Aquino signs Anti-Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearance Act of 2012
President
Benigno S. Aquino III signed the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act
of 2012, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda announced on Friday.
The new
law criminalizes the “arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of
deprivation of liberty by agents of the State.”
Most
notable cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances include the abductions
of Jonas Burgos, Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno as well as other
desaparecidos. Under the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of
2012, security forces involved in such offenses can be arrested and charged.
Among the
salient features of the law include non-exemption of any offender from amnesty,
either convicted or facing prosecution, from liability.
Also, war
or any public emergency cannot suspend the enforcement of the
anti-disappearance law. Command responsibility will also be observed, making
superior officers culpable for violations of their subordinates.
Under the
law, subordinates can defy unlawful orders of superiors for the commission of
enforced disappearance. It also calls for periodic update of registry of all
detained persons in detention centers, and the law prohibits existence of
secret detention facilities.
Victims
and kin could ask for compensation, restitution and rehabilitation under the
new law. Reclusion perpetua will be the severest penalty for violating the
Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012.
It also
mandates that Human Rights organizations shall participate in the crafting of
the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law. PND (as)
President Aquino extends yuletide message, recognizes people’s
contributions to nation building
President
Benigno S. Aquino III extended his Christmas message to the Filipino nation
Saturday thanking every citizen for their contribution in building a culture
honestly and generosity towards others as the country moves forward.
“Pagkakataon ang Pasko para magpasalamat sa
lahat ng biyayang ating natamasa. Sa ngalan ng buong pamahalaan, nagpapasalamat
ako sa lahat ng Pilipinong nakiambag sa pagtatag ng kultura ng katapatan at
malasakit sa kapwa,” the President said in his message aired over
government-run radio station and posted on a government website on Saturday.
“Dahil sa
kakaibang pagsusumikap na ipinakita sa tuwid na daan, higit na nagiging
makabuluhan ang Paskong Pilipino.”
The
President recognized the contributions of every Filipino in realizing major
programs spearheaded by the present administration.
Among
these projects include the Sitio Electrification Program, which now energizes
so many communities, giving joy to people as they celebrate the Yuletide
season, the President said.
Because
of the support of the Filipino people, the government’s Conditional Cash
transfer program was a success, the President said. The program provides
assistance to poor families for them to have better lives and good health.
“Malinaw
po ---ang bawat butil ng tagumpay na ating inaani ay nagmula sa ipinunlang
pagsusumikap ng sambayanan; kayo po, ang aming mga Boss, ang gumawa nito.”
“Muli’t
muli nating pinatutunayan sa mundo... bukod tangi ang Paskong Pilipino dahil sa
kahandaan ng bawat isang maging tanglaw sa kaniyang kababayan, hindi lamang
tuwing Kapaskuhan, kundi sa araw-araw na pagbagtas sa tuwid na daan. Isang
maligayang Pasko po sa inyong lahat,” he added. PND (as)
Government approves guidelines protecting air
travelers
The
Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) recently approved the Rights of an Air Passenger that
will protect air travelers from unfair practices.
In a
radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte said Transportation and Communication Secretary
Joseph Emilio Abaya and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo signed the measure last
December 10.
The
guideline took effect December 21, Valte said.
Among the
passengers’ rights under this guideline include the right to be provided with
accurate information before ticket purchase, right to receive the full value of
the service purchased, and the right to compensation.
Passengers also have the right to be processed
for check-in, and the right to sufficient processing time, Valte said.
The DOTC
has been receiving complaints that airline companies do not open check-in
counters on time that result to long lines of passengers, which prompted the
government to issue this guideline, she said.
The DOTC
now has an instruction saying check-in counters must open at least two hours
before the estimated time of departure so that passengers do not experience so
much inconvenience.
The
general rule for the right to board aircraft for the purpose of flight is that
a passenger cannot be denied the right to board the aircraft without his
consent.
The
policy also has guidelines on overbooking and the passengers’ right to
compensation and amenities in case of cancellation of flight, Valte said.
In the
case of the right to compensation, passengers can ask for compensation for
delayed, lost, and damaged baggage. They could also be compensated in case of
death or bodily injury. PND (as)
Aquino to sign RH Bill before year ends
President
Benigno S. Aquino III will sign the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill into law
before the year ends, a Palace official said on Saturday.
“Before
the end of the year ‘yan (RH Bill) naman ang pipirmahan,” Deputy Presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan
on Saturday.
The
Senate approved on Monday night the reproductive health (RH) bill with a 13-8
vote. Before Monday’s vote, the bill had languished in Congress for 13 years.
The Senate’s approval paves the way for the measure to become a law.
The House
of Representatives also approved on third reading recently the bill that
President Aquino had certified as urgent.
Proponents to the bill said the legislation
would provide women the choice to determine the number of their children, give
teenagers protection from unplanned pregnancies and educate citizens about
sexual health.
Valte
also mentioned the signing of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance
Act of 2012 by the President. The law provides for the responsibility of both
private and public individuals to report incidents of enforced disappearances.
Reacting
to the comment made by Human Rights Watch saying the President should show
political will to enforce the law, Valte said, it’s the duty of the President
to carry out the law for the benefit of the country and the people.
“Ang
mandato ng Pangulo ay ipatupad ang ating mga batas, at sigurong makikita naman
natin doon sa mga nakaraang araw, nakaraang linggo… ipinakita ng Pangulo na
namumuno talaga siya.”
For
instance, Valte said the 2013 national budget was passed three times straight
in a row. The Sin Tax Law, considered a landmark legislation, was passed under
the watch of the President, she said.
“And also
ang matagal na hotly contested and acrimonious Responsible Parenthood Bill ay
naipasa rin naman sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng Pangulong Aquino,” she said. PND
(as)
