syrian people’s concerns and to immediately implement the reforms promised to them,” Rosario’s statement added
The U.N. Security Council on August 4 issued a statement condemning the Syrian government's crackdown on protesters and calling for an immediate end to violence by all parties.
Since mid-March, anti-government protesters have taken to the streets across the whole country of Syria to demand reforms.(PCOO)
Malacañang says Aquino approves in principle the Freedom of Information Bill
Malacanang said that President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved in principle the passage of the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill pending several concerns that are yet to be addressed through careful study and deliberation.
In a press briefing at the Palace on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the President himself has approved in principle the FOI Bill as he clarified that there were just several concerns that need to be discussed.
“The President agrees with the FOI in principle but there are certain things which we have to address...,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda further said that the President wants more time to study and flesh out the bill.
“We’ve got four years and 11 months to go,” Lacierda said.
The Palace version of the FOI bill provides for the creation of an independent Information Commission, with its own budget and quasi-judicial functions such as the power to subpoena.
The commission would be the “arbiter” between government and any parties who have questions regarding the bill’s enforcement.
At least 13 FOI bills were studied and reviewed -- including those enforced in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa -- for exemptions covering classified information and documents that would be prejudicial to national defense or security.
The FOI bill seeks to answer a Constitutional provision that guarantees the right of people to access to information and documents in the custody of government officials and agencies.(PCOO)
