President Aquino showcases Philippines as
alternative investment site at APEC Business Advisory Council
BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III
pitched the Philippines as the best alternative investment site to chief
executive officers and ranking business officials attending the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council (ABAC) dialogue being held here
in line with the APACon Monday.
In an interview, Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said the President promoted
the viability of the Philippines to potential investors due to the country’s
strong growth and stability among others in the region and is the best place to
let their businesses grow.
“As we said before, the mission here to a large
part is to continue to attract more investments into the country so they can
create more jobs and this morning was dedicated to dialogues with international
business leaders to do just that,” Carandang said.
“In general…we have been saying that there is a
lot of uncertainty in the global economic environment, you know that there is a
government shutdown in the United States, slow growth and even recession in
some parts of Europe, here in Asia we are seeing continued sustained growth not
just in the Philippines but other countries in the region,” Carandang said.
“We have very stable macro-economic
fundamentals, low inflation, low interest rates, steady growth and so we can
provide a stable environment for investors to grow their businesses. So that
has been our general pitch,” he added.
The President was accompanied to ABAC by Foreign
Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo. PND
(rck)
Carandang cites Indonesian security
(BALI, Indonesia) Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang cited on Monday Indonesian
security forces for their immediate action against journalists from Hong Kong
whom he said “crossed the line” for shouting questions to President Benigno S.
Aquino III.
In an interview, Carandang said the Indonesian
security forces deemed it fit to have the journalists removed for “rude”
behavior in questioning President Aquino as he was about to lead the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held here on Sunday.
“As a former journalist, I know what it’s like
to aggressively question a subject. The behavior of those reporters crossed the
line from mere questioning to heckling and was even construed by Indonesian
security personnel assigned to the President as a potential physical threat to
him so they took what they believe was appropriate action,” Carandang said.
“And you know, we’re all from the same industry.
You would know how it is when you ask aggressive questions. There’s a line that
can be crossed. And the assessment of the security, which was granted to us by
Indonesia was that they were potentially a threat; and so they took the
appropriate action,” he added.
After the event, Indonesian authorities revoked the
permit of the journalist to cover the event.
Carandang said that the President remained
“calm” during the commotion.
“The President remained calm throughout. As he
was walking into the plenary session with the CEOs, he was accosted very rudely
and aggressively by a number of people claiming to be journalists from Hong
Kong,” Carandang said. PND (rck)
Aquino government vows to bring to justice those
who misused Malampaya funds
The Aquino government vowed to bring to justice
those who benefitted from misusing the Malampaya Funds, a Palace official said
on Monday.
"Those who misused the money supposedly
intended for energy and energy-related projects, should be held accountable.
They should face prosecution," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda
said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang.
On October 3, 2013, the Department of Justice –
National Bureau of Investigation recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the
filing of plunder charges against 20 individuals, including former President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in
relation to the Malampaya fund.
Lacierda reiterated that the Aquino
administration is prudent and judicious in spending the funds sourced from the
Malampaya.
Since Pres Benigno Aquino III assumed his post
in June 2010, only 10 projects amounting to a total of P15 billion were sourced
from the funds.
"I can guarantee you, lahat ng ginagamit po
ni Pangulong Aquino dito po sa Malampaya Fund ay ginagamit para sa energy and
energy-related projects. Nilabas na po namin ‘yung projects—‘yung listahan ng
proyekto namin, so nandoon po lahat ‘yan," he said.
Among the projects include the fuel requirement
of the National Power Corporation - Small Power Utilities, Public Transport
Assistance Program - Pantawid Pasada, Acquisition/transfer of USCGC Hamilton,
Upgrade of capability requirement for 2011 relative to the security and
protection of the Malampaya Natural Gas-to-Power Project, Barangay Line
Enhancement and Sitio Electrification Projects. PND (js)
