President Aquino announces P10-million reward
for the capture of Janet Lim Napoles
President Benigno S. Aquino III announced on
Wednesday that a reward of P10-million has been offered to anyone who can give
information for the immediate arrest of the alleged pork barrel mastermind
Janet Lim Napoles.
The President made the announcement in an
interview after keynoting the 8th East Asia Conference on Competition Law and
Policy held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.
"P10-million ang reward for information
leading to the arrest of Ms. Napoles," the President said.
He reminded coddlers of Napoles that aiding and
abettting a fugitive from the law and obstruction of justice are crimes.
"Harboring of a fugitive, kaso yun.
Obstruction of justice, kaso rin yun. So yung babala: kung nasa wastong
pag-iisip ang mga kumukupkop sa kanya, dapat maalala ito. At kung akala nila na
titigilan namin ang paghahanap dito, nagkakamali sila," the President
stressed.
He expressed "reasonable confidence"
that Napoles and and her cohorts would be captured soon. PND (rck)
President Aquino declares September 3 as special
non-working day in Iriga City, Camarines Sur In celebration of its 45th
Founding Anniversary
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
September 3, which falls on a Tuesday, as a special (non-working) day in the city
of Iriga in the province of Camarines Sur in celebration of its 45th Founding
Anniversary.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 637 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on August 22 to give the people of Iriga the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On July 8, 1968, Iriga was converted into a city
by virtue of Republic Act 5261. However, it was only on September 3 of the same
year that the city was formally organized and inaugurated as the third city of
the Bicol Region by then President Ferdinand Marcos. PND (js)
Aquino wants Janet Lim Napoles to face charges
first before her turning state witness can be discussed
President Benigno S. Aquino III wants the
alleged pork barrel scam suspect Janet Lim Napoles to face charges leveled
against her before any discussion to the possibility of her turning state
witness can proceed.
The President stressed the importance of Napoles
being in government custody first as a warrant of arrest has already been
issued against her.
"Siguro unang-una muna, kailangan ma-serve
‘yung warrant of arrest, mapunta sa custody ng gobyerno itong si Ms. Napoles at
humarap doon sa mga akusasyon laban sa kanya," the President said.
He pointed out that Napoles' turning state
witness would also have to be studied first before any action could be taken on
such.
"Iyong pagiging state witness, pag-aaralan
‘yan pero ang importante muna – may warrant of arrest, kailangan ma-serve ng
Executive itong warrant of arrest," the President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino reminds security forces to
remain 'neutral'
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the
members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National
Police on Wednesday not to take sides and remain neutral on issues affecting
the country.
The President issued the call in an interview after
keynoting the opening of the East Asia Conference on Competition Law and Policy
held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.
He underscored the importance of remaining
neutral as any position taken by security forces may be misconstrued
differently by others.
The President was referring to the Facebook
account of Brigadier General Alexander Balutan, chief of 1st Marine Brigade
based in Sultan Kudarat who expressed disappointment over the controversy
surrounding the priority development assistance fund.
The President said that although he shared the
sentiment of the General, it was inappropriate for him to share his feelings
over the social media.
"Wala naman akong nakikitang mali sa sinabi
ni General Balutan, ano. Perhaps, dapat lang mapaalala sa kanya na heneral siya
at meron tayong patakaran na dapat ang ating militar at saka ang ating
kapulisan dahil may monopoly of force, ay kailangan talagang all the time ay
neutral," the President said.
"...hindi ka puwedeng nagsasalita ng ganoon
dahil marami ng gagamit doon sa mga sinabi mo para mag-create ng negative
consequences sa ating lipunan. At sana dapat mapaalala kay General Balutan
ito," he added. PND (rck)
President Aquino hails as timely the holding of
the 8th East Asia Conference on Competition Law and Policy in Manila
President Benigno S. Aquino III hailed as
"timely" the holding in Manila of the 8th East Asia Conference on
Competition Law and Policy, an open event for key high-level officials of
competition agencies, to further advocate the importance of competition policy
and promote competition and a level playing field in the market.
In his speech delivered at the Mindanao Ballroom
of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on Wednesday, the President
lauded the participants from at least 8 countries as they begin their task of
discussing ways to create fair trade between themselves and within their
respective countries.
"This is precisely why this conference is
timely. All of you are gathered here to talk about what can be done to create a
fair, level playing field," the President said.
"All of you here are, in some way,
subscribed to the idea that true, inclusive economic growth can only be
achieved by pursuing a healthy competitive environment—one that stokes the natural
human drive to compete—to work hard, to innovate, and to create something of
worth," he added.
He said the Philippines is one with the advocacy
of the conference and is reflected in the reforms implemented by his
administration to "create a business environment conducive to
competition."
These, the President said, include the
establishment of the National Competetiveness Council to monitor our
competetiveness policies; easing rules and processes for companies to start
businesses here; liberalizing the airline industry to allow other carriers to
service the country; and the passage of the Common Carriers Tax Law, which will
exempt all international air and shipping carriers from paying the three
percent common carriers tax on receipts and income derived from transporting
passengers.
"These policies, among others, makes it
clear: The Philippine government—and the Filipino people—is fully committed to
fostering a level playing field. We are doing this because it is one of the
most critical pathways to economic growth; we are doing this because we know
our entrepreneurs and our work force have the work ethic and the creativity to
succeed in any environment.," the President said.
"Indeed, competition is vital to the growth
of any nation. In fact, it is vital to the growth of the world economy, and
even to the technological breakthroughs that have, time and again, pushed human
civilization into its next great age. And the discussions you will be having
here will be essential in continuing that tradition of growth and innovation. I
am hopeful that you will take the time to share your ideas and to listen to the
ideas of others, all with the vision of how we can best improve Asia’s—and the
world’s—competitive landscape," he added. PND (rck)
Aquino lauds persons with disabilities for
outstanding contributions to society
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for their outstanding contributions to the
transformation of society despite their handicap.
In his speech during the 2013 Apolinario Mabini
awarding ceremony held at the Heroes' Hall in Malacanang Palace on Wednesday,
the Chief Executive said awardees serve as proof that any Filipino can achieve
success and contribute to society with their innate talents and characteristics
worth emulating by others.
Topping the list of Apolinario Mabini awardees
was social worker Teddy M. Kahil who was named as the 2013 Disabled Filipino of
the Year. Special Award was given to Jaime Tomas Perez-Diaz.
Other awardees included Autism Society of the
Philippines for Disabled Group of the Year and JP Morgan Chase and Company for
Employer of the Year.
Individuals and institutions from the private
sector and government were also awarded for their contributions in advancing
the welfare of PWDs.
The Disabled Friendly Establishments (Gold
Category) were SM City Marikina, JP Morgan Chase and Company and Mall of Asia
Arena.
Ayala Land, Harbor Point, Trinoma and UP Techno
Hub (all under Ayala Land), SM Megamall, SM City Lanang, Citibank NA Phils. and
Nuvali Evolving Center were named Disabled-Friendly Establishments (Silver
Category).
Abreeza Mall, BHS, Glorietta 5, The District and
One Legaspi, all of Ayala Land, SM Marketmall Dasmarinas, SM Supermarket
Dasmarinas, SM Supermarket Makati, SM Supermarket Mandurriao, SM Department
Store Marilao, SM Department Store Mega Mall, SM Super Store Southmall , SM
City Molino, SM City Southmall, SM City Olongapo, SM City Fairview (Main
building), SM City Consolacion, SM City General Santos, SM Las Pinas, SM
Department Store Taytay, SM Department Store Makati, SM Department Store
Baliwag, International School Manila, Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Terminal 3 and Aseana One were named Disabled-Friendly Establishments (Bronze
Category).
The other awardees were Opol in Misamis
Oriental, Daet in Camarines Norte and New Lucena in Iloilo were named Local Government
Units of the Year (Silver Category) and San Jose de Buenavista in Antique was
named LGU of the Year (Bronze Category).
Other awardees included Erlinda Koe for
Individual Rehabilitation Volunteer of the Year, CBR Volunteers and Workers for
Rizal for Group Rehabilitation Volunteer of the Year, Ivy Liza Mendoza for
Media Advocate of the Year (Personality) and Radyo Eskwela, dyWC for Media
Advocate of the Year (Program) and Dra. Josephine R. Bondoc for Mabini
Presidential of the Year and Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento for Special Award.
Special Award was also given to the SM Program
on Disability Affairs for launching a program "Mapagmahal sa May
Kapansanan."
The Apolinario Mabini Awards was launched in
1974 to give recognition to individuals with disabilities, professionals and
various groups that have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of
endeavor or have rendered outstanding services to people with disabilities.
The award was named after the country’s foremost
hero, Apolinario Mabini, also known as the Sublime Paralytic whose disability
did not become a hindrance to his creative genius that provided inspiration to
the Philippine revolution.
The event was organized by the Philippine
Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. PND (js)
Aquino says government continues to improve
lives of persons with disabilities through good governance
President Benigno S. Aquino III said his
administration continues to step up efforts aimed at improving the lives of
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through the effective implementation of laws
and programs.
In his speech during the awarding ceremonies of
the 2013 Apolinario Mabini Awards at the Heroes' Hall of the Malacanang Palace
on Wednesday, President Aquino said his government continues to protect PDWs
and provide them with equal rights and opportunities in attaining success.
"Asahan naman po ninyo na patuloy na
magsusumikap at maglalatag ng mga inisyatiba ang inyong pamahalaan para sa
halos isa’t kalahating milyong Pilipinong kabilang sa sektor ng PWD sa buong
bansa," the President said.
With the passage of various laws aimed at
improving the lives of the PWDs, the Chief Executive said more Filipinos with
disabilities would become productive members of society.
"Mayroon nga po tayong natanggap na
mabubuting balita: sa pagtutulungan ng ating mga pampublikong ahensiya, naipasa
na natin ang ilang mahahalagang batas. Isa po rito ang Republic Act 10366— na
nag-aatas sa Commission on Elections na magtaguyod ng mga lugar kung saan
mapapadali at mapapaginhawa ang pagboto tuwing halalan ng mga kababayan nating
may kapansanan," the President said.
"Para naman sa higit na oportunidad sa
hanapbuhay, naisabatas na rin ang Republic Act 10524. Dahil dito, nakareserba
na ang isang porsiyento ng mga posisyon sa gobyerno para sa mga kabilang sa
sektor ng PWDs, at hinihikayat din ang mga pribadong korporasyon na may higit isandaang
empleyado na gawin ito," he said.
The President assured that his government is
implementing programs and services for persons with disabilities.
"Sa bisa naman po ng Republic Act 10070,
nakapagtaguyod na rin tayo ng mga PWD Affairs Offices sa ilang mga piling
lalawigan, lungsod, at munisipyo sa kalakhang bansa. Bukod pa ito sa paghahatid
natin ng serbisyo at technical assistance, sa pagtatayo ng Disability Section
sa tatlong pamantasan sa bansa: sa Cebu Technological University, sa Cebu
Normal University, at sa West Visayas State University," he stressed.
He also lauded the Apolinario Mabini PWD
awardees for their contributions to society despite their handicap.
"Isa lamang sa matitingkad na halimbawa
rito ay si Ginoong Teddy M. Kahil— ang kauna-unahang visually impaired at
rehistradong Social Worker sa bansa na nakatanggap ng Master's Degree in Social
Welfare. Subalit higit pa sa kanyang pansariling tagumpay, kinikilala natin ang
pagbabahagi niya ng dunong at husay sa pagsusulong ng adbokasiya para sa sektor
ng PWDs," he said.
The President also thanked government and
private institutions for being responsive to the needs of the PWDs.
"Saludo rin po tayo sa mga kompanyang tulad
ng JP Morgan Chase and Company, na kinikilala ang papel at kakayahan ng PWDs,
at nagiging tulay sa kanilang marangal at magandang hanapbuhay. Sa kanila po
kasing 12,000 empleyado sa buong bansa, 8.8 percent dito— o 984— ang kabilang
sa sektor ng PWD; at 885 din sa kanilang mga manggagawa ang may anak na may
kapansanan, at ngayon nasusuportahan na ang kani-kanilang mga
pangangailangan," he said.
The President remained committed to the
promotion of measures to prevent disability, protect and rehabilitate the
disabled and equalize opportunities for disabled persons. PND (js)
