President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today commended selected pupils of the Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School (AAQES) in Malate, Manila for helping their families save on electricity costs at home as part of their own compliance in the ongoing Energy Conservation (Enercon) measure of the government.

"Congratulations children, I hope you will continue to do your power patrol in your own homes," the President encouraged the school children.

The President visited the AAQES this morning to inspect the Power Patrol Program (PPP) the school initiated and to interact with the pupil power patrollers.

The pupils participating in the program regaled the President with their reports on how they applied at home what they learned in their nine-week special training class in energy conservation and how their implementation helped their families save precious pesos on electricity costs.

The pupils told the President they helped save on electricity costs by making sure that ironing clothes is done once a week only, old electric bulbs are replaced with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), turning off the lights when not in use, and turning off the electric fans when the temperature is low.

"Congratulations and thank you for helping your family to save money and thank you for helping your country to save energy," the President told the pupils after their reports on their Power Patrol Program.

In return, the pupils assured the President they will continue to help the government in propagating the proper and efficient use of electricity not only in their homes but also in their school and other public places.

Jovito Castillo, division supervisor in mathematics, briefed the President on the benefits of the PPP to the participating pupils who helped them implement the Enercon tips in their homes.

Education Acting Secretary Fe Hidalgo and key officials of the Department of Energy and from Manila City Hall accompanied the President in her AAQES visit.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued today Executive Order No. 464 reiterating the constitutional provision on the observance of certain guidelines on the appearance by government officials in congressional hearings.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita furnished media a copy of EO 464 during a briefing at the Innotech Building along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Section 22, Article VI (Legislative Department) of the Constitution provides that "heads of departments may upon their own initiative, with the consent of the President, or upon the request of either House, as the rules of each House shall provide, appear before and be heard by either House of Congress on any matter pertaining to their departments…When the security of the State or the public interest so requires and the President so states in writing, such appearance shall be conducted in executive session."

Ermita clarified that EO 464 does not prevent public officials from appearing before any congressional hearings, but they have to first go by the instructions under Section 22, Article VI of the Constitution, or secure the authority from the President through their department heads before appearing in such hearings.

He admitted that the issuance of EO 464 was prompted by the experience of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales "who had to be brought to the hospital and is now facing heart operation" because of the stress he underwent during the Senate hearing on the Venable firm lobby contract.

"When that happened, we wanted to correct the situation so that we would have enough guidelines, we, being members of the executive, in facing inquiries by both houses of Congress. Because Section 22 of the Constitution states, among others, that they have to appear in congressional hearings with the permission of the President and that inquiries should be done in a manner that shows proper respect for the rights of the resource persons," Ermita said.

EO 464 states that "in accordance with Article VI, Section 22 of the Constitution and to implement the Constitutional provisions on separation of powers between co-equal branches of government, all heads of departments of the Executive Branch of the government shall secure the consent of the President prior to appearing before either House of Congress. When the security of the State or the public interest so requires and the President so states in writing, the appearance shall only be conducted in executive session."

Section 2 of EO 464 states that the nature, scope, and coverage of executive privilege, has cited Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees which provides that "public officials and employees shall not use or divulge confidential or classified information officially known to them by reason of their office and not made available to the public to prejudice the public interest."

Executive privilege covers all confidential or classified information between the President and the public officers including:

• Conversations and correspondence between the President and the public officials;
• Military, diplomatic and other national security matters which in the interest of national security should not be divulged;
• Information between inter-government agencies prior to the conclusion of treaties and executive agreements;
• Discussions in closed-door Cabinet meetings; and
• Matters affecting national security and public order.

Covered by EO 464 are:

Malacaņang today laid down the guidelines that will govern the operations of the Consultative Commission (Con-Com) – the body created to review the 1987 Constitution and draw up proposed amendments to the country’s fundamental law.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita briefed the Commission’s members on their mandate and working systems during their first formal meeting held today at the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization – Innovation Technology (SEAMEO-INNOTECH) in Quezon City.

"Your role, therefore, as members of the Consultative Commission is to review our Constitution, conduct public consultations and undertake the necessary studies on the kind of changes that are needed to improve the fundamental law of the land," Ermita said.

Among others, he said the Con-Com should seriously study and propose appropriate recommendations on the following:

• The shift from the presidential-unitary system of government to a parliamentary-federal system;
• Rationalization and refocusing of economic policies in the present charter to match the country’s vision and enhance its global competitiveness; and
• A review of the economic policies which tend to hinder that vision and adversely affect the people’s welfare.

Ermita said the Con-Com is given three months to complete its work and present its report to the President who will then transmit said report to both houses of Congress "as a contribution of the Executive Branch to Congressional deliberations on Charter Change."

He said the body, whose membership has already increased to 42 from last week’s 38, represents "a broad spectrum of views and backgrounds that would make for a free, open and responsible debate on political reforms without the extra baggage of political ambition or self-serving interests."

Ermita also cautioned the members to expect initial objections on the move to reconfigure the Constitution but stressed the change being considered is for the betterment of not only a few but for the Filipino people and their economy.

"Changes make people feel uneasy, and the fear of uncertainties make them prefer the status quo. But there is a genuine need for change. We have to move forward or else our country will forever remain behind in economic development," he noted.