October 15 2007

PGMA's Speech during the Regional Workshop on the Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia

Thank you, Secretary Romulo.

Chairperson Quisumbing, congratulations for being a model for ASEAN and the whole world and the region; Secretary Ermita; Mr. Magazzeni, representing the United Nations; members of the diplomatic corps; human rights commissioners; Ms. Noble; delegates to this regional workshop on human rights, ladies and gentlemen.

This is a timely consolidation of the three powers of government and the Constitutional Commission on Human Rights, alongside the international community, for a fundamental human cause.

Over half a century ago in 1948, the nations of the world gathered together to declare their commitment to human rights.

Our respective human rights institutions are crucial to the rule of law. And we are proud that the Philippine Commission on Human Rights which has become a beacon for the dignity and well-being of every Filipino, as well as for the community welfare, peace and development.

We respect the commission’s independence. We appreciate its human rights advisories and recommendations. We acknowledge its role as a watchdog of government’s compliance with human rights treaty obligations.

As we welcome the scrutiny of the U.S., the U.N., the E.U., and other nations to help us move away from this part of our political discourse. We have tried to be as transparent as possible in resolving these historically difficult issues. The U.S. is an especially strong ally. We have worked shoulder to shoulder on a number of difficult issues over the years to our mutual benefit. And we are sure that will continue.

We deplore any and all killings of political activists and journalists. I have met personally with the journalism community and the same with human rights activists. We share their outrage. To stop the killings, we have followed the recommendations of my Melo Commission, to establish separate courts, expedite prosecutions, expand victim assistance and increase funding for more investigators.

We thank the Supreme Court for setting up the special courts to tighten the noose on evil.

We have ordered the national prosecution service of the department of justice to work closely with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation from the beginning of the criminal investigation until the termination of cases in court.

Seventy six criminal cases on political killings are under trial; 33 others are being prepared for prosecution. Six persons have been convicted, including a former police sergeant and a former soldier.

We have told our military in no uncertain terms that if there are rogue elements, they must be brought to justice. Our nation has an unfortunate history of political violence by those on the left and the right. We hope to break that cycle once and for all. No one should have to die fighting for speaking out for their political beliefs.

Let it also be noted that terrorists like the Abu Sayyaf and armed communists are a threat to the sovereignty of the nation. They must be checked once and for all.

To ensure priority development support for peace initiatives, as Commander-in-Chief, I have ordered this morning the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Commanding General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines national development service command to submit to the executive secretary a list of areas scheduled for local peace initiatives, and the priority programs and projects due to be sustained, extended and/or launched there in tandem with the peace efforts. The executive secretary shall then disseminate the list to agency heads for priority funding and implementation, based on the office of the adviser of the peace process and the armed forces’ schedule of peace initiatives and subject to regular updating based on conditions and requirements of the ground.

The Philippines is the most democratic country in the region. We have championed that human rights be included in our ASEAN charter. We have no tolerance for human rights violations of any kind. But I have advanced the cause of peace in Mindanao to a new level of engagement, focused on interfaith dialogue, economic development and mutual security. We have done so with the largest international involvement possible. Peace there is very much an issue of human rights, just as alleviating poverty is, which is our number one issue.

We must address the spawning ground of terrorist recruitment -- the specter of poverty.

We take pride in the discipline of our administration to focus on the economy and our overall economic health. We are pre-paying our external debt, so that we will balance the budget in 2008, two years ahead of schedule. We are making sure to invest the gains in vital social and economic needs. We will not sacrifice long-term gains for short-term political expediency.

To prioritize the provision of jobs, livelihood and basic services to eradicate extreme poverty, I have ordered also this morning that the china projects oversight panel should earmark an initial 120 million dollars for programs and projects drawn up by local government units and agencies to uplift areas and communities suffering extreme poverty, as identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission in consultation with the bishops and the NGOs. Top priority are local government units with a high incidence of severe hunger and/or high unemployment. The projects should be proposed by year’s end for 2008 launching.

I have also ordered the Cabinet this morning to undertake preparatory work on programs and projects in 2008 as approved by the house of representatives, to ensure speedy implementation next year. Upon consultation with senators, agencies may also publicize those undertakings likely to be passed by the senate without major revisions. The aim is to earmark about five billion pesos worth. Along with china projects to be proposed under my earlier instructions, a total fund of 10 billion pesos would be mobilized to fund extreme poverty.

And to address the issue of terrorism and insurgency in Mindanao, we are hereby forming a panel, including the secretaries of the interior and local government, justice, the Presidential Management Staff and the National Economic and Development Authority, the leaders of the local government units, congress allies, and maybe even pro-federalism opposition leaders to draft a roadmap to federalism by 2012. The measures could include: super region planning and oversight bodies with officials and staff from the regional development councils and national agencies, to draw up programs and projects up to a stipulated amount, for inclusion in the 2009 budget; legislation to affirm and expand executive issuances, and eventually charter changes.

To address worries and difficulties over food prices, fares and overseas Filipino worker remittances, we are issuing the following instructions to relevant agencies:

First, the Departments of Trade and Industry and agriculture to devise measures to moderate the prices of flour and sugar, in consultation with industry and retail associations, producers, distributors and retailers. Among measures to consider are revenue-neutral tariff adjustments similar to those being applied to oil.

Second, the departments of transportation and energy to coordinate assistance measures to public utility vehicles, including more discount gas stations, revenue-neutral adjustments to oil tariffs, as calculated by the Department of Finance, and fast-tracking and/or expansion of social services and benefits for the public transport sector.

And third, the Departments of Labor and Economic Development to assess the impact of the strong peso on the remittances and families of overseas Filipino workers, and devise measures to moderate and cope with difficulties, including lower remittance fees, as the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral of the Philippines are working on, and supplemental income-generating activities.

We have to do all of these because the world needs us to be compassionate fighters in the war against poverty and terror, to keep the cause of human rights alive. The world expects us to preserve a universal framework of human decency and social justice. And that is the way we will be able to protect human rights in the best manner possible.

So, I congratulate once again the Philippine Commission on Human Rights for being a model. I thank our ASEAN neighbors also for having their institutional counterparts. And I hope that indeed this will be an integral part of the ASEAN charter that we will hopefully passed this November. And I hope that with all of us working together in the region for human rights, human rights will indeed be something that we can live everyday of our lives.

Thank you and good luck! On this workshop.

Thank you.

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PGMA inaugurates newest BFT in Tondo

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated today the newest addition to the growing list of Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs) and Bagsakan Centers being established around the country by the Department of Agriculture to address the public’s clamor for quality, safe and affordable food items.

The Pritil Public Market in Tondo, Manila joins other BFTs in Tarlac, the Food Terminal in Taguig City and several other areas in the country as the “go-to” places for Filipinos who want affordable, food items for their families.

Upon her arrival, the President was led to the entrance of the Pritil Public Market where she cut the ribbon officially opening the BFT to the public.

She was assisted by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Rep.Benjamin Asilo.

Part of the festivities included the commemoration of World Food Day ’07, a global initiative of nations calling for worldwide realization of the human right to adequate food by ensuring its respect, protection and fulfillment everywhere.

In the Philippines, an on-the-spot poster making contest was held to commemorate World Food Day ’07 today.

Two students each from Luzon and Mindanao and one from the Visayas were declared national winners for this year.

They are: Sheena Faith Carreon from Ilocos Norte; Ronnel Lacas from Hagonoy, Bulacan; Maphete Lustre from Iloilo City; Soon Yi Jurado from Cagayan de Oro; and Brian Brazil from Davao City.

The President, together with Yap, handed out the prizes, which included P10,000, a trophy and a plaque, to each of the winners.

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PGMA bares P10-billion allocation for poverty alleviation in 2008 budget

Highlighting the close inter-connection between poverty and human rights, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today her administration will mobilize P10 billion in the government’s 2008 national budget to eradicate extreme poverty and “keep the cause of human rights alive.”

“We must address the spawning ground of terrorist recruitment – the specter of poverty,” the President said in her opening address at the regional workshop on the “Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Asia” at the Traders Hotel along Roxas Blvd., Pasay City this morning.

“The world needs us to be compassionate fighters in the war against poverty and terror, to keep the cause of human rights alive, to preserve a universal framework of human decency and social justice,” she said.

She said the independent Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was a beacon for the Filipino’s dignity, welfare, peace and development.

“We respect the Commission’s independence, appreciate its human rights advisories and recommendations, and acknowledge its role as a watchdog of government’s compliance with human rights treaty obligations,” the President added.

She said the government’s record on human rights is opened to scrutiny. “We deplore any and all killings of political activists and journalists. I have met personally with the journalism community and the same with human rights activists. We share their outrage,” the President said.

She pointed out that her administration has followed the recommendations of the Melo Commission on the creation of separate courts to try cases of human rights violations, and increased allocations for the hiring of more investigators.

Headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, the commission was created by the President to undertake a thorough investigation of extra-judicial killings of journalists and political activists.

She also thanked the Supreme Court for setting up special courts to expedite cases of human rights violations.

At present, 76 criminal cases on political killings are undergoing trial, while 33 others are being prepared for prosecution, the President said, adding that six persons have been convicted, among them a former police sergeant and a former soldier.

In setting aside P10 billion for poverty-alleviation programs, the President stressed that “peace there is very much an issue of human rights, just as alleviating poverty is, which is our number one issue.”

She expressed “great pride in the discipline of our administration to focus on the economy and our over-all economic health,” adding that the “top priority” under the P10-billion allocation are projects of local government units (LGUs) “with high incidence of severe hunger and/or high unemployment.”

To “prioritize the provision of jobs, livelihood and basic services to eradicate extreme poverty,” she said she has ordered the China Projects Oversight Panel to “earmark an initial $120 million for programs and projects drawn up by local government units and agencies to uplift areas and communities suffering extreme poverty, as identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission in consultation with the bishops and the NGOs (non-government organizations).”

She explained that she has already instructed the Cabinet to “undertake preparatory work on programs and projects in 2008, as approved by the House of Representatives, to ensure speedy implementation next year.”

The Philippines is co-hosting the workshop which brings together representatives of 13 states from across the region, as well as representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), led by Gianni Magazzeni, senior human rights officer of the OHCHR’s National Institutions Unit.

The OHCHR also brought along representatives from its Asia-Pacific Unit and its Regional Office for Southeast Asia, and the Asia-Pacific Forum (APF) Secretariat, as well as experts from existing NHRIs in Asia, including those from India and Sri Lanka.

Invited to the workshop are member states “which do not yet have established NHRIs in accordance with the Paris Principles.” These are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Japan, North Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea.

A total of 19 Asian countries, including the Philippines, already have their own NHRIs. The Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights was established way back in 1987 in accordance with the new Philippine Constitution – pre-dating by six years the adoption in 1993 of the Paris Principles by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The Paris Principles provide that NHRIs shall be vested with the competence to promote and protect human rights based on six key criteria, namely: independence guaranteed by statute or the Constitution, autonomy from government, pluralism, broad mandate based on universal human rights standards, adequate resources, and working with others, including civil society.

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PGMA forms panel to draft roadmap to federalism by 2012

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said this morning that she will create a panel to draft a “Roadmap to Federalism by 2012” and eventually revise the country’s Constitution, two years after she bows out of office.

The panel will include the secretaries of the Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Justice (DOJ), Presidential Management Staff (PMS), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Also joining the panel are “leaders of the local government units (LGUs), Congress allies, and maybe even pro-federalism opposition leaders.”

The President announced the formation of the federalism roadmap panel in her address before the regional workshop on the Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Asia at the Traders Hotel along Roxas Blvd. in Pasay City.

She said the federalism measures could include super-region planning and oversight bodies with officials and staff from the Regional Development Councils (RDCs), and national agencies.

These officials, she added, would “draw up programs and projects up to a stipulated amount, for inclusion in the 2009 general appropriations.”

The other measures to be drawn up by the panel are legislations to affirm and expand executive issuances, and “eventually Charter change.”

The President also said she has instructed concerned government agencies to “address worries and difficulties over food prices, fares and overseas Filipino worker remittances.”

Under her instructions, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) will devise measures to moderate the prices of flour and sugar, in consultation with industry and retail associations, producers, distributors and retailers.

DTI was also directed to consider “revenue-neutral tariff adjustments similar to those being applied to oil.”

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Department of Energy (DoE) were directed to coordinate assistance measures to public-utility vehicles, including more discount gas stations, revenue-neutral adjustments on oil tariffs, and fast-track/expand social services and benefits for the public transport sector.

On the other hand, the Department of Finance (DoF) was tasked to calculate the adjustments on oil tariffs.

Also mobilized by the President to address people’s concern over food prices, transport charges and OFW remittances were the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and NEDA.

The two agencies were directed to assess the impact of the strong peso on the remittances and families of OFWs, and devise measures to moderate and cope with the difficulties brought about by the strong performance of the country’s currency vis-à-vis the American dollar.

The possible measures to address the OFWs’ plight is the lowering of remittance fees and supplemental income-generating activities. The DOF and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) are already working on the possible reduction of remittance fees, the President said.

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PGMA orders listing of priority areas for peace initiatives

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to immediately draw up a list of priority areas for local peace initiatives to ensure funding and implementation.

The President issued the instruction in a speech at the opening of the regional workshop on the “Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Asia” this morning at the Traders Hotel along Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

Thirteen countries are participating in the three-day workshop.

The presidential directive was issued to the OPAPP and the commanding general of the AFP-National Development Service Command (AFP-NDSC).

The President said the list of priority areas should be submitted to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita for proper action.

“The Executive Secretary shall then disseminate the list to agency heads for priority funding and implementation, based on the OPAPP-AFP schedule for peace initiatives, and subject to regular updating based on conditions and requirements on the ground,” she said.

The President reiterated that the Philippines is the most democratic country in the region and “has no tolerance for human rights violations of any kind.”

She pointed out that she has “advanced the cause of peace in Mindanao to a new level of engagement, focused on inter-faith dialogue, economic development and mutual security.

The Philippines -- whose own NHRI (the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines) pre-dates the UN’s circa-1993 NHRIs by six years – is co-hosting the event for the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR).

Stressing that “terrorists like the Abu Sayyaf and armed communists are a threat to the sovereignty of the nation, the President cited her administration’s efforts to secure the peace for the Filipino nation.

These included:

• Following the recommendations of the Melo Commission to establish separate courts, expedite prosecutions, expand victim assistance, and increase funding for more investigators.

• Ordering the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice to work closely with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation from the beginning of the criminal investigation until the termination of cases in court.

• Personally meeting with the journalism community and the human rights activists, sharing their outrage and explaining to them that the government deplores any and all killings of political activities and journalists; and

• Ordering the military in no uncertain terms that rogue elements must be brought to justice.

The President said she welcomes the scrutiny of the US, the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and other nations “to help us move away from this part of our political discourse.”

She lauded the CHRP/PCHR for being a “beacon for the dignity and well-being of every Filipino, as well as for the community welfare, peace and development.”

“We respect the Commission’s independence; appreciate its human rights advisories and recommendations; and acknowledge its role as a watchdog of government’s compliance with human rights treaty obligations,” she added.

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15 OCTOBER 2007