by magnolia_eic | Jan 3, 2011 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed confidence that the country’s economy will
continue to grow next year as evidenced by the stringent efforts of the government to uplift
the standard of living of the Filipino people.
The Chief Executive, in an interview on Thursday following the commemoration of the 114th
martyrdom of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila said that
businesses in the country will continue to grow gradually improving the unemployment and
underemployment rate for the better.
The President assured that the government has been exhausting necessary steps to
expedite processes in totally solving issues that hamper economic growth.
For instance, the President cited the expansion of an international relationship management
firm in Manila which has five-major expansions throughout the country, the newest in San
Lazaro near the University Belt.
Convergys has provided 20,000 job opportunities for the Filipinos.
“If you remember we went to a company called Convergys not too long ago. They opened a
new facility in San Lazaro. The first day they had to acquire a new office in addition to the one
that they had contracted. From then on, they continue to grow in a period of one month”, the
President said.
“So that I think is a total reference of what we should be expecting”, he added. (PIA/PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Jan 3, 2011 | Headlines, National News
Hoping that the Malaysian government would act to address the facilitator dispute,
government negotiators on Tuesday expressed optimism that peace negotiations with the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume next month.
Atty. Marvic Leonen, chair of the government panel for the peace talks with the MILF, said
the third-party facilitator issue needs to be resolved first and they are confident that Malaysia
would address the concerns of both sides.
“We still remain optimistic that talks with the MILF will resume in January. We hope that the
MILF can share that optimism,” Leonen said in a statement.
The government had asked the Malaysian government to replace Datuk Othman bin Abd’
Razak as third-party facilitator because of his alleged pro-MILF bias.
“A politically negotiated settlement is needed at the soonest possible time so that the
energies of all can be channeled to addressing justice, lasting peace, sustainable
development and prosperity for all peoples in Mindanao,’ he continued.
He noted that administrative and security concerns are ongoing and they are prepared to
discuss these with MILF counterparts and vow to continue the series of consultations with
relevant sectors particularly the issues raised by the Moro rebels.
“We think that this is what negotiating in good faith means. It is also the better part of
prudence since issues taken out of context do contribute to environments which can only
foster more violence. We invite all concerned to help us address the problems in the spirit of
finding lasting solutions to a complex problem,” he added. (PIA/PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Jan 3, 2011 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Health (DOH) has now monitored 173 cases of firecracker-related injuries
reported across the country.
The health department said 83, or 40 percent, of these injuries are attributed to “piccolo.”
“Kwitis,” “boga,” and the whistle bomb account for 15 injuries each, while the “trianggulo”
(triangle) has injured seven.
At least 20 people had suffered from blast burns, while 13 cases required amputations. Four
cases of firecracker ingestion and six incidents of stray bullets were also reported.
The National Capital Region holds the highest number of victims with 68 coming from Metro
Manila.
The DOH on Tuesday reiterated its warning to the public on use of firecrackers to welcome
the New Year.
The health agency released in December 22 a list of banned firecrackers, which
include “piccolo”, “pla-pla”, five-star, atomic bomb, “triangulo”, “Super Lolo”, Boga,
and “Watusi”. These fireworks are commonly accessible to children.
The DOH had also urged parents to let their children use tin cans, drums, and trumpets to
make noise since these are safe compared to firecrackers. (PIA/DOH)
by magnolia_eic | Jan 3, 2011 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III said the government is reviewing the guidelines
for “executive clemency,” which includes the granting of presidential pardon to criminals.
In an interview with Palace reporters on Monday, Aquino said he wants the process for
executive clemency reviewed because he is hesitant about reducing the sentence or granting
pardon to those convicted of crimes such as rape and drug pushing.
Aquino expressed his qualms about granting executive clemency two months after he signed
a proclamation granting amnesty to military and some police personnel who attempted to
overthrow the Arroyo administration.
Under Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, the President has the power to grant
executive clemency to convicts.
The same provision gives him the power to grant amnesty, upon the concurrence of the
majority of Congress.
Upon the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP), the president can
grant pardons, commute sentences, or defer the implementation of sentences.
by magnolia_eic | Jan 3, 2011 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday signed into law Republic Act 10147, the P1.645-
trillion General Appropriations Act for 2011 which is actually his first financial blueprint that
will enable the national government to address the urgent needs of the marginalized sector of
society.
In a speech after the signing at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall, the Chief Executive said this is the
first time in 11 years that the national budget was signed on time.
Of the total budget, the social services sector got the lion’s share at 34.1 percent, a 16.8
percent hike from its 2010 budget, the highest increase among all sectors. It includes a
P21-billion allocation for the conditional cash transfer program and P1.2 billion in unaudited
intelligence funds.
The President pointed out that the early signing of the budget “will enable us to address
the urgent needs of our people in a timely manner. Such needs include building more rural
health units and providing immunization for children. This also allows us to construct new
classrooms and hire new teachers, as promised to the Filipino people.”
Present during the budget signing ceremony were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile,
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Congress committee leaders and members of the
Cabinet.
