OSLO, Norway -- Chief government peace negotiator Silvestre H. Bello III said yesterday during the Oslo formal talks that the government would continue to honor its commitment to release alleged political offenders (APOs)

Bello informed the National Democratic Front (NDF) panel that within one month from April 5, 2004, the government (GRP) panel would work for the release of 32 APOs, including nine individuals covered by the 2001 release order of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ms. Zenaida Llesis, who is one of the seven women APOs, will be given the highest priority because she is a nursing mother.

In 2001, the NDF panel submitted to the GRP panel in Oslo a list of 121 APOs. Of this total, 98 had already been released by the government.

The GRP continues to release APOs as one of its confidence-building measures for the ongoing peace negotiations with the NDF to end the 35 years of armed conflict in the Philippines.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered a review of the rules of engagement of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) and the Philippine National Police after a four-year-old girl was accidentally killed in a shootout Thursday between their operatives and suspected kidnappers in Metro Manila.

"The end can never justify the means and lapses on police operations must never be tolerated," the President said in a statement.

The President said the directive was "to avoid a repetition of this unfortunate event."

Jennifer Gallando was hit by a stray bullet and was declared dead on arrival in Tondo Medical Center after five suspected kidnappers engaged NAKTAF operatives in a firefight.

Four kidnappers were also killed - three at the shootout – and one in a nearby hospital.

The President also lauded the NAKTAF and the PNP for their successes in the campaign against kidnapping syndicates in the country.

"I acknowledge the accomplishments of the NAKTAF and the PNP in the relentless campaign against kidnappers, but I am saddened by the fact that a four-year old girl’s life was needlessly sacrificed in this latest incident," the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today enacted two bills expanding the jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) and institutionalizing the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution system in the country.

The signing ceremony was held on the occasion of the oath-taking of the new Court of Appeals and Sandiganbayan justices this afternoon at the Rizal Hall of Malacaņang.

The signing of the two bills into law was witnessed by Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Congressmen Raul Gonzales, Marcelino Libanan, Aleta Suarez and Salacnib Baterina, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr.

The act expanding the jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals, elevating it to the level of a collegiate court with special jurisdiction and enlarging its membership, amends for the purpose certain sections of Republic Act 1125 as amended, otherwise known as the law creating the Court of Tax Appeals.

Docketed as House Bill 6673, authored by Reps. Suarez, Libanan and Exequiel Javier, and Senate Bill 2712, authored by Sens. Drilon and Ralph Recto, the new law seeks to improve the tax collection efficiency of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs and other collecting agencies of the government by lodging both the criminal and civil jurisdiction over tax cases with the CTA.

It would also effectively enhance and maximize the development of jurisdiction and judicial precedence on tax matters which is of vital importance to revenue administration.

Under this new law, the CTA shall be of the same level as the Sandiganbayan and its judges bearing the new titles as justices.

The act institutionalizing the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system in the country has been docketed under House Bill 5654, authored by Congressmen de Venecia, Libanan, Baterina and Oscar Rodriguez, and Senate Bill 2671, authored by Senators Pangilinan, Noli de Castro, Manuel Villar and Joker Arroyo.

It seeks to bring justice nearer to the people by providing for the alternative method of settling disputes between and among the litigants in appropriate cases.

Before the enactment of this law, traditional access to the court system has been hampered by several factors such as vacancy in the judges positions in the judiciary; lack of prosecutors, public attorneys or adjudicators, heavy caseload of the existing courts; and high cost of litigation as a result of delay in the disposition of cases.

It was noted that lengthy proceedings are not only costly but also tedious, creating more avenues for graft and corruption in the process.

The ADR system provides a cogent solution to the said problems as it involves conciliation, mediation, early neutral evaluation, mini-trials and arbitration. While there are existing mediation processes already available to party litigants, these, however, are limited in scope and application.

The institutionalization of the system covers a wide range of dispute resolution mechanisms for efficiency and better administration of justice.

With the establishment of the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution, a more participative, innovative and less costly procedures for settling disputes will now be in effect as the system also consists of practices in mediation and arbitration which are consistent with international practices.

The Supreme Court and the Department of Justice are amenable to the proposal in view of the many benefits of the ADR system.

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) today dismissed the graft charges against Press Undersecretary for Media Relations Carmen Suva for lack of merit.

In an 8-page resolution, the PAGC, after a careful review of the records, recommended to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the immediate dismissal of the case "for lacking in probable cause."

The case stemmed from the non-inclusion of a l999 model of Toyota Tamaraw FX GLX in the respondent’s 2000-2002 sworn Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL).

"After a thorough evaluation of the evidence on record, the Commission is of the considered view that herein respondent did not violate Section 7 of Republic Act No. 3019, and Section 8 (a) of Republic Act No. 6713," said the PAGC in the ruling, which was affirmed by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo.

After presenting to the Commission respective argumentations and evidence by the complainant and respondent, the PAGC ruled in favor of the respondent.

The Commission gave credence to the affidavit submitted by Suva’s son-in-law admitting that he is the rightful owner of the controversial 1999 Toyota Tamaraw FX GLX with plate number BSA-555.

"All told, there being insufficiency of evidence on record to prove that the respondent willfully and feloniously omitted as one of her assets the subject vehicle in her 2000 – 2002 SALs, the Commission is not convinced that the offense charged has been committed," according to the decision submitted to the Office of the President (OP) by PAGC Director Dario Rama and Commissioner Teresita Baltazar.

Suva, fondly called "Tita Ching" by newsmen covering the Malacanang beat, has served the Malacanang Press Office for four decades now in a stint spanning six presidents -- from the administration of the late President Diosdado Macapagal to his daughter, President Macapagal-Arroyo.

She had rose from the ranks and had been serving the Press Office for an uninterrupted 42 years since 1962.

In 2002, "Tita Ching" was given a gold necklace in recognition of her 40 years of unblemished and dedicated service to the government.

The legitimacy of the arrests of four Abu Sayyaf terrorist suspects can be fully addressed in the courts, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today in a statement in the wake of criticisms over the arrests.

"As far as I am concerned, the apprehension of these suspected terrorists is a product of diligence and hard work on the part of the police and military, which deserves full commendation and praise," said the President who is bent on eliminating or neutralizing terrorist activities in the country.

She assured the country the government is using all means at its disposal in the anti-terror campaign, terrorism being a crime against all humanity for which there are no political or religious undertones.

Four Abu Sayyaf terrorist suspects were arrested recently and a cache of explosives taken, averting their plans to stage a Madrid-like bombing attack in Metro Manila which could lead to the death of hundreds. One has already been formally charged before the Department of Justice.

In line with the President’s uncompromising stand against terrorism, Malacanang called on the opposition and other quarters to help the government’s anti-terrorism campaign instead of obstructing it.

All rights of the Abu Sayyaf suspects are being respected and all procedures on due process are being observed, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said this afternoon in a press briefing at Malacanang.

"We leave the handling of this to the AFP. I’m sure they are aware of the proper procedures and we believe these procedures will be followed," Bunye said in response to queries why the suspects have not been presented to the media and the public.

Meanwhile, Bunye said the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), Rep. Tom Reynolds, has apologized for including the Philippines in a list of countries harboring terrorists.

Reynolds accepted responsibility for the mistake and the US government deeply appreciates what the Philippines has been doing in the war against terrorism, Bunye said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today warned that lapses in the conduct of police operations against suspected criminals would not be tolerated.

The President issued the warning as she ordered a full-dress investigation to pinpoint responsibility for the death of a four-year-old girl in Thursday’s shootout in Navotas between law enforcers and suspected kidnappers.

At the same time, the President ordered a review of the rules of engagement of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) "to avoid a repetition of this unfortunate event."

"The end can never justify the means, and lapses on police operations must never be tolerated," the President stressed in a statement.

Jennifer Gallardo was hit by a stray bullet and was declared dead on arrival at the Tondo Medical Center following a shootout between NAKTAF operatives and five suspected kidnappers.

Four of the suspects were also slain—three of them on the spot and the fourth in a nearby hospital.

To alleviate the suffering of Gallardo’s family, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said the government would take full responsibility for the incident. She also offered assistance to the civilians who were wounded in the crossfire.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos today assured the K-4 coalition led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of his unequivocal support, saying that his primary and immediate concern now is to ensure the victory of the entire K-4 ticket in the May 10 polls.

In a press conference in Malacanang, the former President also took exceptions to charges that he was involved in alleged moves to junk K-4 senatorial bet, Sen. John Osmena.

"I wish the good senator well as a member of the K-4 coalition and as an official senatorial candidate of the Lakas-CMD and the K-4 coalition," Ramos said.

Osmena has charged that Ramos was involved in moves to junk him from the K-4 slate in favor of independent candidate Heherson Alvarez.

Ramos said that a lot of people are convinced that the allegations against Sen. Osmena are untrue and can be refuted in a court of law. "I hope he can establish a credible defense," he added.

The former president is chairman emeritus of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), the leading party in the Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan, or K-4.

"Obviously, there’s someone or some people doing this. But not me. Why should I?" Ramos rhetorically asked, calling the filing of a criminal case against Osmena a demolition job.

"Our efforts, including those of the good senator, must be focused in finding out who is that person or persons," Ramos said.

Ramos is chairman of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation and has pitched for the Philippines and the government of President Macapagal-Arroyo in international economic forums.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today inducted 17 new associate justices of the Court of Appeals (CA), one associate justice of Sandiganbayan, three assistant solicitor generals and Regional, Metropolitan and Municipal Trial Court judges.

The oath-taking took place during the signing of Republic Acts 9282 and 9285 at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.

Joining the President in inducting the 17 new CA associate justices was Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr.

The new CA associate justices are Isaias Dicdican, Santiago Javier Ranada, Arcangelita Romilla Lontok, Lucenito Tagle, Jafar Dimaampao, Celia Librea-Leagogo, Monina Arevalo Zenarosa, Pampio Abarintos, Mariflor Punzalan Catillo, Teresita Dy-Liacco Flores, Arturo Tayag, Sesinando Villon, Vicente Yap, Ramon Bato, Jr., Romulo Borja, Edgardo Camello and Rodrigo Lim, Jr.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario then witnessed the oath-taking of Jose Hernandez as associate justice of Sandiganbayan.

Solicitor General Alfredo Benipayo later joined the President in officiating the oath of office to Assistant Solicitor Generals Marissa dela Cruz-Galandines, Vida San Vicente and Bernard Hernandez.

Those who were inducted Regional, Metropolitan and Municipal Trial Court judges were Virgilio Macaraig, Bartolome Flores, Joselito Villarosa, Calixto Adriatico, Angelo Albano, Gina Bibat-Palamos, Reginald Fuentebella and Candelario Gonzales.

Communist guerrillas of the New People’s Army (NPA) have intensified their extortion activities disguised as "progressive taxation" in the light of the forthcoming elections.

The National Intelligence and Coordination Agency (NICA) issued this assessment during a briefing on the national security situation called by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang this morning.

The briefing was attended by Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Corazon C. Aquino, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Jose de Venecia, jr.

According to Ermita, the NPA has also been mounting sabotage operations against business establishments and government facilities and infrastructure projects.

"The trend has risen for the past years (inflicting) estimated damage of around P713 million worth of properties due to NPA atrocities, especially on those who do not give in to their progressive taxation," Ermita said.

The Secretary noted, however, that the NPA strength had gone down to 8,690 from about 9,500 in the previous years.

Ermita also said at least 249 barangays, representing six percent of the 42,000 barangays nationwide, were still considered under the influence of the communist guerrillas.

He also pointed out that the figures indicated that in recent years, the NPA has increasingly engaged in terrorism apart from its guerrilla operations.

"Due to a mounting reliance on terrorism by the NPAs, civilians have borne the brunt of conflict as shown in the charts of the NICA," Ermita said.