by magnolia_eic | Aug 24, 2010 | Headlines, National News
With the rest of the Filipino people, I wish to offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims whose lives were lost in the hostage situation at the Quirino Grandstand. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs has conveyed our deep feelings of sorrow to the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China and the people of Hong Kong through Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang. I have tasked Secretaries Soliman and Lim to provide everything necessary for the recovery and return home of the survivors. I have directed the fullest cooperation with the Hong Kong authorities on the part of our officials.
From the onset of this incident, the hostage-taker seemed to not be belligerent, as shown by the release of hostages. These were encouraging signs.
We were going to wait him out. The idea was to let the ground commanders who are the experts in this field handle the operation with minimal interference from people who are less expert.
But the situation deteriorated rapidly when, during the course of the negotiations, he was given the letter of the Ombudsman in which she promised to personally review his case. As he was reading the contents of the letter, while talking to an unknown individual on the phone, he became increasingly agitated.
The presence of his brother also added to the tension.
At this point, he threatened to kill a hostage. The police decided to remove the brother from the scene. As the negotiators were departing, the negotiators were shot at.
Media coverage of his brother being taken into custody further agitated the hostage-taker.
Shots were fired. They seemed to be warning shots, as there was no audible indication of tumult or chaos to show that the hostages were in immediate danger.
Nonetheless, the negotiators tried to reestablish contact the hostage-taker but they were unsuccessful as the cellphone of the hostage-taker was continuously busy. He also refused to answer the throw-phone provided for him by the authorities.
The escape of the driver, combined with his reports that the hostages were being harmed, forced the assault to happen. When the vehicle began to move, and with reports that he had hand grenades, a decision was made to immobilize the vehicle as it would have made the situation even more dangerous.
As we know, the incident tragically ended in the deaths of eight innocent civilians.
We expect more of the facts to come to light and I have ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to thoroughly lead this review.
by magnolia_eic | Aug 21, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday assured the officers and members of the Chambers of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) that his administration is vigorously working to curb smuggling as he vowed to rebuild this nation towards progress and development.
Speaking at the opening of the four-day Philippine International Motor Show (Aug. 19-22) organized by CAMPI at the World Trade Center, the Chief Executive told the country’s oldest automotive manufacturer that his administration is silently working to file a series of criminal cases against suspected smugglers.
He cited as example the cases that the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Customs had already filed before the Department of Justice against those who evaded appropriate duties of imported vehicles.
Aside from filing criminal cases against suspected smugglers, Aquino said he will also support efforts to enhance motor vehicle development.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) records show that 74,700 Filipinos are currently employed as vehicle assemblers, distributor parts and components manufacturers.
To date, the automotive industry is helping the Philippine economy gear up for change with its total investment amounting to P100 billion, some P20 billion payment in duties and taxes, and withholding taxes amounting to P325 million per year. The auto industry also registered a phenomenal 37.1% growth in their sales during the first 6 months of 2010.
Fueled by renewed optimism, President Aquino said, his administration is now shifting to higher gear towards progress and prosperity. “Our administration is eager to rebuild this nation with you. We are eager to show the world what the Filipino can do.” (PIA/PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE government is considering the implementation of an open skies policy if operations of the country’s flag carrier is crippled by a strike.
In a news briefing, President Benigno S. Aquino III said that being the dominant carrier in the country, Philippine Airlines provides a necessary service that impacts on tourism and commerce.
“The government will be forced to adopt a policy that will have the side of the riding public in mind, the greater population rather than the interest of one corporation,” he said when asked what the government options are should the impasse between PAL and its employees continue.
“We are very close to implementing an open skies policy if it’s necessary, which was also done in the late 1990s,” he said.
The President said that while he understands the issues between PAL management and the labor unions, the interest of the riding public is government’s priority as they will be inconvenienced by the disruption of a critical service.
He reiterated his earlier appeal to both the PAL management and labor to come up with solutions to their problems as he reminded them that they have an obligation to the people.
The Chief Executive stressed that the government cannot allow any disruption in the movement of goods and people due to PAL’s non-operation so it has been exploring options such as allowing other local and foreign airlines to serve the routes that PAL fails to service.
The President stressed though that in case an open skies policy is adopted the government will make sure that all the technical details will be met. (PIA/PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III is optimistic that the youth will have a more pro-active role in governance with the proposal to have one youth representative in the Barangay council instead of the customary eight in the Sanggunian Kabataan.
In a press briefing at the new executive building in Malacañang last Wednesday, the President said the proposal to have a sectoral representative voted by the youth to the Barangay Council will give the sector equal participation in advancing their advocacies.
The Chief Executive said that in a lot of areas, the members of the Sanggunian Kabataan are treated as second class citizens by the Barangay Council. He said that having a youth representative in the Barangay Council will give the sector the same privilege as any other kagawad.
The President disclosed that he had already tasked the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to optimize the youth’s participation in governance.
Earlier President Aquino endorsed the proposal calling for the abolition of the SK council to save government additional expenses. (PIA/PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 18, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Malacanang is standing by its directive of prohibiting officials from placing their names and images in government project billboards and reminded those who are opposing it, that it is the people’s money being used in those projects.
“I think the message of the President is very clear; This is not the money of this administration, it’s not the money of the members of Congress, it is the money of tax payers,” according to Secretary Ricky Carandang of Presidential Communications Development And Strategic Planning office.
Last Monday, minority congressmen in the House of Representatives met with Department Of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson to voice out their opposition to President Benigno S. Aquino’s directive not to place their names and pictures on project billboards.
Last week in accordance with the President’s instructions, DPWH issued Department Order 37, banning the placement of names and pictures of officials on government projects.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) followed suit by banning the names and pictures of politicians from project billboards and government patrol vehicles.
Carandang stressed that it is within the departments’ authority to issue memos pertaining to the banning of names and images on government projects.
He said the congressmen can question the memos but until proven otherwise, Carandang added, the order will stand. (PIA/PCOO)
