Malacanang says UN arbitral tribunal hearing
Philippine maritime case against China welcome step towards expeditious
resolution of case
Malacanang welcomed on Thursday the United
Nations arbitral tribunal’s decision to hear the Philippines’ case against the
excessive maritime claims of China in the West Philippine Sea (or South China
Sea), saying this was a welcome step towards expeditiously resolving the case.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said on
Wednesday that the five-member United Nations arbitral tribunal (UNAT),
completed by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), had
formally begun hearing the Philippines’ case against China last July 11.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the government has always maintained that the
Philippines has a legal basis on the issue and hoped the UNAT would look
favorably on this.
“We have always maintained that we have legal
basis to bring the case before the arbitral tribunal. Certainly, this is a step
that we welcome and we hope that this will be resolved in an expeditious
manner,” Lacierda said.
“…we certainly would hope that they (UNAT) will
look with favor in our position,” he added.
He pointed out that the Solicitor General and
other lawyers involved with the case were "cognizant" on the issues
that will be brought up at the tribunal and were well prepared for it.
“Well, part of the issues that are going to be
handled by the arbitral tribunal will be issues and jurisdiction and that’s
something that we expected already. But…knowing that we filed it in the
arbitral tribunal, we have already anticipated that the issue on jurisdiction
will be raised. And, therefore, our lawyers—both the Solicitor General and the
other lawyers involved—are fully cognizant of that particular issue,” Lacierda
said.
He stressed that Philippines and China relations
went way above this current issue embroiling both countries and expressed hope
that this “multi-faceted” relationship will continue on.
“We have always stated that the relationship
with China is multi-faceted. Our relationship with China should not be on the
basis of this particular situation that we are confronted with right now. We
have cultural, we have trade, we have several levels of exchange that we
certainly can continue with China,” Lacierda said. PND (rck)
Aquino lauds Far Eastern University Medicine
Alumni Foundation for coming out with greater innovation in illness prevention
President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the Far
Eastern University Dr. Nicanor Reyes School of Medicine Alumni Foundation and
the Far Eastern University Medical Alumni Association of Northern Illinois for
coming out with greater innovations in their treatment, care, and illness
prevention regimens.
"Your collective bears testament to the
legacy of service created by your university’s alumni. The determination you
have exhibited is, indeed, an inspiration to us in government and to all
Filipinos, wherever they may be," the Chief Executive said in his message
to the alumni on the occasion of 34th Annual Grand Reunion and Scientific
Convention
The five-day event opened on Wednesday at the
Intercontinental Hotel - Magnificent Mile, Chicago Downtown, Illinois in the
United States. The event will end on Sunday.
"Let this gathering sustain your tradition
of nation-building, as you pool your members’ generosity and expertise towards
new and meaningful pursuits. We hope that you continue to exemplify the values
passed on to you by your alma mater—fortitude, excellence, and uprightness—in
effectively ministering to your patients; may your convention lead to greater
innovations in their treatment, care, and illness prevention regimens,"
the President said.
President Aquino said the Filipino nation's
newfound culture of integrity and accountability has given rise to a wider and
more dynamic civil society.
"May this commitment beget opportunities
for our fellowmen to further uplift each other, to impart their strengths for
our revitalization, and to march united towards the straight and righteous
path. May this occasion steer you towards this objective, and reaffirm your
solidarity and passion as part of the greater Filipino community," he
said. PND (js)
President Aquino cites country’s medical
technologies for up-to-date clinical practice standards in the treatment of
disease
President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the
country's medical technologists for their efforts to equip themselves with
up-to-date clinical practice standards in ensuring the right treatment of
diseases of patients.
In his message to the Philippine Association of
Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET, Inc.) on the occasion of the 7th PAMET
North Luzon Regional Congress, the Chief Executive said medical technologists
are among the government's steadfast partners in institutionalizing reform to
improve the health of the people.
The PAMET Integrated Chapters of Isabela,
Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino opened on Thursday the 7th PAMET North Luzon
Regional Congress. The event will end on Saturday.
"Comprehensive healthcare complements our
agenda of institutional reform and people empowerment, bringing us closer to an
even sturdier, more equitably progressive Philippines," the President
said.
"Indeed, your association counts among our
steadfast partners in realizing these objectives, as you continue to equip our
medical technologists in North Luzon with up-to-date clinical practice
standards in screening and testing, which are crucial to the detection and
treatment of diseases and medical conditions," he said.
The President expressed hope that the event will
serve as a platform for the PAMET members’ further learning and development,
enabling them to respond accordingly to the needs of their patients.
"May the ideals of excellence,
professionalism, and integrity always show in your work. As one collective, let
our sonorous voice towards greater heights be heard, and transform our country
into the dynamic nation that it truly is," he said. PND (js)
Aquino authorizes participation of Career
Executive Service officers in annual CES National Conference this November
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed all
heads of government agencies, departments, bureaus and offices to authorize
their respective Career Executive Service (CES) officers and eligibles to
attend and participate in the 12th Annual CES National Conference this
November.
The Chief Executive issued the directive by
virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 51 signed Executive Secretary Paquito N.
Ochoa Jr. on July 16.
The Career Executive Service Board (CESB) and
the National Union of Career Executive Service Officers, Inc. (NUCESO) will
celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the CES culminating with the 12th Annual CES
Conference on November 27-29, 2013 at the Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City. This
year’s conference theme is “Fit at 40! Renewing our Past, Leading the Future.”
"All heads of government agencies,
departments, bureaus and offices shall authorize their respective CES officers
and eligibles to attend and participate in this 12th Annual CES National
Conference on official business," Ochoa said.
The expenses to be incurred by the participants
shall be allowed at prescribed rates in accordance with the existing policies
of the Department of Budget and Management and Commission on Audit. PND (js)
Palace reiterates its willingness to end all
domestic conflicts
Malacanang reiterates its commitment to end all
internal conflicts in the country adding it is up to the communist rebels to
show its sincerity if it wants to talk peace with the government.
The government has been negotiating peace with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and has concluded this week wealth-sharing
agreement with them.
If the MILF and the government finally forged a
peace pact, discussing peace with the communist insurgents will remain
significant, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on
Thursday.
Peace talks between the government and the
Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front
(CPP-NPA-NDF) hit a snag over disagreements on the release of political
prisoners, whom the rebels said were vital participants in the peace
discussions.
“Our position has always been we would like to
resolve all these internal conflicts in a peaceful manner. We have stated our
position many times. We have advocated our position several times. It is up to
the CPP-NPA-NDF to come to the table and break bread with us,” Lacierda told
reporters when asked about how significant it is for the government to discuss
peace with the CPP-NPA-NDF.
The government had confirmed that its chief
negotiator with the communist rebels has resigned after several months of lull
in the peace talks.
Lacierda also mentioned the government’s
willingness to provide protection to a vice mayor in the Visayas region who has
been in the rebel’s hit list. The NPA leadership has ordered its members to
“arrest” the vice mayor in Bacolod City.
Asked if he thinks the NPA threat against a
duly-elected official an insult to the government’s mandate to maintain order
and peace, he said: “We own the brand, law and order is our brand. It is not
any other people’s brand, any other rebels’ or group’s brand.” PND (as)
