Malacañang satisfied with latest Pulse Asia
survey result
The Palace on Monday expressed satisfaction with
the latest result of the Pulse Asia survey showing President Benigno S. Aquino
III still has maintained a high trust rating.
“We are gratified that the President continues
to enjoy a high trust rating,” said Presidential Communication Operations
Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. during a press briefing.
He said the Pulse Asia survey result has
“remained statistically the same”.
“Whereas before, 74 (percent) found him to be
trustworthy, there are now 69 percent that have the same assessment, and the
five percent went to the undecided column, not to the ‘no trust’ column,”
Coloma said.
“This is to be considered as a reminder for the
national leadership to intensify its efforts to deliver the reforms that were
promised, because we are aware that our people have high expectations,” he
said.
Asked if Malacanang felt vindicated by the
survey result insofar as criticisms on the government’s handling of last year’s
natural disasters are concerned, Coloma said the administration remains open to
criticisms and welcomes suggestions from all sectors of society.
“It is not our concern to be unduly worried
about those who criticize us because this is an important element of the
democratic dialogue. It is essential that there are people who may express
dissenting views because of their sincere desire to help our country move
forward and that is also appreciated,” Coloma added. PND (ag)
Manny Pacquiao pays courtesy call on President
Aquino
A week after his triumphant bout against
American Timothy Bradley, Jr., Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao
paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang on
Monday.
Wearing a white polo shirt, Pacquiao arrived at
the Palace’s Music Room at 2 p.m..
Presidential Communication Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement that the Sarangani
Representative and President Aquino “exchanged pleasantries for about 40
minutes”.
He said Congressman Pacquiao promised the
President that he will help in the government’s campaign to raise awareness on
the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) among Filipino
workers based in the Middle East.
The boxing champ also agreed to convince OFWs to
observe the necessary measures implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) to
prevent the spread of the disease.
“Congressman Pacquiao discussed with the
President his concerns on the construction of farm-to-market roads in
Sarangani, which is being delayed because of attacks made by lawless elements,
who have gone to the extent of burning road construction equipment,” Coloma
added.
In response to the lawmaker’s concerns, the
President vowed to instruct law enforcement authorities to take action on the
matter, he said.
Coloma said that on the lighter side,
Congressman Pacquiao conveyed to the President his excitement in welcoming the
newest member of his family.
“His wife, Jinkee, who is also the incumbent
Vice-Governor of Sarangani, is due to deliver the couple’s fifth child, a son,
anytime this week. According to published reports, they will name him
‘Israel’,” he said.
Coloma further said that the President and
Congressman Pacquiao exchanged notes on the prevailing cold weather in Los
Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The President reminisced about his family’s
winter experience during his father’s medical furlough in Boston,
Massachusetts,” he said.
During the visit, Pacquiao was accompanied by
members of his staff, led by Team Pacquiao’s chief of staff Jayke Joson.
Before the President entered the room, Pacquiao
gamely had his picture taken with some employees and staff of Malacanang, who
congratulated him on his recent fight.
On April 12 (April 13 Manila Time), Pacquiao
reclaimed the World Boxing Organization’s welterweight belt from Bradley via a
unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao
and Bradley first fought in June 2012 when Bradley won via a controversial
split decision vote.
Malacanang earlier joined the nation in
celebrating Pacquiao’s victory, saying that his fight was a “symbol of
recovery” from the disasters that battered the country last year.
The boxing champ was also described as a
“national treasure” for his achievements in sports.
Pacquiao returned to the country last Friday and
received a hero’s welcome from the people of Sarangani, his hometown. PND (jb)
DOH, Task Force MERS-CoV asked to intensify
efforts in locating untested passengers of Etihad Airways
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the
Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force MERS-CoV to
intensify efforts in locating and contacting more than 200 passengers of the
April 15 Etihad Airways flight EY0424 who have not been tested for the disease.
“As of 8 a.m. today (Monday, April 21), 173 out
of 414 passengers or 42 percent have been contacted,” Presidential
Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said during
a press briefing.
He noted that of the 173, 100 have tested
negative.
“We are awaiting the test results of the 73
other passengers,” he added.
He said the President has instructed the DOH to
ensure that all the passengers undergo a free nose and throat swabbing tests
for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in public
hospitals or DOH-accredited medical facilities.
He reiterated the government’s call for the more
than 200 passengers of Flight EY0424 to coordinate directly with the DOH
through its 24-hour hotlines: 711-1001; 711-1002; 0922-884-1564; 0920-949-8419;
and 0915-772-5621.
The Bureau of Quarantine’s alert bulletin for
Filipinos and foreign nationals traveling to and from countries in the Arabian
Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and United Arab
Emirates) stands.
Coloma said the government effort to locate and
contact the passengers is in accordance with the World Health Organization’s
(WHO) protocol in dealing with communicable or infectious diseases.
“Ang protocol kasi ng WHO hinggil dito dapat ay
matunton ang lahat ng mga carrier through active surveillance and they should
undergo testing, dahil may 14-day incubation period ito,” Coloma said. PND
(hdc)
