by magnolia_eic | Dec 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno Aquino III has declared December 24 and December 31 as special non-
working days, giving Filipinos two consecutive long weekends to enjoy as the two dates fall
on a Friday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. on Sunday said
December 25 is a regular holiday.
Meanwhile, the commemoration for Rizal Day, December 30, another regular holiday, will be
moved to December 27, Monday, as part of the government’s so-called holiday economics,
where a holiday is moved to the nearest Monday.
The December 2010 holidays was based on Proclamation No. 1841 s. 2009, which has been
retained as relevant for December this year after deliberation by the Office of the President.
(PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 8, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Government and media groups have acceded to a four-point consensus on the proper observance of safety measures to ensure that media coverages do not hamper police or security operations in times of crisis situations.
In a media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma said the consensus was reached when he and other Malacanang officials recently conducted dialogues with major media organizations, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Council on Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).
One of the consensus, Coloma said, is that media practitioners and spectators will now be prohibited in the immediate vicinity of the crisis area. This is to ensure the safety of media members and spectators during crisis situations such as the recent hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand.
According to Coloma, members of the media should refrain from directly involving themselves or interfering in police operations such as during hostage negotiations which require professional training and professional background.
Another result of the dialogue, Coloma said, is the possibility of restraining the live coverage of an assault or actual troop movement.
Also generally agreed upon during the dialogue is the designation of a point person in the police organization or a senior government official to have some kind of a crisis communication coordination center, he added.
Coloma also said the government is not keen on supporting any legislated regulations as it would be against the policy of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
On the other hand, Coloma noted that media groups have been conducting on their own assessment and adopting improvements in their operating guidelines including disciplinary measures to prevent a repeat of the hostage-taking incident two weeks ago. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 8, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Malacañang is ready to freeze the generous perks and bonuses enjoyed by executives of government-owned and controlled corporations in line with the austerity measures of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
In a news briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the implementation will take effect once the salaries, bonuses and perks of the GOCC officials have been rationalized.
Coloma said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is now working on how to tighten up existing Administrative Order No. 103 of 2001 adopting austerity measures in government. He said it will be included in the draft Executive Order that President Aquino will soon issue.
The President had earlier divulged that he will issue an EO to prevent the excessive pay benefit packages of some GOCC executives which have reached scandalous levels.
He said the EO will be all-encompassing, and will rationalize, put a cap and limit the pay packages for government nominees. The EO will also reiterate the cap contained in an existing order of the previous administration but which was not enforced.
Meantime, Coloma said Malacanang is ready to dissolve around 15 non-performing GOCCs once they fail to demonstrate their capacity for viable operations. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 6, 2010 | Headlines, National News
MALACAÑang said President Benigno S. Aquino III “as Chief Executive has power of, control and supervision over all departments and agencies in the Executive Branch, including the
Philippine National Police.”
Presidential Communications Operations Office Chief Secretary Sonny Coloma gave this explanation in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan when asked if the President had control over PNP at the time of the hostage-taking incident last month.
“He did not bypass or override the powers of the National Police Commission when he said he is taking control of the PNP, it is within the context of the exercise of his Chief Executive power,” Coloma explained, adding that the President is not removing any power or any authority from his subordinates.
Asked why the President is taking full responsibility of the hostage incident and in effect taking the blame away from the Department of Interior and Local Government-PNP, Coloma said “this is not an absolution of any official but the President is just emphasizing that he is accountable to the people who elected him.” (PCOO/PIA)
