President Aquino instructs concerned Cabinet
Secretaries to look into Comelec resolution imposing ‘money ban’
President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed
concerned Cabinet Secretaries to look into the “consequences” of a Commission
on Elections (Comelec) resolution imposing a ban on cash withdrawals of more
than P100,000 from banks and other financial institutions, Deputy Presidential
Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Wednesday.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Valte said
the President issued his instructions to address numerous complaints and
concerns about the said resolution.
The Comelec, which issued the ban on Tuesday,
also prohibited the “possession, transportation and/or carrying of cash” worth
more than P500,000.
“Since the news yesterday hit the airwaves on
the money ban that is being imposed by the COMELEC, we have been receiving
several complaints and concerns about it. And, as such, the President has asked
concerned Cabinet Secretaries to look into the matter,” Valte said.
She added that although the President
understands the objective of the Comelec resolution, which is to stem the
incidence of vote-buying, the Chief Executive wanted the consequences of
imposing this resolution clarified.
“We have to look at the consequences of the
resolution. While the COMELEC, as I have earlier stated, we understand
perfectly the objective that is under the mandate of the COMELEC,” Valte said.
She added that the concerned Secretaries include
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo
and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, among others. PND (rck)
Palace condemns abduction of Filipino
peacekeepers in Golan Heights
Malacanang condemned Wednesday the abduction of
four Filipino peacekeepers under the United Nations (UN) Command in the Golan
Heights saying the detention is against international law.
“We join the condemnation of the abduction of
the four Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights. We would like to underscore
that the detention of the—not just because they’re Filipinos, but of
peacekeepers, in general—are against international laws,” Deputy Presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press conference in Malacanang.
“We have called upon the stakeholders and as
well as the UN Security Council to make sure and to secure, the immediate
release and to ensure the safety of the four," he said.
Valte said there is an ongoing review on the
deployment of Filipino peacekeepers overseas following a similar incident in
the area a few months ago and the President is being apprised of the ongoing
review.
While the government has not decided whether to
make realignments on the number of peacekeepers being sent abroad, Valte said
the latest Golan Heights incident would probably have an impact on the ongoing
review.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a
statement that the illegal detention of peacekeepers is a gross violation of
international law.
The Filipino peacekeepers were abducted while on
patrol in the Golan Heights, a tense area that separates Syria and Israel. PND
(as)
Aquino assures public of sufficient power supply
during May 13 polls
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on
Wednesday that there will be enough power supply during the May 13 midterm
elections.
“The President was assured by concerned
authorities that there will be adequate power on election day as every step is
being undertaken to ensure electricity supply nationwide on that day,” Deputy
Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement on Wednesday.
Valte said the President asked Energy Secretary
Jericho Petilla to give a regular update on the energy situation following the
blackouts that affected the Palace complex Wednesday afternoon.
“Since the brownout that occurred earlier today (Malacañan
was affected at 1:51 p.m.) the President asked for, and has been regularly
updated by Energy Secretary Petilla on, the scope and duration of the power
outage,” Valte said.
Valte said that Petilla immediately briefed the
public on the energy situation.
Metro Manila and provinces in Luzon were hit
with power outages on Wednesday as five major power plants in the island
experienced “tripping” of transmission lines.
Luzon had power outage around 2 p.m. Wednesday,
losing 3,700 megawatts of power supply. This represents 45 percent of Luzon’s
total peak electricity requirements, according to the energy department.
The Department of Energy ruled out “sabotage” in
Wednesday’s power outages saying there is no indication that this was an
election-related occurrence. PND (as)
Aquino satisfied with the election preparations
of the Armed Forces and National Police
President Benigno S. Aquino III is satisfied
with the preparations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the
Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring a peaceful, honest and credible
election next week, a Palace official said.
The President held a Command Conference
Wednesday in Malacanang with the PNP and AFP who reported to have an ongoing
preparations they have undertaken to ensure orderly, peaceful, honest and
credible elections next Monday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said in a statement.
“He spoke with all the heads of the area
commands via video conference and received a comprehensive briefing from the
PNP and AFP together with the Security Cluster,” she said.
“The President expressed satisfaction with the
preparations and the commitment of all concerned to ensure that the polls are
undertaken in a manner that inspires confidence and public satisfaction,” Valte
said.
Valte said both the PNP and the AFP were
deputized by the Commission on Election to address election-related violence.
Valte said everyone wants a peaceful election
adding the PNP is very cognizant of the fact that it has a big job ahead that
come election.
“They are now investigating the acts of violence
that have been committed in the days leading up to May 13. And makikita naman
natin after the investigations, whether it is correct to categorize all of them
as election-related violence,” Valte said. PND (as)
