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| 05 MAY 2007 | ||
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| 05 MAY 2007 | ||
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Former Senator Honasan |
Former Senator Honasan sought an audience with the President in connection with the rebellion case against him which is now being reviewed by the DOJ. Reports which came out in the media had indicated that his alleged participation would be upgraded to leader, making his case non-bailable. The meeting was arranged through the intercession of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, and took place at around 10 p.m. Thursday. Kim Honasan, his son, accompanied him to the meeting. Honasan disavowed any intentions to overthrow the government and he also said so in a letter which he personally handed the President. The President read the letter and replied: "If you say and believe you are innocent, then you should follow the process and prove your innocence in court." The meeting ended shortly thereafter. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Binay's case |
This is strictly between the Ombudsman and mayor Binay. But the Ombudsman owes it to the public to fully and convincingly explain why they believe they have a strong case against the mayor for allegedly hiring ghost employees and why they have to suspend him now. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: May 14 polls |
The vibrancy of Philippine democracy will be seen and felt on May 14 within and beyond our shores, by our citizens here and abroad, as well as by foreign observers. We welcome international observers to witness our elections. We are confident that with the help of the citizenry and relevant institutions, we shall have clean, honest and orderly elections on May 14. |
| Expect more RP-India collaboration, says PGMA |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said last night there are
boundless opportunities and potential for more collaboration between the Philippines and
India which is on the verge of becoming one of the top economies in the world.
Speaking at the membership meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce Philippines at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City, the President described India's growth and huge market potential as a positive development that could further propel the growth of the Philippines and other Asian countries. The President said the Philippines supports and would take advantage of India's "Look East Policy" and its plans to integrate with both South Asia and South East Asia. "Within the next quarter century, India will be one of the world's top economies, and India will become an undeniable driving force behind global economic growth. At this point in time, these integrative policies of India are indispensable to our plans, and the plans of our neighbors, to build a complete Asian community," she explained. Because of the growing and huge market of China and India, the two most populated countries in the world, the President pointed out that growth in Asia is now shifting from being export-driven to being domestically-driven, or Asians producing for Asians. "In the Philippines, we benefit from this growth. India's awakening can only lift up our nation. This is a positive, healthy development," she said. As the country's new special partner, the President said India is now investing locally, creating jobs in the business process outsourcing (BPO), textile and steel industries. She pointed out that the jethropa techonology, which is crucial to the Philippine energy independence program came from India, which is also the source of half-priced medicines for ordinary Filipinos. The President said the Philippines could learn much from India's technology and innovation. "I am bullish on India. I am bullish on India's ability to help drive positive change in the world, We, here in the Philippines, have the unique opportunity to learn from India and create our own path to development," the President said. |
| PGMA to security agencies: Help maintain peace, order in coming polls |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on the country’s security agencies and their security guards today to help in the national effort to maintain peace and order, especially during this month’s election period. Speaking at the First Tripartite National Security Convention at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza this afternoon, the President stressed that her administration is exerting every effort to protect not only candidates but also the sanctity of the ballot. "The political process is as important as the political outcome," she said at the well-attended opening of the two-day convention which revolves around the theme, "Security Professional: Stronghold against Global Terrorism." The tri-partite group is composed of the Philippine Association of Detective & Protective Agency Operators (PADPAO); the Philippine Association of Recognized Training Schools (PARSTS), Inc.; and the government represented by the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG). The President lauded the convention’s organizers, pointing out that because of their partnership and "dahil sa inyong pamumuno, mas matiwasay, mas mapayapa, mas panatag ang ating mga lansangan, barangay at sambayanan." "Kaya itong panahon ngayon, panahon ng halalan, nanalangin tayo that violence will not increase, na hindi lalago ng higit pa ang karahasan pagsapit ng halalan, kaya nagsusulong tayo… ng mga masisigasig na hakbang upang ipagtanggol ang mga kandidato, ang taong bayan, at ang mga boto ng mamamayan…" There are around 1,600 active security agencies with a total of some 296,000 security guards who have been trained in 130 security training schools, according to the Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Division (SAGSAD) of the Civil Security Group of the Philippine National Police. Aside from saying that they will support Team Unity, the organizers thanked the President for earlier signing Executive Order 358, also known as the Ladderized Education Program (LEP). They presented to the President the 150 security guards who will be the initial participants to the LEP that awards degrees in Bachelor of Science in Criminology, The participants will be able to join the PNP later on, should they want to. The PNP law, at present, admits only college graduates to its ranks. The PNP had signed a memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Angeles University Foundation earlier today for the said program. Should this initial LEP program succeed, the President said more schools would surely join the program. Among those attending the convention are DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, PNP Chief General Oscar Calderon, PARSTS President Pelegria Tablang, SAGSAD Head CSupt Jimmy Restua, and PADPAO President Ramon Bergado. |
