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| 28 JULY 2007 | . | |
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| 28 JULY 2007 | . | |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Justice Ong |
| Last July 25,
Sandiganbayan Justice Gregory Ong personally called up the Executive Secretary to inform
the Office of the President that he was voluntarily relinquishing the appointment earlier
issued for him in order to give the President a free hand to appoint another to the
Supreme Court. Justice Ong added that while he has heeded the directive of the Supreme Court in its Decision and has thus accordingly sought the judicial correction of his birth certificate to properly reflect his status as a natural born citizen, he did not want his personal predicament to stand in the way of the Supreme Court's functioning as a 15 man tribunal as envisioned by the Constitution. Finally, Justice Ong conveyed his sincerest gratitude to the President for initially appointing him to the Supreme Court. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Romy Neri |
| I have not received any official papers as my basis for making any announcement. |
| PGMA's vision of Subic as logistics and services hub in Asia-Pacific boosted |
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s vision of developing fully the Subic Bay Freeport as a logistics and services hub in the Asia-Pacific region got a big boost today with the inauguration of Boeing 737 aircraft of Pacific Pearl Airways at the Subic Bay International Airport here. The President, assisted by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Pacific Pearl Chairman Eligio Jimenez and Pacific Pearl President and CEO Kristoffer Miel Jimenez, ascended the Pacific Pearl Airways Boeing 737 for the ceremonial pouring of champagne on the plane’s nose to signal the official entry of the airline company in the country. The President also toured and inspected the technologically advanced aircraft which seats 114 passengers. Pacific Pearl Airways is a private corporation that would operate and manage chartered flights in both domestic and foreign routes that include South Korea, Davao, Manila, Aklan and Cebu. Jimenez said his company’s aircraft will make flights starting Aug. 17. The maiden flight will leave the Subic Freeport Zone bound for Palawan, Aklan and Cebu. In answer to the President’s query why the maiden flight was set for Aug. 17, Pacific Pearl Airways Senior Advisor Ambassador Marita Jimenez said the aircraft would still undergo the various checks in compliance with the airworthiness directives and service bulletins requirements. She added that for the airline firm to be allowed to make international flights, it must have flown at least 100 flying hours. The entry of the Pacific Pearl Airways at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is also in response to the President’s call on the private private sector to help boost tourism in the country. The airline company would be flying the so-called missionary routes in a move to provide quality yet affordable and comfortable plane service to passengers, especially tourists. This is the third time the President visited Subic Bay Freeport in six weeks. She was here during the inauguration of the 16.15-kilometer Subic-Cawag-Balaybay road connecting the Zambales towns to the Hanjin shipbuilding facility. Last week, the President attended the inauguration of the first phase of the $215-million Subic Bay Port Development project. The President, dressed in a pantsuit in her favorite color of blue, arrived here by helicopter earlier than the original noon schedule. Before proceeding to the inauguration of the aircraft, she held an hour-long meeting with the local government officials of Bataan and Zambales provinces. |
| Discussions on 10-point AMM agenda start |
Senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have started discussions on the 10-point agenda for the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) that will open at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Monday. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary and Spokesman Claro Cristobal said in a press briefing this afternoon that among the items discussed in the senior officials’ meetings (SOMs) were the Vientiane Action Plan (VAP), initiatives for ASEAN integration, and progress in the implementation of decisions made in the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu last January. "The senior officials deliberated lengthily on the more important ones such as the preparations for the 40th AMM and the agenda the ministers will have when they meet beginning Monday," Cristobal said. Cristobal said discussions will continue today and tomorrow on the draft of a joint communiqué that will be issued after the 40th AMM and other outcome documents from such meetings as the ASEAN Plus 3, 14th Asian Regional Forum (ARF), and preparations for the ASEAN-United States Commemorative Summit and the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore scheduled in November this year. Preparations for the ASEAN Commemorative Summit, according to Cristobal, are an important milestone for ASEAN and the United States since it is the 30th anniversary of the dialogue partnership. Specific items such as those dealing with the establishment of an ASEAN security, economic and socio-cultural communities are also expected to be discussed, according to Cristobal. "These deliberations, as we very well know, are necessary to prepare the ministers coming over for the meeting," he explained. Cristobal said that aside from the SOMs, the ASEAN Standing Committee also started deliberating today on items that will taken up by the ASEAN foreign ministers with their counterparts from 10 dialogue partners. |
| RP sees inclusion of human rights clause in ASEAN Charter |
The Philippines is still hoping that a clause on the protection of human rights will be included in the draft of the ASEAN Charter now being deliberated by the members of the High Level Task Force (HLTF), according to a top official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). In a press briefing at the International Media Center at the Philippine International Convention Center here, DFA Assistant Secretary and Spokesman Claro Cristobal said that the HLTF met until the wee hours of Thursday as they exchanged views on some issues, particularly on the issue of human rights. Cristobal, however, refused to characterize the situation as deadlocked "because just as they were adjourning, new formulations were being put forward." "I will not be surprised if after a day’s rest, a new formulation may be presented that would be acceptable, amenable to all the parties involved," Cristobal said, adding that the HLTF will resume their meeting tomorrow. "We expect a very, very lively discussions on the issue," he said. But Cristobal made it clear that the position of the Philippines has remained and "we are going to pursue it with full strength." The Philippines, he said, will fully support the inclusion of the protection of human rights in the proposed ASEAN Charter. "We stand for an ASEAN Charter that will guide us on a future based on certain non-negotiable principles – justice, human rights and democracy," Cristobal said. The inclusion of a clause on the establishment of a council or body to protect human rights is one of the thorny issues being debated by the HLTF. "We want a body to protect human rights," Cristobal stressed. The first draft of the ASEAN Charter is expected to be discussed extensively during a meeting on Monday. Cristobal predicted that reaching an agreement on the provision of human rights will take time, specifically because the Charter will have 12 chapters that must be approved and agreed upon. "But, still, the Philippines hopes that the protection of human rights will become part of the architecture of ASEAN," Cristobal said. |
| Russia, ASEAN to tighten cooperation against terrorism |
Driven by a common interest in preserving peace and stability in the region, Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to discuss ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism and transnational crimes during the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) which opens tomorrow (Sunday) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Russia has proposed the formation of ASEAN-Russia joint working groups on terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, money laundering and cooperation in prosecuting transnational crimes under the ASEAN-Russia Joint Declaration on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism. Russia and ASEAN member countries have experienced terrorist attacks in the past and are eager to establish a solid front against global terrorism. Russia has been a full dialogue partner of ASEAN since l996. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with his counterparts from the 10 ASEAN member countries during the Post Ministerial Conference on Aug. 1. A nuclear power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Russia had taken important steps to ensure political stability and security in the region. In 2004, it signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), giving weight to the TAC as the code of conduct for interstate relations in the region. China had also earlier signed the TAC. "ASEAN-Russia political and security cooperation is expected to strengthen given the convergence in interest in ensuring a peaceful region to pursue economic development and to combat the menace of terrorism and transnational crimes," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Back in 2003, Russia and ASEAN inked a Joint Declaration on Partnership for Peace, Security, Prosperity and Development in Asia-Pacific, setting the tone for stronger political, economic and security cooperation. While ASEAN’s trade with Russia remains low, both sides are working on an economic agreement to increase trade. Last year, the ASEAN-Russia Economic Development Cooperation Agreement was signed by the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation and ASEAN. The agreement covers a broad range of economic and development activities, including cooperation in small and medium enterprises, science and technology, energy, natural resources, environmental managements and protection, tourism, sports and intellectual property rights. |
| RP to push for 'preventive diplomacy' at 14th ARF |
The Philippines would push for the adoption of a mechanism that would institutionalize "preventive diplomacy" in meeting any crisis or emergency situation that could disturb the peace and security in the region. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said this would be among the highlights in the agenda of the one-day 14th ASEAN Regional Forum which will be held Aug. 2 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The ARF, which will be chaired by Romulo, will be attended by the foreign ministers of the 10 ASEAN members, the 10 ASEAN dialogue partners and seven other countries in the region. Romulo said that the 14th ARF will adopt the terms of reference of the Friends of the ARF Chair, an ad-hoc body that will be composed of the current ARF chairman, the former ARF chairman and the incoming ARF chairman. The Friends of the ARF, or FOC, will assist the concurrent ARF chairman in advancing the objectives of the ARF. Established at the 26th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Singapore in l993, the objectives of the ARF are:
Aside from the ASEAN members and the ASEAN dialogue partners, Mongolia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Korea, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will join the 14th ARF in Manila. |
| Full blast construction of 80.2-km Northrail project starts very soon |
MALOLOS, BULACAN--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was assured by Northrail President Jose Cortes Jr. today that the full blast construction of the 80.2-kilometer railway line from old Tutuban Philippine National Railways (PNR) Station to Malolos will definitely start in January 2008. The President was also assured by Cortes that all the remaining squatters residing along the old train line to be revived shall be "taken out already by December " and that the budget for the project is now available. The President got these assurance from Cortes when she checked on the status of the $1,125.99-million Northrail Project whose first section spans Caloocan City, Valenzuela City and five towns of Bulacan, namely, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Guiguinto and Malolos. Cortes told the President that "the timetable is still the same" – construction period from February 2007 to February 2010 for Section 1; while Section 2 will be completed a year after. The project is divided into two sections: Section I spans Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauyan, Marilao, Bocaue, the Guiguinto Multi-Modal Station up to Malolos; while Section II starts from Malolos to Calumpit in Bulacan up to Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles and the Clark Multi-Modal Station, all in Pampanga. Section I is "generally along the PNR ROW (right of way) at-grade (and) partly elevated," specifically along the 3.7-km. Valenzuela Viaduct, the longest viaduct along the Caloocan-Clark railway line. Section II, on the other hand, is also "generally along PNR ROW, at-grade, partly elevated, partly tunneled." The Northrail CEO also briefed the President on the architectural perspective of the stations in each of the six local governments covered by the railway line’s first section, plus the status of the engineering and construction works and right-of-way acquisition for which Northrail created a task force to "expedite acquisition… to be completed by 31 October 2007." In the heat of the noonday sun, the President – in a cool blue pantsuit and blue platform slippers – walked without any umbrella shade from the old brick Malolos railway station to the location of the test-file boring machine that will check on the soil’s structure-carrying capacity in 28 days. Section I started ground work in end-June with a four-month pre-construction stage; while the 28-month construction phase will start this month. The four-month testing and commissioning period ends in February 2010. So far, already "completed" are the project alignment design survey, site investigation, and soil exploration. Also, "construction drawings for 23 kilometers, including the 1.7-km. Malolos Viaduct Section, and the preliminary drawings for all the six train stations were already issued by the contractor" -- the China National Machinery Equipment Corporation (CNMEG). Already approved, according to Northrail, is the alignment design for the 1.7-km Viaduct Section in Malolos, plus the methodology for the Bored Piling Works. Geographic studies of the railway area shows that it is located on the "North Luzon Alluvial Plain with some undulation in topography. These are mainly artificial soil, miscellaneous soil, clay, silky clay, fine round gravel, tuff and tuff claystones," and that the "subgrade of Caloocan station needs to be replaced and miscellaneous soil to be improved." The total amount of the project is US$1,125.99 million because Section I costs $452.32, while Section II costs 673.67 million. The project consultants are with the French group, SYSTRA. The President’s chopper from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone landed at the Bulacan State University where she was met by Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza. Also attending the ocular inspection were Bulacan Reps. Lorna Silverio, Marivic Alvarado, and Pedro Pancho – and Bulacan Vice Governor Willy Alvarado and Malolos Mayor Danilo Domingo. Speaker Jose de Venecia, Senator Richard Gordon and Trade Secretary Peter Favila also attended the briefing ceremonies. |
| Nagging problems of 3 QC barangays brought to PGMA's attention |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured today the three barangays of Talayan, Sto. Domingo and Sienna in Quezon City that their drainage systems and esteros shall be cleared, peace and order shall be maintained, their streets shall be lighted and informal settlers in their respective areas shall be relocated. The President visited today the three barangays and awarded each a Certificate to Operate the "Tindahan Natin" through their officials, namely Barangay Talayan Chairman Jerry L. Ongtauco, Barangay Sto. Domingo Chairman Jose Valdez and Barangay Sienna Chairman Tomas Castor, Jr. She also gave away 100 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Certificates worth P5,000 each as scholarship training fund for the three barangays. In a seven-minute video presentation held at the Talayan Multi-Purpose Hall, the three barangay chairmen relayed their concerns and problems in their respective barangays to the President. Barangay Talayan presented flooding and overflowed drainage system as its main problems while Barangay Sienna the lack of permanent barangay hall and illegal parking in some areas of their barangay. Illegal drug activities were also mentioned as major problem along Araneta Avenue. Barangay Sto. Domingo Chairman Valdez brought up problems like flooding, squatting, lack of barangay hall, day-care center and barangay health center. After watching attentively the video presentation, the President instructed Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando to fasttrack the clearing of the Pasig River and the San Juan River. Fernando vowed to clear all roads of illegal sidewalk vendors, remove the squatters along the San Juan River, clean all drainage systems and esteros and put up traffic lights in the three barangays. National Housing Authority (NHA) Administrator Federico Laxa promised to extend help for the resettlement of informal settlers/illegal squatters in Calamba Extension in Barangay Talayan consisting of 400 families and Maria Clara with 400 families, along with another 195 families in Barangay Sto. Domingo. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Dionisio Santiago promised quick action against illegal drug activities, particularly in Araneta Avenue. Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and Quezon City 1st District Rep. Vincent Crisologo both vowed to extend full cooperation and coordination with the MMDA, NHA and PDEA in resolving the issues and concerns raised by the three barangays. Belmonte instructed the chairman of barangays without hall to coordinate with his office for them to search for some government lands as possible sites for the construction of barangay halls. |
