 |
||
| 14 FEBRUARY 2008 | . | |
|
|
||
| 14 FEBRUARY 2008 | . | |
|
|
| PGMA calls on provincial governors to join her in addressing destructive effects of climate change |
|
PILI, Camarines Sur - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on the
country’s provincial governors Wednesday to brace themselves up in joining
the national government in addressing the destructive effects of global
warming. "We must assume the mantle of leadership and work to address the challenge of climate change. Each and every person bears some measure of responsibility for what we have done today and throughout history to diminish our global environment," the President said in her speech at the 2nd General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippine (LPP) held at the Villa del Rey in this town. The President said that investing in vital infrastructures includes “building up our environment as a reflection of our commitment to our quality of life. People need to breathe clean air and swim in clean water while we build factories and bridges.” She added that these programs and activities mirror how the provincial executives have operationalized the theme of their conference, "Enhancing National and Local Government Partnerships in Improving Environmental Governance and Natural Resources Stewardship." She noted that from rising tides, to changing weather to deforestation and pollution of air, sea and land, the challenges of climate change are great. "As a nation made up of more than 7,000 islands, rising seas due to global warming takes on a whole new meaning. In America, if we have rising seas Florida may lose some coastline. In the Philippines, if we have rising seas we might lose a whole nation," she said. The response, she said, to this “grave challenge may sound humorous, but the intent is deadly serious: We must work together to solve this problem. If we do, it will be one of the great achievements of our national and local government partnership." She stressed that compared with the emission of other countries, “our nation has been more responsible than others and we contribute less than one percent to global warming. And yet we are the recipient of the impact of global warming caused by other nations.” "But all that apportionment of blame does nothing against a rising tide of global warming that will swamp our nation if we do not act with decisiveness and solidarity," she said. She explained that her administration has begun the “Green Philippines” plan, a blueprint for “mapping our environment and economic policies that will allow for sustainable development that doesn't fall on the backs of the poor or erode our environment.” She stressed that there is a cost to make the Green Philippines come to life. “For instance here in Bicol, we have the Bicol River Basin project. It is to preserve the Bicol River Basin from the ravages of environment. But the cost is greater without the investment in people and environment.” |
|
|
| PGMA cites role of prov’l governors in promoting RP’s economic growth |
|
PILI, Camarines Sur - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
has expressed her recognition of the role of the provincial governors in the
economic progress and unification of the country. “Thank you for your support. Thank you for working together with me toward a First World Philippines in 20 years,” the President said in her keynote speech at the 2nd General Assembly of the League of Provinces (LPP) at the Villa del Rey in this town Wednesday. "I want to spend more time with you more often. We need the local government officials because there are many things that we need to do not only in terms of economic development but also in terms of political stability,” she said. Citing the progress in the government’s pro-poor and anti-hunger program, the President said “the rate of poverty is down, employment is up, while education and health care services to the poor are vastly improved.” "We have a long way to go, but only through a strong economy can we improve the plight of the poor together. To that end, together we have turned the corner on our economy. This allows us to invest together in job creation, better healthcare and more educational opportunities. These are the keys to lifting up the poor," she stressed. “Let us stay united and continue to work together for a Philippines that will be ready to be in the First World in 20 years. Congratulations for the biggest governors assembly ever," the President added. She beamed that the economy has reached a new level of stability with some of the strongest macroeconomic fundamentals in three decades. “Together we have aimed high. We have met the challenge. Seven years ago, no one thought we could get more revenues, cut down on tax cheats, strengthen the peso and move the stock market. No one thought we could bring our budget close to balance, lower our national debt and raise employment. But we have,” she said. The President said that the 2007 national government deficit was P9.4 billion, much lower than the deficit target ceiling of P63 billion. Total revenues amounted to P1.13 trillion, or P15.9 billion more than target, while interest payments declined 14 percent, allowing P36.5 billion in savings. "We could have had a surplus or balanced budget if we wanted but we decided to take the opportunity of our good fiscal position to provide for higher spending especially for infrastructure to sustain a high growth in 2008. Funds were disbursed to government-owned and controlled corporations and government financial institutions for pump-priming activities and to allow additional contributions from them in 2008, including dividends back to the national government," she said. The President also informed the governors that she has ordered a surge in infrastructure spending this year as “a firewall against the economic slowdown in the United States and as a springboard for further growth.” She noted that the “global economic situation is clearly a key issue for us. The more interconnected the world becomes, the more we need to manage the ups and downs of other nations' economic bubbles. This is certainly true with any further volatility in the US economy. The good news for the Philippines is that we have matured and diversified our economy so much the last few years that we are confident our economic turnaround is permanent and our economy resilient to major economic disruptions.” "We can afford to and should spend more for infrastructure - hopefully, P200 billion between the national government, the government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and you, the local governments," she said. "We aim to make our economic reforms permanent so that our nation is on a sustained path of economic growth and stability. We have turned the economy around and for the first time in a generation, we are investing hundreds of billions of pesos in human and physical infrastructure. Roads, bridges and airports as well as new schoolbuildings and scholarships and environmental protection are the central building blocks that are necessary for the long term prospects of our citizens," she added. In her speech, the Chief Executive also noted that Moody's Investors Service upgraded the Philippines to positive last month for very good reasons. “We have the fastest growth in a generation -- 7.3% for 2007. And we have a surge in foreign reserves twice as much and it is getting strong at a time our budget is almost in balance. And these foreign reserves come also because of our aggressive foreign policy which is essential to the lifeblood of the Philippines,” she said. "Nowhere is it more important than protecting and advancing the interests of our overseas workers. That is why we include a governors' representative in my trips abroad," she added. |
|
|
| Joint statement of Northern Luzon Bishops Re: Communal Action |
|
To Guide Our Feet Into The Way Of Peace Peace Be Upon You All: In solidarity with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, we raise our voices in a call to communal action. Above all the action to which we invite all our people must be on the way of peace! We call our people: To prayer, because it is only when we turn back to the Lord, in prayer, fasting and good works, that our land can be healed. No matter how deep the wounds may be that afflict our nation now, there is nothing that the Lord cannot make well. He who cleansed lepers, raised paralytics and restored life to those who were dead can certainly heal our land. To self-examination in the light of the summons of the Lord Jesus to perfection. We are quick to condemn corruption when perpetrated by others. It is more difficult to acknowledge that the seeds of corruption lie in all our hearts. To earnestly seek out the truth, and to distinguish between the truth and insinuation and suspicion. It is important to remember that it is easy to accuse, but it is competent proof that establishes truth. The truth must be relentlessly sought, and no attempt should be made to suppress it. One way the truth is suppressed is when inquiries and investigations become instruments of propagandizing and vendetta. To be credible, investigations must be conducted by persons who are honestly in search of the truth, for the welfare of the nation and not in furtherance of their own political ambitions. We also exhort all to make the crucial distinction between opinion and certainty. It is a fundamental moral precept that resolute action is justified only when one is sure. We call on politicians to serve in the likeness of HIM who came among us as one who serves, seeking neither self-aggrandizement nor privilege but the welfare of those they swore to serve. We call on the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman to commence the investigations that may lead to the truth. We believe that any investigation, to be credible and fruitful must be carried out before those forums tasked by law to investigate and to prosecute. We call on media to be fair. In many respects, media reportage only fuel the flames of discontent, often by unwanted and unwarranted commentary and innuendo. We must all be instruments of justice - its fundamental demand being fairness! In solidarity with His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, we call on all to seek not confrontation, certainly not revolution or violence, but a communal action for deep reflection, discernment, sobriety and for the way of peace! +RAMON B. VILLENA, D.D. +RODOLFO F. BELTRAN, Bishop of Bayombong Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe +DIOSDADO A. TALAMAYAN, D.D. Archbishop of Tuguegarao 13 February 2008 Note: Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe, has read and given his approval with the statement signed by Archbishop Talamayan and Bishop Beltran, but he could not sign the same because of the power failure in Bontoc. |
|
|
| PGMA to prov'l governors: support BIR in drive to improve tax collections |
|
PILI, Camarines Sur - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
has urged the country’s 81 provincial governors to support the Bureau of
Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Local Government Unit (LGU) Assurance Program for
fast and better revenue collections. “I ask our governors to join the BIR’s LGU Assurance Program which will result in better collections of both national and local taxes,” the President said in her speech yesterday at the 2nd General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) at the Villa del Rey in Pili, this province. "But while the fiscal numbers are better than expected, we need to work harder and more effectively in improving the tax effort together,” the President said as she cited the country’s 7.3 percent economic growth in 2007, the fastest in a generation, along with the significant reduction of the national budget deficit to P9.4 billion, the lowest in a decade. She told the provincial executives that she has always supported the LGUs' right to receive their Internal Revenue Allotments (IRAs) in full to help them deliver better services to their constituents. "When I became President, I waived the President's prerogative to retain part of the IRA as the so-called Local Government Social Equalization Fund. After that, we have provided automatic appropriation for your IRA. We have even paid debts of previous administrations," she said. She also said that she has directed Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to study how “to securitize the IRA shortfalls from the years when we had re-enacted budgets” so that the LGUs can have additional funds for their expenditures. According to her, the government has secured a $300-million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Local Government Financing and Budget Reform. She stressed that this program will support the Department of Finance efforts to help the LGUs “improve your capacities to plan and budget, as well as deliver better services for the general welfare of your constituent communities.” She said the program will support reforms such as in intergovernmental fiscal relations; fiscal management, planning and public expenditure at the LGU level; LGU performance measurement and service; credit financing; and local-own source revenue. |
|
|
| Valentine's Day at the Palace: PGMA belts out Richard Carpenter's song |
|
In a departure from her usual busy schedule – flitting
from event to event in the midst of a surge in government construction
projects – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo started her official schedule
at noon today by joining in the singing of a song composed by Richard
Carpenter of ‘Top of the World’ fame who came calling on her at Malacanang.
Carpenter – in a becoming jusi barong and escorted by singer Claire dela Fuente of local ‘Sayang’ fame – paid a courtesy call on President Arroyo who welcomed him at the Music Room of Malacanang. Arriving a few minutes earlier than the 12-noon call, Carpenter was asked by the palace protocol office if he wanted to practice his piano playing. Carpenter was escorted to the Rizal Hall where a grand piano stands for grand palace events, and there he tried out the piano keys, starting with the song that says, “I have you to save my day…” Just before the appointed noontime courtesy call, Carpenter was brought back to the Music Room where he was welcomed by the President who enthused that Carpenter’s music “has been in the Philippines for many years…” The President then gave the multi-awarded songwriter, pianist and arranger a Presidential Citation which recognized his “strong influence to Filipino song writers and musicians, and whose artistic genius has become a standard for Filipino music…” “This is more appreciated than I can put it in words,” said the tongue-tied two-time Grammy Award winner. The President then led Carpenter’s delegation, which included record producer Vic del Rosario, to the Kalayaan Hall Garden where a sumptuous garden luncheon awaited them. But before sitting down to lunch, the group proceeded to the already jampacked Presidential Broadcast Studio for a mini concert of sorts, with Dela Fuente belting out two songs, followed by Carpenter who sat on the piano and played ‘Yesterday Once More.’ Asked by the audience for an encore, Carpenter obliged by playing the sentimental “I Have You,” with Dela Fuente volunteering to sing the lyrics of the song. Faltering midway through the ballad, the chanteuse was joined by President Arroyo in the rendition of the meaningful lyrics that goes: “Sometimes, people ask me what keeps me going…” Also in the audience were Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye and Trade Secretary Peter Favila and other palace officials. |
|
|
| PGMA presents Presidential Citation to 2-time Grammy Awards winner Richard Lyn Carpenter |
|
President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo
presented today a Presidential Citation to two-time Grammy Awards winner pop
musician Richard Carpenter in recognition of his exemplary contribution to
the music industry in America and the rest of the world, including the
Philippines. The Presidential Citation handed by the President to Richard, best known as one-half of the brother/sister duo the Carpenters, along with his sister Karen, during a call at Malacanang’s Music Room at noon today. The citation recognized
Carpenter’s “unbounded dedication to his craft” as well as his “strong
influence to Filipino musicians.” “I understand you and some Asian countries like Japan, Korea and Hong Kong strongly appreciate my melody,” Carpenter, who was wearing a Paul Cabral–designed barong, said as he thanked the President for the citation. “I don’t know what to say. I’m most happy to be in this position,” he said. He added that Americans no longer appreciate his music because of the influx of new artists and musicians, to which the President answered that his music are still appreciated by the Filipinos until now. Carpenter was accompanied by his wife May Elizabeth, Claire de la Fuente or popularly known as the “Karen Carpenter of the Philippines, his lyricist, and Viva Films’ June Rufino. After the brief call, the President and Carpenter proceeded to the Kalayaan Presidential Broadcast Studio where the musical genius from New Haven, Connecticut, serenaded the Chief Executive with the songs “Yesterday Once More,” and “I Have You” using a baby grand piano. The President gamely joined in singing “I Have You” to the delight of the audience. The pop musician was then
treated to a simple lunch prepared by the chefs and students of the Asian
Institute of Culinary Arts at the Kalayaan Garden. Their distinctively soft musical style made the Carpenters one of the best-selling musical acts of all time, with timeless classics such as Billboard Top 40 singles “Close To You,” “We've Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days And Mondays,” “Superstar,” “Hurting Each Other,” “Yesterday Once More,” “I Won't Last A Day Without You,” and “There's A Kind Of Hush.” Richard composed many of their songs that included “Goodbye to Love,” the first pop ballad to have a fuzz guitar solo, “Top of the World,” their only Top 10 country song (number 1), “Yesterday Once More” (number 2) and “Only Yesterday” (number 4). |
|
|
| Political noise fails to dampen PGMA’s commitment to serve |
|
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
continues with her governance unmindful of the political noise and her
Cabinet fully supports her for that, Health Secretary
Francisco Duque III said today. Duque said this shortly before the President arrived for the Vitamin A supplementation and gift-giving activity to the pupils of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School this afternoon at the Karangalan Village in Manggahan, Pasig City. "Ang buong Gabinete ay nasa likod ng Presidente sa pagganap ng kanyang mga gawain na bahagi ng kanyang regular na programa,” Duque said. Among those who welcomed the President were Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus, Pasig City Mayor Robert Eusebio, Pasig Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo, National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Bernardita Flores, and San Lorenzo Ruiz Elementary School Principal Gil Andrade. Just like today, Duque said the President's schedule in Pasig City is not politicking but part of her regular work to uplift the education sector through health programs for schoolchildren like the supplemental feeding program that started since 2006. Romulo added that Charter Change is a virtual non-issue in the House of Representatives as they are also busy working, having passed some 40 bills during the first few days of newly-installed Speaker Prospero Nograles. "Hindi pinag-uusapan sa Kongreso ang Charter Change, sa diyaryo lang," Romulo said. During her visit, the President also led the distribution of iron-fortified rice and dental kits to schoolchildren under the President's Food for School Program. Since the implementation of the supplementation and feeding program, the DepEd noted that students have shown significant improvement in their school performance that includes increased attendance, lesser absenteeism, and increase in the nutritional levels of pupils in beneficiary schools. A special class of visually impaired pupils from the school's Special Education (SPED) rendered a song number while the President was being given a Valentine card especially made by the pupils. |
|
|
| 3 Bishops call for a communal action on the way of peace |
|
Three Catholic bishops in Northern Luzon have called on all Filipinos to
seek communal action – not for confrontation nor revolution nor violence –
but “for deep reflection, discernment , sobriety and for the way of peace.”
In their statement dated Feb. 13 and entitled “To Guide Our Feet Into The Way of Peace,” Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan of Tuguegarao (Cagayan), together with Bishop Ramon Villena of the Diocese of Bayombong (Nueva Vizcaya), and Fr. Rodolfo Beltran, Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe (Mountain Province), stressed, thus: “In solidarity with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), we raise our voices in a call to communal action (but) above all, the action to which we invite all our people must be on the way of peace!” Archbishop Talamayan, Villena and Beltran called on the people to prayer, to self-examination and to earnestly seek out the truth – and to “distinguish between the truth and insinuation and suspicion.” “It is important to remember that it is easy to accuse, but it is competent proof that establishes truth. “The truth must be relentlessly sought, and no attempt should be made to suppress it (and) one way the truth is suppressed is when inquiries and investigations become instruments of propagandizing and vendetta,” the three bishops pointed out. The three bishops also stressed that “to be credible, investigations must be conducted by persons who are honestly in search of the truth, for the welfare of the nation, and not in furtherance of their own political ambitions.” “We also exhort all to make the crucial distinction between opinion and certainty (as) it is a fundamental moral precept that resolute action is justified only when one is sure.” The three bishops led by Archbishop Talamayan also had something to say for politicians and the media: “We call on politicians to serve in the likeness of HIM who came among us as one who serves -- seeking neither self-aggrandizement nor privilege – but the welfare of those they swore to serve.” “We call on media to be fair. In many respects, media reportage only fuel(s) the flames of discontent, often by unwanted and unwarranted commentary and innuendo. We must all be instruments of justice – its fundamental demand being fairness!” the Northern Luzon bishops stated. As to their call to prayer, Talamayan et al explained that “no matter how deep the wounds may be that afflict our nation now, there is nothing that the Lord cannot make well.” And as to their call to self-examination: “We are quick to condemn corruption when perpetrated by others – it is more difficult to acknowledge that the seeds of corruption lie in all our hearts.” Believing that to be credible and fruitful, any investigation must be carried out before forums tasked by law to investigate and to prosecute, the three Catholic bishops then called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to already “commence the investigations that may lead to the truth.” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier directed the DOJ last Feb. 7 to pinpoint the people who may have violated procurement and anti-graft laws in the ZTE national broadband network (NBN) deal that she herself had earlier scrapped. However, the palace stopped the DOJ probe yesterday (Feb. 13) after the Ombudsman, an independent investigating body, had created its own panel to investigate the cases filed concerning the cancelled ZTE contract. |
|
|
|
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Speech
at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the
Philippine College of Criminology Alumni
Association Inc. Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel February 14, 2008 |
|
* Happy golden anniversary, and Happy Valentine’s Day! * We fondly remember PCCR’s founder, the late Supreme Court Justice Felix Angelo Bautista, represented here by his grandson, law professor Gregory Allan F. Bautista, who had the vision to establish the country’s first learning institution for police and detective science. * Before the PNPA (Philippine National Police Academy) and other police training institutions were set up, the PCCR was the main source of government’s police investigators and other law enforcers. * Nangunguna sa mga nagtapos dito sina dating PNP Chief at ngayon ay Public Works and Highways Secretary General Jun Ebdane at si retired General Pete Bulaong, ang presidente ng inyong asosasyon at unang graduate ng PCCR na naging Hepe ng Manila Police District, at ngayon ay Assistant Director ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation). * Marami pang ibang nagtapos dito at naglingkod sa sambayanan. Maraming salamat. Sa inyong sipag, laging mamamayani ang kaayusan at batas, upang magtamasa ng kapayapaan at katarungan ang ating mamamayan. * The five pillars of criminal justice system — enforcement, investigation and prosecution, the courts, the correctional system, and the community — underpin the nation’s peace and the people’s assurance of security. * The alumni of the PCCR play central roles in at least two pillars of the criminal justice system — enforcement and investigation — and provide crucial support to the other three tenets. * Malaki na ang pagsulong ng ating kampanya laban sa krimen at karahasan. Natatandaan ko, maraming taon na ang nakararaan, dahil sa pagkilos ng ilang listong pulis, natuklasan ang planong pagpatay sa Santo Papa John Paul II, pati na rin ng isa pang malagim na pakana na maglunsad sa Maynila ng mga unang atake ng terorismo. The slay plot against the Pope was foiled, the terrorist attack was not as gruesome as planned, and Manila policemen were lauded by the Interpol for bringing to the world’s attention the beginnings of international terrorism. * A number of PCCR graduates have figured prominently in the solution of many high profile crimes. * Last year’s total crime volume decreased by 7.4% and street crimes went down by 18.2% from 2006 figures. Kidnapping incidents were cut by half. * Through all these measures, we do not forget that peace is vital to development, and development is vital to lasting peace. * 2007 was the best year for the Philippine economy in over 30 years. Economic growth was 7.3%; a million new jobs were created; unemployment is down, poverty is down; the peso is up and the stock market is up. * Investment from abroad is pouring in; we have been cited by the Financial Times of London and the International Data Corporation as the Offshore Destination of the Year and the top global outsourcing destination after India, respectively. * Our billion-dollar investment club includes Texas Instruments with its $1.6 billion wafer fabrication facility; two new shipyards of Korea's Hanjin costing $3.7 billion and making us the fourth biggest shipbuilder in the world. And Marubeni, Tokyo Electric and America's AES have all invested over a billion dollars to join the ranks of Intel and Proctor and Gamble to name but a few major investors. * And 2008 holds real promise for a different reason: not only do we expect strong growth in the 7% target zone, but as a result of our total economic overhaul, we are poised to weather a global economic slowdown for the first time in our history. * The real story for 2008 is that our macroeconomic fundamentals are as strong as they ever have been due to tough choices on raising new revenue, cracking down on tax cheats, bringing reform to our revenue collection and modernizing our banking and financial sector. And we have reformed our budget so that we will be in balance way ahead of schedule. * In your time as students at PCCR and in current times, several facts stand out: Our people want peace, stability and progress, our people want to feel secure in a harmonious society, and the whole nation is clamoring for growth and development. * I have been informed that this association has several proposals to achieve peace for the nation and enhance the profession of crime-fighting. I thank you for your willingness to help. I am prepared to refer these proposals to the proper agencies. * Sustaining growth should be done not only by the police and military personnel. There are tasks for everyone in our quest for peace and development. * With your and the rest of the nation’s support, we will meet the challenges squarely to fulfill our destiny as a progressive nation. |
|
|
| PGMA pays tribute to PCCr alumni for their contribution to nation building |
|
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited today the alumni of the Philippine
College of Criminology (PCCr) for playing a vital role in the successful
enforcement, investigation and prosecution of criminal cases in the country. Keynoting the 50th or the golden alumni homecoming of the Philippine College of Criminology Alumni Association (PCCRAAI) at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel this afternoon, the President thanked the members for their relentless drive to improve and modernize police crime detection strategy in order to maintain peace and order and provide justice to the people victimized by heinous and street crimes. She said the five pillars of criminal justice system -- enforcement, investigation and prosecution, the courts, the correctional system, and the community -- underpin the nation’s peace and the people’s assurance of security. In her speech, the President said that being the pioneer in criminal law enforcement and police and detective science in all of Asia, PCCr plays central roles in at least two pillars of the criminal justice system -- enforcement and investigation – which are both major requirements and crucial support to the other three tenets of the criminal justice system. “Malaki na ang isinulong ng ating kampanya laban sa krimen at karahasan,” the President said as she recalled that during the incumbency of PCCr alumnus, former Philippine National Police Chief and now Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., the slay plot against Pope John Paul II in 1995 and the first international terrorist attack in Manila was uncovered and foiled. She said that after the failed attempt on the life of the Pope, the Manila policemen under the leadership of Ebdane were lauded by the International Police (Interpol) for bringing to the worlds’ attention the beginnings of international terrorism. Through these efforts, the President said that the latest improvement in the police and detective science theory that they applied in the operational aspect of crime fighting, the volume of crimes decreased by 7.4 percent in 2007, the street crimes went down by 18.2 percent from 2006 figures, and kidnapping incidents were cut by half. “Maraming salamat.sa inyong sipag, dahil laging namamayani ang kaayusan at batas, upang magtamasa ng kapayapaan at katarungan ang ating mamamayan,” the President said. She stressed that it is important for a country to have peace because “peace and order is vital to development while development is vital to lasting peace.” The President recalled that before the establishment of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and other police training institutions, the PCCr was the main source of government’s police investigators and other law enforcers. Among the graduates of PCCr were former PNP Chief and DPWH Secretary Ebdane, and retired general and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Assistant Director Pedro Bulaong, president of the PCCRAAI. The President assured the officials and members of the PCCRAAI that she would refer to the proper agencies the PCCr proposals to achieve peace for the nation and enhance the profession of crime fighting. She said that sustaining growth and quest for peace and development cannot be achieved without the support of the police and military personnel and the majority of the Filipino people “With your and the rest of the nation’s support, we will meet the challenges squarely to fulfill our destiny as a progressive nation,” she added. Before her speech, the President, assisted by Professor Gregory Alan F. Bautista, president of the PCCr, and NBI Assistant Director Bulaong, awarded trophies and plaques to the 51 Outstanding PCCr Alumni. |
|
|
