Aquino arrives in Honolulu for the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Summit
HONOLULU, Hawaii: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Hickam Airbase here for a three-day working visit to attend the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting from November 11 to. November 13.
APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia Pacific Region. It has 21 members referred to as "member economies" which account for approximately 40 percent of the world's population, approximately 54 percent of world gross domestic product, and about 44 percent of world trade. Hosted by the United States, APEC 2011 is working towards the achievement of a "seamless regional economy."
The Chief Executive, who was accompanied by a lean delegation led by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas and Presidential Spokeman Edwin Lacierda, was on board the Philippine Airlines chartered Flight PR001 that landed at the airport's tarmac at exactly 8:15 am (Honolulu time, 2:15 am Manila time) from Manila.
He was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia, Jr., Consul General Leoncio Cardenas, Jr., Trade and investment Officer of the United States to the Philippines Jennifer Neidhart de Ortiz, and a Senior US Protocol Representative among others.
After the simple arrival ceremony at the Hickam Airbase, President Aquino, accompanied by his delegation, motored to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel where he is billeted.
Following a brief respite, the President will attend his first activity for the day -- the Panel Discussion on Commodity Security for Economic Growth, where he is one of the panel participants at the Sheraton, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Other participants in the event include Frank Ning Gaoning, CEO of the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation plus Richard Adkerson, president and CEO of the Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., as well as Jane Ulrich, managing director and chairman of the Global Markets, China, JP Morgan.
During the panel discussion, there will be four chairs on stage. The moderator would welcome and introduce President Aquino and will have one-on-one for ten minutes where the President would be asked an initial question which he could turn into an opening statement about the issues.
This APEC CEO summit will be held from November 11 to 12 with high-level representation from the private sector, government, and academia. This summit will identify ways to enhance public-private cooperation within APEC. It is held annually just prior to the annual APEC Leaders' Meeting and is a "by invitation only" event.
The first APEC CEO Summit was held in 1996 during the Philippine chairmanship of APEC.
Later in the evening, the President will likewise attend the APEC CEO-Leaders' Dinner with the theme "Taste of American Reception" hosted by Microsoft chairman Craig Mundie at the exclusive home in Honolulu of Paul and Mrs. Fredrica Cassiday. (PCOO)
.
Aquino faces busy schedule in 3-day working visit to Honolulu
HONOLULU, Hawaii: President Beenigno S. Aquino III faces a busy schedule ahead as soon as he sets foot on Friday (Honolulu time) at the Island Paradise here to join the other 20 leaders of member economies attending the 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting.
Shortly after his arrival at the Hickam Airbase from Manila, the President and his official delegation will be immediately whisked to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, where he will stay for the duration of his three-day official working visit.
The President’s first activity on the first day of his working visit is to attend the Panel Discussion on Commodity Security for Economic Growth at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Aside from President Aquino, other participants in the panel discussion include Frank Ning Gaoning, CEO of the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation; Richard Adkerson, president and CEO of the Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc.; and Jane Ulrich, managing director and chairman of the Global Markets, China JP Morgan.
The APEC CEO Summit is scheduled from November 11 to 12 with high-level representation from the private sector, government and academia. The summit will identify ways to enhance public-private cooperation within APEC. It is held annually in the APEC host economy just prior to the annual APEC Leaders' Meeting.
Later in the evening, the President will attend the APEC CEO Leaders' Dinner with the theme "Taste of American Reception" hosted by Microsoft chairman Craig Mundie at the exclusive home in Honolulu of Paul and Mrs. Fredrica Cassiday.
During his visit, President Aquino will take time out to visit the Pearl Harbor.
Before his attendance at the dinner in honor of the APEC Leaders and Spouses at the Hale Koa Maile Garden, the President is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Julia Eileen Gillard.
Then President Aquino will proceed to meet with the members of the accompanying media during a Coffee with Philippine Media at the Honolulu Suite of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.
On Sunday, November 13, President Aquino will attend the 19th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the JW Marriott Thilani Hotel
The President will likewise attend the Leaders dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) members also in the same hotel.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the dialogue with APEC Leaders "gives ABAC members the opportunity to meet with APEC Leaders to discuss the entire year's ABAC work programme and to raise issues of pressing concern to the business community.
The Chief Executive will then attend the Working Lunch for APEC Leaders with the topic entitled "Regulatory Reforms and Competitiveness"
Prior to the issuance of the Joint Declaration by the 21 APEC Leaders, the President will resume his attendance at the 19th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Session 2 on the topic "Energy Security and Energy Efficiency."
The President will also check the condition of the Filipino Overseas Workers in Honolulu when he meets with them on Sunday (November 13, Honolulu time) before he leaves for Manila.
In a prepared program for the OFWs meeting, the President will deliver his speech where he is expected to report to them the positive developments of his administration since he assumed office last year.
Consul General Leoncio Cardenas will also deliver welcome remarks while Bernadette Misalucha, chairperson of the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii and Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie will deliver their respective messages. (PCOO)
.
Palace assures Mrs. Arroyo due process
Malacanang assured former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo due process in the ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for her alleged involvement in massive corruption during her administration.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte was asked if the Palace supports speedy inquiry on the allegations against Arroyo so that appropriate charges could be filed against her.
“What we would prefer is that the DOJ goes step-by-step on the process. At this point, we are already being accused of political persecution but, on one hand, you also have comments that we are too slow in prosecuting,” Valte said.
“We want to assure that whatever cases are on the table will go through the proper process, will go through due process and that the rights of whoever is being accused of anything are afforded and are protected,” she added noting they don’t want half-baked investigation results.
At the same time, she said they want to fend off speculations that the administration is sitting on the cases against the former president.
“Gusto lang po natin talaga masunod yung tamang proseso,” she added.
Charging Mrs Arroyo in court could bolster the government’s resolve in issuing a hold departure order to prevent her from leaving and seeking asylum anywhere.
This week, President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his full support to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s decision disallowing the former president to travel abroad to seek medical help.
He said the government was willing to shoulder the expenses of flying in medical specialists to look into Arroyo’s medical condition to ease the former president’s need to travel.
The DoJ on Tuesday denied Arroyo’s request for an Allow Departure Order for lack of merit. She was also reported seeking asylum in the Dominican Republic. (PCOO)
.
Govt to continue working with countries affected by POEA deployment ban
HONOLULU, Hawaii: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Hickam Airbase here for a three-day working visit to attend the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting from November 11 to. November 13.
APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia Pacific Region. It has 21 members referred to as "member economies" which account for approximately 40 percent of the world's population, approximately 54 percent of world gross domestic product, and about 44 percent of world trade. Hosted by the United States, APEC 2011 is working towards the achievement of a "seamless regional economy."
The Chief Executive, who was accompanied by a lean delegation led by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas and Presidential Spokeman Edwin Lacierda, was on board the Philippine Airlines chartered Flight PR001 that landed at the airport's tarmac at exactly 8:15 am (Honolulu time, 2:15 am Manila time) from Manila.
He was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia, Jr., Consul General Leoncio Cardenas, Jr., Trade and investment Officer of the United States to the Philippines Jennifer Neidhart de Ortiz, and a Senior US Protocol Representative among others.
After the simple arrival ceremony at the Hickam Airbase, President Aquino, accompanied by his delegation, motored to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel where he is billeted.
Following a brief respite, the President will attend his first activity for the day -- the Panel Discussion on Commodity Security for Economic Growth, where he is one of the panel participants at the Sheraton, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Other participants in the event include Frank Ning Gaoning, CEO of the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation plus Richard Adkerson, president and CEO of the Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., as well as Jane Ulrich, managing director and chairman of the Global Markets, China, JP Morgan.
During the panel discussion, there will be four chairs on stage. The moderator would welcome and introduce President Aquino and will have one-on-one for ten minutes where the President would be asked an initial question which he could turn into an opening statement about the issues.
This APEC CEO summit will be held from November 11 to 12 with high-level representation from the private sector, government, and academia. This summit will identify ways to enhance public-private cooperation within APEC. It is held annually just prior to the annual APEC Leaders' Meeting and is a "by invitation only" event.
The first APEC CEO Summit was held in 1996 during the Philippine chairmanship of APEC.
Later in the evening, the President will likewise attend the APEC CEO-Leaders' Dinner with the theme "Taste of American Reception" hosted by Microsoft chairman Craig Mundie at the exclusive home in Honolulu of Paul and Mrs. Fredrica Cassiday. (PCOO)
.
Aquino faces busy schedule in 3-day working visit to Honolulu
HONOLULU, Hawaii: President Beenigno S. Aquino III faces a busy schedule ahead as soon as he sets foot on Friday (Honolulu time) at the Island Paradise here to join the other 20 leaders of member economies attending the 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting.
Shortly after his arrival at the Hickam Airbase from Manila, the President and his official delegation will be immediately whisked to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, where he will stay for the duration of his three-day official working visit.
The President’s first activity on the first day of his working visit is to attend the Panel Discussion on Commodity Security for Economic Growth at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Aside from President Aquino, other participants in the panel discussion include Frank Ning Gaoning, CEO of the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation; Richard Adkerson, president and CEO of the Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc.; and Jane Ulrich, managing director and chairman of the Global Markets, China JP Morgan.
The APEC CEO Summit is scheduled from November 11 to 12 with high-level representation from the private sector, government and academia. The summit will identify ways to enhance public-private cooperation within APEC. It is held annually in the APEC host economy just prior to the annual APEC Leaders' Meeting.
Later in the evening, the President will attend the APEC CEO Leaders' Dinner with the theme "Taste of American Reception" hosted by Microsoft chairman Craig Mundie at the exclusive home in Honolulu of Paul and Mrs. Fredrica Cassiday.
During his visit, President Aquino will take time out to visit the Pearl Harbor.
Before his attendance at the dinner in honor of the APEC Leaders and Spouses at the Hale Koa Maile Garden, the President is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Julia Eileen Gillard.
Then President Aquino will proceed to meet with the members of the accompanying media during a Coffee with Philippine Media at the Honolulu Suite of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.
On Sunday, November 13, President Aquino will attend the 19th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the JW Marriott Thilani Hotel
The President will likewise attend the Leaders dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) members also in the same hotel.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the dialogue with APEC Leaders "gives ABAC members the opportunity to meet with APEC Leaders to discuss the entire year's ABAC work programme and to raise issues of pressing concern to the business community.
The Chief Executive will then attend the Working Lunch for APEC Leaders with the topic entitled "Regulatory Reforms and Competitiveness"
Prior to the issuance of the Joint Declaration by the 21 APEC Leaders, the President will resume his attendance at the 19th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Session 2 on the topic "Energy Security and Energy Efficiency."
The President will also check the condition of the Filipino Overseas Workers in Honolulu when he meets with them on Sunday (November 13, Honolulu time) before he leaves for Manila.
In a prepared program for the OFWs meeting, the President will deliver his speech where he is expected to report to them the positive developments of his administration since he assumed office last year.
Consul General Leoncio Cardenas will also deliver welcome remarks while Bernadette Misalucha, chairperson of the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii and Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie will deliver their respective messages. (PCOO)
.
Palace assures Mrs. Arroyo due process
Malacanang assured former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo due process in the ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for her alleged involvement in massive corruption during her administration.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte was asked if the Palace supports speedy inquiry on the allegations against Arroyo so that appropriate charges could be filed against her.
“What we would prefer is that the DOJ goes step-by-step on the process. At this point, we are already being accused of political persecution but, on one hand, you also have comments that we are too slow in prosecuting,” Valte said.
“We want to assure that whatever cases are on the table will go through the proper process, will go through due process and that the rights of whoever is being accused of anything are afforded and are protected,” she added noting they don’t want half-baked investigation results.
At the same time, she said they want to fend off speculations that the administration is sitting on the cases against the former president.
“Gusto lang po natin talaga masunod yung tamang proseso,” she added.
Charging Mrs Arroyo in court could bolster the government’s resolve in issuing a hold departure order to prevent her from leaving and seeking asylum anywhere.
This week, President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his full support to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s decision disallowing the former president to travel abroad to seek medical help.
He said the government was willing to shoulder the expenses of flying in medical specialists to look into Arroyo’s medical condition to ease the former president’s need to travel.
The DoJ on Tuesday denied Arroyo’s request for an Allow Departure Order for lack of merit. She was also reported seeking asylum in the Dominican Republic. (PCOO)
.
Govt to continue working with countries affected by POEA deployment ban
The Philippine government will continue to work with countries affected by the deployment ban imposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for the benefit of Filipino workers, Malacanang said on Saturday.
“We will continue to consult the stakeholders and coordinate with our friends, yung mga countries that will be the subject of the list (ban),” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
“It’s not a judgment on the country; it’s not a judgment on the friendship but we would like to work with them, to continue to work with them kung papaano yung magiging sitwasyon dahil doon sa batas na R.A. 122,” Valte said reiterating a previous statement by the foreign affairs department.
Valte also made an assurance that OFWs working in some of the countries affected by the ban will be permitted to complete their contracts following the POEA’s decision.
“Sa mga OFW natin na nandiyan, mag-abang lang po tayo ng mga magiging balita pa dahil patuloy po talaga yung pakikipag-coordinate natin sa mga employer, sa mga kompanya, sa mga bansang ito,” she said.
The labor department said the ban will have minimal impact and just over 200 OFWs will be affected. Those who have opted to come home can avail of the government’s integration program. It also said that the 41 countries affected by the ban are not considered major receiving countries for OFWs.
The POEA ordered the deployment ban on 41 countries for the lack of guarantees ensuring the welfare of OFWs saying the receiving countries must have labor laws or conventions related to the protection of migrant workers.
At present, the Philippines has an existing deployment ban on conflict-affected countries like Somalia, Syria, Nigeria, Lebanon and also imposes partial ban to Iraq and Afghanistan. (PCOO)
