Gov't won't allow foreign influence in negotiating peace with MILF
The Aquino administration made an assurance Monday that it won’t allow foreign influence in the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) amid fears of some lawmakers that Malaysia might intervene in the talks.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that the peace talks with the MILF should be held in the Philippines and not in Malaysia to avoid foreign intervention.
At the same time, former senator Aquilino Pimentel questioned Malaysia’s leadership in the international monitoring team (IMT) while it also functions as facilitator in the talks.
“We would like to state as a matter of fact that Malaysia is strictly a facilitator in the government’s peace talks to the MILF at ina-assure natin si Senator Enrile na hindi naman po papayag ang ating government panel na magkaroon ng foreign intervention doon po sa mga substantive issues between the two panels,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a phone patch interview with Palace reporters in Malacanang on Monday.
Valte said the issue on the venue of the talks has already been addressed by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry adding that both parties are yet to discuss the substantive issues on the peace talks.
With regards to the proposal of Sen. Gregorio Honasan to convene the Council of State with all the ex-Presidents to provide President Aquino with inputs for talks, Valte said they have yet to raise the issue with the President.
“We will really have to discuss it first with the President because this is something that we have not… hindi pa natin ito napag-usapan. From what we know, this idea has not been floated or even mentioned to the President,” Valte said.
Valte also made clarifications on some news reports about the peace process, as she reiterated the Aquino administration’s sincerity in negotiating with the MILF to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.
While the government talks peace with the Muslim rebels, Valte said military offensive against lawless elements will continue noting that law enforcement is a separate issue from the current peace initiatives.
“Yung paghabol po natin sa mga lawless elements is primarily a law enforcement issue at hiwalay sa usapang pangkapayapaan na matagal na pong nillinaw ng Pangulong Aquino,” Valte said.
Last week, Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the peace talks between the government and the MILF will continue this November despite the bloody incident in Al-Barka, Basilan that resulted to the deaths of 19 government soldiers.
Deles said informal discussions between the government and the MILF panel may begin in early November in Malaysia. (PCOO)
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Malacañang says government did not shell out P31-M grant to Alex Boncayao Brigade
Malacañang clarified on Monday that the government did not give P31-million worth of grant to the Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB), the breakaway urban squad of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the P31-million which the government would be shelling out as part of the government’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project is intended for the development of communities in the strife-torn areas in the country.
“Walang grant to the ABB. Ang PAMANA po kasi is the program for the development of communiities and alternative livelihood. Hindi po tayo nagtu-turnover ng pondo sa kahit anong grupo,” Valte told reporters during a phone patch interview in Malacañang on Monday.
The Palace official issued this clarification amid reports quoting Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita ‘Ging’ Quintos-Deles that the government has allotted such fund to support livelihood projects for residents in the communities occupied by the ABB group.
Upon confirming it with Secretary Deles, Valte explained that the P31-million fund was not given directly to the ABB group but is being handled by the government to develop projects for the said communities in partnership with the local government units and national agencies.
“Ina-identify po natin ‘yung mga communities na nangangailangan po ng development. So ang main partner ng national government dito ay ang mga concerned LGUs and mga national agencies who can implement the program. So walang grant to the ABB,” Valte said.
Valte emphasized that the funds allocated for PAMANA projects are “really for the development of communities” and these are not given to a particular entity. “Sa gobyerno pa rin po iikot ‘yan, so tayo po ‘yung magde-develop ng communities at magbibigay ng alternative livelihood,” she added.
PAMANA is the government’s peace and development program and framework which seeks to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through community-driven projects that address the people’s needs and, at the same time, promote peace.
The program is being led by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Agrarian Reform as its partners. (PCOO)
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Malacañang appeals to PAL and PAL employees Association to exercise sobriety to prevent violence
The Aquino administration appealed to Philippine Airlines (PAL) and PAL Employees' Association (PALEA) to exercise sobriety in their dealings with each other to prevent the recurrence of violence that marred the workers’ picket line last October 29, a Palace official said on Monday .
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has already sent a monitoring team to investigate the reported violent incident at the picket line last October 29 in Pasay City, according to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte during a phone-patch interview.
"The reported attack that resulted in the injury of seven PALEA members last October 29, was unfortunate and deplorable. While we understand that emotions are running high, we call on both PAL and PALEA to exercise sobriety in their dealings with each other. We continue to monitor the situation via the monitoring team deployed by Secretary Linda Baldoz, and we expect a fair and thorough investigation on the incident," Valte said.
The PALEA members said several men entered the workers’ camp site at 5:45 a.m. last Oct. 29 and started tearing down their tents. The incident injured PALEA members.
Both the PAL management and the PALEA remain firm in their respective positions in the present dispute despite efforts to conciliate to avoid further inconvenience to the riding public.
The PALEA continues to assail the legality of the outsourcing, which the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has already decided.
The DOLE decision was affirmed by the Office of the President, and is now the subject of a petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals.
Pursuant to his mandate, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager B/Gen Angel Honrado, has exercised his authority to maintain security to passengers, cargoes, aircraft, airport equipment, structures, and personnel in the country’s airports; to regulate the entry to, exit from, and movement within airport premises; and maintain peace and order. (PCOO)
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Aquino visits tombs of his parents
President Benigno S. Aquino III joined his sisters and their immediate family in commemorating All Saint’s Day by visiting the tombs of their parents, former Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon C. Aquino at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City on Monday.
The President arrived at around 2:30 p.m dressed in a black polo and dark blue jeans. He was followed by his sisters Maria Elena (Ballsy) Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon (Pinky) Aquino-Abellada, Victoria Elisa (Viel) Aquino-Dee, and Kristina Bernadette (Kris) Aquino.
Upon their arrival, a mass officiated by Presidential Security Group chaplain Major Vicente Jose Vera was held in front of the tomb site.
After the solemn mass, Fr. Vera led the blessing of the tombs of the two icons of democracy by sprinkling holy water followed by members of the Aquino family who likewise sprinkled holy water on their parents’ tombs.
The family then prayed the holy rosary before departing.
In an interview, the President’s youngest sister Kris said they chose to commemorate All Saint’s Day earlier this year to beat the crowds that are expected to flock to cemeteries tomorrow.
She also thanked all those present, on behalf of her family, for joining them in paying homage to their parents. (PCOO)
