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| 25 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
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| 25 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
| RP wins UNESCO board seat |
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Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus was elected
to the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN’s highest policy making body, at the
mid-point of the biennial 34th General Conference in Paris, France. UNESCO aims to promote collaboration among nations through education, science and culture. In a tightly fought campaign, Secretary Alberto G. Romulo of the Department of Foreign Affairs and head of mission delivered a policy address at the plenary session of the 193 member-states, the biggest grouping in the world today. Secretary Lapus’ candidacy was boosted by his strong audit and financial management background. The UN body recognized the need for his expertise in its current reform measures in financial controls. The Philippines will serve a four-year term. “The board seat places the Philippines in the forefront of global cross-cutting policy formulation in education, science and culture with sustainable economic development as the end goal. We are now in the excellent position to advance the country’s agenda to harness international support, close the wide gap between theory and reality and the need for the education system to take center stage,” said Secretary Lapus. UNESCO is finalizing its Medium-Term Strategy from 2008-2013 for countries to meet the Education for All (EFA) objectives to which the government is committed – a pro-poor and pro-active stand on providing access to quality education for every Filipino. The Philippine delegation, through Ambassadors Jose Abeto Zaide and Preciosa S. Soliven, made important interventions on increased multilateral cooperation to make assistance more effective. Also, innovative ideas on debt for education swap and emphasis on alternative learning system were pushed by the delegation. The integration of technology to build knowledge societies was highlighted. |
| Statement of Secretary Romulo Neri: Joey De Venecia testimony is totally untrue |
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I am shocked and
appalled to learn that Joey de Venecia made the absolutely untrue statement
in his Senate testimony today that in one conversation with him, I said that
the President asked me why I did not accept the bribe offer from Chairman
Abalos. |
| Pampangos display show of force for PGMA to reaffirm their unwavering support to her |
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Amid all the recent political noise created by
the opposition, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has found loyal and true
allies in her cabalens (provincemates) whose support for her never wavered. Such “steadfast support” by the Kapampangans was expressed through a manifesto presented to the President by the local government officials of Pampanga led by Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao during a meeting at Malacañang’s Guest House this morning. “We, the undersigned, manifest our unequivocal and unquestionable loyalty and support to the administration of Her Excellency, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines, and will stand by her as we continue to believe in her leadership and her economic reforms for the country,” the manifesto, signed last Oct. 22, stated. It noted that “apparent efforts to destroy the credibility and leadership” of the President “through various means of black propaganda” would not change the Kapampangans’ view that she is the only President who has worked for the economic development not only of the province but of the entire Region 3 and the rest of the country. It further stated that even while the Chief Executive was still the vice president, she was already “instrumental in bringing about enormous development…increasing business activities and creating attractive investment area for local and foreign businessmen.” “The Province of Pampanga remains confident and maintains its steadfast support to President Arroyo’s administration. The people of Pampanga, grateful of all the sacrifices she has done for the Kapampangans in general, are united in appreciating her as the 2nd Kapampangan President after her beloved father, the late and famous Ex-President Diosdado Macapagal,” it added. Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, spokesperson of the Pampanga Mayors’ League, said the meeting with the President was a “show of force of more than a thousand local officials.” Those who signed the manifesto included provincial board members, mayors, vice mayors, councilors and barangay officials representing the 20 municipalities and two cities that compose Pampanga. The municipalities are Apalit, Arayat, Bacolor, Candaba, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Mabalacat, Macabebe, Magalang, Masantol, Mexico, Minalin, Porac, San Luis, San Simon, Sta. Rita, Sta. Ana, Sto. Tomas, and Sasmuan. The cities are Angeles and San Fernando. Vice Gov. Guiao said the manifesto was issued to symbolize their continued support to the Arroyo administration as he expressed hope that the “controversies raised against the President should end and the nation should instead focus on development and unity. |
| Statement of the Cabinet: Demand proof from accusers, Cabinet tells Senators |
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The Cabinet is outraged over Joey de Venecia’s
bald attempt to involve Secretary (Romulo) Neri in a false testimony about
the President. This is what happens when lawmakers and media allow claims to
be publicized without any kind of corroborating evidence being demanded. The Senate is now the favorite venue for broadcasting accusations without presenting any basis. Too often people are maligned, and instead of the accusers being asked to prove their charges, it is the accused who are hailed to issue denials and demonstrate their innocence. In Senate hearings, government agencies are grilled to justify in painstaking detail their actions and decisions. When will the Senate ask the accusers of government to present the basis for their claims? ***** For questions and clarifications, please call Sec. Ricardo Saludo 0919-3959215. |
| Super Regions infra projects finished by 2010 -- Ebdane |
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Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes
Ebdane Jr. assured today that all Super Regions priority infrastructure
development projects outlined by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her
State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) will be completed before 2010. Ebdane based his assurance on the fact that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has already accomplished about 50 percent of the Super Regions infrastructure projects. “We have accomplished about 50 percent (of the infrastructure projects) since we started the projects in 2001,” Ebdane said during “The Cabinet Speaks” program hosted by Press Undersecretary Martin Crisostomo and special guest co-host Rocky Ignacio of the NBN Channel 4. “Basically, all infrastructure projects will be opened by late 2009 and to be fully completed by early 2010,” he assured. In her 2006 SONA, President Arroyo ordered the fast tracking of the rehabilitation and construction of infrastructure projects under the Super Regions strategy, a development concept aimed at harnessing the natural competitive advantages of major areas of the country as well as that of knowledge and technology. Five distinct sub-economic regions of the country have been formed - - the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, the Luzon Urban Beltway, Central Philippines Super Region, Mindanao Super Region, and the Cyber Corridor. Through the Super Regions concept, Ebdane said, development is being brought back to the people at a faster rate in terms of physical infrastructure, development of human capital and peaceful communities. Billions of pesos are being invested in the Super Regions as a result of the country’s improved fiscal situation and macroeconomic condition, Ebdane said. At the same time, he added, the government, under the leadership of the President, is making headway in the social payback of economic reforms. The social payback of economic reforms is manifested in the government’s mantra to gain eight blessings by the year 2008, or investing in people for “8 by '08.” The eight blessings are: job creation; stable cost of living: strong peso; more investments; pro-poor education; pro-poor hunger mitigation; housing, and health; green Philippines; and strong anti-terror. |
| Associate Justice Ruben Reyes leads mass induction at Malacañang |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inducted
government and private sector officials led by Supreme Court Associate
Justice Ruben T. Reyes in a mass oath-taking ceremony this afternoon at the
Rizal Hall of Malacanang. Aside from Reyes, also sworn into office were Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Pelagio Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Humphrey Monteroso, Deputy Ombudsman for the Military Emilio Gonzalez III, Office of the Political Adviser Assistant Secretary Ian Norman Dato, Presidential Assistant for Panay Raul Banias; Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) Chairman Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairman Eugenio Insigne, Philippine International Trading Corporation President Jorge Judan; Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Chairman Nabil Tan, and members Virgilio Leyretana Sr. and Jannette Serrano-Reisland; the officers of the Cavite Mayors’ League, League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Tarlac chapter, and the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines-National Capital Region (NCR) chapter. Inducted from the private sector were the officers and directors of the National Council of Women of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, Philippine Retailers Association, Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program International Philippines, Chamber of Commerce of Herbal Industries, Rotary Club of Quezon City, Lopez (Quezon) Greater Manila Residents Association, Filipino-Chinese Federation of Business and Professional Women, and the Presidential Photojournalists Association. Among those who witnessed the mass oath taking was Chief Justice Reynato Puno. |
| Statement of Atty. Jose Miguel T. Arroyo |
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Over the last few weeks, Mr. Jose de Venecia III
has embarked on a defamatory campaign against me. I have suffered these
tirades in silence because I have chosen to live a quiet life after my
surgery. But this latest round of accusations is no longer amusing. When he first testified at the Senate, Mr. De Venecia was very indignant that my wife, the President, was not involved. He also admitted that he had no indication that I was involved. His affidavit is silent as to my alleged participation. His only “accusation” against me was that I reputedly told him to “back off.” I have not only denied this in public; it has been sufficiently disproven by Secretary Leandro Mendoza. At the opening of today’s hearing, Senator Rodolfo Biazon asked him if he had anything to add. Mr. De Venecia categorically stated that he had none. All of a sudden, the President is involved and this time, I was expecting a bribe. Even Secretary Romulo Neri, his alleged source of information, has denounced him as being hallucinatory. The timing of Mr. De Venecia III’s striptease is highly suspect. He admits his claims are not only hearsay, but double-hearsay. There is no reason why he could have not “disclosed” all these when he first testified. Obviously, this is a continuing fairy-tale he makes up as he goes along. His endless inconsistencies clearly indicate only one thing: complete falsehood. I categorically deny any involvement in the ZTE deal. I also categorically deny that I was promised anything. I maintain that I do not meddle in governance. Mr. De Venecia’s call for people, including myself, to prove our innocence is misguided. There is no system of law which will sanction it. Worst, it is a sham. There is no way of defending where the accusation is constantly changing. I appeal to the Senate to prevent Mr. De Venecia from further making a travesty of its proceedings. And I challenge Mr. De Venecia to either put up with competent evidence; or have the decency to shut up. |
| PGMA honors 10 best policewomen of the Philippines |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo honored today
the outstanding policewomen of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who have
exemplified noteworthy accomplishments in various fields of policing such as
law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice and community relations.
The President led the awarding of medals to the Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines (TOPWP) in simple ceremonies this afternoon at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang. This year’s awardees were Police Senior Inspector Rosalinda Abellon (Negros Oriental Police Regional Office 7), Insp. Ma. Bella Rentuaya (Biliran PRO 8), Chief Insp. Janet Homo (Health Service), PO3 Annaliza Cotiangco (PRO 13), PO2 Mary Jane Dalumay (Penablanca PRO 2), Chief Insp. Madeline Cacao (PRO 10), PO3 Liza Jane Alteza (Iriga City PRO 5), SPO2 Ramonita Pajanostan (AIDSOTF), PO2 Jaidee Lunggami (PNP SAF), and Supt. Ligaya Cabal (Crime Laboratory Group). Aside from medals, the honorees also received cash incentive from the Zonta Club of Makati which started the annual search in 2002 in recognition of the importance of policewomen as partners of men in institutional transformation of the country’s premier law enforcement agency. |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's order granting pardon to former President Joseph Estrada |
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MALACAÑAN PALACE WHEREAS this
administration has a policy of releasing inmates who have reached the age of
seventy (70), |
