Gov’t takes lead in crafting nat’l agenda on
human rights
The
government has set the stage for the crafting of a national agenda on
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with the hosting of a multi-sectoral human
rights summit in Malacanang on Tuesday.
The 2nd
National Summit on International Humanitarian Law was organized by the
Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), chaired by Executive Secretary
Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., to further strengthen the country’s policies in upholding
and protecting human rights, particularly during armed conflict.
In a
statement read by Deputy Executive Secretary Teofilo S. Pilando Jr. on his
behalf, Ochoa said: “We are honored to host this event because it highlights
and places great value on strong and productive discourse between government
and human rights defenders to identify and collectively resolve critical
issues.”
“Moreover, it situates human rights and
international humanitarian law within the same breadth as the promotion and
protection of our people’s overall welfare and well-being, especially in
situations of armed conflict,” he added.
According
to Ochoa, the Philippine government’s commitment to the IHL further leapt
forward under President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration, citing several
key measures and initiatives that it has taken since coming to office.
Among
these are the ratification of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal
Court in August 2011 and its adoption months later to boost human rights
protection in situations of armed conflict; the implementation of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines’ 2011-2016 Internal Peace and Security Plan:
Bayanihan; and the issuance of Administrative Order No. 35, which created an
inter-agency committee to probe human rights abuses allegedly committed by
state and non-state forces.
Other
initiatives include the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro on
October 15, and the signing of the terms of reference that rendered operational
the government’s Complaints Monitoring Working Group under the Philippine
Government Monitoring Committee to further enhance compliance with the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) between the government and the National Democratic
Front (NDF).
Since the
first national summit held in August of 2009, the government has likewise put
in place Republic Act No. 9851, which defined and penalized war crimes, crimes
against humanity and genocide.
“Significant as they are, these developments
should encourage all of us to revisit the other commitments we made at the
first IHL summit some three years ago. These are commitments that deeply relate
to our institutional mandates as government instrumentalities, as an
independent national human rights institution, as civil society, and as parties
to the armed conflicts in the land,” Ochoa said.
“In the
end, these commitments – and the challenges that come with them – will be our
measure of readiness to craft a National Agenda on International Humanitarian
Law that will fuse and further our efforts.”
Participants in the human rights national
summit, the second since August 2009, include representatives from the
government, non-government organizations, civil society groups, members of the
diplomatic community and other stakeholders.
President Aquino receives British Minister of
State Hugo Swire in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III received at
Malacanang the Right Honorable Hugo Swire, Minister of the State at the British
Foreign and Commonwealth Office as part of the administration’s efforts to
boost the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United Kingdom
(UK).
The
British Minister of State paid a courtesy call on Tuesday at the Music Room of
the Malacanang Palace.
He was
accompanied by Stephen Lillie, United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines.
Also in attendance were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and
Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary of European Affairs.
The Chief
Executive and the British Minister of State exchanged views on the latest
developments in the bilateral ties between two countries.
The
Philippines and the United Kingdom enjoy good relations as longstanding
partners and allies, the President said.
Minister
Swire reiterated that the United Kingdom supports the Aquino government’s economic
reforms that foster accelerated growth of the Philippines.
Minister
Swire arrived in the country for a two-day visit. His visit is his first
official trip to the Philippines, which forms part of a Southeast Asian tour
that includes Brunei and Burma.
Promotion
of bilateral trade and investment will be the core strand of the Swire's
Southeast Asian tour, with peace and security as other key themes.
During
his visit, Minister Swire met with several high-level officials and business
groups in the Philippines. He is expected to also sign the Philippines-United
Kingdom Joint Plan of Action (JPA) which provides the framework for overall
bilateral cooperation. PND (js)
President Aquino leads ceremonial signing of
revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act in Malacanang
President Beningo S. Aquino III led the
ceremonial signing of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization
Act otherwise known as Republic Act No. 10349 in a bid to further upgrade the
AFP’s defense capabilities for the country's protection and security.
The
ceremonial signing was held at the Rizal Hall of the Malacanang Palace on
Tuesday.
RA 10349
amends various provisions of RA No. 7898 otherwise known as the AFP
Modernization Act.
The law
provides funds for the Revised AFP Modernization Program, as appropriated by
the Congress, in the amount of P75 billion for the first five years to boost the
AFP's capability upgrade program as it shifts from internal to external defense
capability.
RA 10349
institutionalizes the Defense System of Management (DSOM) which incorporates a
collegial and collaborative process of planning and decision-making by senior
leaders of the defense and military establishments in the determination of the
major defense equipment needed by the major services of the AFP to enable them
to perform their mandate.
The DSOM
negates the possibility of arbitrariness and favoritism in the decision-making
process for the procurement of major defense equipment.
Under the
law, the DSOM is a strategy-driven, capability-based multi-year planning and
execution process, which provides for a more scientific, logical and holistic
approach to the assessment of the security needs of the country. It provides
additional safeguards to ensure the procurement of the optimal and most
strategic major defense equipment of the AFP.
The law
grants "additional funding sources from public-private partnership entered
into by the Department of National Defense or the AFP, as may be authorized by
the President; and proceeds from the lease or joint development of military
reservations, as may be authorized by the President, which previously needed
the authority of Congress."
RA 10349
allows multi-year contracts, while payments for outstanding multi-year contract
obligations may extend beyond the fifteen (15) year period of implementation.
The law
exempts from the value-added tax and customs duties the sale of weapons,
equipment and ammunitions to the AFP, which are directly and exclusively used
for its projects, undertakings, activities and programs under the Revised AFP
Modernization Act, as well as the importation of weapons, equipment and
ammunitions by the AFP.
RA 10349
incorporates new provisions on the congressional oversight committee to monitor
the implementation of the Act, and on the "sunset review" of its
accomplishments and impact of the Act. PND (js)
President Aquino underscores importance of AFP
Modernization Act in upholding the sovereignty and defending the territorial
integrity of the country
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the
importance of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization
Act to equip the armed forces to perform its mandate of upholding the
sovereignty and defending the territorial integrity of the country at all
times.
In his
speech at the ceremonial signing of the new AFP Modernization Act otherwise
known as Republic Act No.10349 at the Rizal Hall of the Malacanang Palace on
Tuesday, the Chief Executive emphasized the importance of modernizing the armed
forces to accelerate the transformation of the Philippines into a truly
democratic, stable and progressive nation.
RA 10349
amends various provisions of RA No. 7898 otherwise known as the AFP
Modernization Act.
"Taong 1995 nang maisabatas ang Republic
Act 7898 o mas kilala sa tawag na AFP Modernization Act. Layon nitong tiyakin
na habang umuusad tayo sa mas modernong panahon, hindi napag-iiwanan sa uri ng
gamit at armas, at nakakasabay sa antas ng kasanayan ang ating Sandatahang
Lakas," the President said.
"Subalit makalipas ang labimpitong taon,
hindi maikakaila ang malawak na agwat sa pagitan ng mga antigo at pupugak-pugak
na kagamitan ng ating kasundaluhan, at sa mga mas makabago’t high-tech na armas
ng ibang mga nasyon," he added.
"Nagbago na rin ang mga bantang
panseguridad ng ating bansa: Kung dati, labis na nakatutok ang pamahalaan sa
pagpigil sa mga rebelde, ngayon, kailangang pagtuunan ng higit na pansin ang
kaliwa’t kanang tangka ng mga terorista. Habang bumababa ang bilang ng mga
umaanib sa mga grupong komunista, at matapos tayong makapagpanday ng kasunduang
pangkapayapaan sa MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), may iba pa ring mga
pagsubok na kailangan nating paghandaan, gaya na lamang ng usaping teritoryal
na kinakasangkutan rin ng ibang mas malalaking bansa sa rehiyon," the
President said.
With the
signing of the RA 10349, the AFP can effectively and fully perform its
constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of
the Republic of the Philippines. The law strengthens the AFP's capability to
protect the country's exclusive economic zone from illegal intrusion and
exploitation of its resource and secure border areas from smuggling, piracy,
drug trafficking, poaching, and other illegal activities.
The RA
10349, likewise, strengthens the AFP's capability to help protect the country's
natural resources and environment and assist in search and rescue operations
during disasters and calamities.
"Kaya naman, napapanahon at makabuluhan
ang paglalagda natin ng new AFP Modernization Act. Hudyat ito sa pagbubukas ng
mas moderno, mas matatag, at mas mapapagkatiwalaang kabanata sa kasaysayan ng
Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas," the President said.
"Humahakbang tayo pasulong tungo sa isang
pambansang tanggulan na may tunay na kakayahan na protektahan ang sambayanan
laban sa anumang banta sa ating soberenya’t kaligtasan. Patunay din ito sa
dedikasyon ng pamahalaan na itaguyod ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipinong bumubuo
ng Sandatahang Lakas," he said.
The new
law is a manifestation of the government's unwavering commitment to the AFP.
"Kung kayo man ay nagsasaayos ng
santambak na papeles sa Camp Aguinaldo; nasa kalagitnaan man kayo ng relief
operations sa Compostela Valley; o nakadestino man kayo sa isang liblib na
kampo sa Luzon, para sa inyong mga kawal na Pilipino ang new AFP Modernization
Act," he said.
"Gaya nang binanggit natin sa huling SONA
(State of the Nation Address), pitumpu’t limang bilyong piso po ang nakalaang
pondo para sa new AFP Modernization Act, na gagamitin para sa susunod na limang
taon," he said.
The
President urged the Filipinos to remain on the straight and righteous path
towards a progressive future.
"Samakatuwid, sa paglalagda natin sa new
AFP Modernization Act, muli na naman tayong nabibigyan ng dahilan upang
ipagdiwang ang pasya ng taumbayan na tahakin ang tuwid na daan at humakbang
tungo sa mas makabuluhang kinabukasan," he said.
President
Aquino lauded the Department of National Defense led by Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin and the House of Representative and the Senate for their contributions
for the passage of the new law.
"Tiwala po akong sa mga susunod na buwan,
magsisimula nang makita ng sambayanan ang mga kongkretong bunga ng ating mga
pagsusumikap, gayundin ang pagtaas ng dangal at moral ng ating buong
kasundaluhan," he said.
Also
present during the ceremonial signing were Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Senator
Panfilo Lacson; Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Senator Edgardo Angara, 2nd
District Paranaque Representative Roilo Golez, Executive Secretary Paquito N.
Ochoa Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, AFP Chief Staff General Jesse
Dellosa, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Manuel Mamba, and
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio
"Sonny" Coloma, among others. PND (js)
President Aquino underscores need to lower electricity rates
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the
importance of lowering the country’s electricity rates in order to ease the
burden of having to pay the high cost of the service and ultimately give our
less fortunate countrymen a chance to “lift themselves out of poverty.”
In his
speech at the International Conference on Retail Markets (ICORM) held at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, the President cited the
Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) as a long term solution to this
predicament hounding the Filipino citizenry.
He said
the WESM as well as other government-led programs such as extending lifeline
electricity rates which pegs lower charges to customers who consume less than
100-kilowatt hour per month are programs “we need to undertake…to make our
people less vulnerable to sudden increases in the prices of commodities.”
“So that,
ultimately, they are given a legitimate chance to lift themselves out of
poverty. Over the long term, we also want to promote a system that will
naturally keep power prices reasonable if not preferably low, and this is the
rationale for the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market,” the President said.
“WESM
will not magically lower electricity prices overnight, but it is a sensible
long term solution. It encourages competition and saves consumers from being at
the mercy of a single company with monopoly power; it allows them to select the
retailers who offer the most benefit,” he added.
“While it
won’t happen immediately, an efficient Wholesale Electricity Spot Market will
increase competitive pressures, and will play a large part in lowering the cost
of electricity in this country and increasing our competitiveness. As long as
we are able to ensure a level playing field, then the market will do its work.
The upcoming implementation of the retail competition and open access can only
help. We can look forward to more players in the market, which will move us
even closer to more reliable and fairly priced energy for both people and
businesses,” the President said.
The
International Conference on Retail Markets 2012 is a conference, organized by
the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation - the governance arm of the WESM,
that focuses on the critical convergence of wholesale and retail markets. With
the imminent opening of the retail electricity market in the Philippines, the
challenge will come from the degree of preparedness and responsiveness of the
government, regulators, consumers, suppliers, and default service providers in
order to achieve a certain level of success in an ever growing and liberalizing
electric power industry. PND (rck)
President Aquino agrees to have APECO Law
reviewed
In a bid to end discussions questioning its
economic viability and appease the close to 3,000 families from Casiguran,
Aurora calling for its repeal, President Benigno S. Aquino III agreed to have
the APECO (Aurora Pacific Ecozone and Freeport Authority) Law reviewed by the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
In a
dialogue held at the San Jose Seminary gym at the Ateneo De Manila campus in
Quezon City on Tuesday, the President invited some 120 farmers, fisher folks,
indigenous peoples, and other residents of said province to provide any
evidence against the APECO Law and assured swift action on it.
“Ibigay
niyo sa amin ang ebidensiya at hahanapin namin ang lahat na dapat humarap,” the
President said.
The
farmers, fisher folk, indigenous peoples, and other residents of the province
had marched to Manila to ask the President to repeal the APECO Law which was
created under Republic Act 9490 in 2007 and amended in 2010 through RA 10083.
They
claim that the law violates existing laws and policies, including the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, the Local Government Code and the Indigenous
Peoples Rights Act, as the law covers more than 12,000 hectares of ancestral
lands of the Agta Dumagat.
The
President said he hopes to hear initial findings on the APECO Law in one week’s
time. He pointed out that while he agreed to have the APECO Law reviewed, he still
wants to see the development of the Philippines' pacific side to prosper.
He
appealed to all concerned to have an "open mind" in order for
discussions on the APECO Law and parties concerned to finally reach an
understanding to the controversial measure.
"Pasensiya na po kayo, alam naman po
ninyo na marami tayong problemang saklaw at kung makiki-dialogo ako sa inyo
pero sarado na ang isip niyo, para na rin tayo nagsayang ng oras," the
President said.
“Yung
lahat po ng pinangako ko sa inyo ay mangyayari at nangyayari na sa kasalukuyan
at babalikan ko po kayo ‘pag natapos na ‘yung mga pag-aaral na ipinangako ko sa
inyo para malaman lahat. Kung meron man tayong pending na kailangan ng
desisyon, hindi pa napagde-desisyunan,” the President said.
“Ngayon,
ang mga imbestigasyon ho, nandito ang mga kaukulang miyembro ng Gabinete...kung
‘yung consultation o concurrence hindi nangyari—ay talagang ipipilit po nating
mangyari... at tatapusin lahat ng imbestigasyon sa lalong madaling panahon,” he
added. PND (rck)
Aquino cites importance of technology in
education for country’s sustainable growth
President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the
importance of science, technology, and education as potent tools for the
country’s sustainable growth.
In his
message during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Southeast Asian Ministers of
Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and
Technology (SEAMEO-INNOTECH) 13th International Conference at Edsa-Shangrila
Hotel on Tuesday in Mandaluyong City, the President said technology has been
bridging distance, filling gaps in language and culture, and becoming a vehicle
for direct action.
The
President said that both the public and the private sectors are increasingly
taking advantage of all that technology offers towards mutual benefit.
The Chief
Executive said that the use of modern technology is also becoming an important
part in the government’s agenda of open and good governance, as he noted the
role of technology in instantaneous interaction between the government and the
people.
This, he
added, has produced concrete results, as evidenced by the quick action and
hundreds of lives saved during the devastation of Typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.
“The
Philippine experience with the use of technology in mitigating the effects of
natural disasters has made it clear: Today, it is all the more important for us
to use technology in responsible ways, to empower people, facilitate the spread
of knowledge, and advance causes that redound to the benefit of all,” he said.
The
President has extended his gratitude to SEAMEO-INNOTECH for advancing the state
of education in the Philippines for the past 36 years.
“Your
initiatives have benefited thousands of our schools and even more students:
from your assistance in improving the basic education of Filipino Muslims to
computerized management and operations support tools to facilitate the
administration of schools and student monitoring,” he stressed.
The
Philippine is doing its strides too, the President said, adding that last
April, it officially launched the K to12 basic education program that is aimed
at raising the quality of the country’s education system to make it globally
competitive.
Part of
this measure is achieving a 1:1 textbook-to-student ratio, and filling the
country’s lack of classrooms and school seats shortage, the President said.
SEAMEO-INNOTECH International Conference is
organized every two years, attracting educators, policymakers and researchers
from private and public organizations, non-government organizations and
international funding agencies.
The
participants seek meaningful exchange of ideas and experiences in critical
education issues. “Educating for the Future We Want: A Green Southeast Asia” is
the biennial conference’s theme.
Joining
the President during Tuesday’s event were Education Secretary Armin Luistro,
CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan, TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva,
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma
Jr. and SEAMEO INNOTECH Center Director Ramon Bacani. PND (as)
