President Aquino supports De Lima’s decision disallowing former PGMA’s travel abroad to seek medical help
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday that he fully supports Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s decision disallowing former president and now congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from traveling abroad to seek medical treatment.
The President said in a press briefing in Malacañang that disallowing Arroyo from traveling ensures her being present to face the charges of electoral sabotage, a non-bailable offense, being leveled at her.
“Sang-ayon po ako sa desisyon ni Kalihim Leila De Lima na huwag munang payagan si Ginang Arroyo na bumiyahe sa ibang bansa,” the President said.
“Makatuwiran po ito sapagkat kinakailangan ang personal na pagharap ni Ginang Arroyo sa arraignment, kung umabot man tayo dito, at ayaw nating maunsiyami ang pag-usad ng isang kasong may napakahalagang implikasyon sa ating demokrasya,” he added.
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.
“Kung kinakailangan, handa nating sagutin ang mga tungkuling pinansyal sa pagpapagamot ni Ginang Arroyo. Gagawin natin ito upang matiyak ang pagharap ng sinumang akusado sa ating hukuman at manaig ang katarungan sa ating bansa,” the President said.
The DoJ on Tuesday denied the former president’s request for an Allow Departure Order for lack of merit. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday that he fully supports Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s decision disallowing former president and now congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from traveling abroad to seek medical treatment.
The President said in a press briefing in Malacañang that disallowing Arroyo from traveling ensures her being present to face the charges of electoral sabotage, a non-bailable offense, being leveled at her.
“Sang-ayon po ako sa desisyon ni Kalihim Leila De Lima na huwag munang payagan si Ginang Arroyo na bumiyahe sa ibang bansa,” the President said.
“Makatuwiran po ito sapagkat kinakailangan ang personal na pagharap ni Ginang Arroyo sa arraignment, kung umabot man tayo dito, at ayaw nating maunsiyami ang pag-usad ng isang kasong may napakahalagang implikasyon sa ating demokrasya,” he added.
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.
“Kung kinakailangan, handa nating sagutin ang mga tungkuling pinansyal sa pagpapagamot ni Ginang Arroyo. Gagawin natin ito upang matiyak ang pagharap ng sinumang akusado sa ating hukuman at manaig ang katarungan sa ating bansa,” the President said.
The DoJ on Tuesday denied the former president’s request for an Allow Departure Order for lack of merit. (PCOO)
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Aquino assures contuined pursuit of government reforms to benefit the people
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the government effort to effect reforms and pursue programs beneficial for the people as he asked for their continued support and cooperation that will eventually result to winning peace in the country.
In his speech during the 54th Philippine Army Change of Command at the Army Headquarters, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Wednesday morning, President Aquino said that through cooperation towards the common goal of winning the peace, the country is gearing towards real and sustainable progress and development.
“Diretso at patas na kaisipan ang batayang prinsipyo natin sa tuwid na daan, mananatili tayong nakatutok sa ating misyon ng makabuluhang reporma sa kabila ng pangliligaw ng iilan… manalig po kayong gagawin ng ating gobyerno ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya para protektahan ang ating mga kasundaluhan at mga sibilyan,” the President said.
“Hiling ko naman po na manatili tayo sa pagkakapit-bisig sa ating adyenda ng pagbabago, sa sama-sama nating pagtatanggol ng kapayapaan at pangangalaga sa ating mga mamamayan… tuloy-tuloy na ang pag-asenso ng ating bayan,” he added.
The Chief Executive reiterated that declaring war is not the best option in attaining peace and protection for the Filipino people.
“Naninindigan po akong isantabi ang pagdidikta ng digmaan dahil naniniwala ako sa mas malalim nating pananagutan… na ang pinaka-buod ng ating tungkulin ay hindi ang pakikipagsagupaan, kundi ang kaligtasan ng taumbayan,” President Aquino said.
He added that the real essence of every Filipino soldier cannot be gauged in the lives that they have taken through furious armed battle but with that of the lives that they have saved during clashes.
“Sinusukat ang tagumpay ng ating mga kawal hindi sa dami ng giyerang pinagtagumpayan kundi sa pananatili ng kapayapaan sa ating bayan… at higit na hinahangaan ang ating mga sundalo hindi sa dami ng kalabang kanilang napatumba sa panahon ng kaguluhan kundi sa dami ng buhay na kanilang naisasalba sa mga tunggalian,” the President noted.
“Tanging ang kaligatasan ng mga kapatid natin sa Mindanao sa kasalukuyan at maging ang kapakanan ng susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino ang atin pong iniisip…” he added.
President Aquino presided over the turnover ceremonies where he formally installed Major General Emmanuel Bautista as the 54th Commanding General of the Philippine Army replacing Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz who is retiring on November 13 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Also present during the ceremony to witness the event were other high-ranking military and government officials led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief of staff General Eduardo Oban Jr.
The turnover was held in advance as President Aquino will be attending the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Leaders and Ministers' meeting in Hawaii.
Prior to his appointment, the 53-yearold Bautista was the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, the unit responsible for Internal Peace and Security Operations in Region VI and provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor in Region VII.
The newly-installed chief of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class '81.
A well decorated officer, Bautista is a recipient of five Distinguished Service Stars, Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action, Bronze Cross Medal for bravery, three Outstanding Achievement Medals, 29 Merit Medals, five of which were earned in combat, Military Commendation Medals and various Campaign Medals and Ribbons. (PCOO)
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Ochoa hails exceptional public servants
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. commended on Wednesday 81 civil servants who were cited for their extraordinary contributions to good governance under the Honor Awards Program of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
In simple ceremonies for the 2011 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees held at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang, Ochoa noted the competence and dedication of the awardees to uplift public service and their commitment to set an example for the entire bureaucracy.
Ochoa also echoed President Benigno S. Aquino III’s message to the awardees, urging the recipients of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, Dangal ng Bayan Award, and Pag-asa Award to continue to serve as inspirations for the Filipino people, and expressed hope that other civil servants will emulate them.
“Sa lahat ng nabigyan ng parangal… nagsilbi kayong huwaran at inspirasyon hindi lamang sa iba pa nating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno, kundi pati na rin sa sambayanang Pilipino. Nakakapagdulot kayo ng lakas at pag-asa sa araw-araw nating pakikibaka tungo sa tunay na pagbabago,” stated the message of the President, which was conveyed by Ochoa during the ceremony.
“Kaakibat po ng mga parangal na inyong natanggap ay ang hamong iniiwan sa inyo nito upang manindigan bilang mga awarded,” the Chief Executive’s message further said. “Nawa’y maging instrumento pa kayo sa paghubog ng iba pang lingkod-bayan. Umaasa ako na hindi magtatapos sa araw na ito ang pagpapamalas ninyo ng husay at dedikasyon (sa serbisyo-publiko). Hinihikayat ko po kayong bumuo ng isang kalipunan ng mga lingkod-bayan na magsusulong ng magagandang programa sa iba’t ibang lugar sa ating bansa.”
The 81 officials and employees of government were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior in public service.
Each individual or group received either a gold-gilded medallion expertly crafted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or a trophy designed by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, a plaque, and a cash prize.
The CSC administers the annual nationwide Honor Awards Program to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness and courtesy in the civil service. The program seeks to recognize and reward state officials and employees for their outstanding contributions and achievements in the delivery of public service.
The 2011 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees include Laguna Gov. Jeorge E.R. Ejercito Estregan, Sta. Rosa, Laguna Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Misamis Occidental Public Employment Service Office Manager Lucia Buaquiña, Philippine Air Force-Clark Air Base (Pampanga) Technical Sergeant Jesus Fabian, Special Science Teacher III Janeth Fuentes (Leyte), Philippine Army (General Santos City) Col. Joselito Kakilala, Negros Occidental Solid Waste Management Team.
Supervising Science Research Specialist Lucille Abad (PNRI-QC), State Auditor Helen Cailing, Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto, Postman Jelyn Duting, Administrative Aide Joey Fernandez, Medical Officer Eleanor Javonillo, Master Teacher Edgar Madlaing, Forestry Technician Elpidio Malinao (Posthumous), Maguindanao Vice Mayor Ramon Piang Sr., Teacher 1 Lorna Ibban Pulalon (Posthumous).
Administrative Aide Bayle Baguioan, Electronics and Communciation Equipment Technician Dionisio Cagampang, Social Welfare Officer Aileen Cuevas, District Jail Warden Ma. Annie Espinosa, Philippine Navy Commander Jose Renan Suarez (Service Force, Philippine Fleet-Cavite City), Aerobic Rice Research, Development and Extension Program (Bulacan Agricultural State College), Dumalag Rural Health Unit (Capiz), Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (Cagayan De Oro City), Philippine Textile Research Institute (Taguig City), and Provincial Health Office Dental Team (Bangued, Abra). (PCOO)
