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| 20 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| 20 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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PGMA cites Chan's role in strengthening RP-China trade, investments relations |
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PGMA inaugurates P240-million Zambales Bridge |
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To PGMA's detractors: Let her do her job -- Bunye |
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| PGMA cites Chan's role in strengthening RP-China trade, investments relations |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred last night the Presidential
Medal of Merit on Special Envoy Carlos Chan for his important contribution
to the strengthening of Philippines-China economic relations. The Medal of Merit was awarded by the President at simple rites held at the Music Room of Malacanang. The Presidential Medal of Merit is conferred by the President on individuals for outstanding service and selfless commitment towards enhancing the prestige of the country, government and the Filipino people. As the Philippines special envoy for trade and investment to China, Chan plays a vital role in promoting broader trade between the two countries and attracting Chinese investments here. As a partner of the Philippine diplomatic missions in China, Chan is also a key figure in the planning and construction of the Philippine Pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The Philippine Pavilion will showcase the Philippines as an attractive investment destination. Chan was instrumental in the success of the President’s 2006 visit to Nanchang and Naning, and her Oct. 2007 working visit to Shanghai. He has also openly supported youth projects, including the Loboc Children’s Choir, which won the Grand Prize at the 6th International Folksongs Choir Festival held in Barcelona, Spain in Sept. 2003. The Loboc Children's Choir is composed of 30 school children -- ages nine to 13 -- from the Central Elementary School of Loboc town in Bohol. Also present during the Malacanang awarding ceremony were Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco L. Benedicto. |
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| PGMA inaugurates P240-million Zambales Bridge |
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SAN NARCISO, Zambales -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo flew to this
seaside town this morning to inaugurate the new P240-milion Maculcul Bridge
linking the Zambales towns of San Narciso and San Felipe. The new span replaces the old bridge that is about to be buried by lahar which continues to cascade down the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo. The helicopter bearing the President touched down at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) here at 12:45 p.m. Escorted by Zambales officials and Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, the President arrived at the Maculcul bridge 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled 1 p.m. inauguration rites. She was assisted in the unveiling of the bridge’s marker by Ebdane, Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso, Rep. Antonio Diaz, San Narciso Mayor William Lim and other officials. The President then took an open-type pickup truck for the inaugural “drive-through” the 425.8-linear-meter bridge as residents and school children from six public schools in the area gathered at the north-bound lane of the span. Instead of cutting the ceremonial ribbon, the President’s vehicle rammed onto the ribbon held by residents to mark the inauguration of the bridge whose elevation is eight meters higher than the old structure. Written on the streamer hung across the bridge were the Zambalenos expression of gratitude to the Chief Executive for the construction of the new span: “Dios Ti Ag-ngina Apo Presidente Gloria M. Arroyo Ta Inikkan Nakam Iti Nasayaat Nga Rangtay Ditoy Ili Ti San Felipe.” The Pangasinenses also came up with their own streamer proclaiming their love for the President: “Inar-Aro Min Presidente (Our beloved President).” Started in Nov. 2005 under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Region III, the project was completed last October, including the 614.20-linear meter approaches to the bridge, or a total length of 1,040 lm. The span links Barangay Alusiis in San Narciso and Barangay Apostol of San Felipe north of the bridge. The total replacement of the old Maculcul Bridge was recommended when the “heavy transport of sediment upstream of the Sto. Tomas River (in Pampanga) (had caused) zero freeboar.” “Zero freeboard means wala ng daanan ang tubig,” project Engineer Jose Liwanag explained. The new bridge is some 165 kilometers away from Luneta in Manila (site of km. zero). The bridge traverses the meandering Maculcul River, now known as Sto. Tomas River, the “confluence” of the Marella River, and the Mapanuete River, both in San Marcelino town, according to Engr. Hercules Manglicmot, Zambales assistant district engineer. |
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| To PGMA's detractors: Let her do her job -- Bunye |
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Now that questions about the legitimacy of the presidency of President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have been finally put to rest, her detractors should
allow her do her job and those “salivating over the presidency” should just
wait for the 2010 elections, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman
Ignacio R. Bunye said. After all, the 2010 elections are not too far away, and, anyway, the “campaigning has already begun,” Bunye added in his column “View From the Palace” which comes out tomorrow (Monday). “With the 2010 elections not too far away, those salivating over the Presidency should just let the incumbent, legitimately elected President do her job, and await their shot at the highest office in the land,” he said. The Supreme Court (SC), sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) on Friday dismissed and terminated the election protest filed by Sen. Loren Legarda against Vice President Noli de Castro due to lack of evidence. Legarda had based her protest on the grounds that certain election returns (EC) and certificates of canvass (COC) had been “tainted.” In a 20-page resolution penned by Senior Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, the PET ruled that all the ECs and COCs were genuine, authentic and duly executed. The PET also determined that there was no break-in at the House of Representatives as was alleged by Legarda, and that even the witness of the lady senator testified that no such break-in took place. The High Court also ruled that no switching of election returns occurred, and therefore, the proclamation of Vice President de Castro was based on genuine election documents. Bunye said that since the documents for the vice president and presidential elections were identical documents, it follows that the election of President Arroyo was likewise based on genuine election documents. The Malacanang official also expressed confidence that the PET would not reverse its own decision if a motion for reconsideration of its ruling were filed considering the court’s unanimous decision on the issue. “The fact that the PET, which has sole jurisdiction to decide election protests against the President and the Vice President, voted unanimously on Senator Legarda’s protest indicates that it is unlikely that they would reverse themselves if a motion for reconsideration is filed,” Bunye said. |
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