Thursday 25 August 2011

PIA Dispatch - Thursday, August 25, 2011

Malacanang announces deadline of applications or nomination forms for OIC positions in ARMM

Malacanang reminded the public that the deadline for submission of nominations for the officers-in-charge (OIC) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is only until Friday, August 26.

In a press briefing at the Palace on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda urged those who are interested for the OIC position in ARMM to submit their respective applications and nominations for the available position in the region.

He added that the OIC position vacancies include the regional governor, vice governor and several slots for the regional legislative assembly.

“Tomorrow, 26th of August is the deadline of submission of the applications and nominations for the ARMM OICs, just to let you know we are looking for nominees, applications for the following positions one OIC regional governor, one position of OIC regional vice governor, 24 positions of OIC regional legislative assembly, three for each legislative district of ARMM which is Basilan, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur,Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, “Lacierda said.

“We just like to remind the public and also all the residents of ARMM, if you’re interested please submit your applications, the last day will be tomorrow,” he stressed.

When asked on the selection process for the said OIC positions, Lacierda noted that upon acceptance of the applications and nominations, these will be forwarded to the Presidential Management Staff for profiling and clearance, then to the screening committee.

He also said that the public will be informed of developments in every stage of the screening process.

It will be recalled that the Office of the President has opened the nominations for the OIC positions for the ARMM who will assume the post until the 2013 mid-elections.

On top of the qualifications required in the Constitution, applicants must have proven competence, integrity, reliability, and moral soundness to lead the region.

Apart from these, applicants must not be facing any administrative or criminal complaint, and must not be a fugitive from justice.

Applicants must submit all requirements that include duly accomplished application form, certification of residency, certification of voter’s registration, clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation, and sworn statement attesting that no administrative, criminal or civil charges has been filed against him or her.

The screening committee shall give due preference to prospective applicants and nominees who will have no intention to run for any elective position in the next ARMM Election.

Nomination forms are available for download at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) website at www.dilg.gov.ph.(PCOO)


Palace prepared to extend assistance to Libya

Malacanang announced that it is ready to extend help in Libya’s reconstruction, a Palace official said on Thursday.

In a regular press briefing in Malacanang held on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, “If there will be a request [for assistance] in the reconstruction, we will respond with whatever help we can provide.”

The Philippine government is willing to work with the international community in rebuilding Libya.

Lacierda also stressed that the welfare of the Filipinos in Libya remains the primary concern of the Philippine government.

“Right now, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is monitoring the situation in Libya. Our primary concern is the protection of our own Filipino workers and nationals there,” he said.

He said the Aquino administration welcomes the imminent resolution of the conflict in Libya.

“The Philippines supports a peaceful transition in Libya in order for normalcy to return to the country, and looks forward to working with the Libyan people in pursuing peace and stability,” Lacierda quoting the statement of the DFA.

The DFA said, “The Philippine government thanks the Libyan people for keeping Filipinos and their families in Libya safe and for the hospitality extended to them throughout the conflict including the Filipino medical workers who chose to remain in order to continue providing emergency humanitarian assistance to all parties in the conflict.”(PCOO)