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13 NOVEMBER 2003 |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re National Reconciliation and Social Reform |
The meeting with Bishop Capalla and Fr. Intengan with the Cabinet was a discussion of the present parameters of national reconciliation and social reform. There was a consciousness of the fact that more than ever in our recent history the need for reconciliation was very evident and had to be pursued assiduously by the Government. There were no specific interests or personalities identified in the meeting but the President said that it is a time when reconciliation with various interests and sectors must be seriously considered without sacrificing the quest for justice. Bishop Capalla agreed to help start meaningful dialogues in this direction and several Cabinet members were keen on the idea of reaching out and taking the initiative. All these will be done quietly but with a constant awareness of the principles involved, including truth, justice and the need to end the culture of divisiveness and excessive partisanship that was bringing the nation down and prejudicing the economy. |
| Statement of the President: Re Kuratong Baleleng |
As I have said time and again, we must abide by the rule of law. There is a process by which the parties will have to deal with the situation and we have to patiently go through it. Let justice forge on unsullied by too much noise and controversy. |
| Statement of the President: Re Makati Rally |
I am saddened that our people are obviously being misled out of desperation by some plotters of destabilization. In the spirit of democracy, a permit was given for the rally until 5 p.m.; and maximum tolerance was observed during that time frame. Thereafter, the authorities had to act to restore order in the streets. While we respect and uphold the full expression of civil rights, we cannot allow anyone to cross the line of public order because of the harm wrought upon the general welfare. Nevertheless, I am greatly dismayed by the way some unscrupulous political leaders are using the masses as cannon fodder, which deprives the latter of their dignity. We should have unity and reconciliation based on respect for the dignity of the masses and a healthy respect for their constructive role in society. There is a proper time and venue for partisan struggle and these are the elections of 2004. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re NAIA Incident |
This is not a game of heroes and villains. The authorities did their job under intense operational pressure and it is unfair to judge them in hindsight. We must remind ourselves that the assault team was equally at risk as the holders of the tower. Nevertheless, the President has ordered a full inquiry into the incident jointly by all the agencies involved. This inquiry will examine, among others, the issues on the excessive use of force or the perceived security lapses in the airport, and the necessary measures to be taken as warranted. Let us set speculations aside, deal with the facts and do what is right for the public interest. |
| GMA calls for unity and reconciliation but with respect for the dignity of the masses |
DASMARINAS, Cavite -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today called for unity and reconciliation based on respect for the dignity of the masses and a recognition of their constructive role in society. Speaking at a De La Salle University symposium held this morning at the DLSU Auditorium here, the President expressed dismay over the disunity being sowed by enemies of the state "so that they can wrest power." "I am saddened that our people are obviously being misled out of desperation by some plotters of destabilization," she said. "I am greatly dismayed by the way some unscrupulous political leaders are using the masses as cannon fodder which deprive them of dignity." The President pointed out that the enemies of her administration "have resorted to Machiavillian schemes in Oakwood, in hit-and-run exposes, (and) in exploiting the emotions generated by the impeachment crisis and the NAIA siege." The government respects and upholds the expression of civil rights, the President said, adding that the mass demonstration at the commercial center in Makati City yesterday was allowed "in the spirit of democracy." But, she said, government authorities "cannot allow anyone to cross the line of public order, because of the harm to be wrought upon the general welfare." The President thanked Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and the police for their "judgment call in the interest of public welfare" in dispersing the crowd to restore order after the time allotted for the rally expired. "We should have unity and reconciliation based on respect for dignity of the masses and a healthy respect for their constructive role in society," she said. "There is a proper time and venue for partisan struggle and these are the elections of 2004." In a radio interview, meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that Fr. Romeo Intengan, the Provincial of the Jesuit Community of the Philippines, has enumerated three key elements in the "principled reconciliation," namely, acknowledgement of the wrong done to the common good, substantial restitution, and resolve not to repeat the wrong done to the common good. The President has designated Fr. Intengan and Archbishop Fernando Tapalla, incoming chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, as resource persons to guide the Cabinet in the theology of "principled reconciliation." Bunye noted that different sectors of society will have varying reactions to the President’s call for a "principled reconciliation." But he stressed the importance of starting the reconciliation process. The sectors supporting the reconciliation could begin with "what is immediately doable," Bunye said. |
| GMA asks DLSU-Dasmariņas students to prepare to run economy of their generation |
DASMARINAS, Cavite - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today urged the students of De La Salle University (DLSU-Dasmarinas) here not to allow themselves to be distracted by ruthless politics in the country, but instead to focus their attention on their studies in preparation for their good future. "I would ask you to keep your eyes focused on the challenges we face daily. For the youth, the daily challenges are to prepare well, to study well, to prepare yourselves to run the economy of your generation," the President said in her speech during the symposium entitled "The Politics of Economic Crisis" held at the De Las Alas Hall of the DLSU-Dasmarinas here. At exactly 10:00 a.m. the President arrived at DLSU-Dasmarinas campus to give a lecture to the students of the Colleges of Business and Liberal Arts and enlighten them on the reality of how politics can affect the economy of the country. Secretary Michael Defensor, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and Secretary Marita Jimenez of the Regional Development Project and Official Development Assistance Absorption accompanied the President here. In her 40-minute lecture, the President told the students to maintain their vigilance in the face of many threats and help the government in stopping the proliferation of illegal drugs that she has announced many times as a national security threat. The President said that in order to bring back the economy to the right track and to heal the wounds of divisiveness, there is a need to immediately implement reform and reconciliation among the different sectors of our community. "It will be reform and reconciliation that will allow us to move forward to flourish our future and that is the great connection between politics and economy, between reconciliation and prosperity," she added. "And I hope you, the students of La Salle especially here in CALABARZON, will be the leaders in the next phase of reform and the continuing reconciliation that we all need," the President said. After the symposium, Chairman Rolando Dizon of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Herminia Torres, EVP of the DLSU-Dasmarinas, toured the President at the DLSU Museum where some artifacts of the Spanish times were stored. Immediately after the tour of the Museum, the President went to Barangay Paliparan, also in Dasmarinas, to personally hand over some 150 Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation to the qualified resident beneficiaries in the resettlement site. |
| GMA awards CELAS to 150 families in Dasmariņas, Cavite |
PALIPARAN, Dasmarinas, Cavite -- Some 150 families now own their homelots when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo handed to them their Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELAs). "Congratulations sa mga bagong may-ari ng lupa, hindi na kayo squatter sa sariling bayan (Congratulations to all lot owners, you are no longer squatters in your own country)," the President told the resident-beneficiaries in her opening remarks during the lot awarding ceremonies held this morning at the Dasmarinas National High School here. From De La Salle University-Dasmarinas Campus, the President, along with Secretary Michael Defensor, chairman of Housing and Urban Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and Presidential Adviser Marita Jimenez of the Official Development Assistance Absorption (ODAA), motored here for the awarding and distribution of the CELAs. Dasmarinas Mayor Elpidio Barzaga, Jr., National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Edgardo Pamintuan, Cavite Board Member Dominic Tolentino and Marcelina Chavez, principal of the Dasmarinas National High School, welcomed the President upon her arrival here. In her speech, the President told the residents that despite the serious problems that the country is facing daily, she did not forget her promise to uplift their lives and help them fulfill their dreams, which is to own their homelots. "Your welfare is always in my mind, that's why despite the many problems in our country I have not forgotten my promise to you," the President said. NHA General Manager Pamintuan said that because of the strong political will and initiative of the President, qualified residents now own their homelots after 10 years of waiting. He noted that during the short stint of the President, a total of 700,000 families have already benefited from the housing program of the administration. The Paliparan sites and services project started on April 11, 1992. This project is a joint undertaking by government agencies, like the Public Estates Authority and the NHA, to develop a relocation site for squatters who formerly occupied a portion of the reclamation area along Roxas Boulevard. |
| GMA lauds construction sector for strong growth |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today lauded the Philippine construction industry for its contribution to the economy, especially in providing employment to millions of Filipinos during the opening of the Philippine International Construction Materials and Equipment Exhibition (PhilConstruct 2003) held at the World Trade Center along Roxas Boulevard. At the exhibit venue, the President was welcomed by Emilio Tumbocon, president of Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), and Jorge Consunji, PCA vice president. The President, who motored from Dasmarinas, Cavite, toured the various booths at the exhibit area for about 30 minutes before returning to Malacanang. The construction sector posted the biggest growth of 4.9 percent in the first semester of this year. This translates to 1.7 million jobs, up from last year’s 1.6 jobs for the same period. The PCA said that the sector’s good performance was buoyed chiefly by private sector participation in the government’s housing construction program. Among those who accompanied the President during her brief tour of the construction exhibit were Chairman Michael Defensor of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Presidential Adviser on Ecclesiastical and Media Affairs Dodie Limcaoco, and Presidential Adviser on the Official Development Assistance Absorption Marita Jimenez. The PhilConstruct exhibit carries 5,000 products and building solutions in architecture, engineering, construction, finishing, design and housing, among others. The country’s leading real estate firms, among them Ayala Land Inc., David M. Consunji Inc., Homes and ALI subsidiaries Laguna Property Holdings Inc. and Community Innovations Inc., are participating in the event. The annual gathering of the country’s engineers, designers, contractors and developers as well as local and foreign suppliers and investors will be capped by a series of TechnoForum seminars conducted by local and foreign experts in the field of construction and development. The TechnoForum will also spotlight new developments in government procurement vital to government services, particularly Republic Act 9184 and electronic procurement. The event sends a signal on the recovery of the billion-peso construction industry following two global crises this year—the US-Iraq war and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak. |
| GMA leads crushing of pirated video materials |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today led the crushing of some 15 million pieces of seized pirated optical discs worth P1.5 billion at the PNP Parade Grounds in Camp Crame, Quezon City. The President was assisted by Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) Chairman Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco. The event was witnessed by the producers and entertainers from the local movie and music industry. Revilla said the pirated items were confiscated by the VRB composite team from all over the country from February to October this year bringing to some P5 billion the overall value of confiscated discs since July 2002 when their first operation was made at the Barter Trade Center in Quiapo, Manila. He said that over P200 million worth of pirated compact discs (CDs), video compact discs (VCDs), and digital video discs (DVDs) were confiscated in just three months of cooperation with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Philippine Postal Corp., and other law enforcement agencies. "We are also in the process of finalizing a new optical disc anti-piracy law that will provide for more stringent penalties for pirates," Revilla said. In his message, Revilla thanked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for providing livelihood to those illegal vendors affected by the government campaign. He said they have already solved some 70 percent of the piracy problem. "We still have some 30 percent to accomplish," Revilla said. During the event, the President led 15 other recipients of plaques of appreciation from the VRB. Revilla presented the plaque to the President for her continuous and unrelenting support to the VRB that resulted to its record accomplishment, which was recognized even by the Motion Pictures Association of America and the Motion Picture Association International. "Her Excellency's unequalled commitment and dedication to the campaign against video piracy in the country has greatly contributed to the alleviation of the local entertainment industry," the plaque read. |
| Yadao could have abused discretion in Kuratong Baleleng case -- Datumanong |
Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong today said that Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Theresa Yadao may have committed grave abuse of discretion when she dismissed the Kuratong Baleleng case. In a press briefing in Malacaņang this afternoon, Datumanong said that it is not right for Judge Yadao to dismiss the case since the Supreme Court has deemed it worthy to be re-tried by the RTC. "The Department of Justice (DOJ) has evidence that will establish the case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt," Datumanong said. Datumanong said that the Kuratong Baleleng case against Senator Panfilo Lacson and 33 others was remanded by the Supreme Court to be acted with quick dispatch, but was dismissed by Yadao on grounds of insufficiency of evidence. "The prosecutors will be meeting to find out the best step that the government can take. They are considering the filing of a motion for reconsideration," Datumanong said, adding that the DOJ can also file administrative charges against Yadao "if necessary." Datumanong said that Yadao would not have dismissed the case if she has reviewed the evidence submitted to her by the prosecution. It is very clear that Judge Yadao did not strictly follow the directive of the Supreme Court to try the case with dispatch," Datumanong said. Likewise, the DOJ could file a motion to inhibit Yadao from the case for being biased, Datumanong said. Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno said that it is only right for the government to file a motion for reconsideration. "Judge Yadao committed grave abuse of discretion when she found the evidence to be weak. If that was the case, she should have at least asked for more proof," Zuno said. I never realized we had a fast judicial system. We were just presenting our motions when she dismissed it. Surprising," Zuno said. Regarding the extradition of Rod Strunk, who is the primary suspect in the Nida Blanca murder case, Secretary Datumanong said that the Philippine government will do everything in its power to have him extradited to the Philippines. He said that the DOJ is now thinking of availing other possibilities that would still give the Philippine government the chance to have Strunk extradited. "We have received vague reports and we will have to verify these from the US government. Lawyers acting on behalf of the Philippine government are still to give us a more detailed information," Datumanong said. |
| GMA pushes for entrepreneurship development program among Filipino women |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today expressed great hope that additional jobs will be generated in the community where women participated in the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center-Kabalikat Laban sa Kahirapan (TLRC-KALAHI) entrepreneurship development program of Her administration. Para magkaroon ng pagkain sa bawat mesa, kailangan magkaroon ng trabaho (In order to have food in every table, we should have jobs)," the President told women who have undergone entrepreneurship training and provided with small capitals. The President urged these women to help her put food in every table. "Kayo ang aking pag-asa na magkaroon ng trabaho sa inyong pamayanan (You are my hope that we can have jobs in the your communities)," the President said. To the entrepinays who were given awards for their efforts in becoming successful small entrepreneurs and for having improved their lives, they should now strive to become small-scale and even medium-scale entrepreneurs within two years, the President said. In this way, even if they are dubbed small entrepreneurs, their contribution to make the strong Republic would be enormous, the President said. Ten outstanding entrepinays from different barangays and ten outstanding associations were given awards by the President in simple ceremonies held this afternoon at Malacanang Park. These different associations of entrepinays were organized by the TLRC only last year. The award is aimed at strengthening the efforts of government to win the war against poverty, which is one of the priority programs of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. Chosen as "Bukod Tanging Samahan ng Entrepinay" or Most Oustanding Entrepinay Chapter was the Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City. Another outstanding chapter was Barangay Guadalupe Viejo of Makati City, which placed second in the competition. The President also awarded 10 individual entrepinays and 15 associations who won in the competition in the various livelihood skills Olympics held at the Marikina Heights recently. |
