. |
||
| 12 FEBRUARY 2007 | ||
| . |
||
| 12 FEBRUARY 2007 | ||
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Politics of the People |
| The dynamic atmosphere
surrounding the senatorial polls is a solid tribute to the stability and force of
Philippine democracy; and fully complements President Arroyo's economic agenda. This is also a clear signal that the era of partisan destabilization is over; and all sides can now confine themselves to a battle in the electoral arena rather than the government having to deal with intrigue and conspiracy. That said, President Arroyo will remain focused on her economic plan, backed by clean and peaceful polls, that will establish the Philippines as a center of excellence and freedom in the world. The President will remain engaged in the politics of the people and the politics of the future and will let nothing stand in her way to bring investments, jobs and pro-poor programs to every home and household that need them. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Terminal 3 |
| The government has taken note of the offer of
Asia's Emerging Dragons Corp. (AEDC) for the NAIA Terminal 3 and this will be studied at
the professional level to assess the pros and cons. We take this offer as a clear sign of growing confidence on the Philippine economy. In any event, this administration is determined to open the terminal at the soonest possible time as soon as the finishing touches are done and the legal impediments set aside. This terminal is a symbol of growing tourism and trade in which the Philippines aims to be a strong player in the region. It is part of the massive infrastructure program of President Arroyo to bring in more investments and jobs and take the country to the threshold of the First World. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: UN Probe Team |
| We welcome the UN team to the Philippines in
the spirit of truth and justice that President Arroyo has always stood for. The President since the start has condemned these killings and has taken every means to get to their root and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is unfortunate that government efforts in this direction were hampered by the lack of witnesses and the cooperation of the victims' families as well as the militant groups. We are glad that the UN team is somewhat assured of such cooperation and we are confident that the probe will be objective as well as wide ranging, to include the alleged acts of murder and terror committed by the revolutionary left against their own kind. We support justice in all aspects and the government shall extend to the UN team all the assistance it needs to conduct a fruitful and fair search of the truth. |
| Gov't to assess AEDC's offer to buy NAIA Terminal 3 |
| Malacanang said
today the government has yet to assess the advantages and disadvantages of Asia's Emerging
Dragons Corporation's (AEDC) offer to pay (the government) $375 million in exchange for
the rights to complete and operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal
3. Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the government has taken note of AEDC's offer to buy the NAIA Terminal 3 but it would still be " studied at the professional level to assess the pros and cons." Bunye, however, reiterated the government's determination to operate the terminal as soon as the finishing touches are completed and the legal suits resolved. "We take this offer as a clear sign of growing confidence on the Philippine economy. In any event, this administration is determined to open the terminal as soon as the finishing touches are done and the legal impediments set aside," he said. Bunye said Terminal 3 is part of the massive infrastructure program of the Arroyo administration to spur economic development in the entire country through increased trade and the development of the tourism sector. "This terminal is a symbol of growing tourism and trade in which the Philippines aims to be a strong player in the region," he said. "It is part of the massive infrastructure program of President Arroyo to bring in more investments and jobs and take the country to the threshold of the First World," he added. AEDC has been reported willing to pay the government the terminal's "actual cost" and to shoulder the cost of finishing it. The government still faces cases filed by the Philippine International Airport Terminals Corp. (PIATCO) and German builder Fraport AG in two arbitrary courts. |
| PGMA: No politics for me, just work, hard work |
| Determined
to improve the lives of Filipinos and make the Philippines among the First World
countries, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed today to remain focused on the national
agenda of economic and political reform and leave the politicking to candidates running
for various national and local posts this year. "I will focus on the national agenda that include more jobs, stable prices, and peace and order. I will leave the politicking to the candidates who we must all support especially our senatoriable candidates," she said in her keynote speech at the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI) National Convention at the Manila Hotel this afternoon. The national convention coincided with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) mandated start today of the campaign period for senatorial candidates. "Meanwhile, through all the noise of the political campaign, we will work to expand education, healthcare; we will take action to develop a green Philippines agenda to improve our environment and beautify our communities. And we will do so by working with our local and provincial leaders to see that the benefits of the new economy are spread to every corner of the Philippines and not just here in Metro Manila," she added. The President had earlier said that due to radical economic reforms initiated by her government, the Philippines, after such a long time, finally has the resources to fund integral infrastructure, educational and health programs and to provide more jobs to the growing number of Filipinos. Among the economic reforms the President has implemented are the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) Law, which increases the VAT imposed on taxable goods and services from 10 to 12 percent and the National Attrition Law which imposes penalties on government collection agencies such as the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Immigration if collection targets are not met. "Ito ang magandang balita sa bansa, lalong-lalo na sa ating mga kabataan na makakaasa na ang kanilang gobyerno ay naglalaan para sa kanilang kinabukasan, hindi yung hiram nang hiram upang iwanan sila ng pagkakautang tulad ng mga ginawa sa nakaraan," the Chief Executive said. The President said that this economic reform would not have been possible if not for the local government officials who loyally stood by her and supported her every move. In her speech, she called on these local government officials anew to join her as "we continue on the path to reform, social justice and economic development." "We have moved the nation forward on the strength of our partnership with barangay leaders, mayors, and provincial governors who form the backbone of our government," the President said. "I trust the local officials will work with me, with us to continue on the path to reform, social justice and economic development," she added. The President said she would "work hard until my term ends in 2010 to make economic prosperity, social justice and peace and security for a new modernizing Philippines" a reality. She expressed hope that the country, through her administrative leadership, would one day join the ranks of First World countries. In ending, the President called on all Filipinos to throw their support to the administration ticket so that the nation's aspirations will be met. "Kaya dito sa unang araw ng pangangampanya, ang aking hiling ay makipagtulungan tayong lahat - lahat ng mga partido sa ating coalition tungo sa tagumpay ng ating bansa," the President said. |
| PGMA thanks China for choosing RP as recipient of its development assistance funds |
| President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked today the People's Republic of China (PROC) for choosing
the Philippines as the priority recipient of its development assistance funds. In a round table discussion in Malacanang aired live over NBN 4 this afternoon, PROC's Commercial Counsellor Liang Wen Tao informed the President that China has chosen the Philippines and Thailand as the recipients of Chinese development funds, particularly in the agriculture sector. "Tell the Chinese people how grateful we are. We hope China Development Bank finds many projects in the Philippines," the President said. Liang said China has signified interests in investing in infrastructure projects and in the cultivation of sorghum, a cereal crop for animal fodder and a potential source of ethanol. President Arroyo advised the Chinese Commercial Counsellor to "get in touch" with the concerned agencies as the government has opened up two million hectares for agribusiness "so Chinese companies can be part" of an emerging vibrant agribusiness in the Philippines. Liang said a four-man China Development Bank team is now in the country to look into the possible investment areas. The President noted that this year marks the "Golden Age" of RP-China relations. In turn, Liang said the balance of trade between China and the Philippines has always been in favor of the Philippines by as much as $19 billion. |
| Malacaņang welcomes UN Probe Team |
| Stressing
that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is determined to put an end to extrajudicial
killings and alleged human rights violations with the help of the international community,
Malacanang welcomed today the arrival in the country of United Nations (UN) special
rapporteur Philip Alston. "We welcome the UN team to the Philippines in the spirit of truth and justice that President Arroyo has always stood for," Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement. "The President since the start has condemned these killings and has taken every means to get to their roots and bring the perpetrators to justice," he added. President Arroyo, in a move to put a stop to extrajudicial killings, created in August last year the Melo Commission, a five- man fact-finding body to conduct an in-depth investigation of extrajudicial killings. Last month, the Melo Commission submitted to the President its report and recommendations. Upon receipt of the report, the President immediately issued several directives, among which is for the government to work with the church, activists, journalist and international community to strengthen the commission's findings and put more teeth into the recommendations. While lamenting that the government efforts to put an end to extrajudicial killings were hampered by the lack of witnesses and cooperation of the victims' families and militant groups, Bunye expressed gladness that the UN team is "somewhat assured" of such cooperation as Alston was reportedly meeting with several activist groups in the country. Bunye expressed confidence that the UN "probe will be objective as well as wide ranging, to include acts of murder and terror committed by the revolutionary left against their own kind." "We support justice in all aspects and the government shall extend to the UN team all the assistance it needs to conduct a fruitful and fair search of the truth, " he said. |
