Malacanang expresses all-out support for
Filipino-American-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez to ensure victory in American
Idol show
Malacanang expressed all-out support to
Filipino-American-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez who is vying for the top spot
of American Idol as it underscored the innate talent and excellence of
Filipinos in any field of discipline.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang
on Friday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte called on the
Filipino people to continuously support the Philippines’ bet and ensure her
victory in the popular singing contest in the United States.
“Please show your support in any way possible
for Jessica Sanchez. This is the last stretch and we know that when Filipinos
gather and put their minds into it, it will happen,” Valte said.
“As she moves on to the final stage of the
competition we stand in solidarity with Jessica Sanchez as she shows the world
what Filipinos are capable of,” she added.
In a separate statement from the Office of the
Presidential Spokesperson, Valte acknowledged the significant effects of
Sanchez’s success in the contest.
“Due to popular demand on Jessica Sanchez’s
moving on to the top 2 of American Idol, excellence knows no boundaries, the
power of music uplifts us all, the entire Filipino people have united in
admiration and enthusiasm over the performances of Jessica Sanchez in American
Idol,” the statement read.
“Her perseverance and passion have inspired and
surprised not just America but the whole world with a voice that is as powerful
as it is stirring. Jessica inspires us to pursue excellence in everything we do
no matter how big or small the stage maybe,” it added.
The crowd favorite Sanchez was named in the top
two on Season 11 of the American Idol show Thursday evening (Friday morning,
Manila time). She will be pitted against Phillip Phillips, the other finalist
in the final round of the contest next week.
Sanchez's top 2 achievement is the highest
attained by a contestant with Filipino heritage on the show.
Filipino-American Jasmine Trias made it to the
top three of AI's Season 3, while Ramiele Malubay, another Fil-Am, placed ninth
in Season 7.
Thia Megia, another Filipino-American,
meanwhile, finished in the top 11 of last year's competition.
Sanchez, who hails from Chula Vista, San Diego,
California was born to a Filipina mother, Editha Bugay from Bataan, while her
father is Gilbert Sanchez, a Mexican. (PCOO)
.
Aquino declares June 16 as special non-working
day in Bogo City, Cebu in celebration of its Charter Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 16, which falls on a Saturday, as a special (non-working) day in the city
of Bogo in Cebu province in celebration of its Charter Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 378 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on May 10 to give the people of Bogo the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
The city of Bogo became the component city of
Cebu province by virtue of Republic Act No. 9390. The plebiscite for the
cityhood of Bogo was held on June 16, 2007. After a few hours of canvassing,
97.82% of voters of Bogo voted for cityhood. (PCOO)
.
Additional cost of living allowance could help
Metro Manila workers, Palace says
Malacanang expects that the approval of a
P30-additional cost of living allowance (COLA) for workers in Metro Manila will
help them in their daily lives.
The National Capital Region’s wage board has
recently approved a P30-additional COLA for Metro Manila workers.
“The other Regional Wage Boards have come up
with wage orders ahead of the one of NCR. The wage order that was announced
today by the DOLE will be published tomorrow and it will be effective upon
publication,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the
regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
According to the Tripartite Wages and
Productivity Board-NCR, the additional COLA will be implemented in two
tranches. The first tranche of P20 will be implemented 15 days after the
publication of the new order and the remaining P10 will follow six months
after.
The P22 increase in COLA that was given last
year will now be integrated in workers’ basic pay in addition to the P20 COLA
recently approved by the wage board.
The recent adjustment will raise the daily
minimum wage in Metro Manila from P400 to P426. This will also mean an increase
of around P900 per month for NCR workers. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang says aquino has asked Faeldon and his
group to reconsider their planned fishing expedition in Panatag Shoal to
prevent escalation of tension
President Benigno S. Aquino III has asked former
Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and his group not to push through with their
plan to sail to Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) on Friday to prevent further
escalation of tension between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of
China, a Palace official said on Friday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday
following reports that Faeldon and his group have decided not to push through
with their Panatag fishing expedition today on request of the Chief Executive.
"The President indeed did speak to Mr.
Faeldon and had asked him to reconsider his plan of going to Panatag Shoal
because it might be construed in a negative way," Valte said.
Reports said a fleet of fishing boats to be led
by Faeldon and former Annapolis cadet Manny Albuera were supposed to sail to
Panatag Shoal to reinforce the country’s territorial claim over the said rich
fishing ground.
However, Faeldon and his group heeded the
request of President Aquino not to push through with their fishing expedition.
"We were informed this morning that he had
reconsidered his plan," Valte said.
Valte said the Philippines maintains its stand
to resolve the territorial claims over the contested Panatag Shoal
diplomatically and to de-escalate any tensions between the country and China.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said
Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine territory and part of
the Municipality of Masinloc, Province of Zambales. It is located 124 nautical
miles west of Zambales and is within the 200 nautical-mile Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) and Philippine Continental Shelf. (PCOO)
