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| 25 FEBRUARY 2006 | ||
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| 25 FEBRUARY 2006 | ||
| OPAPP launched regional fora on the peace progress in Mindanao |
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) have launched a series of regional dialogues on the peace process in Mindanao to help speed up the attainment by the Arroyo administration of just and lasting peace in the region and the entire country. OPAPP said the dialogues aim to provide opportunity for various peace stakeholders to discuss and assess "where the (peace) process has gone and where it should proceed to finally attain sustainable and just peace in the country." The first of the regional fora was opened the other day in Cotabato City by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus G. Dureza. It was participated in by peace stakeholders from across Central Mindanao area. Similar dialogues are set to be held in General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City and Zamboanga City. At least 100 participants have been invited for each forum to represent local government, civil society, religious, indigenous people, business and academic sectors, OPAPP said. In his speech at the Cotabato gathering, Secretary Dureza lauded the holding of Balikatan 2006 in Sulu, saying the joint Republic of the Philippines –United States military exercise "supports the government’s peace efforts and must be welcomed by all Filipinos." "Unlike previous joint RP-US exercises, the Balikatan 2006 is now also anchored on helping sow seeds of peace in Mindanao," Dureza said as he cited a letter from the mayor of Panamao, Sulu expressing gratitude for the Balikatan. "My constituents and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and to you, Sir (Secretary Dureza), in your efforts to establish the RP-US exercise in the country," Mayor Hadji Bassar S. Abdurajak said in his letter to Dureza. "The municipality of Panamao, Sulu and its people are very much happy with the coming of Balikatan ’06 to our municipality and with this, it is an honor and privilege to welcome the RP-US Exercise," Mayor Abdurajak wrote. According to Dureza, the attainment of just and lasting peace in Mindanao is being made possible by convergence of efforts of development agencies and community-based projects under Balikatan 2006. "Such efforts shall be further encouraged as we make the rounds in Mindanao to dialogue and consult with the people and communities of Mindanao," he said. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re Proclamation 1017 |
The declaration of a state of emergency is borne out of necessity. The objective is to preserve the Constitution, defend the rule of law, prevent violence and disorder. Proclamation 1017 will never be abused and utilized against innocent persons. The proclamation does not authorize warrantless arrests except as provided for in the rules of court. The President vows to limit the exercise of her powers to those that are necessary to contain the threats to national security. Those who feel aggrieved have recourse to the courts which are open and continue to operate. Rumors of martial law have no basis. The situation is under control and we expect to get over this in no time. We thank the various sectors, the AFP, the PNP, local government executives, the House of Representatives, the business sector, and other well wishers for their expression of support and for rallying around the Constitution, the rule of law, and the preservation of calm and sobriety. |
| PGMA visits "Go Negosyo" summit expo at Market! Market! at Bonifacio Global City |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited this afternoon the exposition of the first "Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Summit which showcases the entrepreneurial skills of the Filipinos at the Market! Market! at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Presidential Adviser on Jobs Generation Arthur Yap said the visit of the President to the expo site only shows her support on a "revolution of entrepreneurship" and not a "revolution of violence and destabilization." The President was warmly welcomed by both would-be entrepreneurs and already established entrepreneurs. It was her first official activity outside Malacaņang after she declared a state of national emergency on Friday morning under Proclamation No. 1017 The Chief Executive went around the more than 300 stalls showcasing the creativity and innovativeness of the Filipino entrepreneurs. Last Thursday, the President was the keynote speaker at the opening of the summit at the Plenary Hall of the Global City, where she hailed the Filipino entrepreneurs as "patriots" for their support in creating jobs and feeding families. She also exhorted them to be optimistic and not to be afraid of, nor bothered by, politicking and destabilization moves by her critics and detractors. In her 10-point pro-poor agenda, the President has vowed to support entrepreneurship as one means to help her create 10 million jobs by 2010. |
| Proclamation 1017 will never be abused - Palace |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will never abuse her powers under Proclamation No. 1017 and will limit these to those that are vital to the preservation of the Constitution and containing the threats to national security, Malacaņang said today. "The declaration of a state of emergency is borne out of necessity. The objective is to preserve the Constitution, defend the rule of law, prevent violence and disorder," Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement. "Proclamation 1017 will never be abused and utilized against innocent persons. The proclamation does not authorize warrantless arrests except as provided for in the rules of court," he added. Bunye, who is also the Presidential Spokesman, said the President has vowed to limit the exercise of her powers to those that are necessary to contain the threats to national security. "Those who feel aggrieved have recourse to the courts which are open and continue to operate," he said. Bunye also dismissed rumors that Malacanang would impose martial law. "The situation is under control and we expect to get over this in no time," he stressed. At the same time, Bunye thanked the show of loyalty to the President by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as the members of the House of Representatives, local government executives, businessmen, and other sectors. "We thank the various sectors, the AFP, the PNP, local government executives, the House of Representatives, the business sector, and other well wishers for their expression of support and for rallying around the Constitution, the rule of law, and the preservation of calm and sobriety," Bunye said. Among the earliest groups that expressed their support for the President’s issuance of the proclamation was the 987-strong Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP). The provincial officials issued their statement of support on Friday morning while holding their 14th National Convention in Butuan City. |
