The government is looking forward to the international exposition in Zaragoza, Spain next year as an opportunity to promote the Philippines as one of the best trade and tourism destinations in the world.

At his regular media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the four-month Expo Zaragoza 2008, with the theme: "Water & Sustainable Development," is highly relevant to the Philippines, an archipelagic country, as the world’s number one dive site and the center of marine biodiversity in the world.

He said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed Administrative Order No. 177 creating a National Organizing Committee (NOC) chaired by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as a commitment of the Philippine participation in the international exposition from June 14 to Sept. 14, 2008.

The creation of the NOC would ensure that the economic advantages of the Philippine presentation during the exposition are maximized through a concerted and effective country approach, Ermita said.

The DOT, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as vice-chairman, is tasked to formulate directives for the planning, operation, and management of the Philippine Pavilion to ensure the country’s successful participation in the exposition.

The President stressed that participation in the exposition provides an excellent opportunity for the Philippines to present its business/ investment competitiveness, cultural heritage, and bolster the country’s foothold as the world’s top dive site and center of marine biodiversity.

Aside from the goodwill and trade and tourism benefits that the Philippines expects to derive from its participation, the exposition will also provide valuable insights and new learning opportunities on recent trends, best practices and innovative concepts on water technology that could help improve the country’s policy and development framework on water and sustainable development.

Expo Zaragoza 2008 is part of a series of expositions that include the World Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan and World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, that all take the environment as their central theme.

Ermita said that among the functions of the NOC is the formulation of directives for the planning, operation and management of the Philippine Pavilion to ensure the efficient implementation of all activities related to the Philippine participation in the exposition.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has renewed her call to Congress to ratify immediately the bill that would provide compensation to victims of human rights violations during the martial law regime, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced today.

The President, for the second time, certified as urgent Senate Bill No. 1745, otherwise known as the Human Rights Victims Compensation Act of 2004, Ermita said.

"The President’s objective is to address the urgent need of compensating and recognizing the heroism of all Filipinos who were victims of human rights violations during the martial law regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos," he explained.

Ermita said Malacanang is very hopeful that the two chambers of Congress will pass the bill and heed the call of the families of the victims of human rights violations.

The approval of the bill, he pointed out, would lead to the speedy compensation of hundreds of victims of human rights violations during the martial law.

The President first certified as urgent Senate Bill 1330 on Sept. 4 last year. The bill provides for "compensation to the victims of human rights violations during the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos, documentation of said violations, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes. " House Bill 1319 provides for "compensation to victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime and for other purposes."

On the arrival in the Philippines of experts from European Union, Ermita assured the public that Malacanang would give "full cooperation" to all members of the team in order to help the government resolve the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country.

Malacanang announced today the appointments of a deputy director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and an assistant secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

At his regular media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed the appointments of Rolando Tungpalan as NEDA deputy director general, and Eduardo Kapunan DOTC assistant secretary.

Tungpalan is a former assistant director general of NEDA’s national development office.

The NEDA is the country’s independent economic development and planning agency tasked to formulate development plans and ensure that its implementation achieves the goals of national development.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo returns Thursday afternoon from her six-day official and working visits to the Vatican City, Portugal and China.

The Presidential entourage is expected to fly in at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City at 3:25 p.m. on board a chartered Philippine Airlines (PAL) Flight PR-001.

Expected to welcome her back are Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jerrill Santos who will usher her up the concourse, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. who will greet her at the Foyer.

Esperon will accompany the President through the Foyer honors and to the welcome party led by Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, AFP major services commanders and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Calderon.

The Chief Executive will immediately proceed to the Batasan Hills complex in Quezon City to attend the 100th anniversary celebration of the House of Representatives.

The President’s visits to Italy, Portugal and China were aimed at further strengthening the religious, cultural, diplomatic and economic relations of the Philippines with these countries.

In Rome, the President paid visit to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City and attended the canonization rites of Blessed Marie Eugene de Jesus Milleret, Karel Van Sint Andres Houben Szymon z Lipnicy and Georgio Preca.

In Lisbon, Portugal, she paid homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita dismissed today as the product of "curious minds" rumors of an impending revamp of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Cabinet following the May 14 mid-term elections.

In his weekly press briefing in Malacaņang this afternoon, Ermita surmised that speculations on possible changes in the Cabinet were being floated by people curious to know who would be appointed to replace Cabinet members who ran in last month’s polls.

Ermita said the President had not discussed with executive officials, including himself, about a possible Cabinet revamp.

"Ang theory ko diyan, sincerely, I think the expectation of media is because there are a few (Cabinet officials) who ran for public office, whether they won or they lost, therefore there is vacancy, therefore, you are curious kung sino ang papalit," Ermita added.

He pointed out it was apparent that the vacancy at the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and the Presidential Chief of Staff left by the resignations of Roberto Pagdanganan and Joey Salceda, respectively, who ran for public office last month, set the Cabinet revamp rumor mill on overdrive.

"But other than that, the fact is the President has not really discussed with anybody, not even instructed me about anybody who might be replaced. So, wala," Ermita said.

He also called on everyone, especially the rumor mongers, to stop spreading half-truths and instead focus on the positive achievements of the government for the sake of the country.