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| 01 APRIL 2006 | ||
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| 01 APRIL 2006 | ||
| PGMA commends Asian Spirit int'l flight to Palau tomorrow |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated last night Asian Spirit for registering dramatic increases in both commuter and tourist passengers in the past 10 years and helping the tourism industry by continuously servicing the country’s so-called "missionary or unprofitable routes" not serviced by other airline companies. The President made her impromptu remarks during Asian Spirit’s 10th anniversary celebration Friday evening at the Hotel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City. Asian Spirit is set to make its first international flight to Palau via Davao beginning Sunday, April 2, using the new 100-seater BAE 146 jet manufactured by British Aerospace Systems. The President, who arrived at 8:00 p.m. at the hotel, was welcomed by more than 500 personnel of the airline company led by Asian Spirit chairman Antonio Turalba and Asian Spirit president Noel Oņate. Among the other top government officials present were Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio, and Ambassador to Greece Rigoberto Tiglao "Congratulations on your first international flight to Palau. I would like to thank Asian Spirit for being aggressive enough to cover those missionary routes and also for being conservative enough to invest only from your retained earnings," the President said. She commended Asian Spirit for expanding and concentrating in the missionary routes which have contributed greatly to the government’s tourism agenda by connecting areas not serviced by other airline companies. The President noted that because of Asian Spirit’s policy of conservatively investing only its retained earnings, banks should lend more to the airline firm. "I think that banks should lend you more money because there is so much liquidity," she said. Asian Spirit was organized in 1995 as the first and only airline cooperative in the country by 26 initial members coming from the various disciplines in the airline and aviation industry. It started its operation in 1996 with a historic flight to Caticlan, Aklan, the gateway to the world-famous Boracay Island. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re People's initiative |
The Constitution vested constituent powers to the people to propose amendments to our Basic Law. This was designed so that elitist politicians like those who oppose constitutional reforms won’t have a monopoly of what is good for the country. The people are seeking genuine change in our political system and this cannot be held hostage by politicians who act out of fear of losing their hold onto power. These politicians can mock the people’s exercise of their power under the Constitution, but nobody can push the people back. The democratic will of the people is gathering irresistible force as the debates are increasing in pitch. The Filipino people are on track towards political reform and there is no stopping the people from achieving their aspirations. The Charter change pessimists will be swept away just as those who strongly opposed economic reform were proven wrong. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re The economy |
Our economic indicators have been making unprecedented headway and this foretells more good things to come for our country. We have been hitting targets in debt reduction on the back of a strengthened peso, growing fiscal stability, and intensified revenue collections. Austerity measures remain in place reinforced by a strong political will and determination to fight graft and corruption. We have been reaping the fruits of the tough economic reforms and we have never been as optimistic of meeting our targets of balancing the budget and lowering our outstanding debts even before the term of the President ends in 2010. Intermittent political storms will not distract us from our course toward economic takeoff and political renewal. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Assistance to families of sea mishap victims |
The President condoles with the families of three Filipinos who drowned in a cruise ship mishap off Bahrain. She has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs to keep a tight watch on ongoing rescue operations to ascertain the conditions of Filipinos who may have been aboard the tourist boat before it sank. She has also asked the DFA to extend assistance to the families of the three victims particularly in the repatriation of the bodies of the victims. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Comelec appointments |
We can assure the people that an active search and screening process is taking place in full consideration of the need for men and women of probity, professionalism, and excellence in their field. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re The AFP |
The clear trend of policy is to undertake all measures to insulate the military from politics to accord the AFP a permanent seal of professionalism. The proposal of the AFP Chief of Staff must be considered in the light of that objective. This is part of the modernization of the Armed Forces and the overall run of political reform, renewal and transformation. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Anti-corruption campaign |
We are confident that consistent and intensive education campaign against corruption will finally rid our government of this destructive behavior. The government has made headways in its campaign against corruption, as shown by the numerous cases filed against more than 70 officials, including undersecretaries and bureau directors who have failed the lifestyle checks undertaken by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission upon instructions of the President. In the conduct of the lifestyle check, we have been getting the assistance of NGOs and the private sector. The Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue have also responded well to the campaign against corruption under the supervision of the Department of Finance, resulting in increased revenue collections and the dismissal from service of those found engaged in corruption. |
| PGMA orders DFA to assist families of 3 Filipinos drowned in Bahrain sea mishap |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to extend all the necessary assistance to the families of the three Filipinos who perished when a tourist boat capsized Thursday in Bahrain. Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement today the President conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims as she also instructed the DFA to closely monitor the ongoing search and rescue operations to account for the other Filipinos who were reported still missing. "The President condoles with the families of three Filipinos who drowned in a cruise ship mishap off Bahrain. She has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs to keep a tight watch on ongoing rescue operations to ascertain the conditions of Filipinos who may have been aboard the tourist boat before it sank," Bunye said. He added that the Chief Executive also asked the DFA to extend assistance in the repatriation of the bodies of the victims. The ill-fated tourist boat Al-Dana was carrying 137 passengers when it capsized Thursday night off the coast of Bahrain. At least 57 people drowned, including three Filipinos. Reports said 13 others are still missing, including two other Filipino nationals. |
| Palace supports AFP proposal to limit CA powers over military appointments |
Malacaņang expressed its support today to the proposal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to limit the authority of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) over the appointment and confirmation of military officers. Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said AFP Chief Gen. Generoso Senga’s proposal would shield the military from partisan politics, aside from being part of the modernization program of the AFP. "The clear trend of policy is to undertake all measures to insulate the military from politics to accord the AFP a permanent seal of professionalism. The proposal of the AFP Chief of Staff must be considered in the light of that objective. This is part of the modernization of the Armed Forces and the overall run of political reform, renewal and transformation," Bunye said. To keep the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND) from being influenced and politicized, Senga is proposing that only the highest-ranking officials of the AFP should pass through the confirmation of the CA. The CA is composed of 12 senators and 12 congressmen. It is chaired by the Senate President. Under the present setup, the appointments of AFP officers with the rank of colonel and above pass through the confirmation of the CA, which many believe can be influenced or abused by politicians. Senga is also proposing a fixed term for the AFP chief to give him a better chance of implementing needed reforms in the military service. |
| There is no stopping people's initiative -- Palace |
Malacaņang said today that those opposing Charter change can criticize all the way they want the ongoing people’s initiative that is guaranteed under the Constitution but there is no stopping the people’s clamor for fundamental change. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement the "democratic will of the people is gathering irresistible force as the debates are increasing in pitch." "These politicians can mock the people’s exercise of their power under the Constitution but nobody can push the people back," he stressed. Bunye was reacting to opposition claims that nothing would come out of the signature campaign being initiated by a group called Sigaw ng Bayan, because the Commission on Elections (Comelec) could be cited for contempt if it verifies the signatures in defiance of a previous Supreme Court ruling. A lawyers’ group opposed to the signature campaign has even urged its members to seek a restraining order on the political exercise in their respective cities. The Constitution requires signatures from at least 12 percent of the total voting population and three percent in every legislative district before a people’s initiative could be given due course. Latest reports showed that the number of signatories has already exceeded six million, more than the required 5.2 million and is expected to increase further this weekend as more reports come in from other areas where independent groups have conducted their respective signature drives. Bunye said the Filipino people are on track towards political reform "and there is no stopping them from achieving their aspirations. " "The Charter change pessimists will be swept away just as those who strongly opposed economic reform were proven wrong," he said. He pointed out that the Constitution has vested constituent powers to the people to propose amendments to the Basic Law "so that elitist politicians like those who oppose constitutional reforms won’t have a monopoly of what is good for the country." "The people are seeking genuine change in our political system and this cannot be held hostage by politicians who act out of fear of losing their hold onto power," he stressed. |
| PGMA encourages spouses of military personnel to engage in microentrepreneurship |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged today spouses of military personnel to engage in microenterprise to improve their families' livelihood through entrepreneurship. The President, in playing host of the Radyo Negosyo and at the same time gracing the Micronegosyo Fair at the Philippine Army Gym in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, said that for one to be a successful microentrepreneur, one has to have the passion for entrepreneurship, patience and hardwork. Topics discussed during the "Usapang Negosyo with the President" were accessible business opportunities such as sari-sari stores, food carts, small franchises and product dealership, as well as the all-important microlending options available to business start-ups, such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loans Association Inc. (AFSLAI) and rural banks. The President specifically urged the wives of military personnel to engage in small businesses and join the vibrant microenterprise sector which is made up of 90% women. The Micronegosyo Fair, organized by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship(PCE), is a sequel to the PCE's Go Negosyo Summit and Expo held at Market! Market! last month The President also encouraged the creation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as one area to contribute in her jobs creation program. A microenterprise has P100,000 or less start-up capital. |
