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26 NOVEMBER 2003 |
| Statement of the President : Re Checkpoints |
More checkpoints do not spell virtual martial law but enhanced law enforcement. This is the one way to effectively check the mobility of criminals to deter them from crime or to catch them after they have committed one. Only criminals should fear these intensified security measures. Checkpoints backed up by Barangay vigilance are proactive measures that must be used extensively and we will not be deterred by faultfinders who call for effective measures against crime but criticize the Government for every move at every turn. Police-Barangay fusion works well for as long as it is applied consistently over the long run. |
| Statement of the President : Re Provincial Trips |
Countryside sorties have always been on top of my agenda of governance. Every President needs close contact with the people to govern effectively. I have brought meaningful development projects down the grassroots and I have not tied these up with partisan campaign overtures. Media has simply covered these stories and combined these with sidebars of politicking mainly by other parties and personalities—giving the impression that I am engaged in the same thing. I am engaged in non-partisan governance and serving both the perceived bailiwicks of the administration and the opposition. The people are my constituency and I must see them everyday. There is need for reform and reconciliation at this time of constraint and difficulty affecting the most marginal sectors. |
| Statement of the President : Re Ballot, Not Bullet |
Continuing reforms, better morale and discipline and the even handed pursuit of justice and compassion have steadily immunized the Armed Forces from the coup fever. The intelligence community sees no reemergence of underground groups in the command; and I call upon the politicians who are inclined to inveigle or support these groups to train their sights on the forthcoming polls rather than futile destabilization. Let us resolve all political issues by the ballot rather than the gun and give our people the peace of mind they deserve. |
| GMA graces premier showing of Chavit movie |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the guest of honor in the movie premier of the bio-film of former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, the man touted to be instrumental in ousting President Joseph Ejercito Estrada from office in 2001. The President, who arrived at SM Megamall Cinema 1 in Mandaluyong City at about 9 p.m., joined Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. and some members of Congress, and other prominent actors and TV personalities as well as politicians, in watching the more than 3-hour film biography entitled "Chavit." "He had to fight beyond his courage to change the course of history," says the logo in the posters that were plastered all over the SM Megamall cinemas. The President, who was seated between Chavit and the actor who portrayed the former governor, Cesar Montano, was swarmed by photographers and cameramen, before the movie started. Also seen at Cinema 1 were Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Ma. Livia "Honey Girl" de Leon, Gloria Romero, Nora Aunor and some other personalities who were part of the movie directed by Carlo J. Caparas of the Golden Lions Films. The President left the Cinema at 30 minutes past one a.m. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re Ronnie Poe |
We welcome Mr. Ronnie Poe to the world of politics. We wish him all the best. |
| GMA could best solve RP's economic woes - Camacho |
Although he will be out of government four days from now, outgoing Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho believes it is still President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who could best solve the country’s economic woes and instill the fiscal discipline and fiscal responsibility needed to move the economy forward. "The President represents continuity of reforms as well as the policies and programs that we have in place," Camacho said. "She certainly is well qualified." Camacho made his remarks during an informal press conference he held Tuesday with Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin where they branded as baseless fears raised in newspaper reports on the possibility of a bigger budget deficit next year. In making a pitch for the President, Camacho said that given the uncertainties caused by the election period, it would be wise for people to vote for the candidate who will continue the fiscal reforms. The biggest challenge now, he said, is how to communicate that to the public "so that the measures, programs that we are trying to do are very well accepted." Saying fiscal discipline and responsibility start from the President, Camacho expressed confidence that the people he would be leaving behind, particularly the government’s economic managers and revenue generating agencies would, continue to produce results. "You cannot have a higher authority than the President. And with Secretary Boncodin and her economic managers, I don’t think that could be an issue," he said, referring to the unfounded fears about a ballooning budget deficit. In a press briefing Tuesday in Dumaguete City, the President said it was she and not Camacho who sets government economic policies and that his resignation should not lead to any changes in fiscal discipline. "The head of the economic team is no less than the President. The policies that he (Camacho) has been carrying out are my policies, including those on fiscal program and containing the budget deficit," she said. She revealed, the country is still P8 billion below the ceiling of the budget deficit. "The Department of Finance is one of those departments with mandates that are very unpopular with the public. How do you tell them that they need to pay more taxes? How do we tell them to pay taxes properly?" How do we tell them we can’t have much expenditure on certain services?" Camacho asked. He said politicking is undermining the efforts of the economic team to achieve a higher growth and to keep prices and the exchange rate stable. "The whole political noise is drowning economic development," he said. |
| GMA justifies setting up of more checkpoints |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today clarified that the setting up of more police checkpoints is meant to enhance law enforcement and ferret out criminal elements. "More checkpoints do not spell virtual martial law, but enhanced law enforcement. This is one way to effectively check the mobility of criminals to deter them from (committing a) crime or to catch them after they have committed one," the President stressed in a statement. Meanwhile, Malacaņang asked the people to give former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes a chance to prove his worth as the newly designated chief of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) that unifies all law enforcement units engaged in anti-kidnapping operations. In her statement, the President pointed out that only criminals should fear the intensification of security measures, notably the setting up of civilian-backed police checkpoints in strategic places. "Checkpoints backed up by barangay vigilance are pro-active measures that must be used extensively, and we will not be deterred by faultfinders who call for effective measures against crime, but criticize the Government for every move at every turn," Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said. She added that "police-barangay fusion works well for as long as it is applied consistently over the long run." Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the designation of Reyes a head the NAKTAF was the product of consultations with the Filipino-Chinese community. Bunye also appealed to the people to support the checkpoint drive, saying authorities are convinced that it would be an effective deterrent to the commission of heinous crimes. At the same time, Bunye urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to heighten its information campaign on the checkpoints to let the people know the proper conduct of policemen manning the checkpoints. Bunye underscored the significance of the checkpoints in the light of mounting complaints about the alleged resurgence of criminality. "Sana, suportahan naman natin itong ganitong initiative ng pulis. (Let us support this police initiative). Let’s give them a chance to do their job," Bunye said. |
| 5 pillars of criminal justice system best deterrent to heinous crimes - Palace |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo believes strengthening the five pillars of the criminal justice system is a more effective crime deterrent than the death penalty law, Malacaņang said today. "So if we are able to address these five pillars of the criminal justice system, this is the most, more effective deterrent than capital punishment itself. That is the point of the President," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said this morning in a radio interview. Bunye named these five pillars as the police, the prosecution, the courts, the correctional system, and cooperation between the citizenry and the law enforcers or government. Bunye said the President has her own discretion and from her point of view, the death penalty is not the solution. "She is exercising her discretion which is within the purview of the existing law," Bunye said. When someone is sentenced to death, it automatically goes to the Supreme Court for review which then transmits to the Director of Corrections its decision. The President also has powers vested in her by law. She can allow execution, grant a reprieve or commute the sentence, Bunye explained. Bunye brushed aside suggestions that the President may have been influenced by the Church, which is against capital punishment. Bunye also said the death penalty is being reviewed by Congress where there are pros and antis. "This issue is very divisive. Why concentrate on an issue that divides us? Let’s concentrate on issues that unite us, rather than the issues that divide us," he said. The alternative is to strengthen the criminal justice system which past administrations tried to do although it has yet to be realized, he said. Many advanced countries do not have the death penalty but the crime rate does not go up. There are countries where the death penalty exists but crime goes on, Bunye noted. "So we should not stop trying to improve the system, the five pillars of our criminal justice system," he said. "We have had executions in the past and these have provided a steam valve to vent the public’s ire against hardened criminals. But these executions did not stop heinous crimes. Executions may give us some form of emotional release and a transient sense of retribution and security but the more effective solution lies in fielding the entire criminal justice system against criminals so that we can effectively curb kidnapping, robbery, murder or rape. I would rather have a strong institutional approach rather than play to the gallery and the media on this issue," the President said in an official statement issued Tuesday. |
| CBCP backs GMA on death penalty issue |
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) today expressed support for the decision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo not to lift the moratorium on the death penalty, saying there is no clear evidence that it has a deterrent effect and that there are now sophisticated and effective means of preventing crimes. In a statement, Davao Archbishop and CBCP president Fernando Capalla expressed hope that Congress would abolish the death penalty for good and restore the 1985 constitutional provision banning it. "For us Catholics, the bottom line is: a human being does not become a monster or a devil when he or she commitsl a crime. His/her inherent goodness is not destroyed by the criminal act," Capalla said. According to Capalla, this is the basis for Christianity’s hope in the effective humane rehabilitation and reform or rebirth of a new person with the help of God’s grace. "Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, states this very strongly and touchingly when he reminds us of the sacredness and value of life in his encyclical letter, Evangelium Vitae or Gospel of Life," the Archbishop said. President Macapagal-Arroyo has thumbed down calls for the reinforcement of the death penalty, saying, she believes more in strengthening the five pillars of the criminal justice system. These are the police, prosecution, the courts, the correctional system and cooperation between the citizenry and the law enforcers or government. She had earlier stated that the death penalty will not solve the spate of crimes believed perpetrated by forces of destabilization. In supporting the President, Capala said the CBCP is just restating its previous statement issued on July 24, 1992 and signed by Archbishop Carmelo Morelos on the "non-restoration of the death penalty." The abolition of the death penalty was strongly recommended by the 1971 United Nations Resolution, according to the statement. "Many countries have since abolished it," Capalla said. |
| GMA cites 22 percent surge of investments in RP |
MUŅOZ, Nueva Ecija -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that investments in the Philippines increased by 22 percent and the country is now ranked number third by Japanese investors as their preferred investment hub in the Asia Pacific region. The President made the statement before some 2,000 district engineers and barangay captains from all over South Luzon who attended the launching of the third phase of the "Kalsada Natin, Alagaan Natin" project held at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Multi-Purpose Gymnasium here. "Salamat na lamang na anuman ang binabatikos sa akin ng mga kalaban, tumaas pa rin ng 22 percent ang mga investment sa Pilipinas, ayon sa pinakahuling ulat ng Department of Trade and Industry. At ang nakararami dito ay galing sa foreign investments (I’m grateful that however strong the criticisms against me, we still manage to increase our investments by 22 percent based on the latest figures from the Department of Trade and Industry. And most of these are foreign investments)," the President told Novo Ecijanos. The President said that this only shows that whatever her political critics say, there is still trust and confidence in her administration. She said that in the recent report from the DTI, the Philippines is number three in terms of preferred investments from Japan, next only Thailand and Malaysia.
The President arrived here on board her presidential chopper from San Miguel, Bulacan where she attended the Scout Rangers anniversary. She inspected the two-kilometer Maharlika Highway in Munoz, Nueva Ecija, which is part of the "Kalsada Natin, Alagaan Natin project. Thereafter, she proceeded to the CLSU gymnasium where she switched on the "Kalsada Natin, Alagaan Natin" billboard as part of the third phase of the roadside maintenance project for the South Luzon region. The Chief Executive was welcomed by local officials led by Munoz Mayor Nestor Alvarez. She was introduced by Nueva Ecija Governor Tomas Joson III. Prior to her speech, the President issued checks worth P3 million from her Presidential Social Fund. The first P1-million check was for the implementation of "Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyon Piso Progam" for the first district of Nueva Ecija. The second P1-million check was for the implementation of "Native Chicken Enterprise" for the residents of barangays of San Jose City. The last P1-million check was for the implementation of "Backyard Hog Growers Trust System" for the Cooperative Banks Federation of the Philippines. She appealed to the CLSU crowd for continued unity in order to erase poverty and attain economic development and progress. After the proper program at CLSU gym, she had a luncheon meeting with the local officials of the DPWH, local government units and the CLSU officials. She also met the local media for a brief press conference held at the Public Affairs Office of the CLSU. Cabinet and local officials present included Chairman Michael Defensor of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Press Secretary Milton Alingod, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Public Works and Highways Secretary Florante Soriquez, Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan, Mrs. Gina De Venecia, Representatives Josefina Joson, Eleuterio Violago, Leonila Chavez, and Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Renato Diaz. |
| GMA confers medals, plaques to outstanding scout rangers |
SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo awarded today medals of valor and plaques to military personnel of the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR), in recognition of their heroic service to the nation by fighting the communist terrorists and Muslim extremists. The President handed out the awards before her keynote address at the 53rd founding anniversary of the FSRR held at Camp Tecson in Barangay Tartaro here. Among the recipients of the citations for the Distinguished Conduct Star was Captain Montano B. Almodovar of the Philippine Army (PA) for his acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action in an encounter with 187 fully armed Abu Sayyaf members at Barangal Balalanay, Isabela City on Oct. 7, 2001. During the rites, Private First Class Bernard V. Banton of the Philippine Army was awarded the Gold Cross Medal for his gallantry during an encounter with 40 heavily armed communist terrorists at Barangay Limbon in Sariaya, Quezon on Nov. 7, 2002. First Lieutenant Ricky N. Parcon, Staff Sergeant Roselito T. Tayros, and Corporal Joel S. Babaran, all from Philippine Army, received the Military Merit Medal for their heroic achievements during an encounter with members of the Abu Sayyaf and MILF in separate incidents in Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga City and Talipao, Sulu. Colonel Charlie P. Fayloga, also of the Philippine Army, received the Military Merit Medal for his meritorious and valuable service as group commander of the Signal Group for constructing the 110 feet high Trilon Tower that contributed to the enhancement of the communication and information capabilities of the regiment. The President also presented the Military Commendation Medal to Technical Sergeant Eugenio R. Bilog of the Philippine Army for his exemplary efficiency, loyalty, and devotion to duty during an encounter where some members of Abu Sayyaf Group were killed at Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu on Sept. 18, 2002. Corporal Eric O. Jakosalem of the Philippine Army was awarded the Military Wounded Personnel Medal when he fought gallantly and sustained wounds during an encounter with the MILF rebels at Pantao Ragat in Lanao Del Norte on May 20, 2003. The President awarded the Command Plaque to Second Lieutenant Magtanggol G. Panopio, as junior officer for year 2003; Technical Sergeant Edgardo B. Gose as enlisted personnel for year 2003; and to 11th Scout Ranger Company as the Best Scout Ranger Company for 2003. The Regimental Streamer Awards for the year 2003 was presented to 11th Scout Ranger Company as best Scout Ranger Company, 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion as best Scout Ranger Batallion. For the civilian awardees, the President handed over the Plaque of Appreciation to Retired Colonel Romeo Y. Lim for his support and facilitating the medical supplies for the regiment’s medical mission; Maria Soledad Mananquil for supporting the CMO programs in Central Mindanao and General Santos City; George Castaneda for his donation of construction materials for the day-care center established in the regiment’s camp; and Antonio Sy for his support during the conduct of medical/dental civic action programs of the regiment in the nearby barangays. Right after the awarding rites, the President witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the Manila Bank, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines where the Manila Bank will donate 50 hectares of land for the construction of low-cost housing units for the Scout Rangers. Luis Puyat, chairman of the Manila Bank Corp. and Benjamin Yambao, president of MBC, signed the document on behalf of the private sector while Secretary Michael Defensor of the HUDCC and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Narciso Abaya signed for the government side. Also present during the MOU signing were Press Secretary Milton Alingod, Secretary Defensor, Secretary Manuel Roxas II of the Department of Trade and Industry, Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan of the Department of Agrarian Reform, and Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Renato Diaz |
| GMA confers Order of Lakandula on Ambassador Yuchengco |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today conferred the first ever Order of Lakandula, with the rank of Bayani (Grand Cross), on Alfonso Yuchengco, former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The conferment, held at the Study Room in Malacanang, was in recognition of Yuchengco’s invaluable contribution to Philippine society, education, culture, commerce, and foreign policy particularly his central role in the election of the Philippines to the UN Security Council for the term 2004-2005. Along with Algeria, Brazil, Romania and Benin, the Philippines won a two-year seat on the Security Council last month. The Philippine’s campaign for a seat in the council has been on for some years now. All five candidates were unopposed and won the support of 171 nations in voting by the 191-member General Assembly. "Thank you so much again for bagging us that seat," the President told Yuchengco as she noted that such conferment is a first in history. Aside from family members, former Senate President Jovito Salonga, former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and former Trade and Industry Secretary Rizalino Navarro attended the conferment. Aside from his sterling career as a diplomat, Ambassador Yuchengco is a dedicated educator and successful businessman. He is also chairman and director of a number of establishments, including YGC Corporate Services, Inc., the Mapua Institute of Technology, the Yuchengco Center for East Asia, Inc., and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, among others. He also held various positions in his career in the diplomatic service, which commenced in 1986 with his appointment as Philippine Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. Concurrent with his appointment as Philippine Ambassador to Japan from 1995-1998, Yuchengco chaired the Council of Private Sector Advisers to the Philippine Government on the Spratly issue (Marine and Archipelagic Development Policy Task Group), manifesting his skills in negotiation and conflict prevention. Yuchengco has been active in the area of international economics. He served as Presidential Adviser on APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Matters from 1998 to 2000 and as Presidential Special Envoy to Greater China, Japan and Korea in 2001. As Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, he laid the groundwork for the Philippines’ successful bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The Order of Sikatuna is the country’s highest order of merit for international relations while the Philippine Legion of Honor is the country’s highest order of merit for defense and security. On the other hand, the Order of Lakandula is the highest national recognition conferred by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Named after Rajah Lakandula of Tondo, the order commemorates Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage and resolve in the service of one’s people. |
