President Aquino to attend 21st APEC Summit in
Bali, Indonesia
President Benigno S. Aquino III will join other
world leaders to discuss ways to boost economic growth, cooperation and trade
and investment between their respective countries during the 21st Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting that will be held in Bali,
Indonesia from October 6 to 8, 2013.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday,
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said President Aquino is set to
meet his counterparts from the other 20 member-economies of APEC to “discuss
issues of mutual concern, specifically to promote trade liberalization and
facilitation, economic technical cooperation and people to people
connectivity.”
“APEC is important to the Philippines because it
is the premiere forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and
investment in the Asia-Pacific region. As a member of APEC, the Philippines is
working to sustain economic growth through a commitment to free and open trade,
investment liberalization and economic reform,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said that upon his arrival on the
sixth, the President will attend the APEC CEO Summit, a premier business event
attended by distinguished global CEOs from throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
He will join Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra and Peru President Ollanta Humala as a panelist in the session on
inclusive growth and share Philippine strategies, initiatives and
accomplishments on this particular area.
The following day, Monday, the President and
other leaders will meet members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)
and “articulate” Philippine initiatives on food security, infrastructure
investment; Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises, trade in services, skills and
education and women and the economy.
He will then join the APEC Leaders at the 21st
APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting to discuss three priorities set by the host
Indonesia for 2013: 1) attaining the Bogor Goals, 2) achieving sustainable
growth and equity and 3) promoting connectivity.
On the last day of the APEC Summit, Tuesday
(October 8), President Aquino will join leaders in a retreat and will be the
Lead Discussant on people-to-people connectivity and will call for the need to
intensify cooperation in cross-border education and skills training as a
fundamental step in aligning human resource development with economic growth
and resiliency.
Hernandez said that the conclusion of the 21st
APEC Summit will be the adoption by the leaders of the APEC Leaders’
Declaration. PND (rck)
Philippines supports Brunei’s advocacy on
maritime management, regional stability
The Philippines will remain supportive of
Brunei’s advocacy for effective management of maritime issues as well as peace
and stability in the region, a foreign affairs official said on Wednesday.
“In the ASEAN Summit, one of the priorities of
Brunei is the maintenance or the management of maritime issues, and we support
that priority that the chairman has laid forward,” Foreign Affairs Assistant
Secretary Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.
Hernandez briefed reporters on the upcoming 23rd
ASEAN Summit to be held in Brunei next week.
“Maritime security and the rule of law is an
important aspect in the discussions regarding regional peace and security and,
therefore, that’s part of the advocacy and priority of Brunei, and we will be
supporting that,” he said.
During the summit, Hernandez said the
Philippines will maintain its position for the expeditious conclusion of the
Code of Conduct on the South China Sea and the resolution of the dispute
through the arbitral tribunal.
Asked if the President will be meeting China’s
leader to discuss the West Philippine Sea issue, Hernandez said there is no
plan for such meeting because the issue is currently being addressed in a
different fora.
For instance, the COC is being tackled at the
ASEAN meetings, and the issue on the resolution of territorial dispute is being
addressed in the arbitral tribunal, the foreign affairs official said.
“And the two countries and the two presidents,
in fact, have agreed that bilateral cooperation between the two countries
should continue and enhance these aspects on bilateral relations further,” he
said.
Although both the Philippines and China have
differences on some issues of concern, Hernandez said the Philippines remains
committed to enhancing its bilateral relations with China.
President Benigno S. Aquino III is attending the
23rd ASEAN Summit in Brunei from October 9 and 10. PND (as)
Aquino to join counterparts during 23rd ASEAN
Summit in Brunei next week
President Benigno S. Aquino III will be
participating in nine summits in Brunei when he joins fellow leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) in the 23rd ASEAN Summit in that
country.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raul
Hernandez briefed reporters on the President’s participation in the 23rd ASEAN
Summit next week.
On October 9, the President will participate in
the 23rd ASEAN Summit, 16th ASEAN-Japan Summit, 16th ASEAN-Republic of Korea
Summit, 16th ASEAN-China Summit, and the 1st ASEAN-US Summit, Hernandez said.
On October 10, Thursday, he will join other
leaders in the 16th ASEAN-plus three Summit, 8th East Asia Summit, 11th
ASEAN-India Summit, and the 5th ASEAN-UN Summit.
The 23rd ASEAN Summit will revolve on
discussions on the ASEAN Community 2015 and beyond, ASEAN’s central role and
external relations, and regional and international issues, he said.
As a member of the regional grouping, the
Philippines continues to focus on advocacies such as support for micro-,
small-, and medium enterprises, safeguarding vulnerable populations, deepening
engagement with external partners and maintenance of ASEAN centrality; and
adherence to the rule of law and maritime security and cooperation.
In other summits, Hernandez said the Philippines
will be advocating strengthening economic relations through enhanced trade,
investments, and tourism as well as people-to-people connectivity.
The country also supports environmental
protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
President Aquino is also attending on October 9
the Gala Dinner hosted by Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei.
The President will likewise join other leaders
at the closing ceremony and the handover of the ASEAN chairmanship of Brunei to
Myanmar at the end of the summit.
“Our People, Our Future Together,” is this
year’s summit theme, which stresses the significance of the role of the ASEAN
citizens in community building efforts in the areas of political-security,
economic, and socio-cultural, and in realizing the vision of the ASEAN
community by 2015. This is the fourth time Brunei chairs the ASEAN Summit. PND
(as)
President Aquino says more than one trillion of
public funds was misappropriated by the past administration
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on
Wednesday that more than one trillion pesos of government's money was
reportedly misappropriated during the past administration.
“Pagtabihin po natin: Ang average annual budget
sa halos sampung taon nilang pamamahala, nasa isang trilyon kada taon. Hindi po
ba kasuklam-suklam ito—na maaaring katumbas ng isang buong budget ng pambansang
gugulin natin ay napunta sa kamay nila, para gamitin kung saan nila gusto?,”
the Chief Executive said in his speech during the Brotherhood of Christian
Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Grand Breakfast held at SMX Mall of Asia
in Pasay City on Wednesday.
"Ulitin po natin: hindi bababa sa 836
billion pesos, at maaaring lagpas pa sa one trillion pesos. Gaano kalaki kaya
ang nawala, ang ninakaw, ang pinaglaruan, ang ginamit sa transaksyon upang
manatili sa kapangyarihan? Kalabisan po bang maghinala na baka ang perang ito
ay umiikot-ikot pa rin ngayon, ginagamit para bakbakan ang tiwala ninyo sa
daang matuwid?" he said.
Since he assumed office, the President said his
government started implementing measures to put a stop to corruption by
eliminating the sources of corruption and abuses of government funds.
"Ngayon po, wala nang PDAF (Priority
Development Assistance Fund). Tinanggal na natin ang pondong diskresyonaryo
para sa mga proyekto ng mga mambabatas. Sinimulan na ang pagsasampa ng kaso sa
mga diumano’y nagsamantala sa PDAF," the President said.
"Magkakaroon pa ng karagdagang mga kaso
habang dumarami rin ang nakakalap na ebidensya laban sa kanila. Umaasa ang
lahat na mananaig ang katarungan, at mapapanagot ang dapat managot," he
said.
The President also said the re-enactment of the
National Budget is only one of the schemes undertaken by the past
administration to commit corruption. "Ikalawa pong halimbawa: Ang
pag-abuso ng Malampaya fund. Dapat sana, nagamit sa proyektong pang-enerhiya, o
makatutulong sa sektor ng enerhiya, ang pondong ito. Pero ang nangyari umabot
sa 23.33 billion pesos mula sa Malampaya fund sa ilalim ng nakaraang
administrasyon ang ginamit para sa ibang layunin. Saan ito napunta? Sa “and
other such purposes,” na karamihan ay naging tinatawag na “priority
infrastructure projects of districts,” he added.
He said his government eliminated the third
scheme which is manipulating the portion of the country's budget on automatic
appropriations.
"Pinakatalamak dito ay ang pagkalikot sa
assumptions sa foreign exchange rate.... Kinalikot ang mga assumption para
bumaba ang babayaran natin sa ating foreign debt. Bigla ngayong may pondong
puwedeng ilaan sa ibang bagay dahil hindi na po gugugulin raw doon sa debt
service—dito sila kumuha ng espasyo para sa kani-kanilang insertions. Mula 2008
hanggang 2010, tinatayang nasa 140.6 billion pesos na naman ang pinaglaruang
halaga dahil dito," he said.
He also noted that there was the gross
overimportation of rice at higher prices.
"Nakakabigla pa po—ang utang ng National
Food Authority na mahigit 12 billion mula pa panahon ni Ginoong Marcos hanggang
sa administrasyong Estrada, ay lumobo sa 177 billion pesos sa loob ng kanilang
panunungkulan," the President said.
The President said overimportation of rice,
congressional insertions, the Malampaya Fund and the reenactment of the
National Budget are only some of the mechanisms that the past administration
utilized to abuse the nation’s coffers.
"Ilan lang po iyan sa mga mekanismong
ginamit ng nakaraang administrasyon upang ikasangkapan ang kaban ng bayan,
hindi para sa ikabubuti ng Pilipino, kundi para siguruhing ang mga nasa
kapangyarihan ay manatili sa kapangyarihan, at lalo pang
makakapagpayaman," he said.
Joining the President were Cabinet Secretary
Jose Rene Almendras, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson,
Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda and Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad.
Also in attendance were BCBP National President
Lito Manuel Jimenez, BCBP Chairman of the Board Eduardo Pelaez and SMX General
Manager Dexter Deyto, among others.
The BCBP has 75 full chapters and 40 outreaches
including 1 chapter and several missions in BCBP USA and CANADA.
The Philippine Foundation of The Brotherhood of
Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit organization. It
is fully recognized by the Archdiocese of Manila and in all the Dioceses where
it operates nationwide.
The BCBP has the singular distinction of having
introduced and sustained the BCBP Christian Men’s Breakfast that has changed
the lives of so many businessmen and women and professionals throughout its
years of existence. There are more than 120 breakfast venues every week
throughout the Philippines where businessmen and women meet for food,
fellowship, fun, and inspiration through the life sharing of a fellow
Christian. The breakfast is the main entry point into the organization. PND
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Aquino vows higher economic growth figure
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Asian
Development Bank’s forecast of 7 percent growth this year, and 6.1 percent for
next year is within reach.
“I think it’s achievable. Pero I would not want
to say right now na guaranteed lahat ‘yan. There are factors beyond our
control. Things that happen in the Middle East, for instance; the current
government shutdown in America,” the President said when asked to comment on
ADB’s raised forecast for the country.
The President was interviewed by reporters
following his attendance to the Brotherhood of Christian Business and
Professionals’ Grand Breakfast at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on
Wednesday.
One of the major sources of optimism for the
administration, he said, is the rebounding Japanese economy, a primary market
for the Philippine’s export products.
“I will not state categorically a particular
number but, we will continue to strive to make the GDP figure that much higher,”
the President added.
A new ADB report said the Philippines will be
the second fastest growing economy in Asia this year, next to China.
In the Asian Development Outlook 2013 update,
the ADB raised its 2013 growth forecast for the Philippines to 7 percent, from
its earlier forecast of 6 percent in April.
The ADB also upgraded its 2014 forecast for the
Philippines to 6.1 percent from 5.9 percent.
The report noted that the Philippines has been
growing faster than expected making it the only Southeast Asian country to have
its growth forecast upgraded.
Contrary to the upgrade made on the Philippines,
the ADB downgraded forecasts for other Southeast Asian countries, such as
Indonesia (5.7 percent from 6.4 percent), Thailand (3.8 percent from 4.9
percent) and Malaysia (4.3 percent from 5.3 percent).
The ADB has not changed its forecasts for
Singapore (2.6 percent) and Vietnam (5.2 percent). PND (as)
President Aquino says drastic shifts in Bureau
of Customs leadership are already in place
President Benigno S. Aquino said drastic shifts
in the Bureau of Customs (BoC) leadership, personnel, and processes are already
in place, as a result of the administration’s comprehensive reform agenda.
In his speech during the Brotherhood of
Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Grand Breakfast held at SMX Mall
of Asia in Pasay City on Wednesday, the Chief Executive said the government
started implementing measures to eliminate smuggling in the Bureau of Customs,
adding that the government's comprehensive reform agenda also aims to restore
integrity among BoC officials and employees.
An estimated 200 billion pesos was lost from the
nation’s coffers every year because of transactionalism, patronage, and blatant
corruption that have long plagued the Bureau of Customs, the President said.
"Ang repormang ipinapatupad natin sa Bureau
of Customs ay isa sa mga pinakamatingkad na patunay nito. Mantakin po ninyo:
tinatayang umabot sa dalawandaang bilyong piso ang nawawala sa kaban ng bayan
taon-taon dahil sa transaksyonalismo, palakasan, at lantarang pandarambong na
matagal na umiiral sa Customs," he noted.
"Naging malinaw po sa atin na kung
babalasahin lang natin ang mga nasa puwesto, pero ilalagay pa rin sila sa kung
saan sila maaaring gumawa ng pinsala, talaga pong wala tayong patutunguhan. Ang
atin pong tugon: Reset button para sa ahensyang matagal nang naging mukha ng
katiwalian sa gobyerno," the President stressed.
"Limang bagong deputy commissioner po ang
ating itinalaga. Dalawang EO (Executive Order) para maipasok ang bagong dugo,
para sa bagong mga pananaw at pamamaraan," he said.
The President signed on September 2 Executive
Order No. 140 Creating a Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO) and Executive
Order No. 139 Creating an Office of the Revenue Agency Modernization (ORAM) in
the Department of Finance.
"Iniatas din ang pag-uwi sa tamang posisyon
ng mga naka-detail na empleyado; wala nang security guard na ginagawang
collecting officer, o warehouseman na examiner; hindi na puwedeng nasa puwesto
ka dahil sa palakasan, at hindi sa kakayahan. Kaya kung may natitira pa ring
mga latak na nais kumapit sa lumang kalakaran: Sige po, subukan na lang po
ninyo, at tingnan natin ang inyong paglalagyan," he concluded. PND (js)
Aquino wants detailed reconstruction plan for
Zamboanga City
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the
people of Zamboanga City on Wednesday that there is available fund from the
national government and disbursement could immediately start as long as the
city government provides a detailed rebuilding plan.
“The funds are available, awaiting only the
concrete plan, meaning, lahat nung details,” the President said in an interview
after his attendance to the Brotherhood of Christian Business and
Professionals’ Grand Breakfast at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
The President said this plan includes the number
of houses to be built, the layout of villages, the distances from commercial
centers, funding mechanism, assistance to affected students, cash-for-work
programs, the duration of project implementation and others.
“We need to have all of the details in place
before we are able to disburse the funding. Hindi ‘yung disburse at bahala na
’yung plano. Plano muna na konkreto tapos, disburse ng funds,” he said.
Asked to comment on Zamboanga’s call for the
declaration of humanitarian crisis so that foreign aid could come in, the
President said that as of the moment there are foreign organizations already
working hand in hand with domestic relief groups for Zamboanga’s
rehabilitation.
The Zamboanga situation is a very significant
problem for the government, the President admitted, noting that over a hundred
thousand people are being cared for by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).
But he also assured the people of Zamboanga City
that the government will not be scrounging for funds to put their lives back to
order. The President has previously promised a P3.9 billion fund for
Zamboanga’s reconstruction.
As to the recent update on the Zamboanga City
crisis, the President said security forces are still ferreting out some rebels.
But, the AFP has already turned over to the PNP the actual clearing operation
to secure the communities against booby traps and unexploded munitions.
With regards to Habier Malik, the Moro National
Liberation Front leader who led the attack in Zamboanga, the President said the
government is not ready to make a positive statement about his status as
forensic experts conduct tests including DNA analysis.
The government is also moving detained or
captured MNLF rebels to another location to enhance security in Zamboanga City
noting their presence in the city may cause tension within the community.
The justice department’s work is also ongoing
for the filing of cases against MNLF founding Chairman Nur Misuari, he said.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will be going to
Zamboanga City to check on the work of the prosecutors who have been
interviewing witnesses and hostages to come up with a strong case against
Misuari and his men.
“It is still an ongoing work. Sa hostages alone,
you’re interviewing over 190 individuals tapos, meron din ‘yung interrogations
done to the captured individuals whose inputs will also be put in,” the
President said.
“Their statements are being collated; the
evidence is being collected and at the end of the day, we hope to file a very
strong case against all of the people involved,” the President said. PND (as)
Aquino says Disbursement Acceleration Program
will stand legal scrutiny
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the
Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) that aimed to help the government catch
up with its expenditure targets is consistent with the 1987 Constitution.
In an interview after attending the Brotherhood
of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Grand Breakfast held at SMX
Mall of Asia, Pasay City on Wednesday, the Chief Executive expressed confidence
that the DAP will stand legal scrutiny.
"Kakabasa ko lang sa Constitution, merong
authority ‘yung sa savings to put to other uses, basta nandun sa ating budget.
Nakatoka naman ang DAP... supposed to be for projects that are already
authorized by Congress," the President said.
"Sa totoo lang, Executive ‘yung gagastos ng
national budget at napaka-ingat natin kung paano ito gastusin dahil kailangan
nating maipagtanggol kung tama ang paggugol ng kaban ng bayan," he said.
The DAP was launched by the Aquino
administration in October 2011 to remedy the government's expenditure
shortfalls.
In a statement, Budget and Management Secretary
Florencio “Butch” Abad said DAP releases are sourced from the overall savings
of the National Government, which includes Unprogrammed Funds generated from
windfall revenue collections, unreleased appropriations from slow-moving
projects, terminated programs based on program evaluation of Zero-Based
Budgeting (ZBB) studies, as well as the withdrawal of unobligated or unused
allotments already released to government agencies.
Abad said releases sourced from DAP were used
for quick-moving projects that directly supported the Aquino administration’s
socioeconomic development platform, as articulated in the President’s Social
Contract with the Filipino People.
As of October 1, 2013, DBM records show that a
total of P137.3 billion has been released from the disbursement acceleration
mechanism. This includes P82.5 billion in releases in 2011 and another P54.8
billion in 2012. At least 91 percent of DAP releases for 2011 and 2012 were
channeled to projects under various government agencies and local government
units.
Only nine percent of total DAP releases for the
same period was released to projects identified by legislators. PND (js)
Catholic business group backs Aquino's reforms
for transparency, stronger bureacracy
The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and
Professionals (BCBP) is throwing its full support to President Benigno S.
Aquino III as he continues with reforms for transparency and professionalism in
public service.
The Chief Executive attended the Brotherhood of
Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Grand Breakfast as guest of
honor and speaker at the SMX Mall of Asia, Pasay City on Wednesday.
This is the second time an Aquino graced the
BCBP Grand Breakfast. The late President Corazon C. Aquino spoke at the
gathering of the business group in 1996.
The BCBP, a Catholic charismatic organization
composed of businessmen and professionals nationwide, hosted a grand breakfast
for President Aquino to convey its commitment to help his government in
transforming the Philippines into a progressive nation.
“We look to him for inspiration, guidance and
direction on how we, in the businesses and professions, can help in bringing
about meaningful change in the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” said BCBP
president Manny Jimenez in his welcome remarks.
"Despite the controversies and corruption
in our midst that threaten to divide our nation and our people, the country is
blessed to have a President who is a beacon of honesty and good governance,”
Jimenez said.
For his part, President Aquino acknowledged the
support of the BCBP and assured the group that he remains focused on fostering
inclusive growth by fighting corruption.
"Today, we find ourselves at a time where
we are cleaning up and strengthening our systems and processes; at a time when
we once more face a crossroad—if we choose what is right and what is straight,
this is the path that will bring us to true and meaningful change in
society," he said.
"It is my hope that, as a people, we will
see today’s destruction of the culture of corruption as part of our goal to
achieve inclusive growth. It is true that I can accomplish little working alone
compared to what we can accomplish working as one people. If we continue to
work and to do our part, I promise that we will be able to achieve our
collective aspirations: not merely fleeting reform, but true transformation
that we can leave as a legacy for succeeding generations," the President
said.
Jimenez, meanwhile, added the BCBP shared the
concerns of other sectors on the challenges – caused by calamities and human
conflicts – confronting the country today and the need to address these.
“As members of the business community, we are
united in our concern about the country’s welfare, and in our common desire for
transparency and professionalism in public service,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez said the grand breakfast is BCBP’s “own
version of the Million People March,” an activity which seeks to show that
members of the business group are “one in advocating honesty and good
governance in our public officials.”
This is why the BCBP, Jimenez stressed, hoped
that the President would continue to step up efforts for a clean government and
“pursue his vision and commitment towards the attainment of the right path.”
The BCBP is a national organization of over
200,000 Christian businessmen and professionals who have consciously decided to
band together to bring about transformation in the marketplace and inspire
positive changes in the value system of business. PND (js)
