July 02 2008

Speech of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 61st Anniversary of Philippine Air Force
Mactan Air Base, Lapu Lapu, Cebu City

Thank you very much, Secretary Teodoro, for your introduction. Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force General Cadungog, our host for today’s celebration; the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Yano; commanding General of the Army General Ibrado; Vice Admiral Calunsag; our all other officials of the Armed Forces and the Air Force; Governor Garcia; Congressman Salimbangon; Congressman Gullas; and the other officials of the Province of Cebu; Secretary Remonde and Secretary Esperon and other appointees of our government; our awardees; men and women of the Air Force; ladies and gentlemen.

Congratulations to the Air Force on your anniversary!

I would like to start by expressing a personal tribute to the Air Force on the occasion of your anniversary. I have entrusted my life to the Air Force. The head of our Presidential Security Group Brigadier General Celedonio Boquiren is from the Air Force. His immediate predecessor and now head of the Intelligence Service of the AFP Brigadier General Romeo Prestoza is from he Air Force. The head of the Presidential Guard Battalion Lt. Colonel Ralph Mamawag is from the Air Force. Your Commanding General Lt. General Pedrito Cadungog was the head of my Presidential Air Lift Wing. Thank you very much Philippine Air Force for your care for me and my family.

Today, of course, we honor not just those who take care of me and my family but we honor those who have risked their own lives to save others. Our Gold Cross awardee won his award in battle, but most of the other awardees are those who have won their awards by saving other people’s lives or incidentally Troop Commander, Gibtikas Pahinga.

Since General Cadungog was my – was the head of my Presidential Air Lift Wing I was comfortable enough to ask him on a very short notice to transfer your anniversary celebration to Cebu, coming on the heels, as he has said, of the terrible tragedy left in he wake of the typhoon and the ferry accident. Because we want to focus attention on the heroism of the members of the Philippine Air Force who flies, search, rescue and relief mission out of these days and to pay our respects to the casualties of the calamity, most of whom are the Cebuano victims of the ferry accident.

Dahil balita na ang pagdating ng bagyo ilang oras bago ako umalis patungong Estados Unidos, noong gabing iyon bago ako umalis, pumunta muna ako sa Villamor Air Base, upang tiyaking handa ang Air Force tumugon sa pagsaklolo o pagtulong sa taong bayan. At pagbalik sa madaling araw unang pinuntahan muli ang Villamor Air Base para kumustahin ang mga nagkakarga ng gamit sa C-130 para dalhin sa Panay Island ang pinakanasalantang lugar. Twenty four hours nagtatrabaho ang Philippine Air Force dito sa kalamidad na ito. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

When I was away, the Presidential planes were used as part of the assets and in fact they were used here in Cebu, in Northern Cebu, especially to help out in search, rescue and relief. The trip to the United States reaffirmed the strong ties between our two nations and advanced important issues with the US, our most important friend and strategic ally. We were able to meet with President Bush, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority leader, and other important officials to press for economic aid, food security and stronger military cooperation. We have strengthened military cooperation with the US to continuously implement the Philippine Defense Reform Plan, particularly the capability upgrade program. So, among other things, we expect more skills upgrading programs for our air men and other soldiers sponsored by the US, on top, of course, of the hard assets. For hard assets we are not just relying on the US; we are also relying on the fruits of the reforms of the Value-Added Tax, so that we can finance much of our own modernization. This is why we have been able to set aside billions of pesos for the purchase of new helicopters and not just reconditioned ones. And they will be bidded out soon.

A number of primary and basic trainer aircraft are also coming soon. These should prevent the Air Force from running out of planes and prevent pilots from running out of the Air Force. As for personnel in non-combat missions, PAF reservists, who count Secretary Teodoro among them, have more wings than the Air Force. So, we have a great force multiplier. They can fly planes for peace while PAF regulars press on with missions to end conflict. And because we are so appreciative of the work of the Air Force, the work of the Armed Forces and the work of all government workers, we have a 10% pay increase for all government employees starting this month including all AFP personnel.

With your better pay must come better means to do your work not only hard assets but operating expenses. Secretary Teodoro will make sure that your MOOE for petroleum, oil and lubricants and spare parts is always adequate. With all these to help you do your work even better, may I ask you, may I enjoin you, brave and hardworking men and women of the Philippine Air Force, as you pro-fly to provide lift, to deliver support, to revive hope, to ensure peace for a nation that is taking off and hoping to rise to the level of first world in 20 years,. I call on you surge on full power, fly safely and press on with your role as the all- embracing wings of our nation.

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PGMA to groundbreak $250-million Shangri-La at the Fort

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will groundbreak tomorrow the newest addition to the growing number of world-class hotels under the internationally renowned Shangri-La Hotel chain: the Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila in Taguig City.

To be built at a cost of $250 million, the 60-story Shangri-La Hotel will be an architectural marvel at the Fort, former headquarters of the Philippine Army – Fort Bonifacio.

Now known as the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the new business center has emerged as the top destination of leading local and international companies wishing to invest, expand and do business in the Philippines.

The Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila will house 500 guestrooms and 234 apartments. The new hotel will complement the four existing hotel properties of Shangri-La Asia Limited in the Philippines and the Shangri-la Resort and Spa, Boracay which is scheduled to open late this year.

Guestrooms will range in size from 52 square meters for a standard room to 260 square meters for a “Horizon Club” room, Shangri-La’s exclusive retreat for discerning travelers that offer a host of special amenities and privileges, including a lounge for daily breakfast and cocktails, meeting rooms and express check-in and check-out services.

The hotel will also feature over 4,600 square meters of meeting and banqueting facilities, including a grand ballroom, junior ballroom, 11 function rooms, a boardroom, business center, individual teleconferencing room and a 350-square meter high-end outdoor event area.

Eduard Kuok, president and chief executive officer of Shangri-la Asia Limited, said the construction of the Shangri-la at the Fort is a “demonstration of our firm commitment to the Philippines.”

“Our presence and confidence in this market continues to grow with an expanding portfolio of business and leisure properties,” he added.

The new hotel is expected to further spur economic activity within and around the Fort and provide jobs and livelihood opportunities to thousands of residents in the National Capital Region (NCR).

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Palace orders probe of newsman’s killing

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered a thorough investigation of the killing of broadcast journalist Bert Sison, 60, in Sariaya, Quezon Monday night.

“We condemn in the strongest language the killing of Sison in Quezon,” Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said today.
“An investigation is being ordered to get at the perpetrators,” he added.

Motorcycle-riding gunmen killed Sison and slightly wounded one of his daughters, while another daughter, who pretended to be dead,managed to escape unharmed, police said.

A broadcaster of radio station DZAT and correspondent of the weekly “Regional Bulletin,” Sison was ambushed as he drove home late Monday with two of his daughters.

He also hosted a weekly radio music program.

Police said the assailants shot Sison's 30-year-old daughter, Liwayway Andaya, in the hand as she fled, slightly wounding her.

Sison's other daughter, 24-year-old Amirah Sison, escaped unscathed by pretending to be dead.

The two daughters are also correspondents of the "Regional Bulletin," which publishes mostly crime stories and articles often critical of politicians.

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Families of the victims of ill-fated M/V Princess get financial assistance

CEBU CITY - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today extended her condolences to the families of the victims of the ill-fated M/V "Princess of the Stars" by handing them P10,000 cash assistance each.

After attending the 61st anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, the President immediately motored to the Cebu City Disaster Action Center (CCDAC) at the Cebu City Sports Complex for the memorial Mass attended by the families and relatives of the victims.

The President was accompanied by Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Presidential Management Staff head Cerge Remonde, DOTC Undersecretary Marilen Bautista and acting Cebu Mayor Mike Rama.

The 55-minute memorial Mass was officiated by Monsignor Roberto Alesna.

After the Mass, she personally extended her condolences to members of the initial 30 families eligible to receive the P10,000 cash assistance each.

Among the 30 initial recipients were Andrea Torres, Leonora Abaho and Milagros Rosell. The cash assistance came from the Office of the President.

The families of the remaining 700-plus passengers will also receive the same amount as soon as their eligibility as recipients will be validated.

Last June 21, the M/V “Princess of the Stars” capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon when typhoon “Frank” hit the province.

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PGMA names retired C.A. justice, RTC judge as new Comelec commissioners

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed a retired Court of Appeals justice and a regional trial court judge as commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

They are retired CA Justice Lucenito Tagle and Malabon Regional Trial Court Judge Leonardo Leonida.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced the new Comelec appointments at a press briefing today in Malacanang.

Tagle and Leonida were among those included in the shortlist of possible Comelec appointees that the selection committee submitted to the President for final action.

The new appointments leave only one more position of Comelec commissioner vacant.

Also appointed were Romeo S. Momo as undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Josephine DC. Dominguez as undersecretary for Indigenous Peoples, Office of External Affairs, OPA, Office of the President; Danilo L. Valero, as executive director, Road Board Secretariat, DPWH;

Amalia Amador Muhlach, acting member, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB); Ed Pamintuan, chairman/CEO, North Luzon Railways Corporation; Angelo Ang Palana, commissioner (representing the Employers Sector National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC); and Ruben F. Ciron, director general, civil aviation authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Tagle, a 1960 graduate of the UP College of Law, started his career as a lawyer at the Araneta, Mendoza and Papa Law Office in Escolta, Manila.

He later established his own law office in Makati. He also taught at the University of the East College of Law for almost five years and was appointed Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in Imus, Cavite in 1990 where he was designated Executive Judge.

In March 2004, Tagle was appointed Justice of the Court of Appeals.

The Philippine Judiciary Academy sent him to Bangkok, Thailand to represent the Philippines in an international symposium on the role of the judiciary in sustainable development.

He is now connected with the Philippine Judicial Academy on environmental law.

Tagle is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, director of the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila and Vice President of the Makati Host Lions Club.

Leonida, on the other hand, finished his law degree at the San Beda College in 1973.

He started his career in government service in 1984 as secretary to one of several committees of the Batasang Pambansa.

After Martial Law, he served as a committee secretary in the 1986 Constitutional Commission.

In 1987, he was appointed assistant provincial prosecutor of Rizal province. He was fiscal in various courts for 10 years before he was appointed in 1997 by then President Fidel V. Ramos as presiding judge of Branch 27 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

A native of Marinduque where he finished his elementary and high school education, Leonida obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Manuel L. Quezon University in 1969; Bachelor of Law in 1973; and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1983.

Tagle and Leonida fill up two of the three vacancies at the COMELEC left by Commissioners Florentino Tuazon and Resurreccion Borra who retired early this year, and the death last May of Romeo Brawner.

The other members of the poll body are Chairman Jose Melo, and Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Moslemen Macarambon, and Nicodemo Ferrer.

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PGMA is back in Aklan to accelerate relief and rehab efforts

KALIBO, Aklan -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo returned today here to oversee and hasten the ongoing relief distribution and rehabilitation efforts in the province which was the worst hit by Typhoon Frank last June 21.

The President arrived 4:30 p.m. at the Kalibo airport here after presiding over the Regional Disaster Coorinating Council (RDCC 4) meeting in San Jose, Romblon.

The President immediately proceeded to Barangay Mobo and led the distribution of family packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) consisting of rice, noodles and canned goods at the barangay school's compound.

Warmly welcoming the President were some 1,000 residents led by Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebalde and Barangay Mobo Chairman Wendell Tayco.

Barangay Mobo, along with neighboring barangays Bakhaw Norte and Busuang Old, were the worst hit areas by floodwaters brought by the typhoon, with the water level reaching as high as 10 feet.

Brgy. Chairman Tayco said it was still a blessing that the rampaging floodwaters that lasted for more than two hours came at daytime at about 3 p.m.

But still, he lamented that two people were not saved from drowning, and his more than 1,400 constituents were all heavily affected.

"Nagpasalamat kami ng marami kay Presidente sa malaking tulong ng gobyerno," Tayco said.

The President assured Tayco of livelihood assistance, particularly in vegetable farming which the barangay is noted for.

The President said vegetable seeds would arrive tomorrow afternoon and the residents would be employed under the cash-for-work program for the cleanup of the barangay.

At the Kalibo airport yesterday afternoon, the President also led the distribution of 5,450 family packs, 58 boxes of assorted medicines, and 1,000 blankets for the affected families in the 17 towns of the province.
Gov. Carlito Marquez informed the President that more than 50 percent or 292,877 of the province's total population of 495,122 were affected by the typhoon.

The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) also reported that 12,805 houses were totally destroyed while 32,059 were partially damaged.

The President earlier tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to help clear the mud and other debris brought by floodwaters and strong winds.

The President was much applauded when she announced the provision of housing materials that would arrive within a week for those whose houses were totally destroyed by the typhoon.

The President also assured the arrival of the province's additional requirement of 2,000 bags of rice.

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PGMA thanks PAF for securing her and the whole nation

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed today her gratitude to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for securing her and her family, and the whole nation.

The President personally expressed her gratitude to the officials and personnel of the PAF during its 61st Foundation Anniversary celebration held today at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City, in Cebu province.

"Congratulations to the Air Force on your anniversary! Thank you, Philippine Air Force for your care for me and my family," the President said.

"I would like to start by expressing a personal tribute to the Air Force on the occasion of your anniversary. I have entrusted my life to the Air Force," she said.

The President said her security team -- the Presidential Security Group (PSG) now headed by Brig. Gen. Celedonio Boquiren -- is from the PAF.

She also said former PSG head Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, now the head of the Intelligence Service of the AFP, is also from the Air Force and that the head of the Presidential Guards Battalion, Lt. Col. Ralph Mamauag, is also from the Air Force.

The President added that the PAF Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog, is the head of the Presidential Airlift Wing.

The PAF became a separate military service on July 1, 1947, when President Manuel Roxas issued Executive Order 94, which created the Philippine Naval Patrol and the Air Force as equal branches of the Philippine Army and the then Philippine Constabulary.

The PAF was preceded by the Philippine Air Service, Philippine Constabulary Air Corps and the Philippine Army Corps.

From using the 30-year old F-5A fighter jets in the 1990’s, the PAF, under its modernization program, has new SF-260 trainer planes and night attack helicopters.

It is also set to acquire eight primary trainer aircraft,10 additional Huey UH-1H utility helicopters, eight brand new combat utility helicopters, eight new attack helicopters, two light lift aircraft,12 trainer helicopters. The PAF would also upgrade 20 MD520MG.

Its modernization goal under the Arroyo administration said the PAF, is to help wipe out the country’s insurgency problem by 2010.

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Press Briefing of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita with Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, 02 July 2008

Q: Good afternoon, sir. Bumagsak po iyong stock market today and the peso reached P45 to a dollar dahil po doon sa pangamba na tataas iyong inflation because of the, iyong unstable prices of oil, at every week po ay tumataas iyong presyo ng langis. Any mitigating measures that the government will impose, sir, kasi nagrereklamo na po iyong mga tao ngayon doon sa pataas na pataas na presyo ng langis?

ERMITA: You know, Weng, I might say this really, for the moment, is expected dahil alam naman natin ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis affects just about everything, including the prices of prime commodities. And we can see each effect especially in our dollar-peso exchange rate – from 42, it went to 43, 44, now it’s 45.

But, I would say that this is not really a cause for alarm because it’s just reacting to the market forces. And as a matter of fact, an announcement was made by the Department of Finance that we’ll be able to have a balanced budget in this year, 2008. It goes to show that they have enough indicators and enough basis for such a prediction that we’ll be able to have a balanced budget this year, by the end of 2008. On the details, I suppose it’s the economic team, especially the Department of Finance and NEDA, would be able to give more specifics about the mitigating measures. But you can be very sure, President Arroyo – being an economist herself – is fully in control of the situation and had given enough instructions to the economic team in order to prevent the further increase in inflation rate brought about by these forces.

Q: Sir, previously, the DOE has tapped the experts from the University of the Philippines to make an audit of the accounts or the books of iyong mga oil companies. May update na po ba with regards to that?

ERMITA: I have no information right now. There is something else that Secretary Reyes told me about where we tapped the experts from the University of the Philippines; this is in connection with the energy contingency task force work. But on this particular subject matter, I have no information.

Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Executive Secretary.

ERMITA: Good afternoon, Mike.

Q: Any update on the meeting between Leandro Mendoza, the Secretary, and Sulpicio Lines for the possible sailing again of cargo vessels of the shipping company?

ERMITA: At the moment, the announcement is the same. I spoke with Secretary Mendoza before coming here, and he told me that that meeting is set for 5 o’ clock this afternoon. The whole morning, he had a meeting with the transport sector regarding the clamor of the transport sector, especially the jeepney and bus operators, for fare increase. So, towards lunch time, they just finished. There has been no final agreement yet. But Secretary Mendoza is confident that there will be a compromised agreement that can be reached with the transport sector especially the jeepney and bus. If you recall, sabi nga niya, pantawid ng kahirapan lamang iyong increase ng fifty centavos sa jeepney. Ngayon eh humihingi na naman sila; at ganun din ang buses, huminhingi ng piso. Pero wala pang napagkakasunduan sapagka’t katatapos lang ng kanilang meeting. I think they are further exploring the subject matter. Nothing final that he can tell me.

Q: On the cargo vessels, your announcement yesterday that the President has instructed the secretary to talk with Sulpicio Lines. Did we get it right that there’s this directive just to explore an effective control, the President did not yet order the immediate resumption of the operation?

ERMITA: The President is conscious that the matter of control by the government of such a private company involved in public utility, such as Sulpicio, has to have the go signal or authority from Congress, borne out by the jurisprudence now on Proclamation 1017, that only Congress can give such authority. With that, it is very well studied and—being studied, rather. And the President in the Cabinet meeting in Iloilo yesterday said that the DOTC should sit down with Sulpicio because of the information we got that about 40% of all cargos being handled by the shipping lines are handled by Sulpicio. As a matter of fact, nagkakameron ng clogging sa North Harbor, and for that matter in Cebu port and other major ports. So, malalaman natin up to the 5 o’clock meeting ang modality of how the participation of government through Marina, and for that matter, that could involve the Coast Guard auxiliary in the matter of assigning safety marshals to the ships of Sulpicio that will carry cargos, inter-island between Manila, Cebu and other important ports. So, mamaya pa natin malalaman kung ano ang final arrangement. But the instruction is, to let them know that the President is concerned. Kinakailangan bibigyan ng go signal, but with some control from government.

Q: So, it’s clear that the President wants the operation to resume?
ERMITA: Yes, as far as cargos shipment is concerned,

Q: When is the target—

ERMITA: Well, it can very well happen after the meeting this afternoon, baka meron ng decision sila.

Q: On another matter, sir. Iyong opposition ng PISA, iyong operator ng mga cargo vessels and, I think, passenger ships din, to the guidelines given now by government in governing sailing of ships during stormy weathers. They were opposing basically on the assumption that it would impact on the economy. What is the reaction of the Palace?

ERMITA: That was not discussed in detail yet. Akala namin ay mapapag-usapan kahapon. But, sa Iloilo, the President decided that this thing can be discussed a little later, which is any time now, dahil nga pinag-usapan eh is the immediate reaction on addressing the relief assistance needed by the affected areas. So, hihingi ako ng kopya, whatever draft maybe, I will even ask a briefing from DOTC kung ano iyong guidelines to change or amend the existing guidelines especially that which cover the ships leaving port especially when there is already a typhoon signal, between the point of origin and the point of destination para we can avoid all these. But, wala pa kaming nakukuhang na kopya ng amended guidelines because this is supposed to be something that is under the supervision of DOTC through Marina and Philippine Coast Guard.

Q: Sir, iyong new guidelines, the focus would be on the safety of passengers, or on cargo? What would be the weight here—

ERMITA: Well, I’m very sure it will cover both. But, siyempre given the importance that we’re giving to lives of our passengers, siyempre it is heavy on the safety of passengers using the ships in inter-island travels.

Q: Kasi, sir, this group is raising the doomsday scenario when it comes to the impact on the economy on a total ban during typhoons even at signal one. But, studies show that in 2004, a lot of cargo vessels actually went down compared to passenger ships. So, I think, their argument, if you will agree, is on shallow water, that the cargo should be given much attention now, these pending cargos in the ports of Cebu and Manila, than the—

ERMITA: Well, we need to give attention to both. But, ang sabi ko nga, mahalaga ng buhay ng tao kaya mas mahalaga ang bibigyan ng guidelines siyempre sa safety of those traveling using our ships. Siyempre, kaya nga nag-decide na si Presidente na kausapin ang Sulpicio na bibigyan natin ng mga safety marshals itong Sulpicio ships – and for that matter, the other ships – when they travel, precisely because it can affect our economy kung magkakameron ng stoppage ang biyahe ng Sulpicio Lines na nagdadala ng cargo. Mahalaga rin ang mga cargo, but iba-balance natin iyong guidelines to attend and balance the importance of passengers, as well as the cargo, to our economic life.

DUREZA: May I supplement a little bit?
ERMITA: Yah.

DUREZA: Actually the government is trying to balance doing due diligence in order that we assure the safety of these vessels, but at the same time, immediately, as soon as possible, normalize the flow of traffic. Alam ninyo naman na the Philippines is composed of islands, and sea ferry vessels are very, very important conduits for goods, services and passengers. So, binabalanse ngayon ng gobyerno, due diligence and also seeing to it that we normalize as soon as possible.

Q: Sir, going back to the fluctuation of Forex. Sir, what other mitigating measures do you see that are needed at this point because a three-peso decrease in the strength of the peso that will have an impact on your debt payments? Parang do you think, there’s need to give more subsidies now? Ano iyong mga measures na gagawin ng government?

ERMITA: Joyce, I am not in a position to give some details about mitigating measures because this is something that no report has been received here in the Palace. Siguro because of our concern for it especially brought about by your questions, that will be among the first things that I’ll have to ask Secretary Teves. And for that matter, can you get in touch with Secretary Teves, baka puwede tayong mag-teleconference so that--to the satisfaction of the Malacañang Press Corps.

Q: Other issues na lang muna. Sir, this morning, it was reported that the MILF bombed a transmission line in – transmission tower, rather, in Cotabato. And it appears that there’s no slowing down on the atrocities being committed there in Mindanao, in Cetral Mindanao. How will this affect your peace talks? And any guidelines for your military?

ERMITA: Let’s hope it will not affect the ongoing negotiations or the peace process itself so much. Dahil napupuna natin kapag merong konting pinagkakadiperensiyahan, eh, there’s a tendency for the other side to undertake certain measures in the hope of being able to get a better reaction from the peace panel. But since Secretary Dureza was the former PAPP, maybe he can give you more insights from his experience as the presidential adviser on the peace process on the matter that’s going on now in Mindanao. Jess, please.

DUREZA: We were in Digos with the President the other day. And it was in Digos that she had instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines, due to the resurgence of violence in the areas concerned, to take appropriate steps in order to protect the civilians from harm from those who disrupt the peace. She said so, but also emphasizing the primacy of the peace process as a continuing policy.

In other words, it is a directive to our Armed Forces to take the appropriate steps. And we expect that these will be calibrated steps because we do not want to squander the gains that we have already achieved in the peace process.

Please recall that the President already approved, together with the Cabinet, the last government draft that we submitted already to the other side through our Malaysian facilitators. So, this is the ongoing work now between the two panels. And we hope that, probably very soon, we will get word from the chairman of the panel, Secretary Rudy Garcia, on the actual status of these developments in the peace process.

ERMITA: Maybe Secretary Dureza can also give you some insights on how the ceasefire mechanism works in situation like this, where complaints are brought out by both parties – the CCCH. What normally the CCH will do in order to address the complaints. So, can you give them an idea?

DUREZA: Maybe a little briefing lamang, very basic. Ang panel natin, GRP panel at ang MILF ay merong tinatawag na ceasefire committee. Iyong tig-isang committee that is being composed in the part of the Philippine government, of our Armed Forces generals or representatives, and police representatives, and of course may technical working group na nagsusuporta niyan. Ang MILF ganun din. We have, therefore, a joint ceasefire committee that merges both. At ito ngayon ang nag-i-implement nang tinatawag natin na ceasefire agreement that was signed.

Ang first recourse kapag may mga insidente involving verfied MILF elements at verified AFP elements, iyong committee ang mag-aayos. Sometimes, they agree that puwede bang mag-reposition muna ng tropa; can you stop the fighting, maybe reposition the troops so that there will be no more conflict that will take place. And then, an investigation is conducted to determine kung sino ba ang nag-provoke, sino bang nag-start ng violation, meron ba. And the results are brought to the level of their respective panels.

So, meron tayong magandang mechanism that is in place to avoid escalation. Meron kasing mga insidente, we cannot avoid them kasi armado iyong tao sa grupo at may mga ibang interest din sa localities.

Then we have, of course, the international monitoring team na tumutulong, that is headed by Malaysia--although they have already downscaled their presence in our international monitoring team. And very important – paminsan hindi po natutukan ng lahat – meron tayong local monitoring teams. These are the local civilians in the localities who really see to it na hindi magkabakbakan ulit dahil sila iyong maapektuhan kapag may bakbakan ulit in their respective areas.

So, we have these mechanisms that are in place under the ceasefire mechanism. And we are noticing some resurgence nga of some of these incidents, but I’m sure we have sufficient mechanism to address these incidents that are ongoing right now.

Q: Sir, follow up lang. Sir, it’s baffling because, precisely, you have already submitted the first draft on ancestral domain, and the government panel has claimed that it’s a win-win solution for all. How come these atrocities are happening? Is there a group there that’s trying to sabotage your peace talks? Because you tried to give all the concessions naman to the MILF, but suddenly they’re on the move. They’re bombing left and right.

DUREZA: Yeah, alam mo, hind kasi ganun ka-simple, Joyce, ang situation on the ground. Meron tayong MILF, may iba’t ibang grupo din diyan, may kidnap for ransom groups, meron din iba diyan na gusto lang manggugulo – merong kidnap for ransom groups, merong Abu Sayyaf group. So, it’s not a de kahon type na—so, what we’re saying right now are incidents, and they are now being addressed by the ceasefire committee. But according to the President, in the last directive to the Armed Forces in Digos, Davao del Sur the other day, she has directed the Armed Forces to see to it na iyong mga civilians na maapektuhan will adequately be protected. So, we leave that, therefore, to the ground commanders to make that determination operationally.

Q: To Secretary Ermita. Sir, although na-reject na ni Presidene iyong government takeover sa Sulpicio, may we know kung kaninong idea iyon at saka ano iyong specific reasons na binanggit niya?

ERMITA: Wala namang nire-reject si Presidente. Ang pinag-usapan lamang sa Gabinete ay kung anong dapat gawin na matatawag natin na clamor from the public ng dahil sa pangyayari eh –pang-apat na beses na nangyari ito sa Sulpicio controlled ships – ay dapat kinakailangan na merong measures ang gobyerno na gawin. Ngayon, ang Board of Marine Inquiry is expected to finish its job, according to Secretary Mendoza, in the next twelve days. Kasi two weeks from Monday, eh di in the next twelve days. So ngayon, noong napag-usapan ang bagay kung puwede bang mag-control ang gobyerno, the Secretary of Justice gave the reminder that the Supreme Court already made a decision on Proclamation 1017, not being enough for government to order the takeover of public or private utilities because it needs legislation or authorization from Congress.

So, because of that, ang pinag-uusapan ngayon, what other mode by which we can better control the operation of a company, shipping companies such as Sulpicio. Meanwhile, it came out na, iyon nga, malaking epekto sa ating ekonomiya lalung-lalo na when there are basic food commodities, including rehabilitation materials such as construction materials not being able to reach the places where they are needed. So, napag-usapan kahapon, iyon nga na hindi gawing total ban ang--o ang suspension for Sulpicio ships not to travel. Kaya pinapakiusap ni Presidente si Secretary Mendoza sa Sulpicio, which will happen at 5 o’clock, kung papaano ang arrangement para ngayon makabiyahe but with some members coming from Marina, Coast Guard, or for that matter, even from the Coast Guard Auxiliary Group. Dahil ang member ng Auxiliary Group ng Coast Guard ay mga retired at mga experienced officials of the maritime industry.

So that is the situation right now. Hindi naman sa sinasabi natin na walang mangyayaring measure against Sulpicio dahil hintayin muna natin ang resulta ng investigation ng Board of Marine Inquiry. Kasi ang ating hinihintay diyan ay ano bang culpability ng Sulpicio Lines, ang culpability ng government agencies supervising maritime affairs, like Coast Guard and Marina. So, tingnan natin kung merong mga culpabilities sila. It’s very hard to, right now, jump the gun and say somebody is to be punished without looking at the details.

Ngayon, for example, pumasok pa iyong element na non-disclosure of that very important cargo as the endosulfan – highly toxic pesticide. And therefore, that will come into the equation. Kaya kinailangan na sa pamamagitan ng task force, ang Sulpicio ay nag-employ ng sea divers coming from Cebu and Singapore. Kahapon nandun na iyong tatlong representative ng sea divers group, and then iyong owner dumating na ngayon para i-supervise iyong diving operation para tingnan kung anong dapat gawin. Everything has to be done in priority. Ano ba sa ngayon ang priority? First we wanted to save lives. Alam natin wala nang mase-save na lives; gusto natin ma-retrieve. Then we found out na meron doong toxic material, therefore, we need to see to it that the personal safety naman of the divers be safeguarded. Hence, itong mga ginagawa natin is by priority. Ano ba ang mas importante sa ngayon.

Q: Sir, clarification. Option pa rin po ba o hindi na iyong government takeover?

ERMITA: I would say, it’s still an open option.

Q: Sir nire-retain pa rin ba iyong leadership ng PAGASA, Marina at saka ng Coast Guard, kasi mayron ding mga allegations ng negligence sa part nila.

ERMITA: Well, precisely Rose, iyon nga nasabi ko sa’yo, hintayin muna natin ang resulta ng investigation ng Board of Marine Inquiry. For example, right now just because nabasa natin na nagrereklamo ang Sulpicio na hindi nagbigay ng accurate information ang PAGASA, and yet ang PAGASA naman, we are confident that they gave enough information. Sa katunayan mayrong kopya dito, ang pinagbasihan ng briefing ni Undersecretary Len Bautista, ang report ng port manager sa Batangas. Nakalagay dito, nakita naman ninyo kahapon iyong mga nandun sa Iloilo, naka-plot dito. And I might repeat and I would like to read from the report of Mister Alex Cruz, the port manager of Batangas. Babasahin ko for your better appreciation ano, “At around 23:52 meaning 11:52 in the evening of June 20, Friday. Operator Console Number 2 registered Super Ferry 19, a vessel with automatic identification system took shelter in Puerto Galera Cove Oriental Mindoro, together with number of vessels from Batangas and Calapan.” Itong mga ito nung makita nilang ganun, Friday ng gabi ito ha, “On June 21, Saturday at about 00:38 meaning 38 minutes after midnight, our Console registered one southbound vessel without automatic identification system passed through the south of Maricaban Island with a speed of 19.1 knots, continued on her voyage despite of other vessels that took shelter. Said vessel is suspected to be the MV Princess of the Stars because it has the same cruising speed of Super Ferry 19,” from the second paragraph report of the port manager of Batangas. And, ipinadala pa nga ito, ito ang pinagbasihan ng briefing ni Len Bautista.
Now, … of registry para malaman ninyo na as far as the government officials are concerned, mayron silang basic information. Kaya, just because nabasa natin sa peryodiko ng abogado ng Sulpicio ay gusting magharap ng habla laban sa PAGASA does not mean that we will immediately conclude na ha kailangang imbestigahan din natin ang PAGASA. Eh alam naman ninyo ang weather is very unpredictable. Imagine one time it’s going this way, then suddenly it veered. Mayroon akong binabasa ditong report that suddenly it veered towards west-northwest meaning galing sa Eastern Mindanao rather than going direct North nag-Northwest pumasok nga papunta sa kabisayaan hanggang dito sa Luzon.

Q: Secretary Ermita, what conditions would warrant government takeover of Sulpicio Lines?

ERMITA: Depending on the specific findings by the Board of Marine Inquiry especially on negligence, and what will be heavy on this, and I think, from my personal point of view, is what measures have the company undertaken considering that it has already previous incidents of major sea disasters. And therefore, by now they’re expected to have taken certain specific measures to prevent this from happening, and yet we were told that the most capable sea captain that they have is this ship captain. Anong pangalan niyan? Marimon. O tatanungin ninyo, buhay pa ba siya? Hindi ko rin alam.

Q: Sir, so it would depend largely on the Board of Marine Inquiry investigation on their finding?

ERMITA: Well, I would say that really, it would be a basis for whatever decision will be made in the future because I’m very sure that we’ll be able to analyze the basis for the recommendation of the Board of Marine Inquiry and that become the basis of certain decisions as to whether who and how many and from what agency will have to take actions on as a result of this tragedy.

Q: Sir, pag napatunayan pong may negligence at sabi nyo nga open option po iyong takeover, so, hindi po malayong makipag-coordinate tayo sa Congress para i-concur nila iyong takeover?

ERMITA: Well, it’s not just concur of takeover. Remember that was also discussed since the Supreme Court decision said we need congressional authority, Congress is not in session, therefore we have to await Congress being in session after the SONA on July 28. So, meanwhile, the clock cannot stop; we have to continue with this investigation. Kung sakaling lalabas doon sa investigation na kinakailangan talagang effective government takeover, then that is the time that—anyway, we have already started informing the leadership of Congress that this could be an option. Now, we have to consider that itong mga bagay na ito ay kinakailangan pa rin pag-usapan. Hindi natin malaman kung ano ang mga pagkakaresultahan if we go to that course of action of asking Congress to pass a law authorizing the takeover by government. But, ang isang napakahalagang kinosider sa usapan ng government takeover ay kung sakaling gawin iyan ng gobyerno ngayon knowing na sabi ng PAGASA marami pa tayong typhoons na haharapin between now and December. Hindi ba sabi sa atin initially two months ago, we have twenty typhoons, ah ngayon aapat pa yata ang dumating e. E ngayon baka kung kailan nasa under government control na iyan, andaming aksidente na nangyari dahil--di ang gobyerno naman ang napalubog naman dun. I mean we’re just being practical. Iyon ang sabi nga ni Presidente nung pinag-uusapan iyan. We have to be very careful. It’s very easy to say takeover, mamaya-maya eh kinabukasan nagka-meron ng typhoon and then biglang lumubog iyong tatlo eh “siya iyan ang nakuha ninyo takeover kayo ng takeover eh.” No, but you see why we have to be very careful about this.

Q: Sir, Secretary Ermita and Secretary Dureza.

ERMITA: There must be a better one. Mayrong good eh.

Q: Sir, no less than the Vice President said that the captain of the ill-fated vessel Princess of the Stars is reportedly under the care of Sulpicio Lines officials. Are you thinking of verifying this information? And number two question is, what is the government doing in order to arrest the increase in prices of commodities in the typhoon-damaged areas?

ERMITA: On the first question, definitely you can be sure that this information as to the fate of the Captain is being verified. We don’t have to announce to the whole world, you can be very sure of that. Number two on the control of prices, the President has instructed the Department of Agriculture and especially the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry to oversee the local price councils which are headed by the LGUs, governors, city municipal mayors to ensure that prices of prime commodities do not increase unnecessarily; and this is covered under Republic Act 7581 known as the Price Act. It is now in effect especially that the local executives in the affected provinces, cities and municipalities have already declared state of calamity in their areas. And, having made such declarations, they can already utilize 5% of their IRA as calamity fund. And, we are still awaiting word from the DBM on whether there will be advance release of calamity fund to the affected areas so that the local LGUs will be in a position to address the matter of setting aside some amount as calamity fund to address their problem. So, I will repeat, the President has instructed the DTI and DA to ensure that the local price councils are active, and sanctions will be exercised upon any trader who will take advantage of the situation. Their licenses can be confiscated and their businesses closed if they take advantage of the situation.

DUREZA: May idadagdag ako don. We were in Sibuyan Island together with the President. Binisita niya iyong capsized vessel. But one of the instructions she gave doon sa Iloilo, we have to put a point person to be able to really closely monitor from the locals iyong gagawin na relief rehabilitation. So, in Panay, Task Force Panay was assigned to Presidential Assistant Raul Bañas. Doon sa Sibuyan, ang instruction ng ating Pangulo, relief pa ang trabaho doon eh dahil wala pang mapagkunan ng pagkain iyong mga tao pati mga fishermen hindi makapagpangisda dahil may danger nga, may suspicion that the waters may have contaminated the fish. So, ngayon parang there is a lot of support, and Secretary Art Yap was asked to stay behind and stay at the Island together with the other officials para matutukan nila iyong mga mitigating efforts to assist the victims. Right now, we’d like also to mention na the President ordered massive airlifting already of the relief goods coming from Metro Manila dahil ang ating air assets ng Air force hindi talaga sapat sa volume. So, Secretary Mendoza also had requested private commercial air cargo planes to assist and RORO vessels are also being utilized now. Pati iyong ating Ang Pangulo na vessel has been fielded as of yesterday to ferry all of these goods. So ngayon ang effort talaga doon sa mga affected areas is more on relief muna, tumutulong, but the mechanisms as mentioned by Secretary Ermita, these are all headed principally by the local government officials.

Q: Sir, there is a report that decision has been made to re-float the ferry MV Princess. So any more details about that?

ERMITA: The Sulpicio had been advised to undertake initial move to re-float their own ship. So, it’s very very important because right now, ang pinag-uusapan, ang pag re-float ba niyan ay kailangan in place o kinakailangang hilain muna to a certain place para madaling ire-float. Sapagkat, napakahirap gumawa ng recovery operation if the entire ship is still submerged under the water. So, mayron ng plano tungkol diyan, and Sulpicio Lines should be the one to undertake that.

Q: Any participation from the USS Reagan or any of the US facilities for that, for the floating?

ERMITA: None, the US ships like Stockham and USS Reagan in all probability baka if not today or tomorrow baka nagpull-out na sila sa lugar, their mission is finished so, wala silang participation whatsoever dun sa re-floating, planned re-floating.

Now, nandito na si Secretary Teves, … questions of, is it Mike and Joyce so phone patch natin ito. So, ang question, are you on the line, Secretary Gary? Ang question nila, what are the mitigating measures that government [is] doing in order to address the continuing rise of inflation rate as well as the deterioration of the exchange rate between the dollar and the peso? What are these mitigating measures? And I said being the member of the Economic Team, you are in a position to give a more accurate answer. Can you give us, share with us your thoughts on this Secretary Teves please.

TEVES: Yes, iyong short term measures doon sa –pagdadagdag ng supply ng commodities natin, particularly rice po. Iyong ginagawa ni Secretary Yap e dapat patuloy pa rin iyon na i-continue to flood the market with NFA rice. Doon naman po sa monitoring, kailangan na rigorous po at continued monitoring pa rin ang DTI atsaka Department of Agriculture sa rice saka iyong mga prime commodities. Doon naman po sa peso depreciation, inflation ng peso, depreciation actually sa Monetary Board iyan, pero sa tingin ko ito po ay makakatulong. Una, iyong pagpadali nung availment po ng tinatawag po natin na program loans. Itong program loans po ay quick disbursement po ito na naghahalaga ng $900 million for 2008. Mayroon po tayong $900 million na puwede natin pabilisin na kunin ito at makakadagdag ng supply of dollars and foreign exchange.

ERMITA: Saan manggagaling iyan?

TEVES: Mangagaling iyan sa mga World Bank o sa ADB ‘no. Nakalinya na po iyan at we will try to accelerate our availment of these. …milllion … Doon naman po sa ating assets, of course medyo iba ito ay mag-iiba ang isip nila pero makakatulong ito sa pagdagadag ng salapi ng ating gobyerno. Pero to strengthen also our peso, iyong pagbebenta ng ating remaining share sa Petron tsaka sa PNOCEC dahil pagbebenta niyan ay mas malaking tyansa mabibili iyan ng mga dayuhan at in dollars. At ito po ay makakadagdag din po ng foreign exchange sa ating bansa. At doon naman sa programang FIELD, meron diyang short term. Halimbawa iyong seeds natin sa F-I-E-L-D-S mayron tayong inventory na seeds na puwdeng pabilisan din ang pagbibigay nito sa mga farmers, saka fertilizer din po ‘ano.

Sa OFWs naman, susubukan pa natin kung talagang puwede pang mapababa natin iyong remittance fees sa charges ng ating mga bangko. Umpisahan natin sa government bank, although talagang mababa na but we’ll try to do it as low as possible para ma-engganyo pa rin ang ating overseas Filipino workers to continue sending their foreign exchange (unclear) to the Philippines. Mas marami po diyan ang medium term, pero nabanggit ko nga iyong dapat ngayon. Isa pa in terms of helping our families, kung sakaling …biglaan sa inflation rate, iyong napag-usapan natin sa Cabinet kahapon na dagdagan iyong calamity fund especially sa mga typhoon-stricken areas ng Frank, … others, tsaka iyong condonation ng penalties sa mga nanghihiram ng pera sa bangko.

So, iyon lang for the meantime ang masasabi po natin in terms of the short term measures. Sa inflation, iyong supply dadagdagan natin ng bigas ang merkado, monitoring by the DTI. Sa foreign exchange naman po, iyong quick availment of our program loans saka maaprubahan at mabenta iyong Petron at PNOCEC po.

ERMITA: Mayroon ba kayong clarification? Iyong clarification lang ano?

TEVES: Yes, go ahead.

Q: Pa-clarify lang po ang balanced budget goal po natin, when po -- 2008 or 2010?

ERMITA: Kailan daw ang balanced budget target natin?

TEVES: Sa 2010 na po, kasi ang vision po ng ating Pangulo saka ng Cabinete na pagka ngayon kailangan mas importante suportahan natin iyong additional spending requirement ng ating mahihirap. So we’re prepared to spend an additional 75 billion over and above na binudget natin for 2008. Sa 2010 na tayo ang ating programa na ibalanse iyong budget po natin.

Q: Sir, di po ba, kasi lalong tumataas iyong presyo ng langis and then tumataas iyong halaga ng dolyar? Ano pong nakikita ninyong impact? Di po ba lalong magiging mas matindi ang impact kasi mas mataas po iyong value noong dollar. You have to pay more sa imports natin.

TEVES: Hindi ko po narinig iyon. Kindly repeat the question.

Q: Sir, kasi di ba tumataas po iyong presyo ng langis and then tumataas din iyong value ng dollar, so we have to pay more for our imports. Sir do you see this affecting heavily iyong ating fiscal situation po kasi po we have to pay more po in dollars considering tumataas iyong dollars ngayon, bumababa iyong piso.

TEVES: Well, kaya mayron tayong mitigating and short term measure po ngayon, pero ang permanent saka medium term solution ay kailangan din natin. That’s the reason why we have to work on competitiveness dun sa export natin. Bumabalik tayo doon sa cost of electricity natin. Kailangan babaan natin; maghanap tayo ng paraan para mapababa iyan. Dun naman sa inflation, ang permanent solution po niyan ay bumalik tayo don sa self sufficiency program dahil talagang kailangan natin. Dagdagan pa ng supply iyong Pilipinas kasi napakakonti iyong supply na available for international trading po ngayon. Pero sa short term, medyo nga may problema po tayo kaya naghahanap tayo ng short term solution. Hopefully, we can address this, pero hindi madali. But it’s happening, but we’re trying to hold our fort by working on the short term measures.

ERMITA: Mayroon lang follow up si Joyce pero I might say, Secretary Teves maybe you can give us one page explanation of this. You can fax it to us and we could pass it around. Baka they can capture the essence of what you’re talking about. Short term, medium and long range measure.

TEVES: Oo sige, I would instruct my staff, nasa Davao po tayo ngayon. And I would just try to give it to you as soon as possible.

ERMITA: Kung puwede raw four o’clock Secretary Gary. May deadline po ang mga ito eh.

TEVES: Sige, I’ll try to call now and then try to put it in layman’s language iyong nabanggit natin about short term and medium term po. Inflation saka sa foreign exchange po.

ERMITA: Very well, maraming salamat.

TEVES: Makakatulong din po kung matawagan din ang Monetary Board. Sila po ay namamahala diyan sa inflation, sa depreciation, sa foreign exchange stability and price stability.

ERMITA: Gary, mayroon lang follow up si Joyce.

Q: Sir, a few questions lang. Sir, anong effect nung P3 decrease ng forex natin from 42 to 45? Do you see the need to have more subsidies for the poor, and how fast can you get those program loans of $900 million?

ERMITA: Ano ba iyong epekto ng depreciation ng dollar-peso exchange by P3?

TEVES: Hindi natin ma-e-estimate po iyan kasi ang epekto ng, ang depreciation, po maraming mga factors iyan outside of demand and … ;mayroong political, mayroong exchange rate doon sa ibang bansa. So, napaka-complicated po niyan, you can not estimate it. Personally I’m not doing that. So, ang Bangko Sentral, I don’t know if they still do it. Pero hindi natin mai-estimate iyon by P1, P2, P3. it’s just, sa akin ngayon, siguro maghanap na lang tayo ng paraan to try to … the peso depreciation. Kasi may epekto iyan doon sa pagbabayad ng ating interest, pagbabayad ng ating utang, lalaki ang ating peso requirements. That’s all can say for the meantime.

TEVES: … disbursement as soon as possible kasi naka programa na iyan iyan sa taong ito, iyong 900 na iyan; so kailangan pabilisin na natin within the next two months kung pwede, three months at most.

ERMITA: Iyong program loans?

TEVES: Iyong program loans, pero mas mabilis kasi (interrupted)…

ERMITA: … million dollars?

TEVES: Oo, oo.

ERMITA: Okay, thank you very much, Secretary Teves

TEVES: We’ll try to … by about 4[o’clock}, 4:30, ganoon

ERMITA: We will wait for that paper. Anyway, I hope you got something out of that. Alam ninyo, ang mga technical matters na ganiyan mabuti nakukuha natin iyan from the technical people para you can write about it much better. Bago natin ipadala iyon, we’ll pass it on to Sec. Dureza to give it to you.

Q: Secretary Ermita, iyong that open option for government to take over in Sulpicio Lines, does it cover iyong cargo or passenger operations, or both?

ERMITA: Sa ngayon, ang instruction ni Presidente ay iyon munang cargo para sa ganoon, they can be allowed to sail already. And I hope by tomorrow, that will happen already with some government people going along with Sulpicio ships bringing the cargo. On the entire operation including passengers, we have to await the recommendation. For that matter, if something comes up before the twelve days is over, then we will make an appropriate announcement whether there will be such a takeover or not, the rationale for it, and the mechanics of takeover. Pero sa ngayon, it’s very hard to talk of something that we’re still awaiting the result of the investigation.

Q: So parang in two weeks’ time, we can come up with a (interrupted)…

ERMITA: Well, ang sabi kasi ni--sa ngayon, pinagaaralan na iyan; pati nga iyong guidelines, mayroon na silang amendment noong present—iyong ten-year guideline, iyong sinasabi ni Secretary Mendoza. But there’s a work in progress, and we will see to it that by the time we will make the announcement of the result of the Board of Marine Inquiry investigation, then, together with it will be the publication of the guidelines.

Q: Has FPA submitted its report on the review on the use of endosulfan?

ERMITA: Not yet, we’ll have to follow that …I already—yesterday I told Secretary Yap to see to it that FPA, which is under the supervision of the DA, would finish their report and recommendation because while iyong endosulfan, according to Sec. Yap, is actually being used in twenty countries around the world, it is just labeled as restricted, and there’s certain protocol. And among the countries that use them are Japan and Korea, okay? He further explained that in five other European countries, he further explained that the endosulfan comes in crystal flake solid form na kinakailangan mayroong liquid i-introduce mo bago it becomes usable as a pesticide. So as it is, hindi pa naman iyon very very toxic. Pero just the same, because of what happened, pinag-aaralan ngayon ng FPA kung ano ang policy that can be adopted to safeguard the Filipinos from this very toxic chemical material.

Q: Si former VP Guingona has come out with a book, and parang one of the things that he revealed, he said that he spoke to a person he did not identify who told him about a plot to kill the President during the early years of the Arroyo administration. Are you…

ERMITA: Well, I read the same thing from the newspaper. I have no way of validating exactly what former VP Guingona had written. All I can say is that you know, all heads of state always have those threats not only on their lives but on the safe—the immediate members of their family. And for that matter, even their official family, Cabinet members like us. And so that’s the very reason why there is in the U.S. a Secret Service; in the Philippines, we have the Presidential Security Group; and all other nations, all their presidents, heads of state, prime ministers, there are certain security measures. So this is a given. Mabuti na lang, dito sa atin sa Pilipinas, wala pa naman tayong istorya na nagging victim na ng assassin. Sa America, siguro alam natin, siguro mga six or seven incidents already. So I will repeat, I have no way of validating what the former VP had said in his supposed memoirs. An all we can do is assume that there’s always that threat, and therefore, there’s a need to heighten and enhance the personal security not only of the President but of the immediate members of the family of the President.

Q: Do you think Mr. Guingona should reveal who this person is or will the Palace just let it go?

ERMITA: I don’t have to say in public that maybe he should. I’m very sure there are different ways by which we can extract that information without having to say that—or demanding from the vice president to tell us what it is. But he’s responsible enough. And if he thinks he should reveal it for the sake of the future, then let’s leave it to him. Pero, there’ll be some ways of finding out. Somehow I think we’ll be able to find out.

Q: But back then should he have reported it to the President or the authorities?

ERMITA: Well, I don’t know what he should have done. He used to be with the President as vice president, then secretary of Foreign Affairs. Baka naman at that time, ang attitude ni former VP Guingona is just like my attitude now na the threat on a head of state is always present, and he did not want to make too much issue about it. But the fact that it comes from him now and the way it’s written in preparation for the launching of his book, ay siyempre nagging magandang pag-usapan. Pero maari man, panahong iyon, ayaw naming niyang makadagdag pa sa problema ng Pangulo sapagka’t sinabi nga given naman iyan. It is an assumption that there will always be such threat on the lives of heads of state.

Q: But this matter is not something for the Palace to be concerned …

ERMITA: That is something for everyone to be concerned about because after all, the President is the President. So we are concerned, hindi natin binabalewala iyan,

Q: You said a while ago about the IRA. Ito ba iyong 5% budget na makukuha ng local government from IRA? And kalian nila mai-expect na makukuha iyon sa national government?

ERMITA: Hinahantay pa natin ang advise of DBM kung papayag na ang DBM with the approval of the President ay mag-release ng IRA in advance doon sa 49 provinces. Pero kinukuha pa nila ang mga lista ng mga probinsiya, siyudad atsaka municipality. Kaya they do not want to commit na mayroon na ngang release ng IRA dahil dito sa ano but it’s highly probable pag mayroon na silang figure, they will report this to the President, and the President will make the decision on the recommendation of the secretary of the Budget.

Q: Pero we still have sufficient funds para po sa mga ganitong incidents?

ERMITA: Yes, we have definitely. It is under the Constitution that local governments must receive their IRA.

Q: Sir, aside from US government and Spanish government, may mga countries pa po ba tayong ini-expect na nag-express ng willingness nila to help the Philippines, iyong mga kababayan natin?

ERMITA: Well, maybe Secretary Dureza can add to this. Alam ko Australia is always helping us, Japan is helping us, and for that matter even China. Now I don’t know if Secretary…

DUREZA: Mayroon tayong briefing kahapon ng Governor of Capiz. You mentioned of course US, then the support coming from Spain, at UNICEF is there on the ground; the International Red Cross getting their contributions from worldwide organizations are also providing support. The local civil society organization, the local organizations, Rotary, Jaycees, they’re all converging in these efforts. Pero i-track natin iyong tinatanong mo about foreign governments and then we’ll give that to you as soon as I get them.

Q: Sir, iyong mga tulong natin, mga financial support, di po ba naaapektuhan iyong subsidy, iyong electrical subsidy, iyong educational subsidy?

ERMITA: Hindi, additional na lang iyan sa present resources of the national government. Tuloy pa rin iyong mga subsidy na ating ipinangako sa ating mga--being implemented right now sa education, sa electricity, sa loans for students at saka iyong food for all program. Iyong mga subsidy natin tuloy pa rin iyan sapagkat mayron tayo. Remember between January and May, mayron na tayong P4 billion; iyon ang ating ini-allot ni Presidente to different subsidies. And ang report ng Department of Finance, we’re expecting such amount, about another P14 billion towards the end of the year. So, maipagpapatuloy natin iyong mga subsidies na iyan.

Q: To Secretary Dureza, Sir gaano ka-confident iyong Philippine government na ipapasa ng US Congress bago iyong US elections iyong Veterans Equity Bill? Tapos marami rin hong kritikong nagtatanong na kahit nakauwi na daw si Presidente, ano daw ho iyong mga major investments, magkano ang mga iyon, at saka ano iyong impact sa remaining term ni President?

DUREZA: Ang gagawin ko dito, mayroon akong summary dun sa investments, iyong result ng pagbisita ng ating Pangulo. I’ll distribute this to you and I have a summary here of iyong mga nakuha natin. Kasi we don’t want to mention dollars and cents out of the trip eh dahil hindi kasi iyon talaga ang sadya ano. The strategic relationship on goodwill between the US and the Philippines is the key theme. Pero mayroon akong very specific dito that I will distribute to you right after this. I’ll give you exact copies. Sa DA ganoon din, mayrong MOU dun that will probably push later on protocols that will allow our agricultural products and fruits to enter the US market na ngayon hindi pa nakakapasok. In the Veterans Bill, I’m glad you mentioned it. Alam naman natin na the US Senate already approved it by an overwhelming vote. It is 96 to 1, only 1 against 96 in favor. So, ngayon nasa House of Representatives ngayon. May very strong lobbying iyong ginawa ho ng ating Pangulo to get the House of Representatives to focus attention to this. Unang-una, pinuntahan niya iyong Veterans Committee hearing room in the Capitol building itself at nakipag-usap siya doon. She also took this up with President Bush, with the two candidates Barack Obama and Senator McCain. And, she also rallied support in the House of Representatives in the US. Mayron lang tayong konting problema, at dapat siguro malaman din ng lahat. Under the present laws in the US, pag mayron kayong batas, dapat ma-identify kung saan manggaling iyong pera. It’s about $300 million bale ang kailangan yata to be able to support this Equity Bill for our Filipino Veterans. Ang sabi ng Pangulo, the history is not yet complete unless and until the veterans who fought in the war will get their due reward. Ngayon hinahanapan ngayon ng House of Representatives dun sa mga suporta sa atin kung saan kukunin iyong $300 million na iyon. And before they pass that bill into law you must put that in a provision of the law. They call it the pay for law, hanapan mo kung saan iyong ibabayad mo dun sa batas na iyan.

Then, of course we are getting some initial feedbacks na mukhang may nagla-lobby against it. At this is not yet confirmed but meron mga reports na some members of the American Legion – iyong beterano rin – they are a little apprehensive na baka kukunan ng pera para sa Filipino veterans na makukunan sila. So we’re going to these members of the House and Congress to also parang dissuade those whom are opposing the bill na hindi naman ganoon ang maging epekto. So, we are working very hard to see to it--and especially with the President going in there lobbying very strongly so that we get the equity for our veterans.

Q: Good afternoon Secretary. I’d like to clarify the Palace’s stand on the Coast Guard guidelines banning ships from sailing when signal #1 is hoisted. So, amidst the clamor of ship owners, can we say that Malacañang is open to reviewing it?

ERMITA: Well, yes. Remember that is a control measure being undertaken by government through the agency as Marina. So, it is Marina who is preparing the amended guidelines. But the alter ego of the President overseeing the Marina is of course the Department of Transportation and Communications. But nothing could prevent, you know, the Office of the President can very well go over any such guidelines, IRRs being issued by anybody under the power of the President stated in the Constitution and the Law. So, nothing would prevent the Office of the President from taking a look before it is finalized. But unless there is a necessity for it, then we’ll take it to mean that given the presumption of regularity that the agency concerned like Marina under the supervision of DOTC will suffice.

Q: Sir, given the recent incident, the sinking of the Princess of the Stars, are the concerns of these ship owners valid or does it have weight?

ERMITA: Such as?

Q: The economic impact of…

ERMITA: Well, we can be very sure that the national government through its agencies will undertake measures and adopt policies that will be good for them. It’s not the idea of the national government to run after our ship owners because after all,they are part of our national economy. So, wala silang dapat ipangamba. Kung mayron silang ipinangangamba or agam-agam bagay sa bagong guidelines, they can always let it come to higher--they can appeal to the Office of the President. But for the moment, let us just say that after Marina thru DOTC issues the guidelines, then that it will apply. And if you think there is a necessity, if we think there is a necessity for it to be validated by the Office of the President, then we will do that.

Q: Sir, there are reports that Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales and other Customs employees rewarded themselves with cash for meeting the 2006 collection target. Do you see any need to look into this?

ERMITA: I really have not inquired into it because my source also is the newspaper news report, but I will ask the Department of Finance because after all Customs is under the supervision of DOF. Let’s see whether Secretary Teves may have taken certain action on that because it came to public knowledge through the pronouncements made by Senator Enrile and Senator Escudero.

Q: Sir on the face of it, do you see anything wrong with it?

ERMITA: I don’t want to make a comment on it because I am not very very familiar on the, if there’s a law on giving rewards for those who gave information about smuggled matters. But I am not in a position to say right now that on the face whether there’s something regular or irregular about it.

Q: Good afternoon Secretary Ermita and Secretary Dureza. The question is about our problem in Mindanao, kasi matagal na po nating naririnig iyong cease fire and peace talks, but it seems na ito pong mga rebelde ayaw makipagkasundo and sabihin na natin parang bumuo na sila ng pagkakataon na mangingidnap ulit. Then we will say na ini-impose natin ang no ransom policy, but di na natin madi-deny, sir na talagang mayroong nagbigay ng ransom. Is it about time na tapusin na natin itong gulo sa Mindanao at dapat siguro igalang nila ang pamahalaan at itong AFP?

ERMITA: Well, unang-una, Bert, siguro naman e hindi na natin maipagkakaila na lahat ng administration ay hinaharap na mabuti ang ating suliranin sa Mindanao. Magmula pa noong panahon ni President Marcos, and for that matter, even before President Marcos. Magmula pa, sumunod si Presidente Aquino, Presidente Ramos, Presidente Estrada, ngayon si Presidente Arroyo mayroon tayong peace process pagkat naniniwala tayo na ang background sa troubles in Mindanao ay hindi lamang nareresolba sa paggamit ng dahas kundi i-address natin ang major reason for the conflict, which is abject poverty in the sense that our brothers in the South especially those who launched the so called secessionist movement who thought that they are not being attended to very well by the national government. And you know that’s not necessarily true. We have poured in a lot of resources to address the Mindanao problem and we are not stopping at anything until such time that we achieve success in our peace process.

Our first success was in 1996 when we managed to get after 20 years an agreement with the MNLF which is the major secessionist group in the south, and the major splintered group is the MILF. Even during the time of President Ramos, inaddress na rin natin ang MILF. Considering that we are faced with the irregular forces such as the MILF, dagdagan mo pa iyan ng Abu Sayyaf, dagdagan mo pa iyan ng mga JI, nandiyan pa rin ang mga NPA sa ka-Mindanaoan, siyempre, kinakailangan e mai-address natin sila properly. Ngayon iyong mga nangyayari ngayon sa palagay ko e puro positioning e. Unang-una gusto nila na pwersahin ang national government to agree to certain provisions sa negotiation na hindi naman kanais-nais, hindi naman tayo puwedeng basta pumayag for the sake of negotiation na hindi masusunod ang ating Saligang Batas. Kaya iyan ang ginagamit ng ating mga negosyador that it was be within the context of our constitution. Noong 1996 hindi naming akalain na we will succeed in getting an agreement with the MNLF. And yet, with the help of other countries especially the OIC, e nakakuha tayo ng agreement with the MNLF. Sa palagay hindi rin malayo na magkakameron tayo ng agreement sa MILF. Magtiis lang tayo ng konti dahil sa tulong ng ibat-ibang bansa lalong-lalo sa OIC member countries or dito sa Southeast Asia, sa palagay ko e malapitlapit na rin na magkakameron tayo ng solution sa problema sa Mindanao. Huwag tayo lang mainip dahil pag tayo nainip, e mawawala tayo sa ating linya na holistic ang ating approach. Yon bang akala natin e kunwari nasa bayan ka sa iyong bayan, may nanggugulo, akala mo lagi ang problema lagi ipadala ang pulis, hanapin o dakpin o barilin. And it’s not that easy dahil alam naman natin ang causes of the problem is not just ARMM, but, as I said, economic problems. That’s why holistic ang ating approach. Tingnan natin, ipakita natin sa kanila na ang pamahalaan ay gumagawa ng pamamaraan para mapabuti ang kanilang economic situation. Mahalaga iyon.

Q: Sir quick answer, quick question. Besides the fact that the President did not go with the ship as confirmed by Vice President -- mean unconfirmed reports -- but as mentioned, wouldn’t--do you think it’s prudent for the President to also direct the head of the Coast Guard or Marina to accompany the Niño Bonito of the Cabinet, Mr. Art Yap in Sibuyan Island all throughout the operations?

ERMITA: You mean for the President to—

Q: To also order Tamayo to stay there also to oversee?

ERMITA: Well, it goes without saying (interrupted)

Q: He’s by his lonesome self now.

ERMITA: No, it goes without saying that itong mga ageny heads na ito, alam nila they have to be hands on. As Secretary Yap is there, the others will have to be hands on this. Kaya nga si Secretary Mendoza, ini-annouce na three days ago iyong pag-relieve ng Coast Guard ng NCR o director. So, that is a signal na talagang we’re not stopping at anything to ensure that the officials assigned to specific agencies ay gumagawa ng karampatang katungkulan.

CAPADOCIA: Sir, mga special announcement from the Palace?

ERMITA: Well, one special announcement is Happy Birthday sa iyo. Bukas birthday mo pala, Joe.

I have some presidential issuances here which I will just give to Undersecretary Joe Capadocia. We have here, adding two private representatives to the board of advisers of the Commission on Higher Education – CHED. That is Executive Order 730, Reorganizing the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development. I might already announce that Secretary Ed Pamintuan has been appointed as the head of the North Luzon Railway Corporation. He is the member and chairman, CEO of the board of the Northern Luzon Railway Association.

Now, 735—anyway, ibibigay ko na lamang kay Undersecretary Joe itong mga ito. Baka meron kayong interest sa mga new announcement tulad ng new appointments. Interesado siguro kayo, ano? Number one, si Undersecretary Benjamin Epseron has been appointed by the President as the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. He is now undersecretary of Defense. He used to be a Philippine Air Force officer retired, now assigned as undersecretary of Defense.

Nagkameron ng board meeting kanina ang CAAP. And the President timed the announcement of the appointment of the retired General Benjamin Epseron. Kaibigan ko ito.

Dalawang COMELEC Commissioners, okay. Si Commissioner Leonardo Leonida is the new COMELEC Commissioner. He is RTC Malabon formerly. And Commissioner Lusilito Tagle, retired Court of Appeals judge. They are the new commissioners appointed by the President.

Okay, so those are the new appointees that I’m sure—pero bilib ako sa inyo, mas nauna pa ninyo nalaman, confirmation na lang ito eh. Okay, thank you very much. Parting words from Secretary Dureza.

DUREZA: We condemn in the strongest language the killing of Sison in Quezon. He was allegedly shot, together with his daughters. And he worked as a journalist as a media man, so we express our sympathies to the family. And of course, it goes without saying that an investigation is being ordered to get at the perpetrators. Thank you.

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