Malacanang defends constitutionality of
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
The Palace on Friday defended the
constitutionality of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
“The instruction of the President in negotiating
for the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was to make sure that it will
be within the parameters of the Constitution. We believe certainly that the CAB
can withstand constitutional scrutiny, judicial scrutiny,” Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters during a press briefing.
Reacting to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s
statement that the CAB is unconstitutional, Lacierda said the senator’s opinion
differs from that of other constitutional lawyers, who find the agreement
constitutional.
He noted that Chair of the GPH Negotiating Panel
in the talks with the MILF, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, would like to sit down with
Senator Santiago to discuss the CAB.
“As we will do with all the legislators, because
this bill … will be submitted to Congress for their legislation enactment,” he said.
“We are hopeful that those who have expressed
doubts and reluctance will see that this will stand constitutional scrutiny and
ultimately, it will redound to the peace and development of Mindanao and the
Philippines,” said Lacierda. PND (ag)
Singaporean leader donates $7.5 M to rebuild
Visayan region
Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam, patron
of the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), on Friday presented $7.5 million in donations
to SRC partners in the Philippines for rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts in
areas damaged by super typhoon Yolanda.
The fund will be used to construct and
rehabilitate shelters, schools and healthcare facilities; procure medical
equipment and supplies; and ensure water supply and sanitation in Bantayan
Island, Busuanga Island, Leyte, Ormoc, Panay Island, and Samar, the SRC said.
President Tan said he is glad that the SRC has
chosen to work with trusted partners in the Philippines to help
typhoon-affected communities.
He said he hopes his country's contribution, “a
small gesture of friendship and solidarity with the Filipino people”, will make
a difference in the devastated areas.
The Singaporean leader also said the SRC has
raised $11.45 million through its Typhoon Haiyan public appeal.
President Tan earlier witnessed the signing of
three agreements between the SRC and its Red Cross Movement Partners in the
Philippines, such as the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
He also presented contributions from the people
of Singapore that were coursed through the Anglican Crisis Relief Outreach and
Support, Singapore (ACROSS), Life Community Development (LCD), WYNASEAN,
Humanitarian Assistance Network for Disaster (HAND), and Assisi Development
Foundation.
SRC Secretary General Benjamin William said they
will focus their efforts to help rehabilitate infrastructure and restore the
delivery of critical services to the affected communities.
The SRC will ensure that the funds will reach
the most affected communities to achieve significant impact, he said.
President Tan will travel to Basey, Western
Samar on Saturday to present the first batch of medical supplies and equipment
to Basey District Hospital.
The initiative is a joint rehabilitation project
of the Singapore Red Cross, the Philippine Red Cross and the International
Committee of the Red Cross.
The Singapore Red Cross is a humanitarian
organization dedicated to relieving human suffering, protecting lives and
responding to emergencies since 1949.
It serves through its blood donor recruitment
program, activity center for the disabled, transport aid, community first aid
and capacity building through its training academy. PND (as)
President Tan of Singapore sees bright future
for the Philippines
Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam said he
foresees a bright future for the Philippines, given its rich resources and
vibrant workforce.
Speaking before members of the
Philippines-Singapore Business Council (PSBC) at the Philam Life Tower in
Makati City on Friday, President Tan said the Philippines’ economic growth has
been remarkable in recent years.
“It is consistently one of the strongest in
Asia, and expanded an impressive 7.2 percent last year. Investment figures also
recorded a 10 percent growth in 2013. With its rich resources and a vibrant
workforce, the future shines bright for the Philippines,” he said.
These developments give Singapore’s businesses
an opportunity to take part in the country’s success, he said.
The Singaporean leader also said he observes a
growing number of businesses from his country coming to the Philippines to look
for possible investments.
Last year, the International Enterprise
Singapore (IE Singapore) conducted seven business trips to the Philippines and
hosted six similar visits from the Philippines.
“I expect this number to grow, as more Singapore
professionals and entrepreneurs venture here to tap on the Philippines’s growth
potential,” he said.
To facilitate this growing interest, IE
Singapore established an overseas center in Manila three months ago, he said.
The PSBC plays a critical role in furthering
this relationship, President Tan said, adding that since its launch in 1994,
the council has worked tirelessly to open doors, promote exchanges and
facilitate cooperation between enterprises in the Philippines and Singapore.
As close friends and neighbors within the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Tan said both the
Philippines and Singapore have a stake in each other’s future and the region’s
success.
President Tan arrived in the country Wednesday
for a four-day state visit. He met with President Aquino on Thursday and will
visit Basey, Western Samar on Saturday to hand over a Singapore-funded project
there. He will leave for Singapore Saturday evening. PND (as)
Palace assures MRT commuters: Long-term solution
is at hand
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
Friday the government is in the process of purchasing Metro Rail Transit (MRT)
coaches to ease congestion in the train stations.
“The long-term intervention is we are acquiring
the coaches. That’s the only way we can alleviate the difficulties that we are
encountering in the MRT,” said Lacierda.
He asked for the understanding of the commuting
public who have to endure long queues at the MRT stations every day.
“If the lines are long, we sincerely apologize
to our fellow citizens about this difficulty. We are in the process of
acquiring the coaches,” said Lacierda.
For the meantime, he said, the Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is making short-term interventions,
such as ensuring the commuters’ comfort and making sure that the trains run on
time.
“But we certainly are hoping for the time that
we acquire the coaches and add to the present number of coaches in the MRT and
LRT,” said Lacierda. PND (ag)
