President Aquino to join other leaders at 7th Bali
Democracy Forum
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III
will be joining other leaders of Southeast Asia at the 7th Bali Democracy Forum
(BDF), to be held at the Bali International Convention Center here Friday.
President Aquino, who is set to arrive here
Thursday evening, will deliver his remarks during this year's Bali Democracy
Forum, an annual intergovernmental forum on the development of democracy in the
Asia-Pacific region initiated by outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono in 2008.
During the forum, President Aquino is set to
highlight the Philippines' recent positive political and economic developments,
as well as the excellent relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.
During an interview with Radio-Television
Malacañang, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Rosario Aguinaldo stressed
the importance of the President's attendance to the forum, which he will
co-chair with President Yudhoyono.
The forum aims to promote and foster regional and
international cooperation in the field of peace and democracy through
dialogue-based sharing of experiences and best practices that adhere to the
principles of equality, mutual respect and understanding.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Evolving
Regional Democratic Architecture: the Dynamics of Political Development,
Socio-Economic Progress and Public Participation in the Democratic Process.”
The event will also be attended by Timor Leste
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah,
and delegates from 51 participating countries, as well as 68 international
observers. PND (co)
President Aquino to be presented with 'Bintang
Republik Indonesia Adipurna' award
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III
will be conferred the “Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna” (Star of the
Republic of Indonesia) award on the sidelines of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum
on Friday.
President Aquino will be the first Filipino to
receive such an award in recognition of his "continued strong commitments
and merits in promoting the bilateral ties between Indonesia and the
Philippines in the past few years in many fields."
During an interview with Radio-Television
Malacañang on Thursday, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Rosario
Aguinaldo said the award is the highest honor given by the Indonesian
government to an individual who has rendered extraordinary service to the
integrity, viability and greatness of Indonesia.
Other heads of state who have been conferred this
award include Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, King Bhumibol Adulyadej
of Thailand, and former President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea.
President Aquino is scheduled to arrive here
Thursday evening to attend the international forum, which was initiated by
outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2008.
Other leaders attending the annual summit to be
held at the Bali International Convention Center are Timor Leste Prime Minister
Xanana Gusmao and the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah.
Delegates from 51 participating countries, as well
as 68 international observers, are also expected to attend the annual event.
PND (co)
President Aquino leaves for Indonesia to attend
the 7th Bali Democracy Forum
President Benigno S. Aquino will leave for Bali,
Indonesia on Thursday afternoon to attend the 7th Bali Democracy Forum,
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.
has said in a statement.
President Aquino's attendance at the forum is upon
the invitation of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudyohono, who is a close
friend of the President’s and a staunch supporter of the government’s efforts
to advance peace in Mindanao and promote the peaceful settlement of maritime
disputes.
The President, who will join fellow leaders in the
Asia-Pacific region, will serve as co-chair of the forum with President
Yudyohono.
The Philippines has been an active participant in
the annual intergovernmental forum on the development of democracy in the
Asia-Pacific, since the forum’s inception in 2008.
The forum aims to foster dialogue-based regional
and international cooperation through sharing of experiences and best practices
that adhere to the principles of mutual respect and understanding.
Joining the President are Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras,
Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad, and Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda.
The forum has for its theme, “Evolving Regional
Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of Political Development, Public
Participation and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century.” PND (as)
Government closely watching inflation rate, says
Palace
The Palace on Thursday assured that the
government's economic team and the central bank are closely monitoring the
country's inflation rate to control its impact on the people.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said such economic issues as inflation, poverty,
and job creation are gut-level issues that make the people look to the
government for help.
"Sikmura kasi talaga ‘yan kaya siguro nandoon
na rin ang aspeto ng higher expectations among our people, how they wish
government can really be more effective," Coloma told reporters during a
press briefing.
"Pero doon sa aspect na ‘yan, maipupunto
natin na talaga namang tinututukan ito ng ating economic management team at
maging ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas."
He noted that although the government has been
able to reduce the inflation rate from a high of 4.9 percent to 4.4 percent,
the central bank is still keeping track of inflation.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, he said, is the
lead agency in tackling inflation, having all the tools of monetary policy to
regulate inflation as well as the total liquidity in the banking system and
other indicators.
"Sila ay nasa posisyon para tuwirang masabat
‘yung threats of inflation at pinagtutulungan naman iyan ng ating economic
management team at ng Bangko Sentral," he added.
On the people's purchasing power, Coloma said the
main goal of the government is to maintain a manageable inflation rate to avoid
the erosion of the consumers' purchasing power.
To address this concern, the government is
monitoring and regulating the prices of commodities through the National Price
Coordination Council, he said, adding that the government wants to ensure a
reasonable movement of prices of basic commodities for the benefit of the
consumers.
Coloma said that with regards to salary
adjustments, the government is carrying out a performance-based incentive
program to augment the compensation of government employees who are performing
well.
He however said that it is up to private companies
to share their gains with their employees, especially when these companies post
higher profits under better economic conditions. PND (as)
Gov’t spends P7.1-M for President Aquino’s
attendance to 7th Bali Democracy Forum
The government has set aside around P7.1 million
for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation in the 7th Bali Democracy
Forum from October 9 to 10 in Indonesia, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa
Jr. said on Thursday.
President Aquino co-chairs this year’s forum, with
the theme “Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of
Political Development, Public Participation and Socio-Economic Progress in the
21st Century,” which is expected to be attended by world leaders.
“President Aquino, as co-chair of this year’s Bali
Democratic Forum, will speak at the conference to share our country’s rich
experience in achieving democracy leading to the implementation of the
democratic processes in our nation,” Ochoa said.
“As the son of democracy icons – the late Senator
Ninoy Aquino and former President Cory Aquino – President Aquino can truly be
an inspiration to other heads of states and governments and the rest of the
participants,” he added.
The Chief Executive is scheduled to leave late
afternoon today via a chartered flight, accompanied by Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo,
Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff Chief
Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Presidential
Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria.
The annual Bali Democratic Forum is chaired by
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who will also confer to
President Aquino the “Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna” (Star of the
Republic of Indonesia), the highest decoration awarded by the Jakarta
government to an individual who has contributed extraordinary service to the
integrity, viability and greatness of Indonesia.
The amount earmarked for the trip covers expenses
for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of
the Chief Executive and his 47-member delegation.
Malacañang pleased with rising public trust on
government efforts to fight criminality
The Palace said Thursday it is pleased with the
steady increase in public trust on government efforts to combat criminality, as
shown in a recent Pulse Asia survey.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. attributed the rise in public trust to the new
crime reporting system the Philippine National Police (PNP) is implementing.
“Dapat siguro nating ikalugod kung nakikita natin
na nagbubunga ang pagsisikap ng ating pambansang kapulisan na mahikayat o
mahimok ang partisipasyon ng ating mga mamamayan,” Coloma told reporters during
a press briefing in Malacañang.
“Naipunto na rin naman ito ni (Interior) Secretary
Roxas at ni (PNP Chief) General (Alan) Purisima, na nag-institute tayo ng mas
bago o mas modernong paraan ng reporting of crimes, na dahil dito ay dumami
talaga ‘yung impormasyon ng pagre-report ng crime. Hindi ito tulad ng dati na
tila pinagtatakpan ito doon sa level ng presinto,” he explained.
In Pulse Asia’s September 2014 Ulat ng Bayan
survey, conducted from September 8 to 15, respondents rated the government’s
effort in fighting criminality at 25 percent.
The figure showed a steady increase from 17
percent on September 13 last year; 20 percent on December 13 last year; and 23
percent on March 14 this year. It dropped to 20 percent last June 14.
Coloma noted that with the new reporting system,
the government could now gauge criminality to address it properly.
“Kapag naire-report ay magkakaroon ng batayan kung
paano ito babawasan, at kung mare-report ay matutunton din kung sino ang mga
maaaring nagsagawa ng krimen at pwede silang panagutin,” he said.
He noted that it inspires the government to know
that the people appreciate its efforts to stem criminality in the country.
“Nagsisilbing ispirasyon tuwing magkakaroon ng
feedback na kinikilala ng mga mamamayan ang pagsisikap ng pamahalaan, at
patuloy din nating hinihimok ang ating mga kababayan na lumahok sa kampanya
laban sa krimen at laban sa korapsyon,” Coloma said. PND (ag)
President Aquino to thank Indonesia for
continuously supporting the Philippines
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he will
personally extend his gratitude to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono for his continuing support to the Philippines especially in the
Mindanao peace process and the issue on the West Philippine Sea (South China
Sea).
The President left for Indonesia Thursday
afternoon to attend the 7th Bali Democracy Forum. He is expected to return to
Manila Friday evening.
"Gagamitin natin ang pagkakataong ito upang
magbigay-pugay at magpasalamat kay Pangulong Yudhoyono," the President
said in his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal
2.
"Hindi lamang siya kapwa-pinuno sa ASEAN, isa
rin siyang matalik na kaibigan."
The President said Indonesia played a major role
in the past during the government's negotiation with the Moro National
Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
With regards to the territorial dispute in the
West Philippine Sea, President Aquino said Indonesia supports the country's
position of resolving the issue through a rules based approach.
The signing of an agreement regarding maritime
boundaries between the Philippines and Indonesia also highlighted strong
relations between the two countries, the President noted.
"Nitong Mayo 2014 nga po, napirmahan na ang
kasunduan hinggil sa maritime boundaries ng Pilipinas at Indonesia, at ng
kaakibat nitong mga karapatan sa dagat," he said.
The agreement becomes a model in sealing a
complicated negotiation between Indonesia and the Philippines anchored on
thrust and respect, he said.
Also during his trip to Indonesia, President
Aquino will receive the “Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna,” the highest
medal of recognition in Indonesia.
"Malinaw po sa akin na ang karangalang ito ay
hindi lamang pagkilala sa mga nagawa ko bilang indibidwal, kundi pati na rin sa
kolektibong pakikilahok ng bawat disenteng Pilipino upang isulong ang
demokrasya," he said.
"Sagisag din po ito ng mahaba at matibay
nating pakikipag-ugnayan sa Indonesia: Mula pa noong panahon ng kolonyalismo,
ang mamamayan ng Pilipinas at Indonesia ay nagpakita na ng pagtutulungan,
pagdadamayan at pagkakaisa," he added.
He also noted that since becoming independent
countries, both the Philippines and Indonesia responded shoulder to shoulder in
addressing disasters, strengthening the economy, and pursuing regional peace
and stability. PND (as)
President Aquino assures Albay of support with
Mayon volcano's impending eruption
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he will
remain at the helm of government although he is in a one-day visit to
Indonesia.
The President left for Indonesia Thursday
afternoon to attend the 7th Bali Democracy Forum.
In his departure message at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport Terminal 2, the President said he will particularly focus
on the situation in Albay after many residents near the Mayon Volcano were
evacuated to safer areas because of the volcano's impending eruption.
"Nagbigay na po ako ng direktiba kina
Secretary Mar Roxas at Dinky Soliman na gawin ang kinakailangang koordinasyon
upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan," he said.
He said that based on the report of Interior and
Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, the government is set to distribute
54,000 food packs starting Sunday this week.
The government is also ready to distribute up to
540,000 food packs to the affected families depending on the need, he said.
Based on the assessment by experts, Mayon volcano's
instability could last for six months and the government must prepare to
address the needs of the evacuees, the President said.
"Sa bisa po ng Section 3(J) at 22 ng
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, naglaan na tayo
ng pondong magagamit sa pagtulong sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Albay," he
said.
Although his trip to Indonesia is short, President
Aquino said it is significant in forging strong relations with other countries
in the region.
The President will return to Manila Friday
evening. PND (as)
