President Aquino vows to bring justice for Mayor
Guingona of Gingoog City
President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed on Monday
to find the armed group who attacked Gingoog Mayor Ruthie Guingona and her
companions and bring them to justice.
In his speech during a meeting with the local
leaders and the community at Jose Pelaez Roa Park in Balingasag, Misamis
Oriental, the Chief Executive condemned the attack on Mayor Guingona at a
hinterland village in Misamis Oriental on Saturday night.
Reports showed that unidentified gunmen ambushed
Guingona's convoy past 11 p.m. Saturday, killing a bodyguard and a driver, and
wounding the Mayor Guingona.
"Alam po ninyo masaya ako sa inyong
pinakitang napakainit na pagtanggap pero maski papaano po may kaunting
kalungkutan dahil nabalitaan naman po natin ang nangyaring pag-ambush kay Ruth
Guingona, ang ina po ni Marie Guingona na tumatakbo bilang mayor ng Gingoog
City," the President said.
President Aquino issued a directive to law
enforcement agencies to pursue the group behind the violence.
"Nangangako po ako sa abot ng ating
kapangyarihan at kakayahan, at sa ngalan po ng batas, mananagot po ang dapat
managot. Hahabulin at dadakpin po natin ang mga taong nasa likod ng karahasang
ito," he stressed.
The President also assured the people that
various infrastructure projects and road projects are now in place to improve
the transportation system in the province of Misamis Oriental as part of
efforts to enhance the tourism and business sectors.
He said the new Laguindingan International
Airport is expected to cater to the increasing demand of air passengers and
cargoes. The project is also expected to boost the economic activities of the
Cagayan-Iligan Corridor, and the Northern Mindanao Region.
The new airport is set to start operation this
year. It sits on a 4.17 square kilometer site in Barangay Moog, Lagundingan,
and is located 46 kilometers from the existing Lumbia Airport.
Upon completion, it will be the fourth
international airport in Mindanao, after General Santos International Airport
in General Santos City, Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City
and Zamboanga International Airport, as well as the first international airport
in Northern Mindanao, or Region X.
He also assured the people that his
administration continues to provide government funding for various projects to
further develop the agriculture industry in the province and the entire
country.
"This year, pangako sa atin ni Secretary
Proceso Alcala ng Agriculture, baka hindi lang tayo self-sufficient,
mag-e-export pa tayo," he said.
The Chief Executive said that the institutionalization
of educational reforms remain his administration’s top priority in order to
improve the country's educational system.
"Noong nagumpisa ako sabi sa akin 66,800
classrooms ang kulang ng Pilipinas. Ang kaya ng budget po natin every year ---
8,000 classrooms. Six years ang binigay ninyo sa akin, eh di 48,000 classrooms
na. May utang pa ako pagbaba ko sa 2016. Pero magandang balita po, ayon sa
DepEd, tapos na ang backlog natin bago matapos ang 2013. Wala na pong kulang na
classrooms," he said. PND (js)
Aquino announces opening of Laguindingan Airport
in June 15; expects enhanced regional growth
BALINGASAG, Misamis Oriental) President Benigno
S. Aquino III expressed confidence that the opening of the Laguindingan Airport
in June 15 this year will further enhance the growth of tourism and trade in
Northern Mindanao and nearby areas as the new facility serves as a gateway of
Mindanao to the rest of the world.
“Ang magagandang nangyayari nga po sa bayan ng
Balingasag ay sumasalamin sa progresibong tagumpay ng inyong lalawigan. Nariyan
ang bagong world-class airport sa Laguindingan, na bubuksan na sa Hunyo 15
nitong taon na ito,” the President said in his message during his meeting with
local leaders and the community here.
“Inaasahan nating talaga namang malaki ang
maitutulong sa ating ekonomiya dito po sa inyong lalawigan at sa buong Kalakhang Mindanao,” he added.
Aside from the Laguindingan Airport, the
President said that the administration
has also funded 27 irrigation projects, in which the government allotted more
than P225 million, he said.
The project is expected to benefit the farmers
of Opol, Manticao, Claveria, Sugbongcogon, Naawan, Alubihid, Hasaan, El
Salvador, Hingoog and Cagayan de Oro City. According to the President, the
government also funded the construction of 18 farm-to-market roads in Misamis
Oriental.
While the government focuses in building major
infrastructure in Misamis Oriental, it hasn’t forgotten the survivors of
Typhoon Sendong in giving them new shelter so they could start new lives.
“May halos 4,500 kabahayan na tayong naipatayo
sa 8,600 housing units na target natin para sa Cagayan de Oro resettlement
sites. ‘Yung natitira po ang balita ko’y kasalukuyang ginagawa at marami na
pong malapit nang matapos,” the President said.
More than 1,000 families living at Isla de Oro,
a danger area, have been relocated by the government and livelihood has been
provided the families. Aside from the government’s thrust to relocate the
affected families, the administration has also allotted P12-million for the
Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran as well as P23 million for cash-for-work
program.
“At hindi po tayo titigil sa pagbubuhos ng mga
proyekto’t programa dito sa Misamis Oriental, dahil hangad nating ilapit ang
ating mga Boss— ang taumbayan— sa katuparan ng kani-kanilang mga pangarap,” the
President said.
The President urged the people of Misamis
Oriental to support the leaders of the province allied with the administration
to ensure the continuity of government projects. PND (as)
OFWs in Brunei thank Philippine government for
chance to cast vote
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) Overseas Filipino workers
(OFWs) here have expressed deep gratitude to the Philippine government for
being given a chance to participate in this year’s midterm elections and to
practice their right of suffrage by casting their votes via the Overseas
Absentee Voting Act.
The Overseas Absentee Voting Act, officially
known as Republic Act No. 9189, is a law in the Philippines passed on February
13, 2003 providing for a system for citizens of the Philippines currently
residing or working outside of the Philippines to vote in an election.
This act was a consolidation of Senate Bill No.
2104 and House Bill No. 3570, the first draft was authored in congress on July
22, 2002. The act is implemented by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with
the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Filipinos Mike and Irene Tolentino, long time
residents of Brunei Darussalam said in an interview that being given the chance
to choose the next set of Philippine leaders and lawmakers was an honor and a
right not to be taken lightly.
They hoped that the people they voted for would
continue to look after and act towards ensuring the safety and upholding the
rights of OFWs around the world.
“Isang malaking karangalan na kaming mga
Pilipino na nasa overseas ay mabigyan ng karapatan na bomoto o maghalal ng mga
kababayan namin na karapat-dapat na umupo sa ating pamahalaan,” Mrs. Toledo
said.
“Sana po, ang aming mga binoto ay siyang manalo
dahil palagay namin po ay sila ay karapat-dapat na umupo, na gumawa ng mga
tungkulin para manilbihan sa mga Pilipino lalung-lalo na sa mga overseas
worker,” she added.
The DFA said in an earlier statement that OFWs
here have begun casting their votes since April 13, 2013. Voting is open from
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during office hours, Monday to Sunday, including public
holidays.
There will be an hour-long lunch break everyday
between Sunday and Thursday, and a two-hour noon break on Friday, when voting
hours are extended until 6:00 p.m.
The Embassy has urged all Filipino overseas
voters to cast their votes early to avoid any inconvenience.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections has said
that it expects a 60 percent voters’ turnout during the midterm elections this
year among the 737,759 OAVs from Asia, the Middle East, United States, Europe
and the seafarers. They are voting for 12 senators and one party list. PND
(rck)
President Aquino signs Republic Act No. 10515
otherwise known as ‘Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of
2013’
President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law
Republic Act No. 10515 otherwise known as the "Anti-Cable Television and
Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013" that is aimed at protecting the cable
television and cable internet industries from cable pilferage.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the
Chief Executive signed the law last April 17, 2013.
The law prohibits cable television and internet
tapping and penalizes offenders with imprisonment of two to five years or a
fine of P50,000 to P100,000 or both, at the discretion of the court.
If the offender is a corporation or association,
the president, manager, managing partner or any officer of the corporation or
partnership who directly participated in the violation of the Act shall be held
liable.
With the President’s signing of the law, illegal
tapping of any signal offered over cable television (CATV) or cable internet
system and the malicious destruction or removal of existing CATV or cable
internet facilities will be prohibited.
The law also prohibits recording, reproducing,
distributing, importing or selling of any intercepted or received CATV
system/network signals for commercial purposes without the authority of the
concerned CATV or cable internet service provider.
"The State recognizes the indispensable
role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides
incentives to needed investments. Pursuant thereto, this Act aims to protect
the Cable Television and Cable Internet Industries from cable pilferage,"
the President said.
Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of
this Act, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall undertake an
information dissemination campaign to inform the public of the existence of
this Act.
"The NTC, in consultation with CATV and
Cable Internet Service Providers and other affected parties, shall, within
sixty (60) days after the conduct of public hearings which must commence within
thirty (30) working days upon the effectivity of this Act, issue the
implementing rules and regulations to ensure the efficient and effective
implementation of the provisions of the Act," the Chief Executives said.
"If, for any reason, any section or
provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the
law or the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting," he said.
"All laws, presidential decrees or
issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders,
rules or regulations contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly," he said.
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.
The newly-signed Act which is a consolidation of
Senate Bill No. 3345 and House Bill No. 709 was finally passed by the Senate
and the House of Representatives on January 28, 2013 and January 30, 2013,
respectively. PND (js)
Palace says local candidates must assist
government in stopping of New People’s Army extortion activities
Malacanang appealed to local candidates to help
the government gather information to halt the illegal operations of the New
People’s Army (NPA), particularly its extortion activities.
On Monday, President Benigno S. Aquino III
instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to dismantle the road
blocks being set up by the NPA particularly in areas they control.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday,
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while the government’s
intention is to stop those illegal activities, the AFP has limitations and
doesn’t have the resources to guard all the hot spots in the country.
“Given the limitations of the forces that we
have hindi natin pwedeng bantayan lahat ng lugar sa lahat ng oras, kaya tayo
po’y humihingi rin ng kooperasyon ng mga kandidatong lokal, para bigyan naman
tayo ng impormasyon na makakatulong doon sa ating mga operations,” Valte said.
Despite the limitations, Valte noted that the
country’s security forces will continue to conduct operations to ensure peace
and order in those areas.
The Palace official also appealed to candidates
campaigning for the May 13 elections to reject the demand of the NPA for them
to pay “permit-to-campaign” fees.
“We have consistently asked local candidates not
to succumb to these demands and to report any of these—for lack of a better
word—'requests for payments' to the DILG so the proper response can be made in
those particular areas,” she said.
Reports said the NPA has been demanding from
candidates substantial fees for permission to campaign in the areas where the
rebel group operates.
The government ordered the deputation of law
enforcement agencies as well as the AFP to ensure free, orderly, honest,
peaceful and credible conduct of the May 13 automated national and local
elections. PND (as)
Palace optimistic on adoption of binding Code of
Conduct in South China Sea
Malacanang is optimistic the attendance of
President Benigno S. Aquino III to the 22nd Summit of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would pave the way for the crafting of a Code
of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea.
"We are optimistic that we will see
progress because of the 22nd Summit," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
Abigail Valte said when asked how confident the Philippines is in moving the
negotiations forward for the particular Code of Conduct.
However, Valte said that since the ASEAN has
Brunei Darussalam as the new chairman, it is expected that the regional group
would have new priorities and agenda in the summit which will be held this
week.
“As you know last year, nagkaroon na ng
consensus that it’s time to talk about this particular subject matter. And we will
see what will happen in Brunei, how the talks on the Code [of Conduct] will
push forward,” she said.
The Philippine government said it is the right
time for the ASEAN and China to have a legally binding code of conduct to
prevent occupation of disputed and non-disputed areas in the West Philippine
Sea and Panatag Shoal.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the ASEAN
and China have to implement the Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South
China Sea because some of the provisions that were laid out in said agreement
have not been fully implemented.
In 2002, ASEAN and China agreed on the
Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in Cambodia.
The President will join his counterparts in the
22nd ASEAN leaders’ summit that will be held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Darussalam on April 24 and 25.
This year’s summit theme is “Our People, Our
Future Together,” emphasizing the importance of ASEAN citizens in realizing the
vision of an ASEAN community by 2015. PND (as)
Malacanang says Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines already provided displacement compensation to 28 fisherfolk
families affected by Aurora Pacific Ecozone and Freeport Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
(CAAP) has already given displacement compensation to 28 fisherfolk families in
response to President Benigno S. Aquino III's directive to address the concerns
of the communities affected by the operations of the Aurora Pacific Ecozone and
Freeport Authority (APECO), a Palace official said on Tuesday.
"Relative to the President's commitment to
the fisherfolk families affected by the airport runway expansion, CAAP has
given each family P50,000 as displacement compensation," Deputy
Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.
Valte said APECO will provide the 28 families
housing units in the National Housing Authority-APECO settlement site in a
barangay in Casiguran .
"The housing units will be ready by the
second half of 2013. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is helping through the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources's seaweeds farming program and have
provided equipment to more than 200 fisherfolk as of March 2013," she
said.
The Aquino administration started taking steps
to address the concerns of the farmers, fisherfolks and indigenous peoples
(IPs) who claimed that their livelihood was affected by the operations of the
APECO.
The farmers, fisherfolks and IPs are seeking
help from President Aquino regarding the APECO’s alleged disastrous impacts on
their communities.
Pursuant to Republic Act 9490, otherwise known
as the Aurora Special Economic Zone Act of 2007, APECO was established aims to
convert the 12,923-hectare area into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial,
financial, and recreational center.
The law was also enacted to create employment
opportunities around Casiguran, and effectively encourage and attract
legitimate and productive local and foreign investments.
However, the communities in Casiguran voiced out
their opposition to APECO because it actually threatened their livelihood. PND
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