Wednesday 1 January 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Thursday, December 19, 2013

President Aquino confers Order of Lakandula to Phl envoys

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday conferred the Order of Lakandula on two Filipino diplomats for their outstanding performance in the foreign service.

The President gave the award to Esteban Conejos Jr. and Henry Bensurto Jr. in ceremonies at Malacañan Palace.

Also present at the awarding were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and members of the awardees' families.

Conejos is the country's permanent representative and ambassador to the Philippine mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

He was conferred the Order of Lakandula, Grand Cross for actively promoting Philippine interests at home and abroad.

Bensurto is senior special assistant at the Department of Foreign Affairs' office of the undersecretary for policy.

He was conferred the Order of Lakandula, Grand Officer for his vital contribution to protecting Philippine sovereignty, including working for a peaceful resolution of the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. PND (jl)


President Aquino confers Order of Sikatuna to outgoing Indonesian envoy

President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday conferred the Order of Sikatuna to outgoing Indonesian Ambassador Yohannes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo at Malacañan Palace.
The President commended the ambassador for promoting just and lasting peace in the Philippines by facilitating Indonesia's participation in the peace process in Southern Philippines.

Indonesia played a major role in the tripartite review process by the government, the Moro National Liberation Front and the Organization of Islamic Conference in 2011.

Also, the ambassador was cited for his strong support to Indonesia's contingent to the International Monitoring Team.

He was likewise commended for strengthening bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, and facilitating the conclusion of the 2011 joint declaration concerning maritime boundary delimitation, and the conduct of the Philippines-Indonesia maritime boundary talks.

The envoy was also cited for his valuable efforts in facilitating the conclusion of agreements on preventing and combating transnational crimes, cooperation on basic education, and cooperation in sports in 2011.

Also present at the ceremonies were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles. PND (jl)


Palace welcomes Sandiganbayan decision to let former President Arroyo, family spend Christmas, New Year together

Malacañang on Thursday welcomed the Sandiganbayan’s decision to allow former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and her family to celebrate Christmas and New Year together.

Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. also said the Palace wishes its former occupant peace and goodwill for the season.

“Ikinagagalak namin na pinahintulutan ng Sandiganbayan ang dating Pangulong Arroyo na ipagdiwang ang Pasko at Bagong Taon na makapiling ang kanyang pamilya (We welcome the graft court’s decision to allow the former President to spend Christmas and New Year with her family),” he said.

Earlier Thursday, the graft court allowed Mrs. Arroyo’s family to stay at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center beyond 9 p.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Eves.

This would allow the family to welcome Christmas and New Year together.

Mrs. Arroyo is presently under hospital arrest at the VMMC in Quezon City. She presently faces charges of electoral sabotage and plunder.

Meanwhile, Coloma said the Palace wishes the former leader peace and goodwill this season.

“Lahat naman tayo ay umaasa na ang katahimikan at kapayapaan at kabutihan iiral sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan (We all hope for peace and goodwill to reign during this time),” he said. PND (jl)


Palace hopes for concrete proposals from Senate probe of power rate hikes

Malacañang on Thursday voiced hopes the Senate investigation into the Manila Electric Co.’s power rate adjustment will lead to concrete proposals that would uphold consumers’ welfare.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the Palace supports the ongoing Senate investigation into the matter.

“We hope that the Senate inquiry will also lead to concrete proposals on how existing laws can be improved so that the protection of consumer welfare will be assured,” Coloma said at a media briefing in Malacañan Palace.

He also reiterated the government’s determination to “uphold and protect the citizens’ welfare” and to implement the government’s mandate to prevent anti-competitive and market abuse practices.

Because of this, he said the Palace supports the current Senate inquiry into the recent power rate adjustments.

Coloma noted the Senate inquiry “runs parallel” to the ongoing investigation of the tripartite committee composed of the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Philippine Electricity Market Corp., and that of the DOJ’s Office of Competition. PND (jl)


UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to visit Manila

(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon will visit on Saturday the typhoon-stricken city to discuss with government officials and representatives of UN and other international organizations the increasing number of weather disasters in the country.

Ban will arrive the city on Saturday to get a firsthand assessment of the aftermath of super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan), UN spokeswoman Eri Kaneko said in a statement.

Upon arrival, Ban will visit affected communities which were devastated by Yolanda.

The visit to Tacloban will be an opportune time for Ban to meet and discuss with government leaders and representatives of UN multilateral and bilateral partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector the various efforts and action plans to address the impact of calamities.

Reports said more than 6,000 people died in the November 8 typhoon - one of the strongest storms ever recorded with over 1,000 people still missing.

According to Vincent Omuga, UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) representative, the UN Secretary General will visit the typhoon-stricken areas in Tacloban and meet with the local community leader of areas affected by the disaster.

Prior to the UN leader’s arrival, a briefing on Humanitarian efforts by the government with the UN and other international organizations will also be held on Thursday at the Leyte Sports Complex, to update media and the public on the progress of its continued operations for typhoon Yolanda victims. PND (js)


Malacanang welcomes World Bank’s report on improved business regulation in the Philippines

The Palace welcomed a World Bank report showing the Philippines posting improved business regulations besting other economies around the world.

“We welcome the report of the World Bank’s International Finance Corp., that showed the Philippines recording the biggest improvement in business regulations jumping 30 notches to 108th from 138th among 189 economies across the globe,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a statement on Thursday.

“We will continue to pursue reforms and policies that will create conditions conducive to the growth and competitiveness of businesses that play a crucial role in the attainment of inclusive and sustained economic growth.”

According to the report, the Philippines made significant improvements in the areas of securing construction permits, providing access to credit information and streamlining the process of tax payments.

The Philippines is among the top 10 economies improving the most in 2012-2013. Other countries include Ukraine, Rwanda, the Russian Federation, Kosovo, Djibouti, Cote d’ Ivoire, Burundi, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Guatemala.

The Doing Business 2014 focuses report on regulations applying to small and medium-size domestic enterprises in 189 economies and ranks the economies in 11 areas of business regulation – starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering properly, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and employing workers.

Launched in 2002, the Doing Business Project gathers and analyzes comprehensive data to compare business regulation environments among several economies.

The project encourages countries to compete towards more efficient regulation; offers measurable benchmarks for reform; and serves as a resource for academics, journalists, private sector researchers and others interested in the business environment of each country. PND (as)


Charter change not on administration’s priority list, Palace maintains

Malacañang on Thursday maintained amending the 1987 Constitution is not on the Aquino administration’s priority list, even if the House of Representatives is reportedly set to work on it in 2014.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said President Benigno S. Aquino III already reiterated his position last October that his administration has no plan to amend the Charter.

“When the President visited Korea last October, he reaffirmed his position that the administration has no plan to revise the Constitution. He has consistently maintained that economic restrictions in the Constitution are not detrimental in attracting foreign investments,” Coloma said at a media briefing in Malacañan Palace.

Coloma’s statement was in response to reports that the House of Representatives leadership may prioritize amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

In the meantime, Coloma said the government remains focused on implementing the priority programs under the Philippine Development Plan.

These programs “have been instrumental in the country’s attainment of consistently high growth rates for the past seven quarters,” he noted.

However, he also stressed the Palace will respect the process of Congress as a separate and coequal body.

“We respect the processes of Congress as a separate and co-equal body and whose members like the President are also elected to promote the people’s welfare,” he said. PND (jl)


Malacanang salutes Filipino optimism, vows to intensify efforts for sustained economic opportunities

The Palace said it admires the very high optimisms expressed by Filipinos in a recent Social Weather Station Survey (SWS) adding it makes the Aquino administration more determined to improve the lives of the people.

“We salute the optimism and resilience of our people in their steadfast determination to attain a higher quality of life and a better future. This upbeat outlook spurs us to intensify our efforts to sustain our creditable growth rate that enables many more Filipinos to join the mainstream of economic opportunity,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a statement on Thursday.

The SWS survey found that more Filipinos look forward to a better life in the next 12 months, with their net personal optimism rising to a “very high” +35 in September. Forty percent of the respondents said they expected the quality of their lives to improve in the next 12 months. Those who claimed otherwise are at 6 percent.

This figure is higher than the “high” +28 (35 percent optimistic, 7 percent pessimistic) recorded in June.

The survey was conducted from Sept. 20 to 23 or before major calamities hit the country. The survey has sampling error margins of plus or minus two percentage points for national and plus or minus six percentage points for area percentages. PND (as)


Palace reiterates its disinterest in pushing Charter change

Malacanang reiterated that it’s not supportive of the move of Congress to change the country’s Constitution noting it will instead focus on carrying out its priority measures to improve the lives of Filipinos.

While the executive and the legislative branches have different views on the issue, Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the Palace respects the position of legislators to amend the country’s charter.

Coloma also said during a press briefing in Malacanang that when President Aquino visited South Korea last October, the President reaffirmed his position that his administration has no plan to revise the Constitution.

“He has consistently maintained that economic restrictions in the Constitution are not detrimental in attracting foreign investments,” Coloma said.

“We remain focused on implementing the priority programs under the Philippine Development Plan that have been instrumental in the country’s attainment of consistently high growth rates for the past seven quarters,” he added.

It was reported that House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said Congress will prioritize pushing Charter change next year. PND (as)


President Aquino returning to Tacloban City this weekend

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday said he plans to return to Tacloban City this weekend to check on the progress of rehabilitation work in the wake of super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).

The President bared this during his speech at the awarding ceremony for The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) at Malacañan Palace.

"I’m going to Tacloban (on) Sunday," he said.

Last November, President Aquino flew to Tacloban twice to see for himself the damage wrought by Yolanda, which had devastated Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8.

Yolanda left more than 6,000 dead in its wake.

During his latter visit to Tacloban last month, the President had said he would not leave until he was satisfied with the progress of rehabilitation work. PND (jl)


President Aquino: No shortage of Filipinos willing to serve nation

There is no shortage of young Filipinos willing to take on the task of nation building, President Benigno Aquino III saidThursday.

In his speech at the awarding of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) at Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, the President said he is not alone in putting in long days and nights for the country.

"Events like this remind all of us that there will never be a shortage of Filipinos who are willing to take on the task of nation-building - that in fact, there are so many of us who are working to uplift and empower our fellow men. This is the very principle of bayanihan, of everyone doing his part for a common purpose, a belief which all of you exemplify every day, as you tread your own Daang Matuwid in your professional lives," he said.

He also said that when he meets young men and women with such commitment, he knows the future will be "characterized by solidarity and genuine, meaningful progress, a future where no one definitely would be left behind."

The President cited this year's TOYM awardees for making a "very conscious decision to work for the benefit of others."

"You know how challenging, how difficult, and how rewarding it can be. And, by virtue of your different professions, you know full well that there is no single, true path of service. There is only the discernment of a calling and the corresponding commitment to make the most of your God-given talents," he said.

He added their distinction makes them role models, "not only for the communities you have immediate contact with, but also and more importantly, for a nation of millions."

"Our countrymen see in your example the fruits of hard work, excellence, and compassion. You are the hope that inspires them to pursue their own dreams, and hopefully, in so doing, to touch the lives of others," he said.

The President said this is particularly important at a time when normalcy and hope are beginning to return to areas affected by Super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

"Filipinos never stand idly by and let others suffer alone, because compassion and the utmost generosity are intrinsic to our people," he said.

President Aquino cited Emerson Atanacio, who at age 23 became the youngest president and CEO of a college in the Philippines.

He also cited professor Nicole Curato, who he said he hopes will be a different kind of academic who will use her knowledge in social sciences to add to the political education of the youth.

The President also lauded Custer Deocaris for bringing passion for science to life in various ways, from entrepreneurship to a radio program.

On the other hand, he said food science and technology educator and researcher Alonzo Gabriel has "given generously of his talents" in a technology and knowledge transfer "that benefits not only our promising food processing industry, but also helps grow other sectors, and consequently, the wider economy."

He likewise cited former Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez for promoting the province's economic growth while engaging armed combatants through peaceful dialogue.

The President lauded basketball superstar Christopher John Alandy Dy Tiu for showing "leadership, modesty, and discipline" on and off the basketball court.

"In this way, he has already found success not just as a media personality or athlete—but also as a role model and inspiration for the Filipino youth today, and in the years to come," he said.

President Aquino noted likewise, doctors Karl Michael Reyes and Paolo Antonio Silva who "have gone above and beyond their oath to help others."

He cited Reyes for helping open the first Center for Congenital Heart Disease at St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Operation Heart Foundation Inc., and Silva for establishing the first telemedicine program for diabetic eye disease in the Philippines.

"In their example, we see how innovation is not only a tool that facilitates advancements in medicine, but also one that allows us to fulfill our basic obligation to help others," he said.

The President likewise cited Gabay Guro founder June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla for providing continued support for educators, whether through further education and training, or by simply paying tribute to teachers.

"Might I emphasize: these are only some of our awardees’ myriad achievements. They may all be working in different fields, but one thing ties them together: a commitment to knowledge and excellence as tools of empowerment," he said. PND (jl)


Aquino rallies support from Filipinos to continue anti-graft fight

President Benigno S. Aquino III called on all Filipinos to continue supporting his administration in its fight against graft and corruption as he spelled out the measures that his government has initiated to tackle the problem.

“You have my word: I will continue working towards that goal; and I call on all Filipinos, and all peoples across all continents, to do the same and campaign against corruption,” the President said in his message during the first state conference on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in Malacanang on Thursday.

“I have full faith that, together, we can build a Philippines—and a world—far more just, and far more inclusive, than ever before.”

The President said that he envisions the time when he leaves public office, and he would be able to say this generation did not choose to subscribe to the old system fueled by greed, self-centeredness, and backroom deals.

Instead, Filipinos have chosen to follow an era of honesty, transparency, and accountability, he said.

The chief executive also spelled out the measures that his government has initiated to eliminate corruption. Among this measures include going after tax evaders and in the past three years, the government has filed a total of 423 cases under the RATS, RATE, and RIPS programs.

RATS stands for Run After the Smugglers, RATE for Run After Tax Evaders, and RIPS is Revenue Integrity Protection Service.

The government also appointed an entirely new set of deputy commissioners to take charge of the Bureau of Customs as well as recalling all personnel in the agency who worked outside their jurisdictions back to their mother units, the President said.

To ensure greater transparency, the Department of Budget and Management instituted the zero-based budgeting system, he said.

Under this system, instead of continuously funding the same projects every year, regardless of their effectiveness, the government commits to study every single project to determine what truly benefit the people.

The government is also studying a National Payroll System that could eliminate payroll padding and ghost employees in the bureaucracy. It will abolish the physical payroll checks and salaries as the money goes directly to employees’ ATM accounts, he said.


And in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda, the government launched a government portal called FAiTH—or the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub, the President said. Through the portal, people from all over the world can find records of aid the national government has received, and track how that aid is coursed through government channels. PND (as)