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| 01 APRIL 2008 | . | |
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| 01 APRIL 2008 | . | |
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| PGMA: RP’s growing economy increasingly free of corruption, inefficiency |
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HONG KONG (via PLDT) – The Philippines is increasingly freeing itself of the
shackles of corruption and inefficiency as the Arroyo administration lets
the chips fall where they may on friend and foe alike. Thus declared President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo here Monday in her keynote speech at the Credit Suisse’ 11th Asian Investment Conference (AIC). The four-day conference, now on its second day, is being held at the Conrad International Hotel here with the world’s top fund managers in attendance. Addressing the issue of corruption head-on, the President stressed that corruption is “an issue that we take seriously.” “As an economist, I know that, first and foremost, a strong economy is an economy that is transparent and free from corruption, she said. “We are freeing ourselves of the shackles of corruption as evidenced by our growing economy – which is increasingly free of corruption and inefficiency,” the President said, adding that the country is breaking off from the seeming stranglehold of corruption. “Our budget invests more and more to clean up the culture of corruption. It pumps billions of pesos into the country’s investigative arm to weed out corruption.” Also, “we have called on Congress to pass a comprehensive anti-corruption Reform Act in 2008,” she said. Saying that her administration “will hold officials accountable if they are found to be corrupt,” President Arroyo stressed that: “For our part, any allegations of wrongdoing go straight to the independent Ombudsman. We will let the chips fall where they may as investigations are concluded and friend and foe alike are brought to account for their actions.” The President added that with funds now available with the 17 percent increase in tax collection, her government will continue to “crack down on corruption and reduce red tape.” “Tax revenues in 2008 aren’t stagnant -- they are up 17 percent over 2007. They will continue to improve with more money for enforcement, modernization and computerization and closing of loopholes,” she told her audience. “Overall, we remain bullish on our economy, optimistic about our future and deeply committed to being a force for good in our nation and in our region,” the President said as she thanked the AIC for its “interest in the Philippines and for a strong, united Asia.” |
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| Bunye scores glorification of minority opinion in Neri vs Senate case |
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HONG KONG (Via PLDT/Smart) -- Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman
Ignacio R. Bunye appealed today to the critics of the Administration to
allow the rule of law to prevail by respecting the decision of the Supreme
Court on the celebrated case of Romulo Neri vs. Philippine Senate on the
issue of executive privilege. Paraphrasing former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, now Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations, Bunye who is also a lawyer said the decision on the Neri case is now part of the law of the land and shall take precedent in deciding cases of the same issue in the future. Voting 9-6, the high court ruled that the Senate committed “grave abuse of discretion’’ in citing for contempt Neri, former director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and nullified the chamber’s to order to arrest him. In an earlier statement, Davide said that under a democratic system of government majority rules and since the voting was 9-6 against the lawmakers-respondents the majority decision and the rule of law must be followed. As to the fourth issue, Bunye said, the Supreme Court agreed with the Office of the Solicitor General that the Senate had not published its rules of procedures and, hence, the hearings the upper house had been conducting were procedurally defective if not outright illegal. Here again, Bunye said the rule of law must be followed because the Constitution expressly provides that the rules of procedures of the Senate must be published in a newspaper of general circulation and not in the website of the Senate. |
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| Rice sufficiency for Filipinos on PGMA’s mind |
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HONG KONG (via PLDT) -- The sufficiency of rice on the table of every
Filipino is on the mind of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as she
continues her three-day working visit to this prosperous former British
colony. A net importer of the cereal like the Philippines, Hong Kong buys 80 percent of its rice supply from Vietnam. In her keynote speech at the annual Credit Suisse’ Asian Investment Conference (AIC), the President stressed that the “slowing of the economies in North America and Europe is top of mind in our calculations to protect our own economy.” “To that end,” she said that her government had come up with a three-pronged program which includes “blunt(ing) the global rise in the cost of energy and rice” by “providing targeted relief to the poorest amongst us who suffer the most from the high global price of energy and food.” The President explained that “these global forces are putting more strain on our working poor as prices for commodities like rice and fuel increase.” The Philippines is a “price-sensitive nation,” she said, and while the country’s microeconomics are strong, “the benefits are still working their way down more slowly than we want to lift up our citizens who live and work paycheck to paycheck.” The President told her audience that the best thing we can do in the short term is provide responsible, targeted relief to those most in need.” “The economic environment… will dictate that we provide a buffer, as much as prudently possible, to the poorest who suffer most from rapidly rising prices,” she added, as she pointed out that “the political environment will not force us to do anything we do not think is in the best interests of the nation.” “Within our existing budget, we will frontload investments to stimulate the economy and we will provide additional funds to help cushion the high price of fuel and food,” she explained. Adding that it is imperative that “my last two years will be dedicated to one main objective -- to invest, invest and invest some more in our nation,” the President said, as she pointed out that every “Filipino wants a good job, food on the table.” As regards the 2008 national budget, which, she says, gives a glimpse of her “sense of priorities,” the President said it “provides a buffer to mitigate the pain of a deteriorating global economy and the accompanying rise in prices which affects food and transportation the most.” “We will fight to feed the poor, improve job creation and do everything in our power to mitigate the global forces increasing the price of commodities like oil and rice,” she said. The President also defended the Philippine importation of rice from Vietnam, saying that because of competitive advantage, some countries become importers while some become exporters. She also pointed to the declining rice production worldwide, even in the big economies, plus the fact that “farming needs to be modernized not only in the Philippines but in Asia.” The President told AIC that her administration has increased spending in the agriculture sector in terms of seed support, research and development and irrigation and the like, and as a result of which the country is now expecting a seven percent increase in its rice output. |
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| RP has trillion-dollar mineral deposits but local community should give go-signal – PGMA |
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HONG KONG (via PLDT) – While oppositionists in the Philippines have been
criticizing the Arroyo administration for being pro-mining, the view from
outside of the Philippines seems to be exactly the opposite. The Philippines was dubbed as anti-mining by a media member here Monday (March 31) during the question-and-answer session that followed the keynote speech of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the 11th Credit Suisse’ Asian Investment Conference (AIC). While there is an economic boom in the world, the Philippines is not known to be pro-mining nor is it particularly active in the mining business, the reporter claimed. But the President indicated that this impression could have stemmed from the fact that while mining is a “sellers market,” until now the Philippines has a staggering “trillion-dollar” worth of “largely untapped” mineral resources. The Philippine Supreme Court had ruled as early as 2003 that a mining operation in the country could be 100 percent foreign-owned. The Chief Executive, who has been focusing on the three E’s-- Education, Economy and Environment – explained that there had been environmental degradation left by past mining operations in the past, resulting in environmental accidents. Now, she said, any interested mining locator in mineral-rich Philippines should “know the rules of the game.” The Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has mandated early on that mining companies should fill up the open pits that they have carved out of the mountains once they are through with their operations. Miners are also required to funnel out their chemical-laden liquid wastes and dispose them properly, away from water systems used for irrigation and other purposes and which flow out to rivers and the sea. Most important of all, the President said, interested mining investors should gain the acceptance of the local community where they intend to undertake mining operations. The need for the go-signal of the concerned community is contained in the “social acceptability” clause of the DENR rule before any enterprise could stake its claim on a mining site anywhere in the Philippines. The President said that those intending to dig for part of the Philippines’ trillion-dollar deposits should start negotiating with the concerned communities early on, especially on the issue of environment preservation. Sponsored by Switzerland’s Credit Suisse, the AIC “has established itself as the most important event on the regional investment calendar.” Participating in this year’s AIC are 1,400 fund managers from Asia, North America and Europe. The President was the keynote speaker at the opening season of the 11th AIC. “The companies that make the AIC their priority appreciate that it gives them access to a buy-side audience representing more than US$3 trillion under management and featuring the world’s greatest fund managers,” according to Credit Suisse. |
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| Palau president on 2-day state visit to RP |
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President Tommy Remengsau Jr. of the Republic of Palau arrived today for a
two-day state visit to the Philippines. The Continental Air Micronesia flight bearing the Palau leader and First Lady Debbie Remengsau landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 10 a.m. this morning. Vice President Noli de Castro led the welcome party for the visiting dignitary which also included Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino, Palau Ambassador to the Philippines Ramon Rechibei and Palau Senate president Surangel Whipps. From the NAIA, President Remengsau proceeded to the Manila Diamond Hotel where his 16-man delegation is billeted. President Remengsau’s first official activity is the wreath-laying ceremony this afternoon at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park. Appropriate arrival honors await President Remengsau when he is officially welcomed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang tomorrow morning. The two leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral talks and sign cooperation agreements before the official luncheon banquet to be tendered in his honor. Palau’s Third Secretary, Mr. Alfred Fritz said President Remengsau would explore possible cooperation between the Philippines and Palau in the fields of education, health, and information and communications technology (ICT). An island nation in the Pacific Ocean some 800 kilometers east of the Philippines, Palau has a population of approximately 21,000. Filipinos comprise the second largest ethnic group in the island nation, and Tagalog, although not an official language, is the 4th leading dialect in Palau. Fritz said the Manila-Palau flight takes only about two-and-a half hours; Davao-Palau, 45 minutes. He added that most Filipinos in Palau are engaged in the hotel, tour, construction, and restaurant industries while some work as domestic helpers. |
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| PGMA’s HK visit clinches US$2-billion investment from Chinese company |
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HONG KONG (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s three-day working
visit to this special administrative region (SAR) of China has clinched a
record US$2-billion investment in the Philippines from a Chinese company
engaged in property development. A triumphant President Arroyo revealed her latest investment-rounding accomplishment Monday night to the Philippine media covering her Hong Kong trip during a coffee cum cocktails at the presidential suite at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. She identified the latest addition to the country’s much-valued Billion-Dollar Investors Club as the HK-based Shimao Property Holdings Limited which is owned by Hui Wing Mau, China’s second richest man. Dressed in a double-hem red dress complete with red pashmina shawl, the President said Shimao has lined up two property development projects in the Philippines -- one to be located in Fort Bonifacio, and the other in the surfing capital of Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, where Shimao Property will build a 500-room resort complete with two towers. Development of Shimao’s Fort Bonifacio project will start once the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) clears Shimao’s proposal, the President said. “We believe the Philippine economy is going up, and we trust President Arroyo to heavens,” enthused William Lee, head of Shimao’s investment department and son-in-law of Mr. Hui. The Shimao investment has no loan component, according to Trade Secretary Peter Favila. With Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye coordinating the instant presscon, the President said that the latest addition to the country’s billion-Dollar Investors Club is “very excited” about the projects and that they want to come in immediately. Aside from Shimao Property, the Philippines also expects investments to come from Hopewell Holdings whose owner, Gordon Wu, called on President Arroyo this morning (Tuesday). Hopewell has interests in such diverse areas as property development, highway infrastructure, hotel and hospitality, and construction. Earlier yesterday (Monday), the President had a meeting with fund managers attending the 11th Credit Suisse’ Asian Investment Conference (AIC) following her luncheon-hour AIC keynote speech at the Grand Ballroom of the Conrad International Hotel here. The meeting was arranged by Credit Suisse. |
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| Statement of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo L. Saludo: High court must affirm governance, separation of powers, and human rights |
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In deliberating the Senate's motion for reconsideration, the Supreme Court
must remember that its majority ruling advances governance, separation of
powers, and human rights. It protects the confidentiality needed to ensure
full, free top-level deliberations in all three branches of government, and
to safeguard their freedom from undue prying by co-equal branches. Executive privilege is enjoyed by the President and the Cabinet, by the Supreme Court, and by the Senate and the House in executive session. The Senate took a newspaper to task last year for reporting on an executive session. Confidentiality must not be breached due to mere allegations and hearsay. Otherwise, justices, lawmakers, and Cabinet members would constantly fear disclosure of sensitive discussions just on corruption claims. Executive privilege should not be used to conceal crimes, and Secretary Neri said he was not hiding anything incriminating. He never alleged any impropriety by the President; indeed, she told him to reject a reported bribe offer. In the Estrada trial, notably, presidential instructions for SSS and GSIS to buy BW shares were revealed — after the court found share sales commissions totalling P189 million deposited in the Jose Velarde account. By a 10-5 vote the Supreme Court also upheld the right of people not to be arrested if there were no rules listing offenses subject to sanctions. Plainly, it is unjust to punish people without telling them beforehand what they should not do. Publishing rules would also help protect resource persons and parties affected by inquiries, from abusive treatment and unfair actions. For truth and justice, and to protect the rights of resource persons and affected parties, as required by the Constitution, the Senate must publish rules governing hearings. If the Senate will bow to the High Court and publish rules, it may be good for the Commission on Human Rights to review hearing transcripts and tapes, and suggest rules to protect the rights of resource persons and people affected by inquiries, as required by the Constitution. Coaching, badgering and insulting witnesses will not serve the cause of truth and justice. |
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| Statement of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo L. Saludo |
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SENATE RULES SHOULD PROTECT RIGHTS On the issue of Senate hearing rules, it may be good for the Commission on Human Rights to review hearing transcripts and tapes, and suggest rules to protect the rights of resource persons and people affected by inquiries, as required by the Constitution. Coaching, badgering and insulting witnesses will not serve the cause of truth and justice. GOVT, CHURCH, LGUs AND FARMERS JOIN HANDS ON RICE We are gratified by the widening cooperation on rice among the government, local government units (LGUs), Church and farmers. The National Food Authority (NFA) has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to catch hoarders and profiteers. Mayors are helping ensure rice supplies for their constituents. The CBCP's National Secretariat for Social Action sees no rice crisis in provinces recently visited, and parishes are willing to help distribute rice. Plus: farmers in the top three rice-producing provinces report bumper crops. By joining hands instead of pointing fingers, we can put food on the tables of our countrymen and resolutely address the global rice problem. ECONOMY CAN AGAIN SURPASS BANK FORECAST The World Bank forecast for the Philippine Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008 comforms with its usual conservative stance. Last year the Bank projected 5.7-5.8 percent growth, and we managed to achieve a 7.3 percent growth. We believe our hardworking people, who are focused on the economy and reform, can again surprise the Bank this year. KUDOS TO DFA FOR SEAMAN'S RELEASE We commend the Department of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Zenaida Tacorda-Tabago for the release of seaman Wilfredo M. Rosales after 14 years in prison in Dhaka. No matter how long it takes, we must never stop fighting to bring our kababayan to freedom and home. PROTECT THE COMELEC AND DEMOCRACY The PNP and the NBI must spare no effort in securing the Comelec and bringing to justice its attackers. We cannot let bullets murder not just the guardians of the ballots, but the sovereign will of the electorate. We must punish the killers bloodying our democracy. For further reference, please call Secretary Ricardo Saludo at 0919-3959215 or Asec. Carlos P.V. Rivera at Tel. 735-7853. |
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| Saludo presses Senate on rules |
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In the interest of truth and justice and as required by the Constitution,
the Senate should heed the Supreme Court (SC) decision by publishing its
rules to protect and uphold the rights of resource persons invited to
legislative inquiries in aid of legislation, a Malacañang official said
today. “For truth and justice, and to protect the rights of resource persons and affected parties, as required by the Constitution, the Senate must publish rules governing hearings,” Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said. In a statement, Saludo said that if the Senate would only follow the SC decision, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) itself could also suggest rules to protect the rights of resource persons invited to Senate inquiries. “If the Senate will bow to the High Court and publish rules, it may be good for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to review hearing transcripts and tapes, and suggest rules to protect the rights of resource persons and people affected by inquiries, as required by the Constitution. Coaching, badgering and insulting witnesses will not serve the cause of truth and justice,” he said. The Senate has filed a motion for reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s 9-6 ruling on the issue of executive privilege petition by former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri. The SC also voted 10-5 to nullify the Senate's action to cite Neri in contempt and to order his arrest for refusing to answer Senate questions on the scrapped national broadband network deal. With its 10-5 vote, Saludo said the Supreme Court upheld the right of people not to be arrested if there were no rules listing offenses subject to sanctions. “Plainly, it is unjust to punish people without telling them beforehand what they should not do. Publishing rules would also help protect resource persons and parties affected by inquiries, from abusive treatment and unfair actions,” Saludo added. The Malacañang official said executive privilege should not be used to conceal crimes, noting that Neri had explained that he was not hiding anything incriminating. “He never alleged any impropriety by the President; indeed, she told him to reject a reported bribe offer. In the Estrada trial, notably, presidential instructions for SSS and GSIS to buy BW shares were revealed — after the court found share sales commissions totalling P189 million deposited in the Jose Velarde account,” Saludo said. The ruling of the Supreme Court, Saludo said, advances governance, separation of powers, and human rights; protects the confidentiality needed to ensure full, free top-level deliberations in all three branches of government, as well as safeguard their freedom from undue prying by co-equal branches. “Executive privilege is enjoyed by the President and the Cabinet, by the Supreme Court, and by the Senate and the House in executive session. The Senate took a newspaper to task last year for reporting on an executive session. Confidentiality must not be breached due to mere allegations and hearsay. Otherwise, justices, lawmakers, and Cabinet members would constantly fear disclosure of sensitive discussions just on corruption claims,” Saludo said. |
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| PGMA’s 3-day HK working visit worth it: US$2-B investment portfolio in the bag |
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HONG KONG (via PLDT) – "It was all worth it." She not only pressed flesh with overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong whose concerns she listened to and solved right in her hotel suite on the very first night following her arrival here Sunday (March 30). She was not only the very first speaker at the much-awaited 11th Credit Suisse’ Asian Investment Conference (AIC) and then had a tea-time meeting with fund managers in portfolio investments Monday (March 31). On the same day, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also clinched for the Philippines the latest addition to the Billion-Dollar Club of foreign investment locators – the HK-based Shimao Property Holdings which may yet bring first-world development to the eastern seaboard of the Visayas, particularly in Eastern Samar. This, aside from the 42-hectare property development that Shimao plans to set up in Fort Bonifacio. “It was all worth it,” the President enthused after announcing the US$2-billion investment to the Philippine media delegation over coffee and cocktails at the presidential suite of the Grand Hyatt Hotel last night (Monday, March 31). But that is not all. The President also had a business meeting this morning (Tuesday, April 1) with the Hopewell Group whose chairman of the board paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive at her hotel suite before flying back to Manila at 6 p.m. this evening. The President received Mr. Gordon Ying Sheung Wu, chairman of the board of Hopewell Holdings which had earlier completed three power-station infrastructure projects in the Philippines, including the 2x367.5 megawatt or 735-mw Pagbilao power station in Quezon which is the Philippines’ largest coal-fired power plant. The Hopewell group is hoping to develop an area around Sangley Point in Cavite. And so, as she flies back to Manila after her brief working stay in this prosperous Chinese peninsula, President Arroyo has under her sleeve not only the soon-to-rise projects of the Shimao Group, and that of the Hopewell Group, plus possible investments from the fund managers she had met through Credit Suisse. She will also be flying back home with a heart-warming consolidated Statement of Support from five OFW groups here that recognize the “single-mindedness of the President (Arroyo) in focusing on the economy.” The statement of support echoes the President’s belief that political noise need not interfere with the administration’s focus on alleviating the lives of Filipinos. “The economic facts and figures are indisputable – notwithstanding the unceasing political noise, the country’s economy grew (by) unprecedented levels, largely as a result of the single-mindedness of the President in focusing on the economy. “By and large, the overwhelming majority of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) all over the world – except for the noisy few that are influenced by extremist and oppositionist groups – are supportive of the programs and initiatives of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in bringing our country to the threshold of development and progress,” the OFW statement said. The supportive OFWs admitted being bothered by the “stunts of vested political interests who either could not wait for the next elections or are bent on destabilizing our democratic institutions.” “We are bothered and concerned as much as our families and loved ones are in the country, mainly because the political disturbances caused by these groups are undermining the larger interests of our country and people,” they said. For the supportive Filipino community in Hong Kong whom she had dubbed as “precious” when she treated them to a cocktail reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Sunday evening (March 30), the President has ordered the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to work with the HK government for the possible return of the pre-2003 monthly minimum salary of HK$3,670 for foreign domestic helpers. |
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| Rice subject of bilateral talks between PGMA and visiting Thai prime minister Friday |
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HONG KONG (Via PLDT/Smart) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced
here Tuesday that rice would be part of the agenda when she holds bilateral
talks with Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej who is arriving in
Manila for an official visit on Friday (April (4). The President, who is on three-day working visit in this special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to keynote the 11th Asian Investment Conference and to meet with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) numbering 123,000, made the announcement before Manila-based media men who covered her trip here. The President, who stayed at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here with the First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, left late this afternoon for Manila aboard a PAL plane. She said she would discuss with the Thai Prime Minister “certain redundancies’’ in the rice purchase agreement between the two Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) member-countries. She did not elaborate. The President said global supplies of rice were adversely affected by the cold spell in Vietnam and China, two of the biggest rice producers in the world. Hong Kong gets 80 percent of its rice needs from Vietnam. She said Philippine rice production this year has increased by 7 percent because of the country’s expanding use of high-yielding rice variety, coupled with the use of irrigation facilities. She was quick to admit, however, that new mouths to feed have also increased -- by 6 percent. In a related development, Agriculture Secretary Yap who was part of the President’s investment delegation here, announced that the National Food Authority’s (NFA) direct method of distributing rice to the consumers in Manila in coordination with Mayor Lim, Manila City Hall employees, civil society and church groups will go fullblast next week. The rice distribution scheme in Manila is expected to be duplicated all over the country, especially in depressed areas where most of the poorest of the poor are found. Yap clarified that the NFA is not going into rationing. “Dati na pong ginagawa ng NFA ang tatlo hanggang limang kilo lamang bilihan ng bigas but this time it would be selling the staple directly to consumers under the supervision of its personnel. He said that according to his sources, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will issue a statement supporting the NFA rice distribution scheme. Rice bags of three to five kilos shall be sold by the NFA in depressed areas and other places whose residents are in the DSWD list of qualified buyers. NFA rice may be bought for P18.25 per kilo, while the commercial variety will be available at P22, P25 and P26 a kilo. “We have abolished rice distribution in sacks to avoid pilferage and sale of the precious grain through the black market,” Yap said. He pointed out that if NFA distributes rice in the markets, both the rich and the poor can buy NFA rice. Asked how much rice the country needs to import from Thailand, Lim would only say that “our rice supply is now stable.” He said that 1.1 million metric tons of rice are now covered by NFA contract, while 100 million metric tons will be coming from the United States. In addition, Vietnam has committed to sell to the Philippines 1.5 million metric tons of cereal. In addition, the Philippines expects a bumper crop this harvest season, Yap said. He explained that it has been an NFA policy to continue stockpiling rice to avert a shortage in case of any contingency. |
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