Government mulls hosting all government websites
A proposal to have government host all
government websites is being studied by Malacañang in order to prevent hackers
from gaining control and defacing these portals in the future, Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday.
In a briefing, Lacierda said that by “migrating”
or moving all government websites to the government host will ensure their
safety from hackers as the government domain, which is managed by the
Department of Science and Technology, is less prone to hacking.
“Those (websites) that are hosted by DOST are
secure; for instance (the) PCDSPO (Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office) and the OG (Official Gazette), they are hosted by
the government and as much as the hackers have attempted to attack the OG
(website), it has never been defaced,” Lacierda said.
“Some government websites are hosted by private
entities and there has been a suggestion to move or migrate their hosting to
government so that’s being studied right now,” he added.
Six government websites
(http://pro8.pnp.gov.ph/, http://mambulao.gov.ph/, http://www.cpa.gov.ph/,
http://mmda.gov.ph/, http://nfa.gov.ph/, http://www.nmp.gov.ph/) were recently
broken into by hackers to press their sentiments against the Anti-Cyber Crime
Act of 2012 which President Benigno S. Aquino signed into law last September.
PND (rck)
Malacañang says Heritage Foundation’s 2013 Index
of Economic Freedom placing the Philippines as one of the world’s 'freest
economies' shows country’s improvement in governance
The Heritage Foundation’s 2013 Index of Economic
Freedom placing the Philippines as one of the world's 100 freest economies
shows the continued improvement in the business of governing our country, a
Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued
the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday
following the release of the 2013 Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage
Foundation, a Washington-based think tank.
"We are encouraged with the country’s
improvement in the Heritage Foundation’s 2013 Index of Economic Freedom. The
Philippines jumped ten notches in ranking, making our economy the 97th freest
in the world with an Economic Freedom Score of 58.2 in contrast to last year’s
ranking of 107th and a score of 57.1," Lacierda said.
"Among Southeast Asian nations, the
Philippines recorded the highest score improvement of 1.1 points, a trend of
continuous growth over the past two years, bringing our country even closer to
the world average score of 59.6 and above the Asia-Pacific regional average of
57.4," he said.
The Heritage Foundation said the country had
“notable improvements” in investment freedom and anti-corruption measures.
Moreover, the think-tank based in Washington
D.C. highlighted the “high degree of resilience” of the Philippine economy
which is on a “steady path of economic expansion” despite the global economic
slowdown.
"Legislative reforms pursued by the Aquino
administration were also noted which are seen to “enhance the entrepreneurial
environment and develop a stronger private sector to generate broader-based job
growth," Lacierda noted.
"This prominent international evaluation
shows continued improvement in the business of governing our country. We take
this as an affirmation of the goals we have set out to achieve and a
recognition of how far we have gone to realize the potentials of our people and
country," he said. PND (js)
President Aquino greets Tarlaquenos celebrating
2nd Melting Pot Festival
President Benigno S. Aquino III extended his
greeting on Monday to the people of the city of Tarlac who are celebrating the
2nd Melting Pot Festival.
"I join my fellow Tarlaqueños as we
celebrate our history through this festival. Blessed with its considerable
natural heritage, Tarlac attracted thousands of migrants during its formation
as a community, giving rise to a locale with varied and distinctive
cultures," the Chief Executive said.
"This diversity has been your source of
strength, and with your collective skills you ensure the dynamism and
resilience of our city and province," the President said.
President Aquino hopes that the celebration of
the 2nd Melting Pot Festival will inspire fellow Tarlaqueños to reach greater
heights and secure lasting stability and equitable prosperity.
"Always demonstrate your passion and
industry as you uphold your pride as Tarlaqueños and as Filipinos," he
said.
The Melting Pot Festival is a multicultural
celebration incorporating many different ethnic cultures. PND (js)
President Aquino urges Criminal Investigation
and Detection Group to remain committed to quest for truth and justice
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the
Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
(PNP-CIDG) to remain committed to the quest for truth and justice and to
securing the rule of law.
"Maintaining peace and order is a vital
aspect of our task of nation-building: A safe, secure society guarantees its
citizens the freedom to pursue activities that is essential to their personal
development and that leads to our collective success," the Chief Executive
said in his message to the CIDG in commemoration of its 60th Founding
Anniversary.
The President said the CIDG, as the
investigative arm of the PNP, performs a critical function towards the
realization of the national aspirations.
He stressed that the "CIDG's specialized
skills and training are crucial to solving crimes and ensuring those who
endanger lives are made accountable before the law."
"May you be steadfast in building on your
accomplishments in the past six decades. This anniversary is a proud
reaffirmation of your duties as CIDG personnel. Demonstrate passion, integrity,
and excellence in your work, that we may maintain a peaceful and progressive
country we can truly call home. I wish you a happy and meaningful
anniversary," the President said. PND (js)
