President Aquino declares October 8 as special
non-working day in Koronadal, South Cotabato in celebration of its 13th Charter
Day and 3rd Negosyo Festival
President Benigno S Aquino III has declared
October 8, which falls on a Tuesday, as a special non-working day in the city
of Koronadal, South Cotabato in celebration of its 13th Charter Day and the 3rd
Negosyo Festival
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 652 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on September 19 to give the people of Koronadal City the opportunity to
celebrate the occasion.
Koronadal was converted into a component city of
South Cotabato by virtue of Republic Act No. 8803 on October 8, 2000.
Being the capital city of South Cotabato, Koronadal
is the center of the province in terms of political, cultural and
socio-economic activities. PND (js)
President Aquino to embark on a two-day state
visit to South Korea from October 17-18
President Benigno S. Aquino III will undertake a
two-day state visit to the Republic of Korea from October 17 to 18 upon the
invitation of President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea, a Palace
official said.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday that the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already confirmed President Aquino's
visit to the Republic of Korea.
As part of the Aquino administration's thrust to
improve the country's business climate, Valte said the President will also meet
with the Korean business community to encourage them to invest in the
Philippines.
"President leaves on the 17th as well as
the pre-departure briefing that is normally conducted by the Department of
Foreign Affairs for you," Valte said .
In a statement, the DFA said President Aquino
and President Park will hold their first summit meeting to discuss bilateral
issues particularly political, defense, economic, and development cooperation
and to exchange views on regional and international challenges, among others.
During the two-day visit, the President will
also meet with the Korean business community to promote further trade and
investment in the Philippines and interact with the Filipino community in
Seoul.
The Philippines and Republic of Korea established
relations on March 3, 1949. During the Korean War in 1950, the Philippine
Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) joined the UN-led coalition in defending
the freedom of the Korean people. Until today, both countries recognize this as
the bedrock of Philippine-Korean relations.
The two countries developed dynamic economic
relations. The Republic of Korea is among the Philippines’ leading partners in
trade, investments and development cooperation. The Republic of Korea remains
the country’s top source of tourists reaching more than a million in 2012 or
nearly a quarter of the total tourist arrivals to the Philippines. PND (js)
President Aquino appoints Consul General
Marciano Paynor as Director General for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 2015
hosting
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed
Consul-General Marciano A. Paynor Jr. as Director-General for the Philippine
hosting of the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a Palace official
said.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday that the Chief
Executive signed on September 25 the appointment letter of Paynor.
The Philippines, which remains committed to the
growth and development of the Asia-Pacific region through close and meaningful
cooperation with the countries in the region, continues to be an active
member-economy of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
The Philippines has agreed to host the 2015 APEC
annual meetings, which include the APEC Senior Officials Meeting and Related
Meetings, the APEC Ministerial and Sectoral Ministerial Meetings, and the APEC
Economic Leaders Meeting.
Valte also announced the appointment of Sharon
P. Almanza as Deputy Treasurer of the Philippines which is under the Department
of Finance's Bureau of Treasury. Her term of office is co-terminus with the
appointing authority.
The President, likewise, appointed Marlea Munez
as Executive Director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. The
newly-appointed official's term of office is co-terminus with the appointing
authority. PND (js)
Palace explains approval of P2-million reward
for Davantes case
Malacanang said it offered a P2-million bounty
for the capture of the killers of Kristille Kae Davantes because of the
brutality of her killing taking into consideration the police recommendation.
“In this particular case, nakita natin iyong results
of the investigation. And nakita naman na it’s not a regular… hindi lang basta
ninakawan, nagkaroon pa ng pagpatay at ‘yung manner ng pagpaslang sa kanya ay
hindi rin ordinary,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a
press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
“Those are the elements that are present in that
case, the President deemed it proper to put a bounty,” she added.
Valte said that prior to the President’s reward
offer, the Philippine National Police initially announced a bounty, as well as
the local government of Las Pinas.
Asked if the Palace will do the same with other
cases of heinous crimes, Valte said the release of a reward is treated by
Malacanang on a case-by-case basis.
“We deal with it really on a case-to-case basis
and also taking into consideration the recommendations of the Philippine
National Police,” she said.
When it comes to the bounty offered to other
fugitives, Valte said the President takes into consideration the difficulty
being faced by police for going after the fugitives and also the leads produced
by the authorities.
The President approved a P2-million reward offer
for the Davantes murder a week after her killing on September 7. The police
said the case of Davantes is considered closed following the arrest or
surrender of most of the suspects involved in the crime. PND (as)
Palace announces new appointments
Malacanang announced new appointments on several
government agencies this month.
Among those appointed by President Benigno S.
Aquino III include Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. as president and chief operating
officer of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).
Ledesma’s term started July 1, 2013 until June 30, 2014.
Also appointed by the President was Raul Aguilos
as undersecretary of the Department of Energy (DOE).
Jose Dante Dator was also designated by the
President as acting executive director of the National Kidney and Transplant
Institute (NKTI).
Kenneth Tanate is also assuming his position as
assistant director general of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) after he was appointed by the President.
Other appointees were Ephyro Luis Amatong,
assistant secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF); Caridad Manarang,
assistant secretary, DOF; Daniel Ariaso Sr., acting assistant secretary,
Department of Energy (DOE); and Arturo Boncato Jr. acting assistant secretary,
Department of Tourism (DOT).
The President also approved the appointments of
new commissioners of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Among the newly
appointed commissioners were Minella Alarcon and Alex Brillantes Jr.
The chief executive also designated new members
of the board of trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Among the new board of trustees were Daniel
Lacson Jr., Robert Vergara, Roman Felipe Reyes, Gregorio Yu, Elisea Gozun,
Karina Constantino-David, Mario Aguja, Geraldine Marie Berberabe-Martinez and
Romeo Alip.
They will serve as GSIS board of trustees
starting July 1, 2013 until June 30, 2014.
The President also appointed new board of
directors at the Social Security System (SSS). Among those appointed include
Juan Santos, Emilio de Quiros Jr., Eliza Bettina Antonino, Bienvenido Laguesma,
Diana Pardo Aguilar and Marianita Mendoza. They will serve at the SSS from July
1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.
New board of directors will also assume their
position at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
Among those appointed by the President were Jose
Nunez Jr., Gil Buenaventura, Jose Luis Vera, Alberto Lim, Cecilio Lorenzo,
Daniel Laogan, Vaughn Montes, Lydia Echauz and Reynaldo Geronimo.
The President also designated new board of
directors at the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC). Among the new
appointees include Elpidio Jamora Jr., Cristino Panlilio, Rosanna Mojica
Escareal-Velasco and Tomas Falgui II.
They will serve as board of directors from July
1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. PND (as)
