Military to pursue modernization plans to attain
minimum credible defense, says Palace official
The Aquino administration will continue to
adhere on strengthening the country's military to attain what it called minimum
credible defense, a Palace official said on Saturday.
A security expert said China is strongly after
the Ayungin Shoal (Thomas Shoal) all because it is after a bigger catch that is
Recto Bank (Reed Bank).
"The President's position has always been
to strengthen our Armed Forces -- para magkaroon tayo ng minimum credible
defense posture," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in
an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
"So patuloy ang pagbibigay ng --- at least
to this particular President, he really walks the talk, in the sense that he
funds the modernization program of the AFP. Pinaglalaanan talaga ng
administrasyong Aquino ng budget 'yung pagmodernisa ng ating Sandatahang
Lakas," she added.
Former military officer, politician and National
Security Adviser Roilo Golez said in his blog that he believes China's next
move is to seize and occupy the Ayungin Shoal, which would jeopardize the
Philippines' Marine detachment there.
Golez said the Philippines must prepare for
China's move on Ayungin in the event that its leadership adopts a military
solution to their Ayungin objective.
Ayungin is part of the West Philippine Sea
(South China Sea) that is claimed by China. It is 105 nautical miles from Rizal
in Palawan and is within the country's exclusive economic zone.
The Philippines maintains its presence in
Ayungin through the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty ship that was purposely ran
aground in 1999.
China warned the Philippines to abandon the
shoal and prepare to face the consequences. Few weeks ago, the Chinese blocked
two Philippine civilian ships that were supposed to deliver supplies to its
troops.
The Philippines insists that Ayungin is part of
its territory and maintained that it would continue to send supplies to its
personnel there.
The country has been negotiating for an enhanced
military cooperation with the US through an increased American military
presence here aimed at protecting the country's interest in the West Philippine
Sea. PND (as)
Palace welcomes Congress' support for Freedom of
Information Bill
Malacanang said it welcomes the adoption of
Congress on proposals raised by the Executive branch in connection with the
deliberation on the Freedom of Information Bill.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on
Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace has
always been open to engaging the legislators, especially on the provisions that
Malacanang has proposed.
"At least for this Congress, natutuwa tayo
at naging bukas sila doon sa mga provisions or proposals na pinropose (propose)
ng Executive branch," Valte said.
"Kasi naniniwala tayo na ang mga provisions
na 'yun ay naa-address nang buo ang mga concerns ng Pangulong Aquino tungkol
doon sa paghabol ng burukrasya kapag nagkaroon na ng FOI," she added.
Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Undersecretary Manolo Quezon met with some
of the proponents of the FOI Bill in the Lower House and reiterated the
Palace's position, she said.
Valte also recalled that even in the 15th
Congress, the Palace worked with legislators from both the Lower House and the
Senate on the FOI Bill.
"In the Fifteenth Congress, the Palace
proposal was also adopted by the Technical Working Group on the Committee on
Public Information.
"And even in the Senate noon those
proposals were also adopted by the Committee under Sen. Gregorio Honasan,"
she said.
Malacanang will always participate in
congressional deliberations to explain the wisdom behind the provisions that it
has been proposing especially on the provisions regarding the posting of SALN
of top government officials on websites.
Asked if the President will certify the FOI Bill
urgent Valte said: "So far, the President has been judicious in exercising
his certification power. Iniingatan ng Pangulo na kung ano 'yung nakalagay sa
Constitution, kung saan posible ang certification power, ay doon na lang niya
nae-exercise." PND (as)
Malacanang announces more new appointments
The Palace announced new appointments by the
President of officials in different government offices.
Among those designated by the President include
Prudencio M. Reyes Jr. as undersecretary of the Department of Trade and
Industry, and the transfer of Undersecretary Lesley Jeanne Y. Cordero to the
office of Secretary Panfilo Lacson.
Originally, Cordero was an undersecretary in the
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and was transferred to the
Office of the Cabinet Secretary.
She was recently designated by the President to
help the office of Secretary Lacson. Lacson is the Presidential Assistant for
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.
Other appointments include Jo Paolo Espiritu,
Director IV of the PCOO, Gizela M. Gonzalez-Montinola and Magdaleno B.
Albarracin, Jr. as members of the Board of Regents of the University of the
Philippines.
Their appointments were effective March 5, 2014.
Also appointed by the President were Bryan S.
Lim, Registers of Deeds II, replacing Caroline L. Ruiz, and Quirino P. Revilla,
succeeding Bethany G. Kapili.
Melanio C. Briosos and Melvin B. Navarro were
appointed Director IV at the Department of Public Works and Highways replacing
Angelito D. Twano and Veniedo O. Reyes.
The President also appointed Toribio Noel L.
Ilao as Acting Director III of the Bureau of Equipment under the Department of
Public Works and Highways. Ilao replaced Florendo B. Arias. PND (as)
