by magnolia_eic | Oct 14, 2010 | Headlines, National News
In a move to attain national unity, harmony and reconciliation, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued on Monday Presidential Proclamation No. 50 granting amnesty to soldiers and officers charged in connection with military uprisings in 2003, 2006 and 2007 including detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
The President said he submitted the proclamation to Congress for its concurrence after he signed the documents on Monday.
Trillanes, as a Navy officer then, led a band of soldiers that took over the posh Oakwood Apartments in Makati City in July 27, 2003 to demand the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ranking military officials over corruption allegations. The short lived mutiny led to the arrest of Trillanes.
Three years later, in 2006, the Marines, led by Colonel Ariel Querubin, staged a standoff at Fort Bonifacio also to demand the resignation of Arroyo. Querubin was relieved of his post as commandant of the First Marine Brigade in Campo Ranao, Marawi City, and was put under detention until his release in July this year.
On Nov. 29, 2007 in Makati, Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim led soldiers in another protest strongly opposing the Arroyo administration. Lim was granted temporary liberty in May this year after posting bail.
The Senate asked President Aquino, through a resolution, to grant amnesty to Trillanes and other mutineers who were implicated in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, the February 2006 coup attempt, and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Hotel siege.
Article VII, Section 19 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution grants the Office of the President the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the members of Congress. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Oct 6, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the important role that the teachers play in nation-building as he led the country in honoring the 500,000 teachers nationwide.
The President was the keynote speaker at the celebration of the World Teachers ‘ Day with the theme “Our Teachers, Our Heroes” held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday.
The Chief Executive, in recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of teachers in performing their duties, vowed to improve the country’s quality of education and to push for a comprehensive program that will benefit them.
He pointed out that his administration’s top priority is quality education saying that in the 2011 Reform Budget, funds were allotted for teacher-training programs, more classrooms and other educational needs.
The President reiterated his campaign promise to fight corruption and make sure that funds are effectively allotted.
He explained that the Department of Education and Development came up with a list of regions that lack classrooms which will be the basis for identifying the areas that urgently need more classrooms.
The President also said the government will help private schools survive the lack of enrollees through the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education. The program gives financial assistance to poor but deserving students for them to be able to enroll in private schools. This will decongest public schools while helping private schools to survive.
He likewise expressed support to the National Competency-Based Teachers Standards of the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education in a move to improve further the competency of teachers. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Oct 6, 2010 | Headlines, Health and Medicine, National News
AS the issue on reproductive health heats up, the government is calling for sobriety in efforts to promote a healthy dialogue on the methods of family planning.
In a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacanang welcomes any actions that would promote a dialogue on the issue instead of being confrontational.
“We are calling on all parties, the church and those who are for reproductive health to be sober in their actions and statements,” he said.
Lacierda said President Benigno S. Aquino III is looking forward for a meeting with the bishops.
The President, he said, is expected to clarify with the Catholic bishops that his position on responsible parenthood is not pro-abortion, which is totally against the Constitution.
Earlier, President Aquino expressed willingness to help underprivileged Filipinos in planning their families, leaving to couples the choice of the birth control method they want to use.
Lacierda said the Palace will study the pending Reproductive Health Bill, noting that the President has yet to read it. There are two versions of the Reproductive Health Bill pending approval in Congress and the Senate. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Oct 4, 2010 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced on Thursday that the national
government may extend the zero tariff and duties on wheat imports by another six months to
cushion the impact of rising flour prices in preparation for the yuletide season.
In a press briefing on Thursday morning, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said the
technical committee on Tariff and Related Matters (TRM) is recommending to President
Benigno S. Aquino III the extension of Executive Order 863, allowing the duty-free entry of
wheat and flour in the country to stabilize prices of bread in the local market.
He said technical committee will now fast-track preparing the details of the executive order
before it will be presented to the Cabinet “so that the EO can be issued between the period of
October and November.”
Executive Order 863, issued on Feb. 19 this year, allowed the duty-free entry of wheat and
flour in the Philippines to stabilize prices and supply. The EO has expired this month.
Domingo said extending the zero duty on milling wheat would help stabilize, if not bring down
further, the prices of bread and other flour-based products in the local market. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 30, 2010 | Headlines, Health and Medicine, National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III is more than willing to sit down with the Catholic clergy if they want to hear his position on the controversial Reproductive Health Bill being pushed in Congress.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in an interview that sitting down with the church leaders is the best way for the President to explain his responsible parenthood position on family planning.
In his meeting with Filipino expatriates in San Francisco during his US visit, the President explained that the obligation of the government on family planning is to inform everybody of their responsibilities, and provide assistance to a particular method they want to employ for their family.
On the US grant of a $434 billion (P19 billion) financial assistance to the Philippines, Lacierda assured the Catholic leadership that the money will be spent wisely particularly on the administration’s anti-poverty program such as the Kalahi CIDSS, and strengthening the anti-corruption effort of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Lacierda issued the assurance in response to the allegation of Fr. Melvin Castro, executive director of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, that the President is “selling out the Filipino soul” in exchange for the US grant.
He stressed that such statement is unfair and below the belt because the grant has been approved by the US government and released only to President Aquino after he met the guidelines set by the United Nations Millennium development goals. (PCOO/PIA)
