President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed an act that would give more teeth to the government’s drive against illegal drug trade and addiction.

In approving the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act (RA) 9165, the President repealed the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 or RA 6425.

The new law, as contained in Senate Bill 1858 and House Bill 4433, provides stiffer penalties for illegal drug possession and pushing but, at the same time, seeks protection of the country’s youth from the dangers of drugs.

RA 9165 imposes capital punishment on those convicted for selling, trading, trafficking, importing and cultivating dangerous drugs and their controlled precursors.

The same penalty is also imposed on those who possessed 50 grams or more of shabu, 500 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and other dangerous drugs as listed in the annex of the law.

It also provides life imprisonment for the possession of lesser quantities of the same drugs listed above.

But persons found guilty of possessing less than five grams of the drugs listed in the annex would be meted a 12-year prison term.

Stiff penalties are also been imposed on convicted dangerous drug financiers, protectors, coddlers and traders who use cellular phones and the Internet in making illegal deals.

The new law seeks the speedy destruction of seized dangerous drugs as it provides punishment for policemen and prosecutors who delay or bungle drug cases.

To protect the people from the bad effects of dangerous drugs, the new law provides mandatory drug tests for drivers and firearms holders, random drug tests for students and workers in the government and private sectors, and compulsory education on dangerous drugs in all school levels.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today effectively raised the rate of base pay of officers and enlisted men in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In simple rites at Malacaņang’s Ceremonial Hall, the President signed into law Republic Act (RA) 9166 that also provides other benefits for the country’s soldiers.

RA 9166 was one of four bills that the President signed. The others were RA 9167 creating the Film Development Council of the Philippines, RA 9168 or the Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act of 2002, and RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

RA 9166 is aimed at rectifying the disparity in the salary of soldiers by making their pay scale at par with their counterparts in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The new law was initiated by Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes when he was still the AFP Chief of Staff.

The new law provides a salary grade of 30 to the chief of staff while a private is given a salary grade of 10, comparable to that of an Officer 1 in the second level in the Civil Service.

The new pay scale for soldiers would be carried out on a staggered basis, but not to exceed two years.

The Department of the Budget and Management (DBM) would review the AFP pay scale every five years.

RA 9166 also provides a merit system that would govern the selection, hiring, appointment, transfer, promotion or dismissal of AFP officers and personnel.

The merit system covers incentives to deserving soldiers in the form of scholarship grants for their deserving children, hospital care, social services and other non-cash benefits that would strengthen professionalism and excellence in the military.

Besides the above, the new law also mandates the formulation of continuing education programs for all officers and enlisted personnel.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Thursday night that the ongoing problem in the Senate is purely an internal matter and that the members of the chamber can resolve it among themselves.

In her keynote speech at the 50^th anniversary of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines at Manila Hotel, the President reiterated that her concentration is on the economy.

"On my part, without neglecting my political obligations as head of the administration, head of my party and head of my coalition, I treat the Senate struggle as largely a matter internal to itself, internal to the Senate," the President said.

"My focus is on the economy -- how to create more jobs, how to keep prices stable," she added.

The President noted that she is happy to see that the rural banking industry today is very vibrant and alive and has kept many farmers and industries alive as well.

She said she is confident that there will be another productive half a century ahead. "In the overall environment today, we have a list of positives and some negatives. But I think that this is better than the stagnation of the situation a year and half ago, when everything seems to be negative," she added.

Citing the latest exports figures, which show a 22 percent growth rate, the President said overall confidence in the economy has increased.

She noted that during her trek to Mount Pinatubo the other day, she was briefed by Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon that tourist resorts are now bursting at the seams "because domestic tourism is very active."

The President said the key factors behind this confidence are first of all, the containment of the 1991 fiscal deficit, second, the United States presence and the peaceful commemoration of January 20^th and May 1^st.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today awarded this year’s outstanding overseas Filipino investors (OFIs) for their successful livelihood endeavors and for their contributions to the country’s economy.

The Chief Executive, assisted by Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Aministrator Wilhelm Soriano of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Presidential Adviser for Job Creation Luis Lorenzo, presented plaques to four OFIs in ceremonies held this morning at Malacanang’s Ceremonial Hall as part of celebration of the Migrant Workers’ Day.

The awardees are the following:

• Joel Abao, is a veterinarian by profession and a philanthropist by vocation and a former overseas Filipino worker employed as a farm supervisor in Libya. He was cited for making full use of his intelligence and wisdom to make a difference in the lives of his kinfolk in his hometown in Bukidnon. He graciously shared his skills and acquired knowledge to improve the condition of his townmates by providing them with a reliable source of livelihood and increasing the productivity of the entire region. In 1992, he availed of some P50,000 from OWWA as an additional capital to his agri-business. Two years later, as the business progresses, he borrowed from the agency an additional P50,000. To date, the total asset of his enterprise is worth P3 million.

• Automotive Workers Cooperative (AWC) was cited for its combined talents and expertise in automotive industry that created a remarkable space in the establishment of a cooperative among the very talented overseas Filipino workers in the city of Doha, State of Qatar in the Middle East. The cooperative became the communities’ by-word for good quality and service par excellence. The group made full use of their 18 years of actual experience and learning in the industry of automotive servicing that specializes on European cars like Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedez Benz, BMW, and all types of Japanese and Korean vehicles. After a thorough study of their business plan, an initial monthly contribution from each of the member reached a total of P800,000. At present the cooperative has assets worth P3 million.

• Anabel Dulliyao was cited for her hard work and perseverance – the sure ticket to success. Her being an OFW-dependent gave her the chance to be an OWWA scholar. The privilege paid off and she is now a full-time teacher in her hometown in Cordillera Administrative Region.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today paid tribute to seven million Filipino migrant workers all over the world for taking part in propelling the national economy and for showing off their unparalleled skills and talents that helped improve the country’s image abroad.

In a speech during the celebration of Migrant Workers’ Day at Malacaņang’s Ceremonial Hall, the President said that June 7 marked the day when the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act was approved.

The President said that aside from the good reputation they have gained for the Philippines as home to the great Filipino worker, the OFWs have also helped millions of young Filipinos go to school and complete their education.

She added that thousands of new homes have also been put up and those who acquired these homes have developed better lives as well.

The President stressed that the remittances of migrant workers have further led to the establishment of new businesses by their loved ones.

"Ang matagumpay na negosyo na naipatayo sa ating bansa dahil sa inyong remittances ay isang malaking haligi ng ating ekonomiya (Successful businesses put up because of your remittances have served as an economic pillar)," she said.

The countryside has become vibrant and a beehive of economic activity because of OFW contributions that have reached some $6 billion, which was bigger than the biggest investment made by foreign investors to the Philippines, the President said.

She branded the OFWs as Overseas Filipino Investors (OFI) because "you are major investors in the country."

"Kayo ang mga OFI na araw-araw ay namumuhunan sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa. Ang puhunan ninyo ay ang productive years alang-alang sa ating bayan. Saludo ako sa inyo, dapat lamang na suklian ng bansa ang inyong tulong (As OFIs, you invest more capital to develop our country. Your productive years serve as your capital. I salute you. It is just right for the government and the nation to return this favor)," she said.

The Chief Executive also cited government gains in line with her commitments as enunciated in her July 2001 State of the Nation Address.

Among others, she said she had certified as an urgent administration measures the Absentee Voting Bill and the Bill on Dual Citizenship.

She added that the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council has been fast-tracking efforts to build some 100,000 housing units yearly for workers.

"So far, we have only built about 60,000 houses. So we have 40,000 houses more to go under our targets," she said, as she advised OFWs to to go to the embassies and apply for the housing benefits.

The President directed the Department of Labor and Employment to inform the public on the many benefits that they would obtain from the Further Liberalization of Foreign Investments law she sponsored when she was still a senator.

She also ordered Labor Secretary Patricia Sto Tomas to formulate a program that would strengthen the reintegration program for OFWs.

The President further tasked officials overseeing the Overseas Workers Welfare Fund to separate the contributions of seamen and land-based workers from those of doctors and social workers being sent to various overseas posts.

The President noted that the country’s economy would continue to rely heavily on OFW remittances.

"On the basis of this realization, this reality, and on the basis of the nation’s humanitarian responsibilities to its people wherever they are, our government is working hard to strengthen OFW protection," she said.

The government would also strengthen its bilateral relations with countries that host a large number of Filipinos, the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today awarded commemorative medallions to a number of Filipino Olympians who have participated in Summer Olympiads from the 14^th Summer Olympiads in 1948 in London up to the 27^th Summer Olympiad in Sydney in 2000.

The awardees were members of the Philippine Olympians Association (POA), an organization representing all Filipino Olympians. Celso Dayrit, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), initiated the establishment of the POA in 2002 following the examples in many countries.

There are now more than 100 countries with National Olympians Associations.

One of those presented with a commemorative medallion by the President was Rafael Hechanova, chairman of the POA, who was a member of the Philippine basketball team to the Helsinki Summer Olympiad in 1952.

The President also handed a medallion to her brother, Arturo Macapagal, the president of the POA, who participated in the shooting event in the Munich Summer Olympiad in 1972 and in the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympiad.

The other awardees include Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, Jr., silver medalist in boxing in the 26^th Summer Olympiad in Atlanta in 1996; Beatriz Lucero Lhuiller, bronze medalist in taekwondo in the 25^th Summer Olympiad in Barcelona in 1992; Gillian Akiko Thomson, who competed in swimming in Barcelona Summer Olympiad in 1992, Atlanta Summer Olympiad in 1996, and in Seoul in 1988; Fred Elizalde, also in swimming, in the 17^th Summer Olympiad in Rome in 1960; and Joseph Eric Buhain, the present Philippines Sports Commission chairman, who competed in swimming in Barcelona in 1992 and in Seoul in 1988.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today approved the law that would establish a body that would oversee and implement the protection of plant varieties in the country.

In simple rites at Malacaņang’s Ceremonial Hall, the President formally signed Republic Act 9168, also known as the Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act of 2002.

Under the new law, the National Plant Variety Protection Board (NPVPPB) would manage the implementation of the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) system that would determine ownership over new plant varieties.

The new law also established the Gene Trust Fund that would support the preservation of germplasm by government and private sector groups.

RA 9168 is aimed at protecting and securing the exclusive rights of plant breeders with respect to their new plant variety, particularly when beneficial to people, through an effective intellectual property system.

Under the PVP system, a plant breeder could apply for a PVP certificate over a new plant variety from the board.

A certificate and all attendant ownership rights would be given to the plant breeder if the plant variety has passed the test of distinctness, uniformity, stability, and newness.

Holders of a certificate of plant variety would have the right to authorize the production or reproduction, conditioning for the purpose of propagation, offering to sale, selling or other marketing strategies, exporting, importing and stocking of the plant variety.

True to her word that she would work for the improvement of the Philippine movie industry, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed Republic Act 9167, the law creating the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

The President signed the bill in simple rites at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacanang attended by leaders of the two legislative chambers and prominent personalities in the movie industry.

According to the law, the primary task of the Film Development Council of the Philippines would be to establish and implement a Cinema Evaluation System, which is an incentive reward system for movie producers.

A Cinema Evaluation Board, on the other hand, shall evaluate and grade films that are submitted to the council.

Movie industry personalities present at the occasion included Dona Nena Vera Perez, Marichu Maceda, Atty. Espiridion Laxa, Jose Romero, Boots Plata, Vic del Rosario, Laurice Guillen, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Bhen Cervantes, German Moreno, Johnny Delgado, Al Tantay, Joel Torre, Caridad Sanchez, Dina Bonnevie, Bong Revilla, Carmina Villaroel and Joyce Jimenez.

The Board, in grading the films, would not, however, be authorized to delete, shorten or modify the films being graded nor suggest cuts, deletions or any form of modification.

The law also said that the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) would give due weight and consideration for the graded film’s viewing, reproduction, exportation and other purposes.

The evaluation system would be formulated by the Board based on degree of excellence in direction, screenplay, cinematography, editing, production design, music scoring, sound and acting performances.

Among the senators present at the signing ceremonies were Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senators Loren Legarda-Leviste, Manuel Villar Jr., Ralph Recto, Ramon Magsaysay, Renato Cayetano and Vicente Sotto III, the principal author of the bill.

Among those who attended from the House of Representatives were Speaker Jose de Venecia, Representatives Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, Gilbert Remulla, Ted Failon, Robert Ace Barbers, and Gerardo Espina.

For years now, the Filipino film industry and its supporters in Congress have been working hard to have the Film Development Council of the Philippines bill passed into law.