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| 30 NOVEMBER 2005 | ||
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| 30 NOVEMBER 2005 | ||
| Statement of the President: Re Charter Amendments |
The first step towards sweeping political changes has been taken. We appreciate and welcome the action of the House of Representatives on the mode of effecting charter amendments, and we hope that this is the beginning of a broader consensus for the better future of the Philippines. The people wait for their leaders to deliver the final blow to poisoned politics and open the gates to the political, economic and social renaissance of our nation. The call for unity behind a common destiny is clear and we must start to devote our hearts and minds to this historic task to reshape the fundamental law in the interest of the Filipino of the 21st century. |
| PGMA thanks SC for 'constructive decisions' |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last night thanked the Supreme Court (SC) for its "constructive decisions" on landmark cases which she said have spurred the country’s economic resurgence. The President said the SC’s timely decisions on the cases of national patrimony and mining, "enduring fiscal stability" and even on the legitimacy of her presidency have led to greater confidence in the country and its economic growth. President Arroyo conveyed her appreciation to the High Tribunal in her address before a dinner reception in Malacanang she hosted last night for jurist delegates to the three-day International Conference and Showcase on Judicial Reforms that ends today in Makati City. "I would like to thank the Supreme Court that we have been benefited by its constructive decisions that have opened the doors to responsible mining and enduring fiscal stability," she said. "And these judgments of the Supreme Court, not to mention their judgments on political questions like the legitimacy of my presidency have brought about broader confidence and growth for our country," the President added. Participating in the international conference are Supreme Court Justices and delegates from different countries including the United States, China and Brunei. Meeting in plenary and parallel sessions since November 28, the jurists share experiences, ideas, best practices and reform initiatives that will address critical issues such as judicial independence, integrity, transparency, accountability, efficiency and access to justice. With the theme: "Strengthening the Judiciaries of the 21st Century," the convention hopes to identify areas of collaboration among Asia Pacific justices, judges and legal institutions to promote judicial and legal reforms. It also hopes to institutionalize knowledge-sharing and knowledge management mechanisms through the organization of an Asia Pacific Judicial Reform (APJR) Network. |
| PGMA honors Davide at judicial reform confab |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid tribute and honored Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. for dedicating his life and career to the advancement of the judiciary, calling him the "Great Chief Justice" of the Philippine Supreme Court. Addressing a dinner reception in Malacanang she hosted last night for delegates to the International Conference and Showcase on Judicial Reforms, President Arroyo said the reforms Davide instituted during his tenure has turned the SC into a judiciary that is efficient, effective, independent and worthy of public trust and confidence. "We are very proud that our Supreme Court as an institution and under the leadership of Chief Justice Davide has indeed been an institution the Filipinos trust," the President said. She pointed out that Davide’s legacy would be remembered most for his innate sense of what is "wrong and right." "The Chief Justice will be remembered for a life and career lived and led in the service of what is good and right," she stressed. The Chief Executive also commended two particular programs of the SC – the Access to Justice for the Poor Program and the Justice on Wheels Project – both pioneered by Davide, which she said have brought the benefits of justice to the common man. "Our Supreme Court’s Access to Justice for the Poor Program is reinforced by the construction of modern and electronically equipped Halls of Justice in key regional centers. But indeed, that is only the physical manifestation of the vision of a Supreme Court to make sure that there is justice for every man and woman whether rich or poor," she explained. "On the other hand, the Justice on Wheels Project has made significant strides in decongesting the jails in Metro Manila as we strive to protect the very poor, minors and women from detention," the President added. She stressed that the partnership between the Executive and Judiciary departments of government has been a force to reckon with as the country struggles to alleviate the despairing burden of poverty. "Indeed, we consider the Supreme Court independent from us. It is a partner in our fight against poverty by allowing the poor access to the same justice that the rich can afford," the President said. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re New Ombudsman |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez as Ombudsman. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Garcillano |
| We welcome the efforts of former Commissioner
Garcillano to set the record straight and put closure on this issue. Those who have been unfairly dragged into this controversy have already suffered enough. It is but just for them to be vindicated. The political detractors are bent on opening another front of muckraking and propaganda despite the ill effects this will inflict upon the economy and the lives of our people. We say again that President Arroyo won fair and square in the polls and no amount of smear campaigns will change this fact. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Overseas workers |
| We hail our overseas workers who have kept the
economy buoyant despite the temporary lag in growth occasioned by political turmoil. The contrast between the heroism of our workers and the negativism of the opposition is something that hurts our national pride at a time when Team Philippines is competing for excellence in every field. Filipinos all over the world are rooting for the motherland while political detractors, like the proverbial crabs, keep pulling our country down. This is the time to move forward and not fall back. |
| PGMA lauds House of Representatives' Con-Ass resolution on Charter change |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lauded the House of Representatives for its approval of a resolution favoring the convening of Congress as a Constituent Assembly to effect desired changes in the 1987 Constitution. "The first step towards sweeping political changes has been taken," the President said in a statement released this morning on reports that congressmen last night approved House Concurrent Resolution No. 26, calling for a constituent assembly to change the 18-year-old Constitution. "We appreciate and welcome the action of the House of Representatives on the mode of effecting charter amendments, and we hope this is the beginning of a broader consensus for the better future of the Philippines," she noted. President Arroyo called on the Filipino people, specifically their leaders, to unite in the task of amending the Constitution as this would pave the way for the country’s political, economic and social growth. "The people wait for their leaders to deliver the final blow to poisoned politics and open the gates to the political, economic and social renaissance of our nation," she said. "The call for unity behind a common destiny is clear and we must start to devote our hearts and minds to this historic task to reshape the fundamental law in the interest of the Filipino of the 21st century," she added. Mrs. Arroyo was the only presidential candidate in the 2004 elections who included charter change in her campaign program. She specifically advocated a shift from the existing unitary presidential form of government to parliamentary system to do away with the usual gridlocks the former system engenders and help fast-track economic and social growth. In her State-of-the-Nation Address last July, the President called on Congress to "start the great debate" on charter change. |
| Palace welcomes Garcillano decision to set record straight on 2004 election |
Malacaņang welcomed today the decision of former Commission on Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to set the record straight on the alleged cheating in the May 2004 presidential election and put an end to the controversy. "Those who have been unfairly dragged into this controversy have already suffered enough," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said. "It is but just for them to be vindicated." "We welcome the efforts of former Commissioner Garcillano to set the record straight and put closure on this issue," he said. Bunye warned that President Arroyo’s political detractors were out to exploit Garcillano’s reappearance in public to launch a new round of anti-administration propaganda regardless of its effect on the economy. "The political detractors are bent on opening another front of muckraking and propaganda despite the ill effects this will inflict upon the economy and the lives of our people," he said. He reiterated that the President won "fair and square in the polls and no amount of smear campaigns will change this fact." Garcillano surfaced last Sunday for fear of his safety at the height of the "Garci tape" controversy. He said he had been informed that people identified with powerful politicians were out to get him for his alleged involvement in election irregularities in the 2004 polls. In interviews with print and broadcast media, the former election official roundly refuted opposition claims of cheating in the presidential elections supposedly for the benefit of the President. |
| PGMA opens 8th ASCOPE Petroleum Conference |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today formally opened the 8th Asian Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE) Conference and Exhibition at the Forum, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Blvd in Pasay City. Assisted by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) president Eduardo Maņalac, the President cut the ceremonial ribbon formally opening the exhibit component of the ASCOPE event. Participating in the event are eight of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Not participating are Cambodia and Laos. On hand to witness the exhibit’s formal opening were ASEAN delegations led by Mohd Reduan Bin Haji Mohd Yusof of Brunei, Widya Pamama of Indonesia, YB Tan Sri Dato Sri Mohd Hassan Marican of Malaysia, Choo Chiau Beng of Singapore, Tevin Vongvanich of Thailand and Nguyen Dang Lieu of Vietnam. The ASCOPE Conference this year has for its theme "Energizing ASEAN to Meet the Challenges of the New Millennium." Escorted by Lotilla and Maņalac, President Arroyo also toured participating booths of Petronas, Singapore Petroleum Company, Directorate General of Oil and Gas Indonesia, PNOC, Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, Schlumberger, BW Technologies Ltd., Petron, Pilipinas Shell, Petroleum Brunei, Saudiaramco, PetroVietnam China National Petroleum Corporation, China Oilfield Services Ltd., and others. ASCOPE was born out of a proposal in June 1975 by PERTAMINA that was sent to the heads of national oil companies and state institutions in charge of petroleum matters in the ASEAN region to forge closer cooperation among ASEAN countries on petroleum concerns. Maņalac recalled the proposal was for the joint cooperation to assist the ASEAN countries in "strengthening their capabilities in all aspects and phases of the petroleum industry through mutual assistance." A preliminary meeting was held in Manila in September 1975 to discuss the proposal. This was followed by another meeting a month later in Jakarta where the members decided and agreed to establish the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE). |
| PGMA names Gutierez as new Ombudsman |
President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo has appointed her chief legal adviser, Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez as the government’s new anti-graft czar or Ombudsman. Gutierrez, who served as Acting Justice Secretary from December 2003 to August 2004, takes over from outgoing Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo whose resignation from his office due to serious health reasons takes effect today. Marcelo suffers from ulcers and hypertension and the pressure of work has reportedly taken a toll on his health. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye, who announced earlier today Gutierrez’s appointment, said the new Ombudsman will immediately take her oath of office today. Under the Constitution, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) must submit to the President at least three names of ranking nominees for top positions in the Judiciary and Prosecution service from which the President will choose her appointee. Reports said all eight members of the JBC unanimously have voted to recommend the appointment by the President of Gutierrez as the next Ombudsman during their last regular session on Tuesday. Gutierrez, 56, is a career justice official. She worked at the Department of Justice for over 20 years where she started her government service as a state counsel, and climbed to its top post, serving as Undersecretary and for a while as Acting Secretary. An Ateneo de Manila University law graduate, she also earned a post-graduate diploma in International Law and Development from the Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, Netherlands. She was appointed chief presidential legal adviser on Sept. 1, 2004, in which position she renders legal advise to the President on matters requiring Presidential action, including matters pertaining to legislation. Gutierrez, who will serve a fixed term of seven years in her new position, has vowed to resolve all pending cases before the anti-graft agency. She is the fourth to hold the position since the Office was created in 1987 to serve as the watchdog of government officials and employees. Her predecessors in the Office of the Ombudsman were Marcelo, Conrado Vasquez and Aniano Desierto. The JBC is supervised directly by the Supreme Court. Its present members include Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Integrated Bar of the Philippines representative Conrado Castro, retired Justice Regino Hermosisima, Dean Amado Dimayuga and retired Justice Raoul Victorino. |
| Bunye laments negativism of political opposition |
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye lamented today the negativism of the political opposition, saying it cuts deep into "our national pride at a time when Team Philippines is competing for excellence in every field." While Filipinos all over the world are rooting for the motherland, "political detractors, like the proverbial crabs, keep pulling our country down," he pointed out. "This is the time to move forward and not fall back," he added. The Malacaņang official paid tribute to the Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs) who have kept the economy buoyant despite the temporary lag in economic growth as a result of the endless political bickering and campaign of President Arroyo’s political detractors to destabilize her administration. Bunye said the "contrast between the heroism of our workers and the negativism of the opposition is something that hurts our national pride at a time when Team Philippines is competing for excellence" in the ongoing 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hosted by the Philippines. The peso continues to gain ground on the back of OFW remittances, closing yesterday at P54-$1, an eight-month high, although the year-on-year growth of the economy was weaker than projected at 4.1 percent. The lower-than-projected economic growth is not expected to impact on the peso, according to monetary authorities. |
| New Ombudsman to review graft cases against state officials |
Newly appointed Ombudsman Merceditas N. Gutierrez today said her first order of business as the government’s anti-graft czar would be to review all pending graft cases involving high-ranking state officials and personnel. In a press conference held at Malacaņang this afternoon, Gutierrez said she would order the immediate review or expedite the investigation of these cases. With its increased budget, Gutierrez said the Office of the Ombudsman would soon hire some 400 more prosecutors to address the backlog and speed up the prosecution and disposition of pending cases. Gutierrez, who replaces outgoing Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, is a former Undersecretary and for a while, Acting Secretary of the Department of Justice. Marcelo’s resignation due to health reasons takes effect today. Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the position of chief presidential legal counsel which Secretary Gutierrez will vacate will remain vacant as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still has to appoint her replacement. |
| PGMA's presence inspires Filipino athletes |
The unprecedented spectacle of the President rooting for her country’s athletes competing with their foreign counterparts right at their arena of battle certainly serves to further inspire sports campaigners. This was proven yesterday in Cebu and Bacolod where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited and cheered on the Filipino athletes who simply outperformed their opponents and earned precious gold medals for the country. Today the phenomena in Cebu and Bacolod were repeated when Filipino wushu athletes won three out of five gold medals even as they also bagged two other silvers in the Sanshou discipline. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez and Wushu Federation of the Philippines lifetime honorary president Francis Chan joined President Arroyo in rooting for the Filipino wushu masters playing for their flag and country in the ongoing 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila and their other regional venues. During the medals presentation rites at the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) in San Marcelino, Manila, the President awarded the gold medals to 52-kilogram champion Rhea May Rifani, 48-kg. category champion Rene Catalan and 70-kg king Edward Folayang. Rifani bested Vietnamese Ngo Thi Ha, Catalan followed suit by humbling another Vietnamese Le Minh Tung. Folayang completed the rout by overpowering his Vietnamese opponent Nguyen Duc Trung during the finals this afternoon. Silver medallists were Jennifer Lagilag for the 45-kg category and Rexel Nganhayna in the 56-kg category of the Sanshou competitions. Other wushu medallists of Team Philippines posed for souvenir photos with the President, together with Ramirez and Chan after the awards ceremonies. |
