Palace congratulates DOF Secretary for Finance
Minister of the Year Award
Malacañang on Sunday congratulated Finance
Secretary Cesar Purisima for being named the Finance Minister of the Year for
Asia-Pacific from a global financial intelligence site.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said the award is a reflection of Purisima's dedication to his work in helping
President Benigno S. Aquino III manage the economy.
"Siguro it reflects how Sec. Purisima, as
part of the economic managers team of the President, also has a hand in how our
policies are crafted with the President (The award reflects how Purisima as
part of the President's economic management team had a hand in how our policies
are crafted)," she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
"Nakikita rito ang dedication ni Sec.
Purisima (Here we see the dedication of Sec. Purisima)," she added.
Valte also said the award should be doubly sweet
for Purisima, who she said "is also a new father."
Earlier reports indicated Purisima's latest
award came from The Banker, a global financial intelligence group. PND (jl)
Palace: No special birthday plans for President
Aquino so far
At least for now, President Benigno S. Aquino
III has no special plans for his 54th birthday on Feb. 8, Malacañang said
Sunday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said the President may use the day - a Saturday - for some much-needed rest.
"This year, his birthday will fall on a
Saturday. Perhaps baka makapahinga nang kaunti (He may take the opportunity to
get some rest)," she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
She added she has not been advised of any other
"special plans" at this time.
On his birthday last year, the President visited
a 15-year-old bone cancer patient at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon
City.
The President has always treated his birthday as
an ordinary working day. PND (jl)
Amid fighting with BIFF, government reiterates
commitment to peace in Mindanao
Amid days of fighting between government troops
and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Malacañang on Sunday reiterated
the Aquino administration's commitment to peace in Southern Philippines.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said that while many are suffering because of the fighting, the government
ultimately wants to attain peace in Mindanao.
"Pagdating diyan, ang hinahangad ng
pamahalaan ay magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao. May lugar diyan na
nagsa-suffer dahil sa ganitong nagiging insidente. Gusto natin lahat magkaroon
ng kapayapaan at tahimik (The government wants peace in Mindanao. We are aware
there are people there suffering because of the fighting. We want to attain
peace)," she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
The BIFF has been linked to recent attacks in
Mindanao. It is a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is
involved in peace efforts with the government.
Last Jan. 25, the government and the MILF signed
an annex that would pave the way for a comprehensive peace agreement.
Meanwhile, Valte reiterated the government's
appeal to critics to give the peace efforts, including the annexes and the
upcoming comprehensive peace agreement, a chance to succeed.
"Let’s look at the annexes. Let’s look at how
beneficial (the peace agreement) will be to our brothers and sisters in
Mindanao," she said. PND (jl)
Palace welcomes top US bishop's planned visit to
Yolanda-hit areas
Malacañang on Sunday welcomed the plan of a top
bishop from the United States to come visit and extend help to areas affected
by super Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said the visit will reassure the affected residents that help is still coming
three months after Yolanda devastated the Visayas.
"I think ... maganda naman po ‘yang mga
ganitong pagbisita para nakikita rin po nila mismo kung ano po yung nangyari
doon sa ating mga kababayan at kung ano ho yung mga ginagawa ho natin. At [ang]
maganda rin po, they can also bring home the point of the continued help that
is necessary for our people there (I think the visit is good because it gives
the officials a firsthand look at the extent of the devastation, while assuring
the residents of continued help)," Valte said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan.
This week, Louisville Archbishop and US
Conference of Catholic Bishops president Joseph Kurtz is visiting Yolanda-hit
areas.
Expected to join him are officials of the
Catholic Relief Services.
Kurtz is the latest high-profile personality to
visit the Yolanda-hit areas in recent weeks.
Valte said such a visit should boost the morale
of residents affected by Yolanda.
"We’ve been seeing a lot of these visits
and at least it also does a lot for the morale of our brothers and sisters who
are there. Nakikita po na hindi sila nakakalimutan (We've been seeing a lot of
these visits and at least it does much for the morale of people there. At least
they are assured they are not forgotten)," she said. PND (jl)
Government standing firm on no-build zones in
Yolanda-hit areas
The government is standing pat on its policy to
implement no-build zones in coastal communities of areas affected by super
Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan), Malacañang indicated Sunday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said the government cannot sacrifice the safety of residents, especially those
in coastal communities.
"The reason for that is very apparent to
everybody and it’s really for the safety of everybody who will possibly be put
in danger if you violate the no-build zone," Valte said on state-run dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan.
Earlier, a group of Yolanda survivors called for
the abolition of the no-build zone policy on or before Feb. 14.
The government is implementing a no-build zone
along the eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas to ensure the safety of residents
from storm surges.
Last year, Yolanda ravaged the Visayas and parts
of Southern Luzon, leaving behind more than 6,200 dead. PND (jl)
