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)
