President Aquino declares October 19 as special non-working day in Negros Oriental in celebration of its 'Buglasan Festival'
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared October 19, which falls on a Friday, as a special (non-working) day in the province of Negros Oriental, in celebration of the "Buglasan Festival".
The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 472 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on September 13 to give the people of Negros Oriental the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
The Buglasan Festival is being held annually in the month of October to showcase and highlight the cultural heritage of the province and boost its economy and tourism industries.
Negros used to be called “Buglas” by the natives before the exploration of the Spaniards in Negros Oriental in 1565. Buglas, a tall grass that looks like a sugarcane, was abundantly grown in the island.
The Spaniards named the island as Negros because many of the dwellers were dark-skinned and kinky-haired. During that time, the inhabitants of the island were Chinese, Malays, and Negritos.
The Negros was made into two separate political units through a royal decree in 1869: Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Dumaguete was named as capital of Negros Oriental. PND (js)
President Aquino urges members of the Liberal Party to live by its principle of putting the good of the country above everything
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga: President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the new Liberal Party (LP) members to live by the party’s principle of putting the good of the country and people above everything as he encouraged the people to continue working together to ensure a more equipped citizenry and progressive nation.
In his speech during the Liberal Party (LP) Pampanga Orientation and Oathtaking Ceremonies at the Mini-Convention Center, Heroes Hall, Magdalena St., here, Friday, President Aquino expressed high hopes that the new LP members will work with the Aquino government in effecting reforms and lasting development in the country.
“Sa mga bagong miyembro ng ating partido, nagagalak at nagpapasalamat po ako sa pakikiisa ninyo… umaasa akong magiging sandigan kayo ng pang-matagalang pag-angat ng Pilipino. BIlang Liberal nais ko lang ipaalala na ang panunumpa ninyo ay hindi isang transaksyon na maaari ninyong bali-baliin. Hindi tayo nakakahon sa tradisyunal na uri ng pulitika, kung ano ang tamang gawin, gaano man ito kahirap o anumang kalbaryo ang ating makakaharap, ito ang gagawin natin, ito ang prinsipyo sa pinaka-maugong nating panata: Bayan bago sarili,” the President said.
“Bawat miyembro ng Partido Liberal ay marangal sa isip, marangal sa salita at higit sa lahat marangal sa gawa,” he added.
The Chief Executive assured his fellow Kapampangans of his administration’s sincere and unyielding efforts to implement social programs for the people.
“May pagkakataon po tayong itulak hindi lang ang Pampanga kundi maging ang buong bansa tungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pangarap… bigyan po ninyo ako ng pagkakataong tulungan kayo, hindi ko po hahayaang maiwan sa kaunlaran ang ating bayang sinilangan, ang Pampanga, gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya. Sa tulong ng kapwa natin Kapampangan at sa tulong ng mga pinunong kasama natin ngayon, upang isulong ang ganap na pag-ginhawa ng Pampanga,” he stressed.
“Ang hamon sa atin ngayon…tumatahak na tayo sa tuwid na landas, tutunganga lang ba tayo? Hahayaan lang ba natin kumilos ng solo ang gobyerno o makikipagtulungan tayo sa pag-gawa ng tama at bibigyang lakas ang isa’t-isa. Di hamak na mas bibilis po ang ating pag-usad at pag-unlad kung tayo’y magbabayanihan kaysa maghilahan pababa, mag-unahan at mang-lamang sa kapwa,” he further noted.
During the event, the President witnessed the qathtaking of some 96 Liberal Party bets for the Province of Pampanga, in various positions, participating in the 2013 mid-term elections.
The LP bets are expected to closely work with the national government in achieving the President’s social contract with the Filipino people.
Upon arrival, the President was welcomed by San Fernando City Pampanga Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez, Pampanga former governor Eddie T. “Among Ed” Panlilio and City College of San Fernando president Dr. Lourdes M. Javier.
Also in attendance were other government officials led by Senator Franklin Drilon, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Transportation and Communication Secretary and acting LP president Joseph Emilio Abaya and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang.
Prior to the oathtaking ceremonies, the Chief Executive also inspected the projects in the City of San Fernando that include the on-going construction of the nearby school building of the City College of San Fernando that is expected to be completed by the end of October 2012.
The 100-million, four-storey building will accommodate college students offering degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), Elementary and Secondary Education, Business Administration and Information Technology (IT).
The President was also briefed by Mayor Rodriguez on other projects of the local government that include the Lazatin Fly-Over,as well as the Sagip-Ilog and Tail Dike Breaching and Re-Channeling of Gugu Creek.
Touted as one of the oldest political parties in the country, the Liberal Party was founded on January 19, 1946 by then President Manuel Roxas.
LP’s formation came from the “Liberal Wing” of another political group, the old Nacionalista Party. Three more LP members were elected President: Elpidio Quirino, Diosdado Macapagal and President Aquino.
The other two former presidents of the country also came from the ranks of the LP, they were former party members that chose to follow a different path and joined the Nacionalista Party – Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos. PND (jcl/12:50 p.m.)
Aquino says government has no intentions of curtailing freedom of speech
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday that his administration is not after curtailing free speech adding that the state has an obligation to go after those who defame and infringe on the rights of others.
In an interview during his visit in San Fernando, Pampanga, the President said he signed into law the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 despite its controversial provisions on libel believing that those who committed libel must be prosecuted regardless of the media they use.
Like newspaper reporters, radio broadcasters, people using the new media must be held accountable for libelous statements they make, the chief executive said.
Everybody’s freedom of speech stops when it affects the rights of others, he said.
“'Yung freedom of speech mo hindi kasama doon ‘yung magsisigaw ka ng sunog sa loob ng sinehan. Ang rights ay parating bounded when it impinges on the rights of others,” he said.
Also, he explained that he signed the law because there is an urgent need to address cybercrimes in the country, particularly identity fraud, computer-related forgery, computer-related fraud, content-related offenses like child pornography, unsolicited commercial and many others.
At the same time, the President said he supports any move to amend the cybercrime prevention law if some people find its penalties too harsh. Its procedures could also be ironed out so that the state wouldn’t be accused of abuses while implementing the new law, he added.
The President also called on the people opposing the implementation of the law to go to Congress and push for amendments, assuring them that he’s ready to sign an amended version if he thinks it’s in line with the Palace’s position.
It was reported early this week that hackers attacked several government sites, particularly on Wednesday, the first day the Cybercrime Prevention Act took effect.
Several groups had questioned or opposed the new law, saying that particular provisions on online libel may threaten the public’s right to freedom of speech.
The Presidential Communications Operations Office released a statement on Thursday saying government websites are safe from attacks in the midst of threats from computer hackers. PND (as/3:31pm)
Aquino feels confident about appointment of Grace Padaca to the Commission on Elections
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga: President Benigno S. Aquino III said that former Isabela Province Governor Maria Gracia Cielo “Grace” Padaca is competent to perform her duties and responsibilities as a Commissioner of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) considering her vast experience in the politic arena.
In an ambush interview following his attendance to the Liberal Party (LP) Pampanga Orientation and Oathtaking Ceremonies at the Mini-Convention Center, Heroes Hall, Magdalena St., here, Friday, President Aquino said that Padaca, being a victim of political malpractice herself, could make sure that all the laws under the Omnibus Election Code are observed.
“Isa siya sa palagay ko nabiktima. Isa siya sa magiging masigasig, sisuguraduhin na maiwasto ‘yung sistemang umiiral. So ‘yon po ang pangunahing kwalipikasyon niya. Alam niya kung paano hindi nasunod ang mandato ng taumbayan sa mga ibang mga halalan. Siguro naman ngayon na magkakaroon siya ng pagkakataon para iwasto ang sistema ay talagang mapapabilis na ‘yung pagwawasto doon sa mga kakulangan ng ating pagpapatupad po ng ating mga batas,” he added.
The Chief Executive expressed confidence that Commissioner Padaca is innocent on the charges being hauled against her adding that the former lady governor has effectively helped the people of her province.
“Yung ‘pag sinabing hindi tama ‘yung pagpiyansa, ano ba ‘yung pinyansa? Hindi ba, parang may temporary siyang kalayaan dito para harapin at maprepara ‘yung kaso---’yung pagdepensa niya doon sa kasong ‘yan. Ako po’y hindi naniniwala na guilty siya doon sa sinasabi---ano bang issue dito? Siguro tingnan natin ‘yung effect. Pagkakaintindi ko, dati ‘yung mga magsasaka doon sa kanilang lalawigan ay inuutangan ay umaabot---ang balita sa akin ano, kailangan ko pang i-review ang notes, mga 30 percent. Dumating siya nagawa nga siya ng paraan para magkaroon ng uutangan na one and a half percent ho yata. Mukhang nakatulong doon sa mga kababayan nila,” President Aquino noted.
The 2008 Ramon Magsaysay awardee, Padaca is being charged with graft for awarding to a non-government organization the management contract of a P25-million credit facility for the rice farmers in the province sans a public bidding in the year 2006.
Padaca, in her defense, said that the project did not require bidding and that the government was not damaged by the deal. PND (jcl/3:00 p.m.)
