 |
||
| 25 APRIL 2008 | . | |
|
|
||
| 25 APRIL 2008 | . | |
|
|
| Special LEDAC meeting to thresh out RP baselines issue set – Bunye |
|
The issue of the country’s territorial baselines will be threshed out in a
single-agenda special meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development
Advisory Council (LEDAC) next month. This was revealed Thursday by Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye in a briefing in Malacanang.. “This is something that has to be discussed in a separate LEDAC meeting… a special LEDAC for this particular issue,” Bunye said, referring to the archipelagic baselines. He explained that the special LEDAC meeting will only take up the baselines issue and, hopefully, come up with an executive-legislative consensus on the matter “right then and there.” He added that the “sensitive” archipelagic issue will be discussed in a “closed-door meeting at a time that will be convenient to all parties.” Bunye recalled that in a letter to House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, concurrent chair of the Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs (CMOA), had “asked House leaders to reconsider a pending legislation which seeks to enclose the Kalayaan Islands and the Scarborough Shoals within the archipelagic baselines.” The Ermita letter “reaffirmed the position of the executive branch relative to the Philippine Archipelagic baselines which is to enclose the main archipelago within the baselines and treat the Kalayaan Group of Islands as a regime of islands.” In his letter to Nograles, Ermita also said that the position of the executive branch on the archipelagic issue was earlier relayed to the House “through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) during the hearings of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on House Bill 1202.” Ermita explained that the executive branch’s position on the matter was arrived at after a series of inter-departmental discussions and consultations with legal luminaries on international law. This position, he added, was “consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which provides that an archipelagic state, such as the Philippines, may consist wholly of one of more archipelagos, and may include other islands.” “As an archipelagic state, our archipelagic baselines should be drawn along the general configuration of the archipelago, while the other islands shall have normal baselines,” Ermita told Nograles. The CMOA chair also assured the House that “not enclosing the Kalayaan Islands and Scarborough Shoal within the archipelagic baselines does not mean giving up our sovereignty over these islands.” Treating Kalayaan Islands and Scarborough Shoal as a “regime of islands” was “consistent with the fact that they are integral parts of an archipelagic Philippines,” Ermita said. Quoting the UNCLOS provision, Ermita stressed that an island that can “sustain human habitation or economic life of its own generates its own territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf” – and that the Executive’s position will therefore “not diminish our exclusive economic zone or continental shelf.” |
|
|
| PGMA urges Congress anew to affirm amnesty proclamation |
|
DUMAGUETE CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
exhorted Congress anew today to affirm the government’s amnesty proclamation
to pave the way for communist rebels who want to rejoin mainstream society
and live in peace to do so soonest. The President issued the call during her private meeting with rebel returnees from Negros Island before she proceeded to the Negros Oriental Convention Center (NOCC) to attend the luncheon hosted by the provincial government here in honor of former Congressman Herminio Teves who is celebrating his 88th birthday today. “(Kaya) nanawagan tayo sa Kongreso na sana i-confirm na nila itong ating amnesty proclamation na magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makabalik muli sa lipunan itong ating mga kapatid na galing sa loob ng kilusan,” the President said in her brief message. Congressional confirmation of her amnesty proclamation would enable the communist rebels to rejoin society and live with their loved ones again, the President said. She pointed out that aside from the rebel returnees she met this afternoon, many more rebels in Negros Oriental and other parts of the country have expressed their willingness to surrender their arms and end their rebellion but are waiting for Congress to affirm the amnesty proclamation. The rebels have expressed apprehension that once they give up their armed struggle and rejoin society, they would be charged with rebellion and other criminal complaints. |
|
|
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye |
|
We observed Earth Day more cognizant of the effects of
global warming on its occupants. We must learn to treasure Mother Earth as our irreplaceable home by saving the environment and using technology to preserve life, not undo it. The President has called on DepEd and CHED to educate our students on how to keep our environment clean, green and healthy. |
|
|
| PGMA inaugurates East Negros livelihood hub |
|
DUMAGUETE CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated here today
the Sidlakang Negros Village, a newly- constructed livelihood hub that would
showcase the talents, skills and world-class products of the residents of
Negros Oriental. On board a presidential chopper, the President landed at the Perdices Memorial Coliseum oval landing zone where she was welcomed by Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias II, 2nd District Rep. George Arnaiz, 1st District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, 3rd District Rep. Pryde Henry Teves and Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices. After the brief welcome rites, the President motored to Sidlakang Negros Village located along E. J. Blanco Drive, where she cut the ceremonial ribbon signaling the formal operation of the new venue for trade, tourism and cultural activities of the province. Thereafter, the President toured all the participating nipa hut cottages constructed by the local government units of Negros Oriental. Governor Macias II told the President that the newly-constructed village has three-module nipa hut cottages which house the administration cottage and the three-module showroom that displays the various products of the 19 municipalities and 5 cities of the province. At the Sindakang Negros Village, participating municipalities and cities of Negros Oriental sell their arts, crafts and world-class products such as fine-crafted jewelleries, furniture and fixtures, interior decors, ornaments and handicrafts. After the inaugural rites, the President dropped by the chapel of the Provider Ministries Fellowship International, Inc. to oversee the ongoing faith-based rice retailing and distribution of the Pentecostal evangelical group to its members. An active Pentecostal evangelical group, Provider Ministries had joined the Bigasan sa Parokya program as its collective effort to help the national government, particularly the National Food Authority (NFA), in the organized retailing and distribution of cheap but quality rice. The rice retail project of the Provider Ministries had started from 40 sacks per week and then increasing to 120 sacks per week to spread rice not only to their members but also to more or less 1,000 families residing here and even in the hinterlands. Provider Ministries is an affiliate of the Independent Bishops Conference of the Philippines headed by Bishop Ephraim Perez. Aside from the Provider Ministries, there is also ongoing rice retailing and distribution activities at the open basketball court in Barangay Tinago by the Sto. Nino Sagrada Familia Chapel headed by Fr. Burton Villarmente. The Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria through the Diocese of Dumaguete under the auspices of Bishop John Du, and the Redemptorist Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help were recipients of the NFA’s Bigasan sa Parokya rice distribution network. The faith-based rice retailing is the response of the province of Negros Oriental specifically by Dumaguete Bishop John Du, to the call of the President for church leaders and different religious organizations to help the government in the rice retailing and distribution works of the NFA. |
|
|
| President presses order for Tripartite Wage Boards to work overtime on May 1 |
|
DUMAGUETE CITY – Members of the Tripartite Wage Boards (TWBs) will just have
to grin and bear it if, unlike majority of working Filipinos, they can’t
knock off on May 1, a national holiday. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reiterated today her order that all TWB members work overtime on May 1 on pending petitions of various workers groups for new wage increases to ease the impact of the rising cost of a wide range of commodities and basic services. She explained that she had ordered newly installed Labor Secretary Marianito Roque to direct all TWB officials and members to tackle the workers’ petitions for wage adjustments as an urgent matter. “I had given an instruction to DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque. I want all the tripartite wage boards to meet on May 1 itself,” the President said when she was interviewed by the media here. She added that working on Labor Day is “a better celebration of May 1 than the usual speeches.” “They (TWBs) will be having their meeting on that day (Labor Day). All of them, no exemption,” the President said. She admitted, however, that despite the May 1 “overtime,” the TWBs were unlikely to come up with a new set of wage levels immediately. |
|
|
| PGMA receives copy of Joint Venture Agreement on massive jatropha project |
|
DUMAGUETE CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received today a copy of
the Joint Venture Agreement on a massive propagation of jatropha plant as an
alternative source of energy. The document was turned over to the President by Negros Oriental former Congressman Herminio Teves whose company is developing a jatropha plant in joint venture with Global Tree Trust, a European firm. The President received the document before the thanksgiving luncheon party hosted by the provincial government of Negros Oriental in honor of the former solon who is celebrating his the 88th birthday today. The celebration was held at the plenary hall of the Negors Oriental Convention Center (NOCC). The Teves Company-Global Tree Trust joint venture is investing millions of pesos in developing a large-scale jatropha plantation and vermin (earthworm) culture in the former hotbed of insurgency in the Southern part of Negros Oriental. Located within the boundaries of Valencia, Sta. Catalina, Siaton and Dauin towns, the jatropha plantation covers an area of more than 24,000 hectares. The plantation is nestled on a valley surrounded by mountainous terrains, slopes and rolling hills in the Negros Oriental southern hinterlands. The site of the jatropha plantation used to be a hotbed of communist insurgency, but following the government’s intensive efforts to bring peace to the area, the valley is now known as the Tamlang Valley Zone of Peace. The former lawmaker spearheaded the massive planting of jatropha plants in response to the call of the President for the massive propagation of the plant as another alternative source of biodiesel. According to studies conducted by the Alternative Fuels Corporation, 10 kilos of oil extract from ripe jatropha seeds can produce one liter of clean and environment-friendly diesel. Before the luncheon party, Teves presented to the President a hybrid prototype pick-up car fueled by jatropha diesel fuel with pollution free exhaust fumes. Present during the presentation were Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila and other local officials. |
|
|
| PGMA rallies Filipinos to vote on line for 3 RP natural wonders |
|
DUMAGUETE CITY – “Let’s vote online for our natural wonders.” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the call as she exhorted all Filipinos here and abroad to help the government in its campaign for the Tubbataha Reef, Chocolate Hills and the Underground River to win in the search for the world’s “Seven New Wonders of Nature.” The President made the appeal during a three-on-one interview with her by broadcast journalists Glenda Descuatan, area manager for Visayas of Skycable ABS-CBN 2; Malacañang reporter RG Cruz of ABS-CBN 2; and KBP Negros Oriental president and DYSR radio station manager Roy Bustillo at one of the showrooms of Sidlakang Negros Village here. The President said that from here, she would proceed to Tubbataha Reef to dive there and dramatize “my simple contribution” to the country’s campaign to sell to the world the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and Underground River in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, among others. “We are encouraging all Filipinos who are either living here or working abroad to vote for our natural treasures.” the President stressed. She said all environmental-friendly Filipinos should vote online through www.newsevenwonders.com to ensure that the Tubbataha Reef, Chocolate Hills and the Underground River will be included in the most coveted list . The President stressed that it would be an honor for the country to have these beautiful spots become part of the seven new wonders of the world to further boost Philippine tourism and its growing economy. “So we need all Filipinos to vote for them. It’s an online voting and you have to vote for seven new wonders to ensure that they would get included in the worldwide search for nature. Tubbataja Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a famous national marine sanctuary in Sulu Sea. It is a popular diving site because of its renowned and globally significant biodiversity. Its two atolls lie on the Cagayan ridge and roughly encompass 100,000 hectares of corals and over a thousand species of marine life. Bohol’s Chocolate Hills—which are scattered in the towns of Carmen, Butuan, and Sagbayan—is famous for its dome-shaped grass covered limestone hills that turn brown in summer when the hills dry up. These almost uniform 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, mostly between 30 to 50 meters high, are considered among the National Geological Monuments of the country due to their scientific value and geographic uniqueness. To date, Tubbataha is now ranked seventh, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol is Number 9, and the Underground River in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is Number 20 in the Top 77 Live Rankings of the worldwide online poll for the Seven New Wonders of the World. |
|
|
| Presidential award for top career executive service officials mulled |
|
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued an executive order establishing
the “Gawad CES Award” to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of
third-level career executives. Instituting the award for Career Executive Service (CES) officials was recommended by the President almost a month ago last March 28 via Executive Order 715. In her EO, President Arroyo said it is “imperative to highlight these outstanding accomplishments… to reward and encourage consistent and superior performance from them (CES officials), and motivate others in government to give their best to public service and promote excellence among their ranks.” “The awards shall be based on demonstrated exemplary performance and significant contributions that concretize the ideals of the Career Executive Service of ‘bringing change where it is needed, expertise where it is missing, and leadership where it is wanting,’” states EO 715. President Arroyo’s EO upgrades the “Outstanding CEO (career Executive Officer) Award” of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and establishes the “Gawad CES” as an annual Presidential Awards program for the Career Executive Service (CES). The President tasked the Career Executive Board (CESB) to “issue the appropriate implementing guidelines for the conferment of this Award.” The CESB was created by Presidential Decree No. 1 “to serve as the governing body of the Career Executive Service, and mandated it to promulgate rules, standards, and procedures on the selection, classification, and career development of its members,” recalled EO 715. The CESB started a recognition program three years ago (2005) known as the “Search for Outstanding Career Executive Officers” to pay tribute to outstanding Career Executive Service Officers (CESOs) and “third-level eligibles” occupying CES positions “whose exemplary accomplishments or contributions lead to positive innovations in public management and contribute to sustainable socio-economic developments that ultimately improve the quality of life of Filipinos.” |
|
|
| Senate resolution on Charter Change caught Malacanang by surprise |
|
A resolution filed by 11 senators seeking to adopt a federal system of
government patterned after that of the United States has caught Malacanang
by surprise. This was revealed today (April 25) by Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye in a press briefing with palace-based reporters. However, Bunye said, “We will not stand in the way of Charter Change but the President has said that, realistically, the time left is not sufficient, and that she'd rather leave the matter to her successor.” The Press Sec recalled that “the President ran on a platform of political and economic reform, and one of the political reforms is Charter Change.” Thus, “she (President Arroyo) will not stop the process if Congress leaders deem it wise and proper to proceed…” Press Sec Bunye stressed. Asked how Malacanang perceives the move of the senators who signed and submitted their turn-federal resolution last Wednesday (April 23), Bunye said “we cannot speak for the senators...” “We can ask the (resolution) sponsors why pinu-push ito; why, to the great surprise of many, they are pushing cha-cha at this time -- and the mode is even Con-Ass (constituent assembly),” said Bunye. “The only one who can answer is the (main) sponsor. I believe many sectors are surprised. Personally, I was surprised. “And to think many of them (had earlier) said (that) if and when they agree (to) Cha-Cha, they will favor ConCon (Constitutional convention), and (only) after 2010.” “And (then) suddenly there is proposal supported by quite a number of senators,” Bunye noted. Asked what the proponents could gain from a federal system, or what their agenda could be, considering the fact that many senators are on their last terms, Bunye could only say: “I don't know. Ask Senator Pimentel (the resolution’s sponsor)… I don't know, the best person to answer would be the sponsors themselves.” The Senate federalism resolution was also signed by, alphabetically, Senators Edgardo Angara, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. |
|
|
| Malacanang not opposing petition of Misuari for bail; leaves it to the court to decide |
|
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye expressed today
the belief that Muslim leader Nur Misuari will be abiding by the terms of
the court order allowing him to post bail. The Presidential Spokesman said he is confident that Misuari would abide by court rules in a press briefing he conducted this afternoon (April 25, Friday) before Misuari’s release on bail. “Let’s wait for the court order. But if that happens, we'll not be surprised really... “We believe the courts have evaluated the petition of Misuari (who must have) satisfactorily convinced the court that he will not escape,” stressed Bunye who surmised, thus: “I think he will be released on bail… I heard the son of (Libya strongman) Mr. Muammar Khadaffy has guaranteed that Misuari will not escape…” Misuari’s possible release on bail, Bunye added, is “subject to the sound discretion of the court.” “For as long as you can convince the court that you will continue to be available and attend hearings, then the court has discretion to release the accused on bail. In addition, “meron pa nag-guarantee na si Misuari ay di tatakas, at the one who extended it is the son of Libya President, Col. Khadaffy.” “This is within the sound discretion of the court,” Bunye reiterated. |
|
|
|
Press briefing of
Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Briefing Room, New Executive Building, Malacanang April 25, 2008 |
|
ON VETERANS SCAM IN THE UNITED STATES: “Ito nangyari sa labas ng bansa. Anumang violation will have to be prosecuted by the laws of the United States. We have nothing to do with that pero nais nating ihayag ang pagkalungkot sa nangyari. Marami Filipino na ang naging tanyag dahil sa achievements pero ito ay na-o-overshadow ng ganitong insidente. Dapat, ang ating kababayan, they should remember that they represent the Philippines.” ON VETERANS EQUITY: “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa paborableng aksyon ng US Senado na matagal na nakabinbin. Sana ang counterpart bill na ito ay mapagtibay din sa House of Representatives, at tuloy-tuloy na sa pagkapirma. We hope this will be signed ASAP. If you can recall, in APEC, it was one of the subject matters discussed by the President (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) with (US President George) Bush. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa nagtulak ng bill na ito. Maraming senators at congressmen na nabibilang sa Philippine Caucus na isinulong nila ang panakulang ito. Tayo’y lubos na nagpapasalamat sa pagtutulak nila nitong panukala.” MALAYSIA’S PULL-OUT OF 21 PEACEKEEPERS BY MAY 10: “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa contribution ng Malaysia na malaking bahagi sa IMT (international monitoring team). Ang commitment nila ay mamalagi dito hanggang August… Iba-iba lang ang duration ng mga peacekeepers. Yung tour of duty ng ilan, magtatapos ng May. That is expected and we would like to thank them for their valuable contribution… Wala akong detalye, pero meron akong nabalitaan na mga (ibang) bansa na nais nila dagdagan ang kanilang (IMT) kontribusyon.” ON THE REPORTED BLOATED BUREAUCRACY: “Napakarami nating public servants – policemen, teachers, firemen, mga sundalo… -- na very hard working, competent, loyal to the institution… Let us not generalize. Ang importante, kilalanin natin na marami ang nagtatrabaho ng maayos sa ating bureaucracy. Ang ilang pagpunang ‘yan – I’m sure the incoming Civil Service chair will try to address that…” ON ALLEGED GMO RICE: “I'm sure that the (concerned) government officials are aware of these concerns. I don't think they will import crops or cereals that will cause harm to those who will consume them. Pag dumating yan, we'll invite you to lunch and serve (that rice)… Sinabi ng ating Pangulo na this variety is safe so I would take the word of our President. If these cereals are served, I would not have any hesitation in partaking of these cereals. ON SQUASH BREAD: “According to Doy Salacop of the Department of Agriculture, the distribution was supposed to start at 7 o’clock but suppliers arrived 9 o’clock so there was a queue while waiting. But when supplies arrived, the lines disappeared. It’s a matter of glitch in the system… Marami sa dumalo, tinikman ang tinapay, at nagsabing masarap ang tinapay na ito, at they are wondering why it can be available at such a cheap price. Ang feedback, eh, maganda ang quality.” ON NFA’S BEING IN DEBT: “Ang first priority is to stabilize the price of rice, and make sure that rice is distributed to reach the people who really need lower-priced rice. So ‘yun ang ginagawa natin. Maaring malugi tayo in the process, but that is the rationale of existence of the agency -- we have to make (rice) supply available and readily.” |
|
|
