President Aquino confers Order of the Golden
Heart with the rank of Grand Cross on former Japanese Ambassador to the
Philippines Tsuneo Tanaka
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the
Order of the Golden Heart with the rank of Grand Cross (Maringal na Krus) on
former Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Tsuneo Tanaka for his role in
establishing numerous health, education and livelihood projects for Filipinos
during a simple ceremony in Malacanang on Monday.
The Chief Executive awarded the Order of the
Golden Heart on Tanaka in a simple ceremony at the Music Room of Malacanang
Palace.
The President cited the former Ambassador for
"playing a vital role in establishing numerous health, education and
livelihood projects throughout the country in service of the Filipino masses
with the guiding principle that the underprivileged can learn to make a living
with pride."
"Tanaka was also recognized for promoting
and fostering a culture of service-oriented volunteer work for Japanese
nationals in the Philippines through the Global Voluntary Service of which he
serves as Senior Adviser," the President said.
Tanaka was likewise cited for actively encouraging
activities to provide financial and monetary assistance for programs that have
helped improve the living standards and economic conditions of Filipinos.
The Order of the Golden Heart was established in
1954 by the late President Ramon Magsaysay to recognize individuals who had
rendered distinguished services or material aid to improve the condition of the
masses.
Joining the President during the conferment
ceremony are Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, Japanese Ambassador
to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, Director Kiyoshi Takiuchi of the Japan
Information Center, Embassy of Japan, and Presidential sister Ballsy
Aquino-Cruz among others. PND (js)
Malacañang appeals to all to ‘take a look’ at
the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, says peace accord will benefit all
Bangsamoro
Malacanang appealed to all Filipinos to closely
review the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (BFA), saying the peace accord will
benefit the Bangsamoro whether they be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front, the Moro National Liberation Front or the Lumads.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued
the appeal in a press briefing in Malacanang on Monday amid reports that the
MNLF would declare independence for Mindanao if the BFA would be implemented through
the abrogation of the 1996 peace agreement between the Government of the
Philippines and the MNLF.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Teresita Deles clarified that what the government sought was the termination of
the tripartite review mechanism brokered by the Organization of Islamic
Conference and maintained that “the government will continue to engage relevant
parties of the MNLF, through the existing mechanism, to find a just and
comprehensive political solution for the issue of the southern Philippines.”
Lacierda said the BFA, once completed, would
foster peace and development in Mindanao whose benefits would redound to all,
as this was a “major improvement over the organic Act of the Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao.”
“The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement will benefit
all Bangsamoro. It includes whether you are MILF, MNLF or Lumad, kasama kayo sa
makikinabang sa Bangsamoro Framework Agreement,” Lacierda said.
“We ask all people, all Bangsamoro to take a
look at the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement. This is a major improvement over
the organic act of the ARMM and therefore, we will come up with the framework
agreement as well as the annexes ultimately to peace and development in
Mindanao,” he added.
“And therefore we ask the MNLF to seriously look
into this agreement, not as MNLF but as Bangsamoro, and it includes everyone:
MILF, MNLF and the Lumads,” he further said.
The BFA is a commitment by the government and
the MILF to establish a new autonomous political entity in Muslim Mindanao. It
will replace the ARMM with a more empowered and more equitable system called
the Bangsamoro. PND (rck)
President Aquino declares August 10 as special
non-working day in Gumaca, Quezon in commemoration of Lorenzo Tañada Sr. Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
August 10, which falls on a Saturday, as a special (non-working) day in the
municipality of Gumaca in the province of Quezon in commemoration of Lorenzo
Tañada Sr. Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 624 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on July 17 to give the people of Gumaca the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Born on August 10, 1898 in Gumaca, Quezon,
Tañada obtained his AB and law degrees from the University of the Philippines;
Master of Laws from Harvard University; and Doctor of Civil Law from the
University of Santo Tomas.
Tañada served as Manila assistant city fiscal in
1929 and eventually became judge of the Court of the First Instance of Manila
in 1945. He was elected senator in 1948, and re-elected in 1953, 1959 and 1965.
He sponsored a bill changing the date of
Philippine Independence Day from July 4th to June 12.
He sponsored the bill requiring government
officials to make public their assets and liabilities, as well as the Tañada
Picketing Law which gives protection to laborers on strike. Another bill to his
credit was to prohibit discrimination in the workplace, as well as the law that
prohibits and penalizes wiretapping and other related violations of the privacy
of communication. PND (js)
