Palace congratulates Filipina Megan Young for
clinching Miss World title
Malacanang congratulated Filipina Megan Young
for winning the Miss World beauty competition that was held in Bali, Indonesia
Saturday night.
Speaking at a press briefing aired over
government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Presidential Communications
Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said the
feat of Megan Young showed once again what the Filipino is capable of.
“Yes, of course, we congratulate Megan Young sa
pagkapanalo niya sa Miss World,” Carandang said.
“This is another Filipino who has gone out there
in the world, and shown the rest of the world what we can do as Filipinos, and
another reason for us to be proud,” he added. PND (rck)
Malacanang hopeful government reforms to
continue until the end of the year
Malacanang expressed hope on Sunday that
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s advocacy to reform the government by
implementing well-thought out and efficient measures to weed out graft in
government will continue until the end of the year.
In a press briefing aired over government-run
radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said that although the
whole month of September was marked by a lot of trials, issues and uncertainty,
the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III remained steadfast in its
efforts to rid corruption and graft in government.
Among the trials experienced by the Aquino
administration, Carandang said, included the ending of the Zamboanga City
crisis, the filing of tax raps against alleged pork barrel scam queen, Janet
Lim Napoles, reforms at the Bureau of Customs and the passing by the Lower
House of a law that has scrapped the priority development assistance fund
(PDAF) from the national budget.
“Matatapos na ang buwan ng Setyembre at kung
tutuusin natin, maraming nagyari sa nakaraang buwan. Doon sa Zamboanga City as
announced by Secretary Voltaire Gazmin nung isang araw, nailigtas na ang
Zamboanga sa mga forces ni Misuari at nag-uumpisa na ang mga clearing
operations,” Carandang said.
He noted that the people can expect the filing
of appropriate charges against Nur Misuari, the chairman of the Moro National
Liberation Front and his other allies tied to the Zamboanga City crisis.
“Doon naman sa issue ng PDAF, nakapag-file na
tayo ng plunder raps kay Janet Lim-Napoles at ibang mambabatas. Nakasuhan din
ng tax evation si Napoles at nung isang araw lang, nakapasa na ang Lower House
ng isang budget na tinatanggal ang allocation ng PDAF,” Carandang said, adding
that the probe into who were directly involved in the scam would continue with
the appropriate cases to be filed as soon as possible.
“Meron din tayong na-umpisahang Customs reforms
dito sa buwan ng Setyembre: meron tayong limang bagong Deputy Commissioners at
meron din tayong up to 25 newly appointed personnel na naipasok sa Customs para
ipapagpatuloy ang nasimulan nating reforms,” Carandang said.
“So, sana itong reporma na ginagawa natin, ang
mga hakbang natin ay magpapatuloy sa October hanggang sa katapusan ng taon,” he
said. PND (rck)
Palace official sees 'fruitful' visit of the
United States President Barack Obama to the Philippines next month
A palace spokesperson sees a very fruitful
meeting between Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and United States
President Barack Obama, who will conduct his first ever visit to the
Philippines next month.
In a press briefing aired over government-run
radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Presidential Communication
Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said
preparations are in full swing and underway for the visit of President Obama
who is expected to arrive for a two-day visit from October 11 to 12.
“Well, patuloy ‘yung preparations for the Obama
visit. We expect him to arrive on the 11th (of October) pagkatapos po ng mga
summit ng ASEAN at APEC na dadaluhan din ni Pangulong Aquino. And we’re hoping
that this visit will be very fruitful in strengthening our relations sa United
States,” Carandang said.
“Our relations with the United States, hindi
lang naman defense ‘yon, ano, we have economic, cultural, historical ties. At,
with the pivot of the United States dito sa East Asia, mas lalong tumitibay ang
samahan natin sa Estados Unidos,” he added.
He said that aside from discussing bilateral
agreements on defense and trade, other talks will also center on political and
regional issues.
“Well, maraming pag-uusapan, ano. Pag-uusapan,
of course, ‘yung defense cooperation, ‘yung rotational presence; pag-uusapan
din natin ang ilang mga bagay sa kalakalan sa international scene, so lahat po
ng mga… Marami pong trade and economic and political and regional issues ang
pag-uusapan,” Carandang said. PND (rck)
