by magnolia_eic | Aug 16, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines – The compromise agreement between Hacienda Luisita and its farmers does not automatically resolve their dispute before the Supreme Court.
Jose Midas Marquez, SC spokesman, said there is a possibility that the Supreme Court would still act on the long-standing dispute between the management of the hacienda and its farmers.
“Once the court assumes jurisdiction over a particular case, a petition filed would not be moot just because a compromise has been reached among the parties. The case would still be subject to the final review of the court,” Marquez explained. The spokesman also gave the assurance that the court would review the compromise agreement and make sure it would be beneficial to both parties, adding that there have been previous agreements that are one-sided.
by magnolia_eic | Aug 16, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines- It began at noon today. Filipinos can now interact with and send their sentiments to President Aquino and his officials.
Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Office for Operations told station dzRB that the website www.president.gov would also carry social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.
Coloma added that there is a scheduled press briefing at 2p.m. today to further explain the program.
As for the “feedback mechanism” the President had promised in his June 30 inaugural, the social networking sites would not just be limited to Facebook and Twitter, but would include the highly popular YouTube.
Coloma is also encouraging the public to actively participate in the programs of the government, acknowledging them as important stakeholders.
by magnolia_eic | Aug 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III wants the barangay elections to push through as scheduled this October.
Briefing mediamen in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the President does not see any compelling reason to defer the barangay elections on October 25 this year.
“Regarding the barangay elections, the preference of the President is for the barangay elections to push through in October,” Lacierda said.
To save on funds, Lacierda said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is proposing the synchronization of the barangay polls with the national elections on May 2013.
The DILG is also proposing the election of only one Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) representative instead of eight in the barangay council.
Senator Miguel Zubiri and House minority leader Rep. Edcel Lagman have filed separate bills seeking the postponement of this year’s barangay and SK polls to October 2012.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is earmarking at least P3.2 billion for the October 25 barangay elections in some 43,000 villages in the country. (PIA-Bohol)
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
