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| 11 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
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| 11 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
| Statement of Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita |
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Yesterday, former National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Romy Neri was reported to have
said that all NEDA meetings and documents are public in nature. Perhaps, Secretary Neri’s statement was taken out of context. Yes, NEDA’s final decisions are public in nature and are posted on the NEDA website, but surely the deliberations and debates leading to the formulation of the final decision or policy are not public in nature. They remain to be covered by executive privilege for reasons of national interest. In like manner the decisions of the Supreme Court are considered public document in nature and are posted in its website, but the deliberations of the justices that led to the final decision are not public in nature, and cannot be inquired into. When the Senate goes into executive session, discussions therein are also considered not public in nature. If internal deliberations, debates and positions of Cabinet members can be compelled to be disclosed, Cabinet officials will be unduly hampered in giving their frank, full, and free exchange of views in the shaping of decisions, policies and actions affecting the nation. In all these, the national interest should be given prime consideration. |
| PGMA leads Palace hero's welcome for Pacquiao |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today led a
hero’s welcome in Malacanang for Manny Pacquiao, WBC International Super
Featherweight Champion. The Filipino boxer returned to the country at dawn today after winning his Las Vegas bout with Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera last Saturday. In a cool ensemble of white pants and short-sleeved red native woven blouse, President Arroyo descended the palace stairs at 10:30 a.m. to congratulate Pacquiao and party at the entrance lobby of the palace. The President then led the way to the Kalayaan grounds where a crowd of Malacanang employees and barangay residents around the palace lay in wait for the President and Pacquiao who came with a group led by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Ilocos Sur politician Chavit Singson. Upon their arrival at the Kalayaan grounds, the Philippine Air Force Band played a tune and colorful confetti of cut-out paper flew in the air. And as the President and Pacquiao ascended the stage that was constructed especially for the ceremony, the speakers blared Pacquiao singing his signature song, “Para sa ‘yo ang laban na ‘to…” “Nagdiriwang ang Sambayanang Pilipino sa muling pagkapanalo sa boksing ng ating pambansang kamao… Muling pinatunayan ni Manny Pacquiao na ang husay at tibay ng loob ng Pilipino ay naihahanay sa pinakamagagaling sa buong daigdig – world class Filipino si Manny Pacquiao at tayong lahat,” the President said. Behind the stage, balloons covered the palace trellises, and a giant tarpaulin featuring faces of “Pacman” and his fight with Barrera proclaimed, thus, in bold letters: “Pambansang Kamao.” Onstage, the President played interviewer and asked Pacquiao about his religiosity – his “costumbre” (habit) of making the sign of the cross and kneeling, and how long he has been doing it. “Yun po, bawat laban ko, ginagawa ko po yun para hindi ako madisgrasya o ma-knock-out o mabugbog sa kalaban, para manalo ako, (para) sana bigyan ako ng lakas ng katawan at manalo ako sa fight.” Has he always been religious even before he became a boxer? “Opo, kasi nung bata po ako, nagging sakristan po ako dun sa amin.” The President marveled at this “bagong detalye sa buhay ni Manny Pacquaio”; and told the champion boxer about the media headline during the Pacquiao-Barrera fight – “AFP… puts down their guns for Manny Pacquiao fight…” “Kasi nga walang naglalabanan nung panahon ng laban mo… At hindi lang yun. Yung crime rate ay bumababa, sabi nila, so napakaganda ang sinabi mo rin na lalaban ka kahit araw-araw kung ganun ang epekto sa taumbayan.” In closing, Pacquiao thanked the Filipino nation for its prayers “na napakahalaga sa para sa tagumpay ng ating bayan, para sa tagumpay, karangalan ng bansa,” adding that “masayang-masaya po ako nun at kung kina-kailangan po na araw-araw akong lalaban para sa pagkakaisa ng Sambayanang Pilipino… kasi ayaw ko pong magulo ang ating bansa, gusto ko po nagkaisa tayong lahat, nagkakaintindihan…” The President then thanked Pacquiao, thus: “Maraming salamat, Manny, sa inspirasyon na ibinibigay mo sa ating mga kababayan… at nananalangin tayong lahat, di ba, na lagging tagumpay si Manny; at nawa’y ipagpatuloy ang iyong pagiging maka-Diyos, maka-Pilipino, maka-pagkakaisa, at siyempre, maka-sports… so talagang ipinagkakapuri ka ng bansang Pilipinas.” Pacquiao also brought his wife, Jinky, and, together, they received the President’s congratulatory cum thank-you banana-coffee-roti cake baked by chefs in the palace kitchen. The 13”x20” cake topped with white fondant featured some 14 “marzipan” statuettes made of sugar with almond taste. The said characters represent the Filipino’s various religions and professions, including a boxer represented by Pacquiao. But that was not all. The President remembered “yung usual!” – and raised Pacquiao’s right hand, and, together, they gave the thumbs-up sign. |
| Statement of the President |
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We greet our brothers and sisters of Islamic
faith a blessed Eid Mubarak! Our commitment to interfaith dialogue and understanding draws from the deep recesses of our spirituality as a nation. Eid’l Fitr reminds us not of our differences, but of the values and beliefs that serve to enrich our lives and culture. Let us continue to pray for peace and prosperity for all Filipinos. |
| Confidentiality applies to Senate, Supreme Court, Cabinet -- Malacañang |
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Malacanang reminded senators today that the
principle of confidentiality does not only apply to the Senate, it applies
to the Cabinet as well. In a statement, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo accused certain senators of double standard for demanding that the Cabinet trash confidentiality, which the Senate itself holds sacrosanct when its members are concerned. “Executive privilege in the Cabinet, Congress and the Supreme Court is provided by law to allow free, frank and full discussion of policies, undertakings, legislation and rulings of national importance,” Saludo said. He pointed out that the “same secrecy cloaks media sources, who would not speak freely if their identities and off-the-record remarks would be made public.” In a separate statement this morning, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita disputed published reports attributed to former National Economic and Development (NEDA) Director-General Romulo Neri that all NEDA meetings and documents are public in nature. He said that Neri’s statement could have been taken out of context. Ermita pointed out that while NEDA’s final decisions are public in nature, and are, in fact, posted on the agency’s website, “surely the deliberations and debates leading to the formulation of the final decision or policy are not public in nature. They remain to be covered by executive privilege for reasons of national interest.” Drawing a parallel between the decisions of the Supreme Court and NEDA, he said that the High Court’s rulings are considered public documents, “but the deliberations of the justices that led to the final decision are not public in nature, and cannot be inquired into.” Likewise, when the “Senate goes into executive session, discussions therein are also considered not public in nature,” Ermita added. The Executive Secretary pointed out that forcing Cabinet members to disclose their positions during internal debates and deliberations would unduly hamper them from expressing their “frank, full and free exchange of views in the shaping of decisions, policies and actions affecting the nation.” “In all these, the national interest should be given prime consideration,” Ermita said. In his statement, Saludo asserted that being closed-door Cabinet meetings, including those of the NEDA Investment Coordinating Committee, are covered by executive privilege. “So are materials on projects still being finalized .. . as provided in past Supreme Court rulings which have the force of law.” He said that no crime is being committed or concealed when the President, the Senate or the Supreme Court invokes executive privilege. In the case of the Cabinet, Saludo said it has “addressed policy and governance issues raised by the Senate in long hearings, and we are willing to further clarify matters without violating confidentiality.” Saludo explained that the Cabinet fully supports transparency and dialogue on policy and governance matters, even as we abide by laws that provide for executive privilege in top-level proceedings of the three branches of government. These deliberations, like the identities of unnamed media sources, must remain confidential.” |
| PGMA launches Condormitel project in Novaliches |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led today the
launching of El Pueblo Likas Housing Phase II, a Condormitel project in
Novaliches, Quezon City that would cater to the needs of the Filipino
working class. The President cut the ceremonial ribbon at the main entrance of the five-storey Likas Housing Phase II Building before turning over the symbolic key to Cecilia Mari, one of the owners of the 230 housing units. Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte and Phoenix Sun International Corporation (PSIC) chairman Ma. Graciela Eleazar assisted the President during the rites. LIKAS is an acronym for Lifestyle Integration of Well Kept Affordable Shelter which advocates respect for nature, lifestyle integration and understanding of human needs. The Likas Housing concept of El Pueblo Condormitel is a fusion of a condominium, a dormitory and a hotel, which includes the following lifestyle integration values: - Fully furnished units including appliances, curtains, bedcover - Subsidized association dues to ensure maintenance - Medicinal herbal garden for residents use. A joint project of PSIC and the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Likas Condormitel is located inside the Kingspoint Subdivision in Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City. The housing project is five kilometers away from commercial key areas in Quezon City, seven kilometers from the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University, wet market and major business area. Public transportation is available 24-hours a day. |
| PGMA to commission Phase 2 of Bohol Irrigation Project |
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TAGBILARAN, Bohol—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
is due to visit Bohol tomorrow (Friday) to officially commission Bayongan
Dam of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP 2). The President will arrive here in the morning on the first leg of her two-province visit to the Visayas to inspect infrastructure projects vital to the development of Bohol and Cebu provinces. Funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the P3.6-billion BHIP 2 Project, which will irrigate more than 5,000 hectares of farmlands, is expected to increase dramatically the rice production of some 3,600 farmers in the municipalities of San Miguel, Ubay and Trinidad. The 314-hectare dam can impound 34.5 million cubic meters of water, enough to supply the irrigation needs of the service area for two croppings a year. The President will be assisted by Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Reps. Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Adam Relson Jala, mayors Claudio Bonior of San Miguel, Eutiquio Bernales of Ubay, Judith del Rosario-Cajes of Trinidad, and Engr. Modesto Membreve, BHIP 2 project manager, in the ceremonial release water from the tunnel. The local government here said around 3,500 Boholanos are expected to attend the commissioning ceremony. Project manager Yung Qu Park of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd., the contractor of the project, and his team as well as representatives of Nippon Koie, project consultant, will also be present to welcome the President. Aumentado will give the welcome address while Membreve will brief the President on the project. A component of various agricultural projects of Bohol, the dam is also part of the Bohol Tourism Master Plan and the Bohol Agricultural Master Plan, which are all aimed at improving the lives of the Boholanos and eradicate poverty and insurgency in the province. African tulips and other flowering shrubs have been planted as part of the beautification of the dam site. Berthing areas for floating restaurants, pumpboats and even paddleboats were also constructed to cater to foreign and local tourists who may want to go hook and line fishing. To support this activity, the impounded water will be seeded with tilapia fingerlings. The President will also witness the turnover of tilapia fingerlings by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to NIA-Bohol. |
| Busy day awaits PGMA in Cebu City whole day today |
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CEBU CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
will inaugurate tomorrow the Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) which was
built by world renowned ship builder Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc.
(THII). The commissioning and christening rites will be held at THII's head office and shipyard located at West Cebu Industrial Park in Buanoy, Balamban here. A joint venture of Tsuneishi Group of Japan and the Aboitiz Group of companies of Cebu, THII was commissioned by Hoegh Autoliners, a privately owned shipping company incorporated in Bermuda. It has four PCTCs with a capacity of about 5,200 cars per vessel. Two of the four PCTCs were completed and have been delivered to their respective owners namely: Hoegh Brasilia in March 2007 and Hoegh Sydney last Aug. 20, 2007. The third vessel Hoegh Manila, which will be
christened by the President tomorrow is scheduled for completion and
delivery by December 2007. The fourth, vessel, Hoegh Oslo will be launched
next month. At the Cebu capitol, the President will distribute 600 Original Certificates of Title to beneficiaries of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR's) Handog Titulo Program covering 13 municipalities of the province. Immediately after the ceremonies, the
President will witness the signing of Memoranda of Agreements (MoAs) among
various national amd government agencies and representatives of the Republic
of Korea. • MOA between the Province of Cebu, DENR, DND (Department of National Defense) and the HUDCC (Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council) for the relocation of AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Central Philippines Command (CENTCOM); • MOA between the 4th District of Cebu represented by Cong. Benhur Salimbangon and DENR, DAR and the DA for the implementation of the Jathropa Production Project; • MOA between the Province of Cebu and the
University of San Carlos on the Writing of the History of the Province of
Cebu; and, After the signing rites, the President will
be whisked off to the Teletech Delivery Center located at the Oakridge IT
Center in Mandaue, Cebu for the formal opening of the outsourcing company
for business. On the roughly 5,600 square meter lot, the Cebu DC occupies two floors of the Oakridge IT Center complete with the best office facilities and state-of-the-art technology for its employees. The DC has 1,000 seats and with fully- equipped training and meeting rooms. |
| PGMA greets Muslims Eid Mubarak |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo greeted today
the Filipino Muslims a blessed Eid Mubarak, a traditional greeting on the
observance of Eid’l Fitr, a festival marking the end of Ramadan, the Muslim
month of fasting. In a statement, the President said the government’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and understanding is drawn from “the deep recesses of our spirituality as a nation.” “Eid’l Fitr reminds us not of our differences, but of the values and beliefs that serve to enrich our lives and culture,” she pointed out. The Chief Executive encouraged everyone to pray for peace and prosperity of all Filipinos. Eid is an Arabic term meaning "festivity" or "celebration" while Fiṭr means "to break the fast." On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family wakes up early and after praying the first normal everyday prayer, is required to eat a small quantity, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. For Muslims, Eid’l Fitr is a joyous occasion with important religious significance, a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting, but also thank God for the help and strength that they believe He gave them throughout the previous month. For them, it is a time for giving and sharing, and dressing up in holiday attire. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye |
| This impeachment complaint is a distraction that the President can and will ignore, she has a nation to govern and there are other more important matters which she has to attend to. |
| PGMA to ignore of 'distraction' of impeachment complaint |
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Malacanang said today President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
can and will ignore the impeachment complaint recently filed against her in
the House of Representatives. In a statement, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said, “The impeachment complaint is a distraction that the President can and will ignore.” He said the President “has a nation to govern, and there are other more important matters which she has to attend to.” |
| Pacquiao reveals boxing secrets to PGMA |
|
He was a “sakristan” early in his life, and
prayer has always been his secret weapon. This was what President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo learned about Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao when she played interviewer while congratulating the triumphant WBC International Super Featherweight title holder in festive ceremonies at Malacanang’s Kalayaan grounds this morning. The President, who had walked Pacquiao and company to the Kalayaan grounds from the palace lobby where she had met them, kicked off the open-air hero’s welcome ceremonies by declaring: “Nagdiriwang ang Sambayanang Pilipino sa muling pagkapanalo sa boksing ng ating pambansang kamao… “Muling pinatunayan ni Manny Pacquiao na ang husay at tibay ng loob ng Pilipino ay naihahanay sa pinakamagagaling sa buong daigdig – world class Filipino si Manny Pacquiao at tayong lahat.” Then she asked Pacquiao about the latter’s religiosity – especially his “costumbre” (habit) of making the sign of the cross and kneeling before and after mixing it up with his opponent, and how long he has been practicing it. “Yun po, bawat laban ko, ginagawa ko po yun para hindi ako madisgrasya o ma-knock-out o mabugbog sa kalaban, para manalo ako, (para) sana bigyan ako ng lakas ng katawan at manalo ako sa fight,” revealed Pacquiao. Has he always been religious even before he became a boxer? “Relihiyoso ka na ba bago ka pumasok ng boksing,” the President asked. To this, the “Pambansang Kamao” revealed: “Opo, kasi nung bata po ako, naging sakristan po ako dun sa amin.” The President marveled at this “bagong detalye sa buhay ni Manny Pacquaio” who returned to the country at dawn today after winning his Las Vegas bout with Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera last Saturday. Before closing her instant question-and-answer with the boxing champ, President Arroyo asked the Pacman if he had anything more to say to his countrymen (“… May gusto ka pa bang sabihin sa ating mga kababayan?”) “Unang-una po, nagpapasalamat ako sa mahal na Panginoon sa binigay niyang lakas ng katawan sa akin at nanalo ako nung nakaraang Sabado. “At marami rin pong salamat sa walang sawang pagsuporta niyo po mula noon hanggang ngayon,” Pacquiao told the President. At the conclusion of the ceremonies -- which was beamed live nationwide over government and private TV networks – the topic again led to prayers and their power: Pacquiao thanked his fans for their prayers “na napakahalaga para sa tagumpay ng ating bayan, para sa tagumpay, karangalan ng bansa.” Pacquiao added: “Masayang-masaya po ako nun at kung kina-kailangan po na araw-araw akong lalaban para sa pagkakaisa ng Sambayanang Pilipino… kasi ayaw ko pong magulo ang ating bansa, gusto ko po nagkaisa tayong lahat, nagkakaintindihan…” The President also waxed prayerful when it was her turn to thank Pacquiao for his latest boxing triumph which again honored the country in the eyes of the world’s sports enthusiasts: “Maraming salamat, Manny, sa inspirasyon na ibinibigay mo sa ating mga kababayan… at nananalangin tayong lahat, di ba, na lagging tagumpay si Manny… “At nawa’y ipagpatuloy ang iyong pagiging maka-Diyos, maka-Pilipino, maka-pagkakaisa, at siyempre, maka-sports… so talagang ipinagkakapuri ka ng bansang Pilipinas.” In a cool ensemble of white pants and short-sleeved red native woven blouse, President Arroyo then handed over her congratulatory-cum-thank-you cake to the boxer and his wife, Jinky. The 13”x 20” banana-coffee-roti cake baked by Malacanang chefs also waxed religious. Glazed with white fondant, it was topped by some 14 “marzipan” (or sugar with almond taste) statuettes representing the Filipino’s various religions and professions, including a boxer represented by Pacquiao. |
| Local gov't officials issue warning on counterproductive politicking |
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The Union of Local Authorities of the
Philippines (ULAP) and the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)
today expressed concern that the country may again be sinking into
counterproductive politicking. “While we support efforts toward transparency and integrity in government, we urge that non-partisan bodies, following the rule of law, be allowed to probe and if warranted, prosecute wrongdoing, so more attention is given priority development legislation,” a joint statement of the two groups of local officials said. “We join the relentless effort of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to focus on economic development, and we share the concern of many Filipinos that the nation may again be sinking into counterproductive politicking,” the statement said. The ULAP and LMP officials issued the statement during the induction of the new set of officers of the two local government bodies by the President this afternoon in Malacanang.. The joint statement, which was read by Misamis Occ. Gov. Loreto Leo S. Ocampos, also called on Congress to give priority to the passage of the 2008 national budget which contains funds for various priority projects of local government units. The local officials underscored the need for the enactment of the national allocation before the new year to avoid a repeat of the delays in the implementation of government projects as a result of the non-passage of annual budgets in previous years. The new set of ULAP and LMP officers lauded the President’s appointment of ULAP representatives in the China Projects Oversight Panel and the Pro-Performance System overseeing infrastructure projects. They said they are looking forward to working closely with the national government in the assessment, processing and implementation of priority projects. The massive economic potential of far-flung regions of the country have remained untapped due to lack of infrastructure facilities and investment, they said, adding that with the rising fiscal resources and business confidence, public and private investments are finally surging in the super regions. The local officials said self-serving politics should not be allowed to block the flow to the countryside of much-needed job-creating capital. “We leaders of the local governments join hands with the national leadership, the major sectors and the great citizenry of our provinces, municipalities and barangays in mobilizing capital, hardwork and knowhow for the full development of our regions and communities,” the statement said. The new officers pledged to remain committed to whatever advocacies the ULAP may collectively pursue to advance effective local governance and genuine local autonomy for the benefit of their constituencies. The new eight (8) officers of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines ULAP are Mayor Ramon S. Guico, Governor Loreto Leo S. Ocampos, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, Vice mayor Henry Dy, Councilor Arencio Rendor, Jr., James Marty Lim, Vincent Piccio and Councilor Julian Coseteng. The 14 LMP officers are Ramon Guico Jr., Reynaldo Velasco, Nestor Pulido, Ernesto Castaneda Jr., Roy Macanlalay, Rolando Columbres Sr., Nonato Abrenica, Salvador Perez, Mojanito Libunao Jr., Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Emma Chan, Kimi Cojuangco, Simplicio Rosario and Carlos Trece. |
| Statement of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo: The government will address NBN issues while respecting confidentiality |
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It is a double standard that certain senators
apply when they demand of the Cabinet a breach of confidentiality that the
Senate itself disallows for its own executive sessions. Executive privilege in the Cabinet, Congress and the Supreme Court is provided by law to allow free, frank and full discussion of policies, undertakings, legislation and rulings of national importance. The same secrecy cloaks media sources, who would not speak freely if their identities and off-the-record remarks would be made public. Being closed-door Cabinet discussions, meetings of the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordinating Committee are covered by executive privilege. So are materials on projects still being finalized. These are provided in past Supreme Court rulings which have the force of law. No crime is being concealed when the President, the Senate or the Supreme Court invokes executive privilege. The Cabinet has addressed policy and governance issues raised by the Senate in long hearings, and we are willing to further clarify matters without violating confidentiality. With regard to possible violations of law which may have been alleged in Cabinet discussions, those with any information are advised to cooperate with duly constituted investigative bodies. The Cabinet fully supports transparency and dialogue on policy and governance matters, even as we abide by laws that provide for executive privilege in top-level proceedings of the three branches of government. These deliberations, like the identities of unnamed media sources, must remain confidential. |
