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| 16 DECEMBER 2005 | ||
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| 16 DECEMBER 2005 | ||
| Statement of the President |
I thank the House of Representatives for the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill. We appeal to the Senate to finish the job as a supreme act of patriotism to save lives from the scourge of evil. With enough legal teeth, we can effectively restrain the mobility and strike capability of terror cells here and beyond our shores in cooperation with our allies. Let us affirm our status as a strong global player in this fight, both as a member of the UN Security Council and chair of the APEC Counter Terrorism Task Force. The world looks to our leaders in keeping humanity out of harm’s way. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re AFP, PNP Professionalism |
We have never doubted the allegiance and devotion of the police and military in upholding the Constitution and duly constituted authority. Efforts to influence them to dip in the arena of partisan politics have remained, and will remain, futile. The AFP and the PNP have never been as professional as they are now. Adventurism is a thing of the past. Loyalty to the flag is firm, and the people’s faith in the uniform remains unsullied. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re ConCom |
The President is bestowing upon the men and women of the Consultative Commission a well-deserved accolade for a job well done. The submission of the proposed revisions to the Constitution marks a big step towards the repair of our degenerated political system. This signals our big leap towards decentralizing political power, expanding the horizons of economic prosperity and gaining First World status in 20 years. |
| PGMA lauds INA foundation for its pioneering Healing Center projects for grieving mothers |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded today the INA Foundation Inc for its pioneering healing center project that seeks to provide a haven for mourning mothers. The President graced the groundbreaking rites this morning for the INA Healing Center project inside the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) compound in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The INA Healing Center will be the very first of its kind in the country and in the Southeast Asian region. Mrs. Gina de Venecia, INA Foundation, Inc. president and chairperson, who briefed the President on the project, said the idea for the Center came about in response to the need of countless distraught and grieving mothers whose children died in accidents and similar unexpected circumstances and who need such a healing center and haven. "This will be a place of therapy, where they will be with people who understand their pain, and experts who will help them to recover from the harrowing despair of losing their beloved children," House Speaker Jose de Venecia, who attended the event, told the President. "I stand here today with a happy and grateful heart. On this site, we will build a sprawling two-story facility that will be a Haven for mournful mothers. This will be a place of therapy, where grieving mothers will be with people who can understand and empathize with their pain," Mrs. De Venecia explained. "We will also build a butterfly aviary that will serve as a soothing balm to heal our spirits," she added. The groundbreaking for the center coincided with a special mass said by Fr. Augusto Laban to mark the first death anniversary of Kristina Casimira "KC" de Venecia, the youngest daughter of Speaker and Mrs. De Venecia who died in a fire a year ago. "Inspired by my continuing effort to survive the loss of my daughter KC, I and Ms. Ali Sotto, who also lost her beloved son Miko, felt the need to unite with other mothers who have been deeply wounded by the untimely death of their children. We want to counsel and be counseled because in such symbiotic relationship, the providers of hope are strengthened in return," Mrs. De Venecia noted. During the groundbreaking ceremony, President Arroyo, together with INA Foundation members, led in the releasing of butterflies, doves and blue and pink colored balloons to symbolize the freedom of KC from the mortal world. Speaker and Mrs. De Venecia, DSWD Secretary Luwalhati Pablo, Architect Daniel Lichauco and other INA Inc. officials assisted the President in lowering the time capsule for the project. Mrs. De Venecia also thanked Secretary Pablo for supporting their cause and by donating a 750-square feet lot inside the DSWD compound for the INA Healing Center. "Thank you, my co-grieving mothers of INA, who have inspired me with their strength and resiliency. In our society, the mother is the center of the family. Her state of mind must be stable but grief can derail her plans. That’s why it’s so important to have a support group for mothers. At present, there is no formal organization that supports mothers when they lose a child. INA Foundation will answer that need," she said. INA Foundation Inc. was born on March 16, 2005 when 15 mothers orphaned by their children gathered for the first time to talk about their fate. INA or "Inang Nangungulila sa Anak" took shape and substance during that meeting. Its primary mission is to provide psycho-social support to bereaved mothers through programs aimed at helping them to move on forward from their numbing grief to a place of hope and enable them to reach out to others. INA Foundation was formally organized by Mrs. De Venecia and Ali Sotto. Its Board of Incorporators include Lee Lagdameo, Cathy Guballa, Lorna Kapunan, Dingdong Liwanag, Irma Santiago, Bibi Yu, Baby Tiaoqui and Menchi Abalos. |
| PGMA thanks House for passage of anti-terror bill, urges Senate to pass measure |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the House of Representatives today for the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill and called on the Senate to finish the job as "a supreme act of patriotism to save lives from the scourge of evil." "With enough legal teeth, we can effectively restrain the mobility and strike capability of terror cells here and beyond our shores in cooperation with our allies," the President said. In a down-the-wire finish, the House passed the Anti-Terrorism Bill on second reading late Wednesday before Congress went on recess for the holidays. Third reading approval is expected as a mere formality when Congress resumes session in January next year. The President said the passage of the bill affirms the Philippines’ status as a global player in the fight against terrorism, both as a member of the United Nations Security Council and chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Counter Terrorism Task Force. "The world looks to our leaders in keeping humanity out of harms way," she said. The bill defines certain acts that would constitute terrorism such as indiscriminate attacks against civilians and property, kidnapping, hijacking and launching electronic attacks through computers. It also outlaws illegal manufacturing or selling of chemicals and biological, radiological or nuclear agents that can be used as weapons of mass destruction. |
| PGMA, Korean President inaugurate Seoul-funded Information Technology Training Center |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun inaugurated today the Korea-Philippine Information Technology Training Center (KPITTC) at the Quezon City Polytechnic University in Brgy. San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City which they described as a monument to the enduring friendship and cooperation and technical cooperation of their two countries. South Korea, one of the Philippines biggest trading partners, funded the construction of the two-story state-of-the-art I.T. training center with a $4.3 million grant through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). President Roh and First Lady Kwon Yang-suk were received by President Arroyo and First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo at the I.T. Training Center before the inauguration ceremony. The two presidential couples led the unveiling of marker and the ribbon cutting ceremony before inspecting the facilities of the I.T. training center. "This Korea – Philippine Information Technology Training Center is a fruit of the deep friendship between our two countries -- Korea and the Philippines. And the fruit of this center would be to help the Philippines acquire some of the I.T. skills that have made Korea a leader of the 21st century economy," President Arroyo said. The Chief Executive said the KPITTC is a token of the appreciation of the people and government of Korea for the Philippines’ continuing support to democracy by providing a regular transit point for North Koreans moving to South Korea. "On this occasion, I renew the commitment of our administration and my personal commitment to continue to do this for our brothers in North Korea who wish to go and live in the Republic of Korea," she said. She pointed out that Philippine–Korean friendly relations date back 55 years ago when her late father, former President Diosdado Macapagal, then a congressmen, sponsored a resolution to send Filipino soldiers to help Seoul repel the invasion of the South by North Korea. Today, it’s Korea’s turn to assist the Philippines in its war against poverty, she said. The President said KPITTC will boost the competence of Filipinos in information technology, produce competent human resources and develop software needed in establishing a one stop shop for Korean investors that will produced new jobs to the country. She also acknowledged Korea’s role in the Philippines tourist promotion program, saying that 500,000 Koreans, mostly expatriates, professionals and students, have visited the country this year. "This center is a bridge between the friendship of the last 50 years and the friendship that will guide us in the 21st century. Long live the friendship between the Korean and Filipino people," the President exclaimed. Also present during the occasion were TESDA Director General and KPITTC chairman Augusto Syjuco, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Quezon City 2nd District Representative Mary Ann Susano and Iloilo 2nd Dist. Rep. Judy Syjuco. |
| PGMA: Proposed Charter change historic step toward repair of political system |
Describing the proposed amendment to the 1987 Constitution as a historic step towards the repair of the degenerated political system, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today commended members of the Consultative Commission (ConCom) for their patriotism, dedication and perseverance. The President received the consolidated ConCom report -- a product of more than two months of intensive discussions and consultations with the people nationwide -- from chairman Dr. Jose Abueva at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall this afternoon in the presence of other members of the commission. "I now transmit the recommendation of the Commission to Congress to serve as a point of reference for its historic deliberation," the President said after the document was presented to her. "I bear faith our legislators will take this historic political process to a higher level as the nation takes a bold decisive sweep of fundamental reforms. And, in the end, it is the sovereign people who will be the only power that can change this great country," she said. Among those present were Vice President Noli de Castro, Cabinet secretaries led by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., local chief executives, and businessmen. The 54-member ConCom started nationwide consultations last September 28 following the President’s issuance of Executive Order No. 453 which proposed the revision of the 1987 Constitution to make it more attuned to global challenges. The ConCom members consulted and debated with the different sectors of society across the country. In a down-the-wire finish, it managed to wrap up its report to the President only at 1 a.m. today. The President called for charter change in her State-of-the-Nation Addresses (SONAs) in 2003 and this year as part of the Philippines Medium-Term Development Plan. She commended the patriotism and dedication of the ConCom members whom she bestowed the Presidential Merit of Medal "for crafting this framework of change." "Today you have presented a roadmap towards the fulfillment of our goals. I commend all the members of the Consultative Commission for their patriotism, dedication, and perseverance in crafting this framework of change," she said. The salient features of the proposed amendments include committee reports on the proposed form of government, structure of the Republic, national patrimony and economic reforms, and the transitory provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Included in the proposed charter changes is the formation of a unicameral Parliament whose members shall be natural born citizens, at least 25 years old, a college graduate, and elected for a term of five years with no term limits. Under the ConCom proposal, the Parliament shall be composed of as many Members as may be provided by law, who shall be elected from parliamentary districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants, and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who shall be chosen on the basis of proportional representation by the political parties according to the votes each party obtained in the preceding elections. The members of Parliament chosen by the political parties shall constitute 30 per centum of the total number of members including those elected by Parliament. Each parliamentary district and each city with a population of at least 250,000, or each province, shall have at least one representative. A Prime Minister shall be elected by majority of all members of Parliament, who shall exercise Executive Power with the assistance of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister shall appoint a Deputy Prime Minister who shall head a ministry, and the members of the Cabinet who shall be the heads of the ministries, at least three-fourths of whom shall come from the Parliament. They may be removed at the discretion of the Prime Minister. The President shall be the Head of State to be elected by the majority of the members of Parliament. He must be at least 40 years old and a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding his election. There will be no election in 2007 and the first election under a new Constitution shall be held on the second Monday of May 2010 and the term of office of elective officials, local and national, ending in 2007 shall be extended to 2010. The automatic members of the interim Parliament are the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. An interim Prime Minister shall be elected by a majority vote of all the members of Parliament. He shall be a member of the Cabinet. The President will appoint the new Cabinet from among the members of Parliament. |
