The Malaysian government is very much aware that the withdrawal of government forces from the Buliok complex, or from any area in Mindanao, has never been a requirement for formal talks with the MILF to resume.

The Malaysian government, being the host of the formal talks, has yet to send out the formal notice to both the government and the MILF to proceed to Kuala Lumpur because it is still giving newly installed MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim enough time to consolidate the MILF organization under his new leadership.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today awarded the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu to outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Robert Collette of Canada.

In presenting the Presidential Citation and medal to Ambassador Collette during rites held at Malacaņang this morning, the President extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Canadian envoy for his full support, particularly in strengthening the strong ties between the Philippines and Canada.

"Thank you very much for all your support and for loving the country as well as your dedication to the Philippine government," she told Collette.

Ambassador Collette was cited for his exemplary performance in the promotion of Philippine-Canadian relations as exemplified by his efforts to ensure the success of the working visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Canada in January 2002.

The visit has further strengthened the excellent state of Philippine-Canada relations.

The envoy played a significant and active role in the adoption of bilateral agreements between the Philippine and Canada during the visit of the President. These agreements include cooperation of enforcement of penal sentences, public enterprise acceleration, judicial reform support program and the implementation of the United States program of action.

He was further cited for his competent leadership and generous initiative in implementing the socio-economic development projects in the Philippines, particularly those in Mindanao and developing regions in the country.

He was also cited for his outstanding accomplishments in the exemplification of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Canada in the exchange of trade, investment and cultural visits and other good relations between the Philippines and Canada.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today thanked Tony Man-wai Kwok, former Deputy Commissioner and Head of Operations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong for his willingness to help the Philippine government in its fight against graft and corruption.

"Thank you for your voluntary service to help our government curb graft and corruption. I’m sure our graft busters will learn more and improve their investigative work to fight graft and corruption in our society," the President said.

Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho accompanied Kwok in his courtesy call and brief meeting with the President at Malacaņang’s Study Room.

During the meeting, Camacho told the President that Kwok came to the country upon his invitation. He personally asked Kwok to help the Philippine government in its serious campaign against graft and corruption.

Camacho informed the President that earlier this morning, before they went to Malacaņang, Kwok met and conducted a seminar to the finance investigators, officers and employes of the Department of Finance.

He said Kwok is scheduled to meet with Commissioners Guillermo Parayno of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Antonio Bernardo of the Bureau of Customs and Karina David of the Civil Service Commission.

Camacho informed the President that Kwok will conduct a series of seminars to the investigators of the BIR, BOC, CSC and to the Office of the Ombudsman to brief them about the effective anti-corruption strategy, how to prevent corruption and to set up honesty and ethics in their respective agencies.

For his part, Kwok told the President that he is very grateful to work voluntarily and share his expertise on the fight against graft and corruption in a country like the Philippines where graft and corruption is rampant not only in the government agencies but also in the private sector.

"I came here (in the Philippines) for a voluntary work to share my experience in Hong Kong practice in the fight against graft and corruption," Kwok told the President.

Kwok also told the President that when he joined ICAC in 1975, Hong Kong was among the most corrupt places in the world.

ICAC was set up in 1974. Since its inception, the Commission has adopted a three-pronged approach of investigation, prevention and education to fight corruption. And with the support of the government and the community, Hong Kong has now become one of the least corrupt places in the world.

In helping the Philippine government in its campaign, the former ICAC deputy commissioner wants to apply the three strategies of ICAC which are: to pursue the corrupt through effective detection, investigation and prosecution; eliminate opportunities for corruption by introducing corruption-resistant practices; and educate the public on the evils of corruption and foster their support in fighting corruption.

Mr. Kwok has a 35-year investigative experience in law enforcement. He joined the Hong Kong Customs Department as a sub-inspector and was promoted to inspector in 1970. During his nine-year service in Customs, he acquired experience in customs control, drug enforcement, finance investigators, intelligence collation and prosecution.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the release of officers and soldiers who were merely implicated but were not involved in the July 27 military adventurism led by some young officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In her speech at the recognition of the Medal of Valor awardees held this afternoon at Malacaņang’s Heroes Hall, the President said investigations showed that many of the officers and soldiers implicated in the Oakwood incident were misled, deceived, intimated or threatened by superior officers to join the plot.

The President said that many of them were implicated but did not commit any overt acts contrary to law.

"I want these officers and soldiers to be speedily exculpated and released," the President said.

As a start, the President said, she has ordered the immediate release of officers of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Army who have submitted evidence and counter-affidavits proving that they were not involved and, in fact, refused to join the aborted power grab.

The President said that upon recommendation of the Judge Advocate General’s office, AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Narciso Abaya, has dropped the charges against them. "They may now report for duty immediately," she added.

For the rest, the President said, she has ordered the authorities to file the proper charges in court immediately so that the accused will be given the opportunity to face the witnesses and the evidence against them.

"We will not engage in character assassination in the media. We will not speculate on evidence but we will deliver this at once at the doorstep of judicial scrutiny," the President said.

She said the courts are the proper forums to deal with these matters and charges will be filed automatically when there are suspected violations of law.

The President stressed that authorities will sift through the evidence judiciously and that due process and justice will be served. "The innocent shall be spared and the truth will triumph," she said.

On Senator Gregorio Honasan, the President said that the senator has been elected by the people for greater responsibilities "than to play hide and seek."

In line with her administration’s policy to reward the best and the bravest to the limits that the government resources can offer, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today bared a package of benefits for the country’s Medal of Valor awardees, saying "they and the soldiers they epitomize are our inspiration."

In recognition rites for the 13 living recipients of the prestigious award held at the Malacaņang’s Heroes Hall, the President said she is moved by the plight of these heroes who bear the brunt of battle to defend "our people’s peace."

"We are a nation of heroes – from our revolutionary forebears to the modern-day martyr who proclaimed to the world that the Filipino is worth dying for to the 13 living heroes that we are honoring today," she said.

Aside from the law she signed two years ago increasing the financial benefits of the country’s medal of valor awardees or their dependents from P200 to P20, 000 monthly as well as other benefits, the President also:

• Directed all departments and agencies to ensure that the awardees and their dependents are given priority in jobs they apply for in any government agency, provided they are qualified and meet the job requirements.

• Directed the Land Bank of the Philippines and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to ensure that should these awardees apply for a loan up to P500,000, their papers would be processed immediately.

• Directed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes to instruct the state colleges and universities that the 13 awardees and their dependents need not pay any tuition fees should they decide to enroll in any of the state universities and colleges. The Department of Education (DepEd) should likewise inform all public schools about school fee privileges to the awardees and their dependents.

• Ordered the Board of Generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to accord the awardees first priority in promotions.

• Instructed the Health Secretary to inform all government hospitals that the awardees must be extended free medical and dental services.

The President said that the awardees and the soldiers they epitomize are "our inspiration for increasing the basic pay of military men under R.A. 9166 which I signed last year, making the soldiers’ salary equal to that of the policeman and teacher."

They have also been her administration’s inspiration, she said, for instituting reforms in the procurement process of the AFP and proclaiming lands where some 75,000 soldiers may avail of affordable homes.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today paid tribute to the 13 living recipients of the Medal of Valor, the highest award that the Philippine government could bestow on a Filipino soldier.

The newly promoted recipients who were honored in simple ceremonies held this afternoon at the Heroes’ Hall of Malacanang were Col. Ariel Querubin, M/Sgt. Lucio Curig, Lt. Herbert Dilag, Major Cirilito Sobejana, Maj. Custodio Parcon, M/Sgt. Roy Cuenca, T/Sgt. Romualdo Rubi, Maj. Bartolome Bacarro, Col. Arturo Ortiz, Cpl. Oberto Salvador, M/Sgt. Francisco Granfil, Maj. Hilario Estrella, and Capt. Bienvenido Fajimolin.

The Medal of Valor is accorded on soldiers who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. The recipients have demonstrated in the battlefields their selfless bravery in the face of insurmountable odds or at the risk of making the supreme sacrifice of giving their lives.

In the history of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), only 26 had the distinction of receiving the Medal of Valor. Those who wear the medal are recognized with honor, reverence and dignity as true heroes of the Republic.

Before the formal awarding rites, a video footage of the travails of the 13 recipients were shown that visibly touched the hearts of everyone present including the President.

The awardees also told of their sacrifices, including leaving their wives and children, just to answer the call of duty.

Sobejana, who lost his right arm in one of his exploits, asked civilians to support the military’s programs and advised his fellow soldiers to truly provide selfless service to the country.

"Kami po na nasa military ay handang mag-serbisyo para sa lahat ng mamamayan. Kung maaari suportahan at tangkilikin ninyo ang mga gawain at programa namin na para sa inyo. Sa aking mga kapwa sundalo, gampanan ninyo ang serbisyong totoo (We in the military are always ready in the service of the people. I hope the people would also support the military’s services and programs in return. To my fellow soldiers, do your utmost to serve the people and the country)," Sobejana said in his video footage.

He said he is still ready to offer his remaining left hand for the service of people and country.

Mr. Geraldo Garcia, chairman of Mega Data Corporation, who represented the members of the private sector during the awarding rites, responded immediately to the recipients’ acts of heroism.

"First, we acknowledge the need to help not only those who were seriously wounded but, more importantly, the families of those who died in the battles you fought where you were awarded the highest military honor," Garcia said.

Starting this week, Garcia said they will spearhead a movement and assist those foundations that are now in place to identify, assess and help provide support "to the families of your fallen compatriots."

After hearing their individual stories, Garcia said every Filipino must be made aware of the existence of the 13 "living heroes" and to understand and appreciate the value and significance of their heroic deeds.

Garcia requested socio-civic groups, business associations and those in the media and education to help reach out to every Filipino to convey this simple message: "There are 13 living heroes in our midst, know them well and give them the flowers now, not when they are long gone."

"Knowing the budgetary limitations of our government and of our Armed Forces, we are willing to rise to the occasion and take up the slack," he said.

Garcia announced three information technology (IT) programs for the benefit of the whole AFP.

These are the free computerization of the AFP personnel information system, free conversion of the AFP personnel database, and the issuance of free smart cards to every soldier.

He estimated that these free programs would cost about P30 million. He said this is a substantial amount that would be put to good use for other needs of soldiers in the battlefield.

He added that the shipping companies under the Philippine Shipping Lines Association have decided to give a 50 percent discount to the men in uniform and their families who will be traveling to any point in the country.