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| 08 MARCH 2006 | ||
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| 08 MARCH 2006 | ||
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re 1017 |
We believe the government lawyers have laid down the justifications and the legal basis for the declaration of the state of emergency. We leave it to the High Court to ponder on the arguments of both sides and rule on the issue with eminent wisdom and in the public interest. Any decision of the High Court would be fully respected. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Fitch |
Fitch observation is not supported by the IMF’s statement predicting steady RP economic growth. While the Philippines is buffeted by destabilization from time to time, its bounce-back time from each event is becoming shorter and shorter. We acknowledge, however, the need for fundamental reforms in the political system of the country and the need to get rid of the "poison" to unleash our full economic potential. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Senate |
We cannot blame President Arroyo for expressing her disappointment over the behavior of the Senate because she is only mirroring the sentiments of ordinary Filipinos. We would want the Senate to be a partner in nation-building but it has unfortunately become a wrecking crew. Much time has been wasted on senseless probes and divisive maneuvers. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Drug problem |
We recognize that much more needs to be done in curbing the illegal drug trade, but calling the Philippines a drug smugglers’ haven is stretching it too far. We have busted drug laboratories, arrested and convicted notorious drug operators and heavily constricted the supply of illegal drugs in the streets. Our anti-narcotics agents are deeply committed and focused on getting the job done. We have worked closely with allies, including the US, in checking drug smugglers and their deadly contraband. A drug-free Philippines is still our goal and we are taking decisive steps to attain it. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Responsible journalism |
President Arroyo’s comment was based on her own observation, comparison and assessment of media coverage of all leading media entities in times of political crises and other serious events threatening our national security. This was not a jab at press freedom but a wake up call on all journalists and media entities to reflect on the basic tenets of the profession. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Vice President de Castro's trip to Kuwait |
We thank the Vice-President for conveying to the newly-installed Emir Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait the concern of the Philippine government over the plight of Marilou Ranario. We are encouraged by the assurance of the new emir that the Vice-President’s appeal on Marilou’s behalf would be seriously considered. The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait continues to extend its full assistance to Marilou Ranario. Let us continue to hope and pray that her appeal for a commutation of sentence will be granted. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Commendation for CIDG officers |
The Office of the President commends the arresting officers of suspected big-time smuggler Sammy Lee led by CIDG Police Inspector Pedro Velasco for refusing to accept P300,000 in bribe money offered in exchange for Lee’s freedom. The PNP-CIDG’s ongoing campaign against smugglers has the complete support of the President and members of the Cabinet, particularly the members of the economic team. Customs officials and private citizens who are involved in smuggling activities will not be spared in this campaign. |
| Malacaņang disputes Fitch's observation on economy |
Malacaņang disputed today the observation by international credit ratings agency Fitch that the continuing political noise whipped up by detractors of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo threatens the country’s economic growth. Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said Fitch’s statement was not supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projection of a steady growth of the country’s economy. "While the Philippines is buffeted by destabilization from time to time, its bounce-back time from each event is becoming shorter and shorter," Bunye said. Fitch’s latest report came barely two weeks after the government thwarted an attempt by a coalition of Leftists, Rightist elements and leaders of the political opposition to overthrow the Arroyo administration in a coup d’etat. The ratings agency said that market confidence in the Philippines has been hurt by worries over the protracted political bickering. "There is a need to maintain market confidence. There needs to be further fiscal improvement or the rating could come under pressure over the medium term," it added. Bunye said the administration acknowledges the "need for fundamental reforms in the political system of the country and the need to get rid of the (political) ‘poison’ to unleash our full economic potential." In a statement following its regular review of the Philippine economy under a post-program monitoring framework, IMF said it expects a moderate 5 percent growth of the economy, inflation to stay at an average 7.4 percent and the budget shortfall at 2.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Noting the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar and the downward trend of interest rates for foreign debts, IMF also lauded the successful implementation of the Reformed Value Added Tax (RVAT) Law. "By the passage of the EVAT, it has proved to be a bit of a shock absorber so that when you do have episodes of political uncertainty, investors at least are more reassured that the public finances are on a safe footing," IMF said. |
| Palace thanks VP De Castro for conveying RP concern on Pinay domestic helper in Kuwait |
Malacaņang thanked Vice President Noli de Castro today for conveying to the newly-installed Emir Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait the concern of the government over the plight of Filipino domestic helper Marilou Ranario. "We are encouraged by the assurance of the new emir that the Vice President’s appeal on Marilou’s behalf would be seriously considered," Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement. Bunye was reacting to reports that the new Kuwaiti ruler has assured De Castro that he would do all he can to spare the life of Ranario who was sentenced to death by hanging in September last year by a Kuwaiti court for killing her employer. De Castro flew to Kuwait Saturday on behalf of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who had earlier sought the intercession of the emir in a letter last January in which she said she would be sending a top-level delegation to follow up on her appeal. With De Castro were Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Amable Aguiluz, Chief State Prosecutor Jovencio Zuno, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos and OWWA Deputy Administrator Angelo Jimenez. Bunye said the Philippine embassy in Kuwait continues to extend its full assistance to Ranario. "Let us continue to hope and pray that her appeal for a commutation of sentence will be granted," he said. Ranario, a native of Surigao del Sur and a mother of two, had admitted attacking her female employer for uttering unsavory remarks against Filipinos. |
| "A drug-free RP is still our goal" -- Palace |
Malacaņang said today it continues to exert efforts in curbing the illegal drug menace in the country as it aims for a drug-free Philippines by 2010. Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said while there is still much more to be done in stopping illegal drug trade in the country, the government, through the Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF), has been working hard towards this goal. Bunye issued the statement in reaction to a US Department of State report saying that the Philippines is now "a drug smugglers’ haven." "We recognize that much more needs to be done in curbing the illegal drug trade, but calling the Philippines a drug smugglers’ haven is stretching it too far," the Press Secretary said. "A drug-free Philippines is still our goal and we are taking decisive steps to attain it," he added. Bunye said the anti-narcotics agents are deeply committed in doing their task and the government has linked up with her allies, including the United States, in checking on drug smugglers and their contraband. In 2005, the AIDSOTF continued to inflict "killer blows" to drug syndicates as it busted 12 shabu laboratories and storage facilities in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. Since its inception in 2003, the Task Force was able to neutralize 26 drug laboratories and 23 warehouses, conducted raids on 12 marijuana plantations, four ketamine laboratories and an ecstasy source. The Task Force said it has confiscated illegal drugs amounting to P3.8 billion since September 2004. "We have busted drug laboratories, arrested and convicted notorious drug operators and heavily constricted the supply of illegal drugs in the streets," Bunye said. "Our narcotics agents are deeply committed and focused in getting their job done," he added. Last Feb. 10, anti-narcotics agents raided and busted a big shabu den in Pasig City. The President has said that she would not allow the "diabolical plan" of drug smugglers "to destroy more lives" and assured the public there would be no letup in her administration’s anti-drug campaign. |
| Bunye says PGMA merely verbalizing people's dismay over Senate preoccupation with probes |
Malacaņang asserted today that in expressing her disappointment over the Senate’s preoccupation with investigations at the expense of urgent legislations, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was merely verbalizing the sentiments of ordinary Filipinos. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said that the executive branch wants the Senate to be a strong partner in nation-building, but unfortunately it has "become a wrecking crew." "Much time has been wasted on senseless probes and divisive maneuvers," he added. The President accused the Senate Tuesday of wasting precious time on privilege speeches and politics-driven investigations disguised as "in aid of legislation" but were really calculated to embarrass and undermine the presidency. In an interview over radio dzBB, the President lamented that senators were playing politics via the endless investigations. "As a result, they cannot pass laws anymore," she said. The President was particularly dismayed over the Senate’s foot-dragging on the proposed P1,000 monthly allowance of government workers which has already been approved by the House of Representatives. Seeing no immediate prospect of Senate action on the proposed allowance, she directed Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya to effect a P1,000 monthly wage increase for government employes. She said she was happy that "despite all the Senate’s grandstanding, government workers stand to receive their salary adjustments this month retroactive to January this year." In the same interview, the President reiterated that she remains open to reconciliation with her political detractors. "My hand of reconciliation has always been extended to the opposition. But until when I should I keep it extended?" she asked. She explained that she was not abandoning her plea for reconciliation, "but there are other pressing matters that need my attention," particularly the country’s economy. "I would like to focus my attention on the momentum gained by the strengthening peso and the stock market and the lessening of our budget deficit so that these positive developments may be immediately felt by out countrymen, most especially the poor," she said. |
| PGMA commends PNP-CIDG officers for arrest of top smuggling suspect |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has commended the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for its vital role in the campaign to eliminate smuggling in the country. "The office of the President commends the arresting officers of suspected big-time smuggler Sammy Lee led by CIDG Inspector Pedro Velasco for refusing to accept P300,000 in bribe money offered in exchange for Lee’s freedom," Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said in statement. Police said lee was arrested on Sunday after he attempted to bribe Velasco with P300,000 in connection with the interception by the CIDG of three container vans of illegally-delivered plastic resin. The container vans left the Bureau of Customs compound Saturday night. "The PNP-CIDG’s ongoing campaign against smuggling has the complete support of the President and members of the Cabinet, particularly the members of the economic team," Bunye said. He added that "Customs officials and private citizens who are involved in smuggling activities will not be spared" in the campaign. President Arroyo has ordered a no-holds barred effort to eliminate smuggling in the country in the wake of the growing concern of local industries and organized labor over its adverse effects on the economy, Bunye said. |
| PGMA hails sale of Manila Gas property to Robinsons Land under privatization program |
President Goria Macapagal-Arroyo hailed today the sale of a four-hectare Manila Gas property to Robinsons Land Corporation even as she underscored the importance of investors’ confidence in the country in the establishment of new businesses and the expansion of existing ones. In a Round Table Discussion aired over national television NBN 4 this afternoon, the President said the sale of the Manila Gas property does not only translate to money for the government but more importantly, it is a sign that investor confidence in the country continues to strengthen. "We are happy for the more than half a billion pesos investment of the Robinsons Land. This means more jobs for the Filipino people. This is because of the privatization program of government," she said. The Manila Gas property is the first government asset sold this year. Finance Undersecretary Gabriel Singson Jr. said Robinsons Land paid the government P662 million for the property, on which it intends to build a mall. "This is the first big-ticket transaction for the year," Singson said, adding that the transaction was completed after several unsuccessful attempts by the government to sell the property. The government aims to raise at least P2 billion from the sale of its assets this year. Other government properties up for sale are shares in Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corp., Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Philippine Postal Corp., Manila Electric Company, and San Miguel Corp. Up next for sale is the 4.8-hectare government property in the Makati financial district which the International School used to occupy. The property was valued at P1.19 billion. The President said that under the privatization program, the government sells properties it no longer needs or those properties which the government cannot run efficiently such as the Napocor’s Transmission Company. |
| Summit finds lack of qualified applicants, not lack of jobs is what ails labor sector |
Lack of qualified applicants to fit a certain job description, not the lack of jobs, is what ails the labor sector in the country. This was the finding of a national manpower summit jointly sponsored by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) last week as it tried to address the unemployment problem in the country. DoLE Assistant Secretary Arturo Salusta said in a briefing in Malacaņang this afternoon the summit has come up with recommendations on how to address the unemployment problems of the country. "Kung trabaho lang ang pag-uusapan, we have a lot of jobs but we need to address the mismatch. We need to address the requirements of the industry in order for us to fill up the vacancies," he said. Salusta revealed that the consultation workshops conducted during the summit found out that job requirements for the nine business sectors considered as key employment generators under the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) would increase between 2006 and 2010. The nine business sectors are: cyber services, agribusiness, aviation, hotel and restaurant, medical, tourism, health services, mining and creative industries. Salusta said that employee requirements for these industries could reach 4.81 million between 2006 and 2010. Among the vital recommendations of the summit to address the unemployment problem are:
"So, basically it is actually strengthening partnership collaboration among training institutions, industry and the students," Salusta said. |
