by magnolia_eic | Aug 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
LIKE the no “wang-wang” policy initiated by President Benigno S. Aquino III, Malacanang on Wednesday expressed hope that government officials will refrain from using the Chief Executive’s name or images in government projects.
“We hope that this would be another example where by the President’s own initiative, officials will also follow through” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
Lacierda said the President, in trying to lead by example, initiated the no “Wang Wang” (siren) policy on the road upon his assumption in office, to show that it is not him but the people, who are the real boss.
He said that it is better for government projects to be highlighted as beneficial to the country.
Lacierda also asked the private sector to cooperate with the President’s initiative.
In line with the President’s memo to cabinet secretaries to refrain from using his name or his photograph on project site billboards, Secretary Rogelio Singson issued yesterday department order (DO) 37, banning the placement of names and pictures of politicians on government projects.
According to the order, project billboards should only contain the name and location of the project, name of the contractor, the date the project started, contract completion date, contract cost, construction consultant, implementing office of the DPWH, and source of fund.
Lacierda also said that the government, in principle, supports the bill filed by Senator Francis Escudero which prohibits the naming of government projects after officials. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
ANG Armed Forces of the Philippines kon AFP nipagawas karong adlawa sa ilang human rights handbook nga magsilbing giya sa militar sa paghimo sa ilang operasyon batok sa tanang “threat groups,” apil na ang communist New People’s Army.
Ang maong handbook gisulat ni Lt. Col. Samuel Sagun sa AFP Civil Relations Service uban sa pakigtambayayong sa Commission on Human Rights, International Committee on the Red Cross, ug sa European Union-Philippine Justice Support Program.
Matud pa ni Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, ang public affairs office chief sa AFP nga ang 200-ka pahina nga human rights handbook maoy magsilbing practical guide sa mga sundalo.
Gi dugang ni Burgos nga ang maong handbook magamit dili lamang sa pagbatok sa mga rebeldeng komunista, apan alang usab sa tanang internal security operations sa militar. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 12, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines – Malacanang has declared that Aug. 21 (Saturday), the 27th death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. is a “regular non-working holiday”.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that Aug. 23, the Monday immediately following the regular holiday will be a regular working day, unlike that of President Arroyo’s holiday economics.
The President is empowered to modify holidays by law, order or proclamation,” he said in a text message to palace reporters.
Lacierda added that the purpose for observing the Ninoy Aquino day is to avoid the imposition of unnecessary financial burden upon the employers, ensure the continuity in the government, business
and commercial transactions, promote productivity, while at the same time preserve the solemnity of the observance.
During the previous week, President Aquino told reporters that he is not inclined to observe his predecessor’s so-called holiday economics because as President,
he needs to strike a balance between benefit to daily wage employees and their employers.
Click here for full article from Philippine Star
by magnolia_eic | Aug 12, 2010 | Headlines, National News
NAMES and/or pictures of any politician or personality will no longer appear on billboards of DPWH infrastructure projects nationwide.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said on Tuesday he is imposing a ban on the practice of putting the names or pictures of politicians on signboards of DPWH infrastructure projects nationwide.
Secretary Singson said that the revised DPWH Project Billboard is also in accordance with the instruction of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III which ordering all government agencies not to use his name or image on government programs and projects.
President Aquino has ordered his Cabinet and heads of government agencies and Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to refrain from associating the President’s personality and identity in their programs and projects and advised not to put up tarpaulins, billboards, and other propaganda materials bearing his name and image.
The DPWH has revised the implementing guidelines on DPWH signboard structures which should now only contain the name of the project and location, contractor, the date when it started, and the project’s completion. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 12, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PEACE negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume after Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.
In a news briefing, Presidential Spokesman Atty. Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno S. Aquino III is determined to pursue his programs for Mindanao, the most important of which is to end the decade-long hostilities in Southern Philippines.
Lacierda said the appointment of UP College of Law dean Marvic Leonen as chief negotiator in the peace talks with the secessionist rebels is a clear testament of the Aquino administration’s commitment to pursue the consultative peace process.
He said Leonen, together with Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles, will review past agreements and records of talks and documents entered by the previous administration with the MILF peace panel.
Covered by the review is the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) with the MILF.
Lacierda also echoed the President’s statement that the present government is committed to a consultative peace process by appointing credible personalities that truly understand the country’s history, diverse cultures and aspirations to head the government peace panel. (PIA-Bohol)
