Coloma meets with group of tribal leaders from Palawan
A group of tribal leaders from Palawan thanked Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. for helping them have their letter reached President Benigno Aquino III.
At least 50 indigenous people from the town of Brooke’s Point in Palawan met with Secretary Coloma at the Bahay Ugnayan on Wednesday to personally thank him for his help.
The group sent a letter to President Aquino on June 17 asking him to act on their request to order the National Commission on Indigenous People to issue the certificate of pre-condition to mining firm MacroAsia Corp.
The issuance of certificate of pre-condition (CPC) to MacroAsia Corp. will pave the way for the mining operations of the Makati City-based mining firm in Brooke’s Point in Palawan.
“Ginagawa naman po ng ating pangulo, ng pamahalaan, ang lahat para mabigyan kayo ng pagkakataon,” Secretary Coloma told the 50 indigenous people as he asked the group to be patient saying that there is a process that needs to be followed.
“Unawain lang po ninyo na may mga proseso na sinusunod, ang batas natin, kaya kailangan ay didinggin ang dalawang panig,“ Coloma explained, stressing that. “Pero ang gusto po talaga ng ating pangulo, ng gobyerno, ay matulungan po kayo.”
“Tulungan po natin ang ating pamahalaan, ang ating Pangulo, sapagkat ang hangad lang po niya ay progreso para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino kasama na yung mga katutubo,” he added.
Chieftain Renila Dulay said that they were requesting President Aquino to grant MacroAsia the document that would allow the mining firm to conduct mining operations in the town of Brooke‘s Point.
Dulay, president of the Brooke’s Point Tribal Leaders Federation, said that President Aquino acted on their letter by asking the NCIP to explain the delay of the issuance of the CPC to MacroAsia.
The 50 indigenous people from Palawan were accompanied by columnist and radio broadcaster Arnold Garcia, who helped them ensure that their letter will reach Malacanang.(PCOO)
Malacañang confident ‘catch up spending’ to improve in next two quarters
Malacañang on Thursday said it was ready to spend and invest on vital infrastructure and human programs over the next two quarters to spur the flow and propagation of essential public services to benefit the people.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte expressed confidence that the government’s “spending catch up plan” would improve during the second half of 2011 after the Finance Department reported a lower budget deficit brought about by the Aquino administration’s “prudent and judicious” spending of the people’s money.
“Yes, we think it is realistic for the catch up programs to happen in the next two quarters,” Valte said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s government has been criticized for “underspending” in the first half of 2011 which has resulted to a perceived slowdown in the economy.
“When underspending is said, we’d like to think that it has happened that way because we’ve been very prudent and judicious in how we spend the people’s money,” Valte said.
“So when the spending happens, the public can be assured that the money is being spent well and being spent properly,” she added.
The DoF recently reported that it was able to trim down the budget deficit to P17.231-billion in January to June, better than the P152.128-billion deficit it had projected for the same period.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said that this bringing down of the deficit was due to President Aquino’s program to plug tax administration system loopholes by going after tax evaders and smugglers.
This Philippine feat in generating revenue has earned praise from the international community who said that the controlled deficit will allow the country to sustain economic growth despite the weak global outlook.(PCOO)
Malacañang on Thursday said it was ready to spend and invest on vital infrastructure and human programs over the next two quarters to spur the flow and propagation of essential public services to benefit the people.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte expressed confidence that the government’s “spending catch up plan” would improve during the second half of 2011 after the Finance Department reported a lower budget deficit brought about by the Aquino administration’s “prudent and judicious” spending of the people’s money.
“Yes, we think it is realistic for the catch up programs to happen in the next two quarters,” Valte said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s government has been criticized for “underspending” in the first half of 2011 which has resulted to a perceived slowdown in the economy.
“When underspending is said, we’d like to think that it has happened that way because we’ve been very prudent and judicious in how we spend the people’s money,” Valte said.
“So when the spending happens, the public can be assured that the money is being spent well and being spent properly,” she added.
The DoF recently reported that it was able to trim down the budget deficit to P17.231-billion in January to June, better than the P152.128-billion deficit it had projected for the same period.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said that this bringing down of the deficit was due to President Aquino’s program to plug tax administration system loopholes by going after tax evaders and smugglers.
This Philippine feat in generating revenue has earned praise from the international community who said that the controlled deficit will allow the country to sustain economic growth despite the weak global outlook.(PCOO)
Coloma exhorts chief public info officers/corporate communication managers GOCCs and GFIs to text-vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. urged chief public information officers (CPIOs) and corporate communication managers from various government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government-financed institutions (GFIs) to support the country’s bid in the New Seven Wonders of Nature by voting for the Philippines’ pride, the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
During the 7th Development Communication Network (DEVCOMNET) Forum at the Bulwagang Ninoy Aquino of the Parks and Wildlife Center in North Avenue, Quezon City on Thursday, Coloma asked the CPIOs for their full support in the government’s campaign to earn a spot in the worldwide polls.
The PCOO chief said that a spot in the New Seven Wonders of Nature will not only be a big boost to the country’s tourism industry but would also have tremendous effect on the country’s economic growth.
“I urged you to join our campaign and let us support the Puerto Princesa Underground River …
napakalaki po ng epekto nito sa atin. This has tremendous effects especially on Philippine tourism and on our overall economic growth,” Coloma said.
Coloma encouraged not only the CPIOs of the government entities but also the Filipino citizenry all over the world to send the word “PPUR15” to 2861 through their mobile phones via the short messaging system.
The DEVCOMNET is a communication and advocacy support mechanism formed to communicate the Philippine Development Plan. Formed in 1992, it has served all administrations up to the present.
DEVCOMNET meets regularly to discuss government policies, programs and projects with the purpose of disseminating them to the Filipino people within the bureaucracy and the public at large.
The group has paved the way for stronger coordination and linkages among the various information offices, thereby creating a more responsive and effective delivery of government information to the people.
Apart from appealing for support for the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Coloma also discussed the progress and development of the Aquino government’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program and the 2011 Reform Budget.(PCOO)
Malacanang says investigation on alleged poll fraud in 2007 senatorial elections will continue
The investigation on the alleged massive fraud in the 2007 senatorial elections will continue despite the resignation of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri from the Senate on Wednesday, Malacanang said.
“Hindi naman po titigil ‘yung imbestigasyon dahil lang po nag-resign si Senator Zubiri ,while that was a very welcome move,” Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing on Thursday in Malacanang.
“We always say that resignation is dependent on the person holding the office at nagsalita na po ang DOJ (Department of Justice), itutuloy po nila ‘yung imbestigasyon,” Valte stressed.
Zubiri stepped down from the Senate following the allegations that he benefited from the alleged massive fraud in 2007 elections. The former senator, however, insisted that he won in the 2007 senatorial race.
Malacanang had earlier welcomed the resignation of Zubiri, describing the former senator’s decision as “an act of statesmanship.” The Palace expressed hope that the former senator will contribute to electoral reforms.
“We think it’s an act of statesmanship on his part. But we have gone further to say that it is our hope that he will contribute to the electoral reform that we so sorely need,” Valte said.
As to what will happen to the position in the Senate vacated by Zubiri, Valte said that it is entirely dependent on the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET).
Following his resignation, Zubiri announced Thursday that he will no longer pursue his counter election protest against lawyer Aquilino Pimentel III over the results of the senatorial elections in 2007.(PCOO)
Aquino honors 2011 awardees of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines
President Benigno Aquino III congratulated this year’s awardees of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) saying the Filipino nation has high hopes on them for their contribution to nation building.
“We have the highest hopes for all of you here today, finalists and awardees alike. For everything you have already achieved, allow me to give you my most heartfelt congratulations,” the Chief Executive said in a speech delivered for him by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. during simple awarding ceremonies in Malacanang on Thursday.
The President also assured that under his leadership there will be good governance that creates renewed hope for a better future for everyone. Filipinos, he said, especially the young people, will no longer opt to go abroad because of better opportunity created locally.
The country has started to see positive results of the reform measures initiated under the new leadership, the President said.
These reform measures prevent and decisively address corruption in the bureaucracy and have promoted a culture of transparency and accountability in government service, he added.
“Through good governance and a clear blueprint for national development that will produce more jobs in the coming years, we are slowly turning working abroad as an option, instead of the necessity it has become for some of those who want to attain better lives,” he said.
This year’s TOSP awardees are role models for the rest of the country’s youth, the future leaders of the country who will contribute immensely to moving the country forward, the President stressed.
At the same time the President expressed his gratitude to the people behind the TOSP awards for their continuing efforts to celebrate the youth’s contribution to nation building.
The recipients of this year’s TOSP awards include Geminn Louis Apostol (medicine and health-related profession), Ateneo de Manila University; Christopher Millora (medicine and health-related profession), West Visayas State University; Kendrick Nigel Tan (medicine and health-related profession); Centro Escolar University; Sean Vincent Aquilino (agriculture, science and math), University of the Philippines-Diliman; Julius Paul Juen, (agriculture, science and math), University of St. La Salle; Jonathan Andro Tan (agriculture, science and math), Siliman University; Sittie Norhane Lao (humanities, communication and social sciences), Mindanao State University-main campus; Maria Angelica Reyes (humanities, communication and social sciences), De La Salle University-Lipa City; Arleen delos Reyes (teacher education), University of Nueva Caceres; and Athena Plaza (business, entrepreneurship, economics, industry, criminology and law), University of San Carlos.
Also present during the event were Jose Concepcion Jr., chairman of RFM Corp. and RFM Foundation, Maria Victoria Concepcion-Young, president of RFM Corp., Jose Maria Concepcion III, president and CEO of RFM Corp. and Alfred Ramos, president and CEO of National Bookstore.
The TOSP is an awards and formation program established by businessman Jose Concepcion Jr. as a way of encouraging the youth to act for national progress.
It honors graduating college students who have not only excelled academically but also lived a life of dedicated service to the people that is distinctive from others in their respective fields of interests.(PCOO)
The investigation on the alleged massive fraud in the 2007 senatorial elections will continue despite the resignation of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri from the Senate on Wednesday, Malacanang said.
“Hindi naman po titigil ‘yung imbestigasyon dahil lang po nag-resign si Senator Zubiri ,while that was a very welcome move,” Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing on Thursday in Malacanang.
“We always say that resignation is dependent on the person holding the office at nagsalita na po ang DOJ (Department of Justice), itutuloy po nila ‘yung imbestigasyon,” Valte stressed.
Zubiri stepped down from the Senate following the allegations that he benefited from the alleged massive fraud in 2007 elections. The former senator, however, insisted that he won in the 2007 senatorial race.
Malacanang had earlier welcomed the resignation of Zubiri, describing the former senator’s decision as “an act of statesmanship.” The Palace expressed hope that the former senator will contribute to electoral reforms.
“We think it’s an act of statesmanship on his part. But we have gone further to say that it is our hope that he will contribute to the electoral reform that we so sorely need,” Valte said.
As to what will happen to the position in the Senate vacated by Zubiri, Valte said that it is entirely dependent on the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET).
Following his resignation, Zubiri announced Thursday that he will no longer pursue his counter election protest against lawyer Aquilino Pimentel III over the results of the senatorial elections in 2007.(PCOO)
Aquino honors 2011 awardees of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines
President Benigno Aquino III congratulated this year’s awardees of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) saying the Filipino nation has high hopes on them for their contribution to nation building.
“We have the highest hopes for all of you here today, finalists and awardees alike. For everything you have already achieved, allow me to give you my most heartfelt congratulations,” the Chief Executive said in a speech delivered for him by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. during simple awarding ceremonies in Malacanang on Thursday.
The President also assured that under his leadership there will be good governance that creates renewed hope for a better future for everyone. Filipinos, he said, especially the young people, will no longer opt to go abroad because of better opportunity created locally.
The country has started to see positive results of the reform measures initiated under the new leadership, the President said.
These reform measures prevent and decisively address corruption in the bureaucracy and have promoted a culture of transparency and accountability in government service, he added.
“Through good governance and a clear blueprint for national development that will produce more jobs in the coming years, we are slowly turning working abroad as an option, instead of the necessity it has become for some of those who want to attain better lives,” he said.
This year’s TOSP awardees are role models for the rest of the country’s youth, the future leaders of the country who will contribute immensely to moving the country forward, the President stressed.
At the same time the President expressed his gratitude to the people behind the TOSP awards for their continuing efforts to celebrate the youth’s contribution to nation building.
The recipients of this year’s TOSP awards include Geminn Louis Apostol (medicine and health-related profession), Ateneo de Manila University; Christopher Millora (medicine and health-related profession), West Visayas State University; Kendrick Nigel Tan (medicine and health-related profession); Centro Escolar University; Sean Vincent Aquilino (agriculture, science and math), University of the Philippines-Diliman; Julius Paul Juen, (agriculture, science and math), University of St. La Salle; Jonathan Andro Tan (agriculture, science and math), Siliman University; Sittie Norhane Lao (humanities, communication and social sciences), Mindanao State University-main campus; Maria Angelica Reyes (humanities, communication and social sciences), De La Salle University-Lipa City; Arleen delos Reyes (teacher education), University of Nueva Caceres; and Athena Plaza (business, entrepreneurship, economics, industry, criminology and law), University of San Carlos.
Also present during the event were Jose Concepcion Jr., chairman of RFM Corp. and RFM Foundation, Maria Victoria Concepcion-Young, president of RFM Corp., Jose Maria Concepcion III, president and CEO of RFM Corp. and Alfred Ramos, president and CEO of National Bookstore.
The TOSP is an awards and formation program established by businessman Jose Concepcion Jr. as a way of encouraging the youth to act for national progress.
It honors graduating college students who have not only excelled academically but also lived a life of dedicated service to the people that is distinctive from others in their respective fields of interests.(PCOO)
Coloma leads first anniversary of Presidential Communications Operations Office
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. reminded the employees belonging to the communications department to be always FIT--faithful with intergrity and working as a team.
Coloma echoed this statement during the Mass on Thursday at the New Executive Building in Malacanang in celebration of the first year aniversary of the PCOO.
Folowing his assumption into office, President Benigno Aquino III signed Executive Order No. 4 on July 30, 2010, renaming the Office of the Press Secretary as PCOO and created the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office.
The PCOO, headed by Secretary Coloma, is in charge of disseminating the government’s message to private media companies and supervising the state-owned media entities.
“Itong kinabibilangan natin ay may mahabang kasaysayan na,” Coloma said in his short speech following the Mass. “We are inheritors of an entire thread of history. At yung thread na yun ang sentro dun yung vocation natin,” he added.
As they celebrate the PCOO’s first year anniversary, Secretary Coloma reminded the government employees to keep in mind the word FIT which stands for faith, integrity and teamwork.
“Yung faith may pananampalataya tayo at yun ang pinanggagalingan ng ating lakas, ng ating inspirasyon ng ating dunong at ng ating enthusiasm,” the Coloma stressed.
He also told them to work with integrity and as a team.
“Sana po habang sinasariwa natin ang ating didikasyon, ang ating commitment sa ating calling, tandaan po natin we must always be FIT--faithful with integrity and working as a team,” he added.
Aside from Coloma, also present in the Mass were Undersecretary for Operations George Syliangco, Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Eduardo Visperas, Assistant Secretary Rey Marfil, and Assistant Secretary Elizardo de Layola.(PCOO)
