Daily Weather Forecast

Dost_pagasa added 2 new photos.

4 hrs · Edited ·

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST
Issued at: 5:00 AM 30 April 2015

SYNOPSIS: At 4:00 am today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 460 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (08.0°N, 130.5°E). Easterlies affecting the Eastern section of the country.

FORECAST: Eastern Visayas and CARAGA will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. Metro manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and coming from the east to northeast over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.

PAGTAYA: Ang Silangang Kabisayaan at CARAGA ay makararanas ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang mga pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. Ang Metro Manila at ang nalalabing bahagi ng bansa ay magiging bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na may pulu-pulong mga pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog.

Mahina hanggang sa katamtamang hangin mula sa silangan hanggang timog-silangan ang iiral sa Hilagang Luzon at mula naman sa silangan hanggang hilagang-silangan sa nalalabing bahagi ng bansa. Ang mga baybaying-dagat sa buong kapuluan ay magiging banayad hanggang sa katamtaman ang pag-alon.

OVER METRO MANILA:

Maximum Temperature: 02:45 PM yesterday ----- 35.6 ºC
Minimum Temperature: 06:00 AM yesterday ----- 25.6 ºC

Maximum Relative Humidity: 06:00 AM yesterday --------- 77 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 04:00 PM yesterday --------- 43 %

High tide today: 08:51 AM ……… 0.59 meter
Low tide today: 02:21 PM ……… 0.36 meter
High tide today: 07:48 PM ……… 0.59 meter
Low tide tomorrow : 02:16 AM ……… 0.19 meter

Sunrise today: 05:34 AM
Sunset today: 06:12 PM

Moonrise today: 3:10 AM
Moonset tomorrow: 3:29 PM
Illumination today: 82 %

For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

2. Weather Watch

56 mins ·

INTERAKSYON: PAGASA warned that residents of Metro Manila and some other parts of Luzon should take extreme caution against heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or worse, heat stroke as the heat index may reach 40 degrees Celsius starting today until Sunday.

3. Weather Watch

4 hrs ·

PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran on DZMM:
-Magiging maulan sa Eastern Visayas at CARAGA ngayong araw dahil sa binabantayang LPA at easterlies.
-Asahan sa mga lalawigan sa mga naturang rehiyon ang mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog.
-Huling namataan ang LPA sa layong 460 kilometro silangan ng Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
-Papalapit sa kalupaan ang LPA pero malaki ang tsansang malusaw na ito.
-Samantala, asahan pa rin ang mainit at maalinsangang panahon sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa.
-Pumalo sa 35.6 degrees Celsius ang naitalang temperatura sa Quezon City kahapon.

4. Weather Watch

4 hrs ·

GMA: Patuloy na binabantayan ng PAGASA ang LPA na huling nakita 460km silangan ng Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Ang LPA ay magdudulot ng minsa'y katamtamang pag-ulan sa Central, Eastern Visayas at Mindanao. May posibilidad ng thunderstorms sa Luzon, lalo na sa Ilocos at Cordillera regions. Asahang mula 32-40 degrees Celsius ang damang init sa malaking bahagi ng bansa ngayong araw dahil sa easterlies. Maalinsangang panahon naman ang asahan sa Metro Manila ngayong araw. Hanggang 40 degrees Celsius ang asahang init factor mamayang hapon, pero may tsansa ng ulan o thunderstorm.

April 30, 2015 (Thursday) as of 10:00 AM

PIA4A / PIA QUEZON : Partly Cloudy in Lucena City

PIA Regional Watch

19 hrs ·

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial government of Quezon through the provincial public employment service office is set to conduct a local recruitment activity on May 7, 2015 at the ground floor of the provincial capitol, Lucena City.According to the provincial public employment service office (PESO), vacancies include: 300 professional carwashers, 100 merchandizers, 5 mechanical engineers , 5 electrical engineers and 2 safety officers.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hrs ·

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: May 184 kabataang lalaki ang nakinabang sa libreng tuli na isinagawa ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Calaca na upang makatulong sa usaping pangkalusugan ng mga Calaqueno lalo na at nagkakahalaga ng P2,000 pataas ang ganitong serbisyo sa mga pribadong ospital.

PIA Regional Watch

20 hrs ·

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Humigit kumulang 10 lokal na kumpanya ang nakibahagi sa isinagawang jobs fair ngayog araw ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Taal sa Escuela Pia na layong makatulong sa mga Taaleno na naghahanap ng trabaho.

PIA-4A: Nagsagawa ang pamahalaang lokal ng Sto. Tomas, Batangas ng 4Ps teambuilding sa ACS Farm sa Brgy. Sta. Ana sa bayang ito kamakailan. Tampok ang fun activities upang mabigyan kasiyahan ang mga miyembro ng 4Ps at pagbibigay kaalaman kaugnay ng programa.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hrs ·

PIA4A/LAGUNA:
DepEd IV-A held this morning the 2015 CALABARZON Regional Education at Jose Memorial School, Calamba City, Laguna. The event highlighted the State of DepED Calabarzon's Address which aims to disseminate 2014- 2015 DepED IV-A accomplishments, provide updates on K to 12 Senior High School preparations and acknowledge the support provided by LGUs and stakeholders.

PIA OFW Watch

2 hrs ·

DFA spokesman Asec. Charles Jose on ANC:
-We don't know yet the terms and conditions of Mary Jane Veloso's reprieve.
-Indonesian gov't is expecting that Phl will give Mary Jane Veloso the opportunity to give her testimony (against alleged recruiter).
-When Mary Jane Veloso's case came to the Court of Appeals stage, that's the time we hired a private lawyer.
-We're monitoring 88 death penalty cases involving Filipinos around the world. Half of these cases are drug-related.

PIA OFW Watch

4 hrs ·

ABS-CBN: Ibinalik na si Mary Jane Veloso sa kulungan sa Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Posibleng isulong naman muli ng DFA ang judicial review sa kaso ni Veloso.
GMA: Isang joint task force ang binuo para imbestigahan ang mga recruiter ni Mary Jane Veloso. Samantala, ang custody naman sa recruiter na si Kristina Sergio ay inilipat sa Camp Crame.

PIA OFW Watch

18 hrs ·

Overseas Welfare and Workers Administration (OWWA) region 10 OIC-Regional Director Harry Borres says OWWA accepts and conducts pre-employment orientation in their office in Cagayan de Oro especially for pre-departure pre-employment of Middle East bound workers specifically the housemaids.

PIA OFW Watch

21 hrs ·

The Philippine Government reiterates its strong commitment to pursue full investigation of those accountable for the victimization of Mary Jane Veloso, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today.

PIA OFW Watch

22 hrs ·

DZMM: Dakong 3AM na kanina ng matulog si PNoy. Ayon sa source, regular na tinatawagan ni PNoy si DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario para i-monitor ang update sa execution ni Mary Jane Veloso. Inatasan naman ng Pangulo ang DOJ na tutukan ang kaso ni Mary Jane lalo’t handa na itong makipagtulungan sa pamahalaan.

PIA OFW Watch

22 hrs ·

Marites Veloso, sister of Mary Jane on DZBB:
-Nakarating na po siya sa Yogyakarta, pero hindi pa po kami nagkikita. Bukas pa lang po kami magkikita-kita
-Alam ko lang po kasama niya yung kanyang spiritual adviser at Indonesian lawyer. Ang alam ko wala siyang kasamang opisyal ng Pilipinas.
-Bukas din po ng gabi babalik na kami ng Pilipinas, so siguradong magiging masaya ang aming paghihiwalay. 8:00AM po kami magkikita. Magse-celebrate po.
-May 11, 2010 ko lang siya (Cristine Sergio) nakilala.
-Gusto ko lang Ate Tin-Tin (Cristina Sergio) maaawa ka sa kapatid ko, kung di mo aaminin ang iyong pagkakasala, kahit man lang magpahayag ka na si Mary Jane ay walang kasalanan, dahil alam na alam mo na si Mary Jane ay walang kasalanan.

PIA OFW Watch

22 hrs ·

DZMM: Dapat umanong tutukan ng husto ng DFA at ng DOJ ang kaso ng recruiter ni Mary Jane na si Ma. Cristina Sergio. Ayon kay Sen. Bam Aquino, napatunayan na ang sama-samang pagkilos ng gobyerno ang tutulong upang mabigyan ng solusyon ang suliranin ng mga OFW na nasa death row.

30 APRIL 2015.

Bacolod business leader hail signing of Sugarcane Development Act

(BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental) The city and surrounding areas are now assured of additional power supply following the signing into law of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act in March 2015.

This was disclosed by Frank Carbon, the President of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during a briefing at the sidelines of the two-day Disaster Risk Finance – APEC Roadmap for Resilient Economies that started in the SMX Convention Center here on Wednesday.

Carbon said the law not only allocates a Php2-billion annual budget for the sugar industry but also created two more revenue streams for industry players.

These additional revenue streams are fuel ethanol and power from biomass.

Currently, products derived from sugarcane are primarily sugar, molasses and alcohol.

It takes about seven to eight months to plant and harvest sugarcane, thus, the industry cannot provide bagasse, the leftovers of sugar cane after it has been extracted of its juice, and rice, to biomass power plants.

Carbon said biomass power plants can now have additional waste supply because all marginal lands in Negross Occidental not suited for sugarcane planting will now be planted with trees and grass.

He said only 20 percent of Negros Island’s power supply is internally generated and the bigger part is sourced from Samar, Leyte and Cebu.

Thus, the island is vulnerable to power disruptions since getting supply from another island has its challenges like congestion and breakdown of transmission lines among others.

But with the signing of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act, Carbon said this would augment imbedded supply. PNA (js)

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29 APRIL 2015.

President Aquino returns from ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

26th ASEAN Summit concludes, regional leaders adopt three declarations

Philippine government thanks Indonesian President for granting Veloso a reprieve

President Aquino to visit Filipino communities in United States, Canada

Cabinet members’ resignation will not disrupt public service, Palace official says

Palace welcomes survey results showing drop in unemployment figures

APEC NEWS RELEASES

Expert bats for disaster risk finance as a tool vs. adverse impact of climate change

Insurance Commission Chief highlights importance of roadmap in preserving economic gains

Business sector recognizes role of microinsurance in Asia Pacific's economic growth

Insurance Commssion Chief eyes mandatory calamity insurance for households, small, medium enterprises

Expert says there is a large untapped global market for microinsurance

Lack of access to people, education is a stumbling block for microinsurance companies

President Aquino returns from ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

President Benigno S. Aquino III returned to Manila on Tuesday afternoon after attending the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia from April 26 to 28.Outlining his accomplishments during the Summit, the President said the Philippines’ campaign for the resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea through international law has gained support from Malaysia.
“Naglabas ng pahayag ang Chairman ng katatapos lang na ASEAN summit na si Prime Minister Najib Razak ng Malaysia. Dito, sinegundahan ang ating pananaw na kailangang isabuhay ng lahat ang mga prinsipyong nakasaad sa Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” he said.
“Sa pamamagitan nito, masisiguro na ang mga pagkilos ng mga bansa ay may paggalang sa karapatan ng bawat isa,” he said, adding that he is encouraged by the increasing number of countries that have recently shown their support for the Philippines.
President Aquino said he also pushed for measures to strengthen regional cooperation so that responding to such problems as terrorist threats, the effects of climate change, and pandemics would be easier.
He noted that it was agreed during the Summit that the ASEAN member states would collectively send aid to earthquake-stricken Nepal.
After the ASEAN Summit, President Aquino attended the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, where he and his counterparts from the three countries discussed ways to strengthen the region.
“Mayroon tayong tinatawag na focus areas sa bawat bansa na di-gaanong nakakasabay sa kaunlaran. Sa halip na tingnan ito bilang problema, itinuturing natin itong isang oportunidad sa pag-asenso. Magkakalapit lang ang lokasyon ng nasabing focus areas, kaya’t praktikal lang na ikonekta at paunlarin ang mga ito,” he explained.
“Sa ganitong paraan, mapapalawak ang merkado na higit sa sakop na teritoryo, at mapapabilis ang pagpapalitan ng kalakal, teknolohiya, at kaalaman sa rehiyon.”
The President further said that while in Malaysia, he met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to expand the two countries’ bilateral ties, covering the areas of defense, maritime cooperation, trade and investments.
“Nagpasalamat din tayo sa kanila sa pagsagip sa anim na mangingisdang Pilipino nang lumubog ang kanilang bangka sa Southwest Cay Island nitong Enero,” he said.
President Aquino also noted that he spoke with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the Summit to make another appeal to spare the life of Mary Jane Veloso, who has been sentenced to death for drug smuggling.
“Patuloy ding sinisikap ng inyong gobyerno na maglatag ng mga hakbang upang maiwasan ang ganitong mga kaso na nasasangkot ang ating Overseas Filipino Workers. Maigting nating isinulong ang halaga po ng pagkakaroon ng ASEAN Instrument for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. Sinuportahan din natin ang pagtangkilik sa ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons at ang Regional Plan of Action tungkol dito,” he said.
The government, he said, is striving to create better job opportunities in the country so Filipinos need not seek work abroad to earn a living.
“Tunay po na sinasagad natin ang pagbiyahe sa ibang bansa upang makapagbukas pa ng pinto ng pagkakataon sa ating mamamayan. Muli’t muli nating pinapatunayan sa mundo na maaasahan na tayong katuwang sa pag-unlad ng lahat,” President Aquino said.
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to welcome the President were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alacala, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, and Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan. PND (ag)

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26th ASEAN Summit concludes, regional leaders adopt three declarations

(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) The 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit concluded on Monday evening with the adoption of three declarations, including the declaration on a people-centered ASEAN.The summit, which carried the theme “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision,” was chaired by Malaysia.
At the conclusion of the summit in Langkawi, President Benigno S. Aquino III and his fellow Southeast Asian leaders adopted three declarations: the ‘Kuala Lumpur Declaration on a People-Oriented, People-Centered ASEAN', the ‘Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates’, and the ‘Declaration on Institutionalizing the Resilience of ASEAN and its Communities and Peoples to Disasters and Climate Change’.
Under the first declaration, the Southeast Asian leaders pledged to continue establishing a people-oriented, people-centered and rules-based ASEAN community, while under the declaration on the global movement of moderates, the leaders agreed to strengthen ASEAN unity and solidarity and its central role in maintaining and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Meanwhile, under the declaration on institutionalizing the resilience of the bloc to disasters and climate change, the leaders committed to strengthen resilience by reducing existing disaster and climate-related risks.
This year’s summit was held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia from April 26 to 28.
During the summit, President Aquino and his fellow leaders discussed, among others, the establishment of the ASEAN Community by the end of this year, its post-2015 vision, and external relations and future direction.
The 10 ASEAN member states consist of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
The summit is the association’s highest policy-making body. PND (co)

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Philippine government thanks Indonesian President for granting Veloso a reprieve

The Philippine government has expressed its gratitude to Indonesian President Joko Widodo for delaying the execution of convicted drug mule Mary Jane Veloso. "The Philippine government thanks President Widodo and the Indonesian government for giving due consideration to President Aquino's appeal that Mary Jane Veloso be given a reprieve,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement issued on Wednesday morning.
"Such reprieve provides an opportunity for the perpetuation of her testimony that could shed light on how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice or courier in their human and drug trafficking activities,” Secretary Coloma added.
The 30-year-old Veloso was among eight foreigners scheduled to be executed by firing squad at midnight on Tuesday at the Nusakambangan maximum security prison.
As a last-ditch effort to save the drug convict, President Benigno S. Aquino III proposed to the Indonesian government that Veloso be made a witness to identify the syndicate that used her to transport illegal drugs to Indonesia.
The president’s proposal came on Tuesday after Maria Cristina Sergio, the alleged recruiter who duped Veloso into smuggling 2.6 kilos of heroin into Indonesia in April 2010, went to the police in Nueva Ecija.
Reports said the Indonesian president held an emergency meeting with his cabinet officials to discuss President Aquino’s proposal.
Coloma also thanked the people for continuously praying for Veloso, a mother of two.
"We also thank the Filipino people for their prayers and for keeping vigil for Mary Jane's cause,” he said.
Sergio and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao are facing charges of illegal recruitment, human trafficking and estafa by swindling, filed by the Department of Justice. PND (jm)

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Expert bats for disaster risk finance as a tool vs. adverse impact of climate change

(BACOLOD CITY) Economies must focus more on building stronger disaster risk financing to shield their people and communities from the adverse impact of more destructive and frequent natural calamities, an expert said during the opening of the APEC conference on disaster risk finance here.

"Whatever we will be discussing here today is very real for millions around the world. Our cost tag with the disaster victims and our best possible tribute will be to make this conference a great success because disaster can strike anywhere, at any time, in any part of the world," Arup Chatterjee, the Principal Financial Sector Specialist of the Asian Development Bank, said in his opening remarks referring to the quake victims in Nepal.

He said now is the time to respond to the world's growing needs by empowering individuals supporting communities and backing promises with resources.

Climate change is intensifying risks for hundreds of people especially in landlocked and small islands as well as developing economies with vast coastal areas and authorities must confront this reality.

The Philippines, a disaster-prone country, can provide a lot of successful initiatives that can be emulated by other economies, he added.

As globalization makes the world even smaller, Chatterjee said an earthquake in one country can shake up the financial market of another, and tropical cyclones in one region can cause economic turbulence in another.

"And therefore disaster risk financing offers a tool box of armaments or instruments to defend against the adverse impact of climate change," he explained.

"It is a smart option for governments and the wise investment for business and households to strengthen resilience and offset the impact of natural disasters."

Nine out of ten disaster fatalities come from low and middle income economies and governments must help the poor and the most vulnerable by providing people with micro-insurance innovative tools, Chatterjee said.

The global annual price tag of damage exceeds more than $300 billion, he noted, adding nations can either watch the number grow as people suffer or they can dramatically lower that figure and invest savings in development.

Disaster risk financing must be considered in future decision making and also in the financing process, Chatterjee said.

He also cited a 2012 study of five select countries which shows that a one-percent increase in insurance penetration can result in a 13-percent reduction in uninsured losses and an increase investment of two percent of GDP and a 22 percent reduction of the tax burden.

He noted that those are the benefits provided by disaster risk financing and insurance.

As countries build stronger infrastructures and financing tools, he noted that true resiliency comes from strong bonds between countries and communities -- something that is always demonstrated after a disaster strikes.

In the two and a half day meeting here in Bacolod City, participants must translate crisis into opportunity, he said adding that ADB is committed to strengthening this bonds. He also asked conference participants to act in the global spirit of solidarity and to make the world safer and prosperous for all.

The Bacolod City meeting has a theme: "Disaster Risk Finance-APEC Roadmap for Resilient Economies." PND (as)

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Insurance Commission Chief highlights importance of roadmap in preserving economic gains

(BACOLOD CITY) Insurance Commission Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc on Wednesday stressed the need to have a regional insurance roadmap to sustain the resiliency of the economies and protection of citizens in Asia and the Pacific.

In his speech during the opening of the two-day meeting on Disaster Risk Finance – APEC Roadmap for Resilient Economies being held at the SMX Convention Center in this capital city of Negros Occidental from April 29-30, 2015, Dooc said governments should take on a pro-active posture on disasters instead of being reactive.

He said funds that are being used in addressing calamities could be used instead to further boost economic growth.

"It becomes imperative for us to put up a roadmap to make our region resilient,” he said.

Relatively, the Insurance Commission chief highlighted the importance of microfinance in alleviating the lives of the poor.

For one, he stressed the need for an effective financial insurance program, which he said “should provide economic opportunities not just for the elite but for the broad cross section of the population.”

He said the Philippines, for one, had experienced the benefits of having a microinsurance system after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Eastern Visayas in November 2013.

He said nearly half a billion pesos worth of micro-insurance benefits, at an average of Php 5,000-10,000 per policy holder, was released after the calamity.

"Insurance benefits are not dole-outs , which impair the dignity of the recipient. Premiums were derived from honest labor,” he said.

Dooc disclosed that the Philippines currently holds the top position among 31 countries in Asia and Oceania in terms of microinsurance penetration.

He noted that there will always be microinsurance initiatives, "for there will always be poor among us.”

He, however, stressed that “the poor should not be poor” for life, and one effective way of ensuring this is through microfinance initiatives.

"Providing the roadmap for them to be there tomorrow is our responsibility today. With all the resources behind us, we cannot fail,” he added. PNA (jv)

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Business sector recognizes role of microinsurance in Asia Pacific's economic growth

(BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental) The business sector recognizes the importance of microinsurance and disaster risk finance as tools for the Asia-Pacific region's sustained economic growth.

"Microinsurance and disaster risk finance are tools that will be as important for the region's sustained economic growth as they are for the personal lives of people living in exposed and vulnerable communities," Dr. Julius Parrenas, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council’s (ABAC) delegate to the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process (FMP), said during the opening of a disaster risk finance conference here Wednesday.

Parrenas said that for these reasons, the ABAC strongly supports the Department of Finance's initiative to include these in the Cebu Action Plan that will be launched in September.

He said it is now clear that without broader access to finance, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), APEC member economies cannot stay on that path.

The ongoing discussion on disaster risk financing is a very important element of inclusive growth, he added.

Insurance, he said, tends to be an underappreciated part of the financial sector, because many people only realize its importance after they experience a disaster.

It is also important in the modern world of supply chains, in which disasters can have severe consequences that affect the global economy, he said.

For instance, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the flooding in Thailand a few years ago clearly demonstrate this, Parrenas said.

"Empowering small and micro enterprises and deepening supply chains to reach the agricultural hinterlands and peripheries of APEC economies, require measures to promote resilience against unexpected events and disasters," he explained.

Parrenas further cited the Finance Ministers’ Process, a platform that brings together the public and private sectors and experts from multilateral, development and academic institutions to accelerate reforms that can facilitate the growth of the region's financial markets and services.

This platform, the Asia Pacific Financial Forum (APFF), now involves some 300 experts from more than 150 leading global firms and institutions in the region.

These institutions and firms collaborate in six work streams to help expand SMEs’ access to finance, accelerate the growth of deep and liquid capital markets, and develop the region's long-term investor base, Parrenas said.

One of these work streams deals with insurance and retirement income, counting among its collaborators a number of leading insurance companies and pension funds in the Asia Pacific, he said.

The work stream has also decided to set up its microinsurance and disaster risk finance substream, according to Parrenas.

Stakeholders in the financial sector are attending the conference, which has for its theme, "Disaster Risk Finance --APEC Roadmap for Resilient Economies". PND (as)

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President Aquino to visit Filipino communities in United States, Canada

President Benigno S. Aquino III will meet with Filipino communities when he goes to the United States and Canada on the second week of May.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Andrelita Austria said the President will have a one-day working visit in Chicago on May 6, before travelling to Canada on a state visit from May 7 to 9.

"We want to look at this visit as covering three basic points: first, is to reciprocate the visit made by the Prime Minister of Canada to the Philippines in November 2012; second, to acknowledge and affirm Canada's move to strengthen relations with the Philippines to its designation of the Philippines as a priority emerging market and a country of focus; and third, to reach out to the growing Filipino community in Canada, which now constitutes a visible minority of two percent of the country's total population,” said Austria of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Office of American Affairs.

She also said President Aquino will take the opportunity to pass by Chicago, where he will meet with the Filipino community as well as potential investors.

“He has been to the West Coast, he has been to the East Coast, but he hasn’t been to that area. So we felt that when we made the recommendation, it was a good opportunity for the President to be able to meet and greet the Filipinos in that area,” Austria explained.

In Canada, President Aquino will have meetings with Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"The President will also have a round-table discussion with the Asia-Pacific Forum and like in all his visits, he will be meeting with the 285,000-strong Filipino community in Toronto and representatives of the 280,000-strong Filipino community in Vancouver,” she said.

Austria noted that Canada is the Philippines’ 21st top trading partner, saying that “from January to November 2014, our exports were at over $500 million and imports are $284 million”.

“We see so much potential in the relations with Canada,” she said, adding that Canada is the country’s 14th source of development assistance and sixth top visitor market.

“In the past two years, we have been designated as a country of focus in terms of development assistance, which means we are part of a very small group of countries which will get 90 percent of Canada's development assistance,” said Austria.

"And the good thing about Canada's development assistance is they are very focused on things like women empowerment and microenterprise, sustainable entrepreneurship at the micro level. So that is something that is in consonance with the President's inclusive growth goal. So we would like to talk a lot about that,” she added.

"We are also looking at discussions for the protection of our Filipino workers in Canada and they will also be talking about regional developments,” Austria said.

When asked about the deals to be signed during the visit to Canada, the DFA official said, “We are working on several agreements and the biggest of which will have something to do with operationalizing our designation as a country of focus.”

“There are also very substantive discussions on how to strengthen mechanisms to increase the flow of trade between the two countries,” Austria said.

President Aquino’s trip to Canada is the first for a Philippine president since President Fidel Ramos’ visit in 1997. PND (jm)

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Insurance Commssion Chief eyes mandatory calamity insurance for households, small, medium enterprises

(BACOLOD CITY) The Insurance Commission is studying a proposed mandatory calamity insurance coverage for residential unit owners and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) eyed to be in place before end-2015.

Insurance Commission Chief Emmanuel Dooc, in a briefing at the sidelines of the two-day Disaster Risk Finance – APEC Roadmap for Resilient Economies that started in SMX, Bacolod City, on Wednesday, said the proposed insurance product covers destruction from typhoon, flooding caused by typhoon, earthquake, and fire.

He said the IC and the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) are now reviewing the proposal for presentation "hopefully soon" to DoF Secretary Cesar Purisima.

“We hope that the proposed Executive Orde, if DoF will endorse it, then it will be with the President hopefully before the end of the year,” Dooc said.

. The proposed product was formulated together with the Insurance and Surety Association of the Philippines and World Bank’s financing arm, International Finance Corporation.

Dooc explained that the proposed product is different from the pending bill in Congress calling for the reduction of taxes imposed to non-life companies, which to date is 27 percent annually and is the highest in the world.

To date, non-life insurance companies are required to pay 12 percent Value Added Tax (VAT), 12.5 percent Documentary Stamp Tax (DST), two percent property insurance and local government unit (LGU) tax of between 0.3-0.7 percent depending on the host city or LGU.

Dooc said they propose to tax non-life insurance companies with a five percent premium tax, which is similar to the Gross Receipt Tax (GRT) imposed on banks, and a 0.5 percent DST.

"I surveyed the players, the non-life insurance industry, and that is acceptable to them,” he added. PNA (js)

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Expert says there is a large untapped global market for microinsurance

(BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental) The Asia-Pacific region has a large potential for microinsurance which insurers could tap to provide the people the risk management protection they need, an expert said on Wednesday.

Michael McCord, chair of the Microinsurance Network, said in a press briefing here that some 66 million people ar covered by microinsurance across the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region.

Microinsurance is insurance coverage specifically designed for low-income markets.

McCord noted that Asia is a very important region because it is the largest region in terms of microinsurance utilization.

It is followed by South America, where 8 percent of the population is covered by microinsurance, he said, adding that across the globe, 4.9 percent of people are covered by microinsurance.

In terms of the risk that low-income people face and their need for good insurance products, it is important to recognize that 95 percent of the population are not covered, he said.

At the same time, McCord commended the Philippines for being successful in market penetration in terms of microinsurance coverage.

"There is a huge market, huge market opportunity. The Philippines itself has been a tremendous case study for microinsurance. And it is really, in my opinion, one of the best examples across the globe of microinsurance," he said.

"Here, almost 30 percent in the Philippines are covered by microinsurance. Almost 30 percent, that is incredible for various kinds of products."

McCord said this is because the country's insurers recognize the low-income market as an important market.

Regulators and policy makers from the Department of Finance, the Insurance Commission, and the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) provide low-ncome people with the products they need, he said.

"So the coordination of all these groups has really provided the tremendous result that we don't see in many other countries," McCord said.

"The results here in the Philippines have been tremendous and I think that this is an example the world should see," he added.

McCord said the focus of the discussions here in Bacolod City is on low-income people who suffer the most when there are typhoons, floods, and earthquakes.

They are prone to calamities because they live in the most vulnerable places, have the fewest resources, and have the least ability to be resilient, he added. PND (as)

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Lack of access to people, education is a stumbling block for microinsurance companies

(BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental) The real roadblock for microinsurance companies is how to get their products to the people, as well as the people’s lack of education about insurance, an expert has said.

"The problem is to get the products now to more people," Michael McCord, chairman of Microinsurance Network, said in a press briefing here on Wednesday.

"So I would say that insurers must be flexible. They have to try to get the products out to these areas. They have to work better on the distribution," he added.

The idea of putting insurance products on sacks of fertilizers is a great way of getting them to the farmers, McCord said.

"I suspect that soon, mobile phones will offer insurance and that the distribution channels will expand and the key for me then is how to seek its service. Like if you have a disaster, you can't wait months to get the money."

The idea is to expand the market with good products that not only help address property but particularly help to insure businesses and the replacement of businesses, he said.

Good servicing when the events happen is also important, he added.

Citing an example, he said when Typhoon Yolanda struck Eastern Visayas, insurers set up a center to easily reach people and give the claims.

Also during disasters, he noted, people recognize the benefits of insurance and there is an uptick in the number of individuals getting to be insured.

Stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region are meeting here to discuss disaster risk financing to find ways to help low-income sectors deal with the impact of calamities. PND (as)

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Cabinet members’ resignation will not disrupt public service, Palace official says

Malacañang has assured that services to the public will continue despite the resignation of Energy Secretary Carlo Jericho Petilla.

Petilla, who cited personal reasons for leaving his post, is the second member of the Aquino government to quit this month, after Customs Commissioner John Philip Sevilla.

“Titiyakin po ng ating pamahalaan na walang pagkaantala o pagkabalam sa paghatid ng mahalagang serbisyo sa ating mamamayan,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during Wednesday’s press briefing.

While President Benigno S. Aquino III talked about Petilla’s resignation on Tuesday, Coloma said he cannot recall any discussion about any definite date.

"Tinalakay po ni Pangulong Aquino iyan kahapon at ipinaliwanag niya ang sitwasyon. Wala po akong naalalang pinag-usapan na definite date. Ang tama pong procedure diyan ay nagkakaroon ng unawaan kung kailan ito magaganap at ang pagtanggap ng pagbibitiw ng Cabinet member o presidential appointee ay opisyal na ipinapahayag ng Office of the Executive Secretary on behalf of the President. Iyan po ang procedure na susundin. Wala pa po tayong abiso na natatanggap hinggil diyan,” he said.

"Ang mahalagang ipinahayag ng Pangulo kahapon ay ang pagtiyak na magkakaroon ng smooth transition sa aspetong 'yan ng pagpupuno sa posisyon ng Department of Energy Secretary,” he added.

Coloma said the President also explained the difficulty of finding a replacement as he discussed Petilla’s resignation.

“Ipinaliwanag niya na hindi naman talaga madali makakuha ng mga kwalipikado at dedicated public servants, dahil marami pong challenges ang public service,” said the Palace official.

He said President Aquino is also preparing for what will happen in October when the filing of certificates of candidacy begins.

"Sinabi din niya ang realidad na pagdating ng buwan ng Oktubre sa taong ito, nakatakda na ang pagsusumite o pag-file ng certificates of candidacy at totoo naman, batid naman ito na mayroong mga kasapi ng Gabinete na maaaring maghain ng kanilang kandidatura at kapag naganap iyan, kinakailangang tiyakin na hindi nga magkakaroon ng pagkaantala o pagkabalam sa paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko. Kaya iyan ang pinaghahandaan ng ating Pangulo,” said Coloma.

Reports said Petilla celebrated his birthday at the DOE office on Wednesday, the event also serving as his farewell party. PND (jm)

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Palace welcomes survey results showing drop in unemployment figures

The decrease in unemployment, based on the latest quarterly survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS), shows that the government is on the right track in terms of its job-generating efforts, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda has said.

The survey, which covered the first quarter of 2015, shows that adult unemployment in the country has plunged to 19.1 percent from 27 percent in December 2014.

"This is consistent with the results of the January 2015 Labor Force Survey, which also indicated a decrease in unemployment. The SWS survey also noted an increase in job availability optimism, with 38 percent of adults -- up from the 36 percent recorded in the last quarter of 2014 -- saying that the number of available jobs will increase in the next 12 months,” Lacierda said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

"As the President has repeatedly said, the Filipino people are our nation’s greatest resource. Along with the administration’s reforms, it is their characteristic optimism and diligence that has attracted increased investor confidence in the country, thereby boosting our economy and opening up greater opportunities for our citizens,” he said.

“This virtuous cycle of growth and empowerment is evident in figures such as this, which show the cumulative effect of gains we have achieved in recent years.”

The Palace official reiterated the administration’s commitment to continue treading the straight path of governance.

“As the past few years have shown, reforms lead to increased investments, which in turn lead to more and better livelihoods for our people. The well-being of each Filipino individual is of utmost importance to the Aquino government, and it is this concern that continues to inspire us as we press toward our goal of a more inclusive and prosperous nation,” Lacierda said.

The survey, conducted from March 20 to 23 among 1,200 respondents nationwide, put the joblessness rate at 19 percent, or about 9 million adults. The figure is almost 8 percent less than the 27 percent, or about 12.4 million adults, recorded last December. PND (jm)

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29 APRIL 2015

Ombudsman reminds gov’t employee on SALN

Former BOC exec gets jail term for falsification

Ayala bridge to fully open June 11

DSWD marks 5th anniversary of facility for seniors

Labor laws compliance soars high in ‘ecozones,’ as tripartite partners join hand with DOLE on industry assessment

Baldoz urges illegal OFWs to avail of Sultanate of Oman’s offer of amnesty

Roxas inaugurates 'Pro-Poor' DILG projects in Legazpi City

Tobias is new PNP spokesperson and publicist

Philippines, Mexico Push to nominate Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade route to world heritage list

Cancellation Of CLOA in conformity with 2008 OP decision

DAR conducts food-safety seminar to farmer-beneficiaries in Mindoro

April 2015 Librarian Licensure Examination results released in three (3) working days

Most outstanding athlete from NCR all geared up for Palaro 2015

Imports rebound, surge by 11.2 percent in February 2015

POEA warns about victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking used as drug couriers

Number of Filipino account holders increased, growth higher among low income and less educated

DSWD supports amendments to solo parents’ welfare law

OWWA undergoes 2nd Surveillance audit for ISO 9001:2008

PSA releases reports on the 25th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration

Blue chip companies among 15,733 establishments issued CoCs under new LLCS in 2014

Ombudsman reminds gov’t employee on SALN

Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales reminds all government officials and employees, whether regular or under temporary status, to file their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) on or before April 30, 2015, stressing that “this act is both a constitutional and statutory obligation of every public servant such that failure to do so warrants suspension of one to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second offense.”

The SALN is a declaration under oath of assets (i.e., lands, houses, cash, etc), liabilities (i.e., personal or institutional loans), and business and financial interests, of a government official/employee, of his or her spouse, and of his or her unmarried children under 18 years old still living in their parents’ households. It includes a waiver authorizing the Ombudsman or his authorized representatives to attain documents that may show assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests, and financial connections from all appropriate government agencies for investigatory purposes.

Ombudsman Morales cited Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees) which mandates that the submission of SALN must be made (1) within thirty (30) days after assumption of office; (2) on or before April 30 of every year thereafter; and (3) within thirty (30) days after separation from the service.

In the case of the President, the Vice-President, Chairmen and Commissioners of Constitutional Commissions and Offices, their SALNs are eventually submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman (Central Office); to the Secretary of the Senate and House of Representatives for senators and congressmen, respectively; to the Office of the Clerk of Court for justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals, and to the Office of the Court Administrator for judges of different trial courts and special courts; to the Office of the President for department secretaries, including undersecretaries and foreign service officers, heads of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and subsidiaries, state universities and colleges, officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), from the rank of colonel or naval captain, officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), from the rank of senior superintendent, and officers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), from the rank of commodore; to the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman having territorial jurisdiction over regional officials and employees of the AFP, departments, bureaus and agencies of the National Government, judiciary, constitutional commissions and offices, GOCCs and subsidiaries, state universities and colleges, PNP, local government units, including elected officials; and to the Civil Service Commission for other government officials and employees, including appointive ones.

Government officials and employees who serve in a honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers are exempt from filing the SALN.

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Former BOC exec gets jail term for falsification

Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph

The former head of the Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was sentenced by the Sandiganbayan to suffer a minimum of six months and one day up to a maximum of six years and one day of imprisonment for submitting a falsified Personal Data Sheet (PDS) in June 2009.

In a 20-page Decision promulgated on April 20, 2015, the anti-graft court found Filomeno Vicencio, Jr. guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Falsification after Ombudsman prosecutors proved that he falsely claimed in his PDS to be a graduate of the University of the East (UE). Ombudsman prosecutors presented witnesses and documents to prove that Vicencio Jr. was never a student nor a graduate of the university.

In resolving the issue, the anti-graft court stated that “the accomplishment and submission of PDS was a duty borne out of every public officer like Vicencio and the disclosure of where and when he obtained his bachelor’s degree is a vital information since this renders him qualified for the position.” The court held that “even if it were [his] son who had written down the untruthful statement, the fact remains that he had assented to it by virtue of his signature on the document, appropriating the falsehood as his own… and [had] he really intended to correct the erroneous entry, he could have retrieved the document itself.”

The anti-graft court also pointed out that Vicencio did not disclose information as to where and when he obtained his bachelor’s degree, lending credence to the conclusion that he intended to falsely state that he is a graduate of UE in order to qualify for the position of Director III.

“His continued silence on the matter is bereft of good faith on his part,” the Decision added.

Vicencio was appointed on May 26, 2009 and assumed the position of BOC Director III on June 10, 2009. On June 16, 2009, he submitted his PDS to the human resource office, indicating therein that he graduated from UE in 1969.

Aside from imprisonment, Vicencio was meted out a fine of P1,000.00.

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Ayala bridge to fully open June 11

Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph

Ayala Bridge in San Miguel, Manila will be passable to vehicular traffic both directions by June 11, 2015.

For public safety reasons and barring unforeseen circumstances, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has moved the partial re-opening of the bridge to light vehicles by mid-May to full opening on June 11 due to the complexity of the rehabilitation activities on the bridge’s superstructure and retrofitting works on its substructure.

Secretary Rogelio L. Singson explained that part of the works for the full rehabilitation of the four-lane steel truss-type Ayala Bridge to restore its structural integrity is the strengthening of existing abutments and pier foundations and the construction of continuous slab design with additional 4” slab on the bridge deck.

The 139-lineal meter bridge with a total superstructure width of 25 meters will also be lifted by 70 centimeters for freeboard clearance of navigating vessels along Pasig River.

In the past, Ayala Bridge was susceptible to damage from passing barges and tugboats because of limited freeboard clearance and also at serious risk from seismic or earthquake forces inasmuch as it was subjected to major repair 58 years ago (1957).

The lifting of the bridge, first in the Philippines, commenced last April 22 utilizing heavy lifting system which is being used to lift bridges, buildings and other structures worldwide.

The existing bridge approaches and the access road to Hospicio de San Jose will also be reconstructed to suit the new bridge elevation on the existing horizontal alignment.

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DSWD marks 5th anniversary of facility for seniors

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

As a culminating activity for the 5th founding anniversary of the Haven for the Elderly this month, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which manages the center, will hold a whole day program today, April 29, to recognize donors, benefactors, and partners.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, the success of the center has been possible because of the mutual trust and partnership between the Department and the benefactors.

“Through the years, our generous benefactors have helped us in so many ways not only in providing services to the abandoned and neglected seniors, but also in supporting us in the promotion of their rights and welfare,” said Sec. Soliman.

Sec. Soliman added that with the help of the donors, Haven for the Elderly was able to expand in a short span of time.

At present, the center offers additional amenities that provide residents a venue for unwinding and interaction. These facilities include a therapy and fitness room, music and recreational room, team building area for the staff, multipurpose hall, and an eco-park.

The center has also expanded its vegetable orchard to serve the residents with a regular supply of fresh and organic foods.

Other services at the center are home-life, dietary and health, spiritual, livelihood, socio-cultural, and recreational.

It has complete medical staff such as doctors, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, and houseparents who look after the elderly residents’ nutrition, health, and well-being.

The Haven for the Elderly began its operation in Tanay, Rizal in 2010 with only 60 senior-residents transferred from the Golden Acres in Quezon City.

At present, the center is providing residential care to 259 seniors.

From April 20 to 28, DSWD conducted various activities to celebrate the anniversary.

These were exhibits of livelihood products of the elderly residents, thanksgiving mass, sportsfest, and wellness exercise.

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Labor laws compliance soars high in ‘ecozones,’ as tripartite partners join hand with DOLE on industry assessment

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

“Mobilization of industry tripartite councils and associations has improved the effectiveness and efficiency of implementation of the new Labor Law Compliance System,” says Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimaplis-Baldoz yesterday during a press conference on the implementation review of the new Labor Laws Compliance System.

She said this is the case in the seven economic zones that have been awarded Certificates of Compliance as labor laws compliant economic zones. Markers have been mounted in each of the labor laws compliant ecozones, with no less than Secretary Baldoz unveiling them.

Citing the report of Bureau of Working Conditions, the DOLE Regional Offices have issued 7 Certificates of Compliance (COCs); and correspondingly, have mounted a 22.75 ft. by 15.75 ft. marker in each of the labor law compliant ecozones.

There are a total of 765 locators and/or establishments; and 101 subcontractors in these ecozones.

Baldoz said the declaration of these seven ecozones has raised the bar of labor laws compliance system in the country. The first of the seven economic zones was in Luisita Industrial Park, in Tarlac City, declared as a labor laws compliant ecozone on 4 October 2014. The COCs issued extends to its 9 locators, benefitting at least 20 subcontractors in the area.

On 22 December 2014, series of unveiling occurred in Region 7 in the following ecozones: (1) Cebu Light Indurtial Park; (2) Mactan Economic Zone II; (3) Coca-Cola Femsa; and (4) San Miguel Corporation. The COCs issued extends to its 59 locators, benefitting at least 20 subcontractors in the area.

A record was also made in DOLE-CAR with the unveiling of LLCS marker at the Baguio Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) on 23 February. The BEPZ became the first ecozone in the country to have worked and achieved Labor Laws Compliance, Child Labor-Free, and Productivity-based Practitioner certificates. The COCs issued extends to its 16 locators, benefitting at least 21 subcontractors in the area.

On 13 March, DOLE Region 10 boasted of its first labor-law compliant ecozone; and mounted a marker at the Phividec Industrial Estate, which has 106 locators, and 40 subcontractors.

"The unveiling of this marker is part of our continuing effort to foster a culture of voluntary compliance with all labor laws following the directive of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the DOLE to ensure that all labor laws that provides protection and benefits to our workers are implemented and carried out. This is part of our reform program, the new Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS)," Baldoz said.

Pursuant to DOLE Administrative Order No. 404, Series of 2014, the Ecozone-wide assessment on voluntary compliance is one of five compliance assessment modalities, which the DOLE regional directors and program managers utilize to maximize assessment coverage.

The other four compliance assessment modalities are (1) Zonal Assessment, (2) In-house OSH assessment, (3) Ecozone-wide assessment, and (4) assessment of establishments with Labor-Management Councils (LMCs) and convergence programs.

DOLE regional directors and program managers utilize these modalities in combination, separately, or simultaneously with the other modalities, to ensure that all target establishments are visited and extended assistance towards compliance with all labor laws.

A composite team composed of the PEZA zone manager and DOLE LLCOs, shall conduct the compliance audit and, in case of deficiency, provide zone locators with technical advisory services and assistance for the immediate correction of violations and submission of action plans to effect the full compliance.

The labor chief said that if declared free of any violation after evaluation, the locator shall be immediately issued a Certificate of Compliance, and if all the locators are compliant will all labor laws, the economic zone shall be declared a compliant zone and bestowed with a marker that reads: “This Ecozone is Labor Laws Compliant and Child Labor Free”.

Toward this end, the labor and employment chief congratulated the management and workers of the eco-zone and of the locator-firms saying, "I congratulate you for this milestone. This marker that we unveiled today is testimony to your commitment to voluntarily comply with all labor laws, which is good for business. My sincere hope is that other economic zones and their locator-companies will realize the beneficence of compliance and follow fast your lead.”

For this summer, the DOLE’s BWC reported that at least 8 ecozones are expected join the league of labor law-compliant ecozones in the country. These are, as follows:
1) Region 2—Cagayan Ecozone Authority, on 27 April;
2) Region 3—Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan—Plastic Processing Center Special Economic Zone, and Hanjin Subic, Zambales, on 5 May;
3) Region 4A—First Phil Industrial Park, Batangas, on 21 May; AG&P Special Economic Zone, and Robinson’s Place Lipa—IT Park Center, on 22 May; and Canlubang Industrial Estate, and Light Industry and Science Park II, Laguna, on 25 May.

“This is a moment of great pride since we are celebrating significant gains in our efforts to cultivate a culture of voluntary labor laws compliance among establishments nationwide,” Baldoz finally said.

Questions about this release? You may visit the Bureau of Working Conditions at the 3F DOLE Building Muralla cor. Gen. Luna Streets Intramuros, Manila; or call at tel. nos. 5273000 local 307 to 303.

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Baldoz urges illegal OFWs to avail of Sultanate of Oman’s offer of amnesty

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged all illegal OFWs in Oman to avail of the Sultanate’s three-month amnesty offer to overstaying foreigners, to avoid legal sanctions, including deportation. “I strongly urge our OFWs in Oman who, for various reasons, have been staying illegally in the Sultanate, to avail of this amnesty and go home to the Philippines or correct their stay to avoid the repercussion of their being illegal foreigners in Oman,” said Baldoz. She cited a report from Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa, which said that the Sultanate of Oman is offering the three-month amnesty as part of its continuous efforts to regulate the presence of foreign workers in the country. The three-month amnesty is from 1 April to 30 June. Labor Attaché Mustafa said the Ministry and the Royal Oman Police have been conducting raids of late against undocumented migrant workers, putting tighter controls on work permits and tenancy contracts, and stringently scrutinizing landlords and their tenants. He said Oman’s Ministry of Manpower recently briefed labor attaches of foreign embassies in Muscat about the amnesty. “This amnesty will also help foreign workers who are willing to stay and work in Oman, but subject to the guidelines under the labor law promulgated by the Sultanate's Royal Decree 35/2003,” Mustafa further said in his report. Briefly, the amnesty guidelines are as follows: • Registration of Filipino nationals shall be at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). • All required documents of overseas Filipino workers who want to avail of the amnesty program shall be prepared by the POLO which will endorse it to the Oman Ministry of Manpower. • Employers/sponsors of illegal workers will also be asked to comment in writing amnesty applications. If employers/sponsors fail to comply, the worker will be repatriated. • Penalty for overstaying and money claims of employers' expenses during the deployment of workers will be waived. • All applicants will need to have themselves finger printed, except children aged 18 years and below. • Applicants whose documents were received by the Oman Ministry of Manpower must leave the Sultanate within one month. Mustafa also said the Oman Ministry of Manpower has advised POLO and Philippine Embassy representatives to be at the Ministry every day. “A small drawback of the amnesty program is that repatriated workers under the amnesty program cannot return to Oman within three years from the time they were repatriated,” he said In 2009, the Sultanate of Oman offered an amnesty which lasted until the start of 2011. It helped over 60,000 overstaying workers to return home without facing any legal action. There had also been similar amnesties in 2005 and 2007. Omani authorities had put in place a new set of measures in April 2014 to help uncover undocumented migrant workers. Officials carried out raids on expat homes, put tighter controls on work permits and tenancy contracts, and placed landlords and their tenants to more scrutiny as part of the crackdown. Meanwhile, Mustafa said the POLO in Oman only has 15 wards. Of this number, six have ready plane tickets. They were already included in the priority list of repatriates. The Labor Attaché has already asked the Department’s assistance to produce tickets for the nine workers so that they could join the first batch of repatriates. “We can expect zero wards this month,” said Mustafa.

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Roxas inaugurates 'Pro-Poor' DILG projects in Legazpi City

Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph/

A year after leading its groundbreaking ceremony, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas visited a renovated section of the New Albay Public Market in Legazpi City funded under the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).

The P3-million project covers the improvement of the carinderia section of the public market and is expected to benefit at least nine concessionaires.

Roxas said, “Nakikita natin ito, totoo ito, hindi laway, hindi pang-tarpaulin lang. [We can see this. This is real, not just for show.]”

The PCF is a performance-based reform program of the DILG given as incentive to eligible local government units (LGUs) to finance high-impact local development projects. Legazpi City was named beneficiary of the fund after it was included in the 20 top performing cities nationwide.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal congratulated Roxas for the project, saying “’Yan ang kagandahan ngayon, hindi lang kailangan malapit sa Presidente. Dapat pumasa sa SGH (Seal of Good Housekeeping) [That’s what’s good nowadays, you don’t just have to be allied with the President. You have to pass SGH.].”

Roxas also inaugurated a rehabilitated day care center and Early Integration Program (EIP) Facility for Children with Disabilities (CWD) in the same city. The P5.7-million project was funded through the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) process.

According to City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) officials, facilitators, and physical therapists serve around 40 to 60 CWDs in the facility. The EIP building has a therapy, learning, and play areas to address the CWDs specific needs.

Roxas said, “Andito ako, tutulong sa inyo, walang iwanan, para bigyan ng fighting chance ang mga batang ito. Dehado na sila sa simula, at least maipapantay natin ang laban.”

Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay thanked Roxas for the BUB project. He emphasized that LGUs, particularly barangays lack the needed funds to finance their projects and when Congress allocates funds, the legislative body chooses where it should be spent.

He said,“Tayo po na maliliit ay hindi po tayo binibigyan ng kung anong kailangan talaga natin dito. Dito po sa grassroots, ito pong sinasabing Bottom-Up Budgeting o itong Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Program na nasa ilalim po ng DILG, na siya [Roxas] po ang nagpatupad, ay nakita natin na ‘pag ang programa ay galing sa DILG ay malinis at direktang nakakarating sa mga tao. [We weren’t given what we needed here. But with the grassroots, the Bottom-Up Budgeting or Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Program under DILG, which Sec. Roxas implemented, we saw that if a project is from DILG, people will directly benefit from it.”

Roxas said, “Ang mga kakulangan ay kongkretong natutugunan [The needs are met directly.],” emphasizing these projects accord with President Aquino’s “Tuwid na Daan.”

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Tobias is new PNP spokesperson and publicist

Source: http://pnp.gov.ph

Lawyer Senior Superintendent Bartolome C Tobias formally assumed office today as Officer-in-Charge of the PNP Public Information Office (PIO).

Tobias will serve in dual capacity as PNP publicist and spokesperson.

Erstwhile PNP-PIO Chief, Chief Superintendent Generoso R Cerbo Jr. relinquished the post to Tobias during brief turnover ceremonies in Camp Crame on Wednesday.

Cerbo has been elevated to the PNP Directorial Staff as Officer-in-Charge of the Directorate for Intelligence.

Tobias assumes office as Chief of the PNP-PIO fresh from a colorful 2-year tour of duty as Commander of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF), cited for breaking the backbone of notorious drug syndicates during a recent string of successful police operations.

“Essentially, my responsibility is to ensure effective implementation of the PNP Media Relations Policy that basically involves upholding the right to information particularly on matters of public interest,” he said.

He assured members of the PNP Press Corps of reasonable access to timely and accurate information involving the affairs of the PNP in line with the strategic police community relations program of the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) under Chief Supt Wilfredo D Franco.

Tobias said he looks forward to the opportunity of establishing cordial working relationship with members of the tri-media and he firmly believes that an atmosphere of productive partnership can exist between the PNP and media under a spirit of mutual support and cooperation.

Tobias, a member of the PMA “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, has extensive field experience in Western Visayas where he served various positions in line units as a junior officer and later as Provincial Director of Antique in 2006 and City Director of Iloilo City Police Office in 2008 before his reassignment to the National Headquarters.

He was admitted into the Philippine Bar in 2003, and served a tour of duty with the United Nations Mission in Timor Leste. (PNP-PIO)

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Philippines, Mexico Push to nominate Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade route to world heritage list

Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

28 April 2015 - An Experts’ Roundtable Meeting was held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on April 23 as part of the preparation of the Philippines for the possible transnational nomination of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route to the World Heritage List jointly with Mexico.

The following are the experts and the topics they discussed during the roundtable meeting: Dr. Celestina Boncan on the Tornaviaje; Dr. Mary Jane A. Bolunia on Shipyards in the Bicol Region; Mr. Sheldon Clyde Jago-on, Bobby Orillaneda, and Ligaya Lacsina on Underwater Archaeology; Dr. Leovino Garcia on Maps and Cartography; Fr. Rene Javellana, S.J. on Fortifications in the Philippines; Felice Sta. Maria on Food; Dr. Fernando Zialcita on Textile; and Regalado Trota Jose on Historical Dimension. The papers presented and discussed during the roundtable meeting will be synthesized into a working document to establish the route’s Outstanding Universal Value.

The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade bears its remarkable significance for linking four continents and two oceans, contributing to the development of trade in Asia, Europe, North and South America. It paved the way for the widest possible exchange of material goods, cultural traditions and practices, knowledge and belief systems and peoples. For some 250 years, it served as a formidable bridge between East and West. Today, it is considered as an early manifestation of globalization, having influenced the politics, philosophy, commerce, and trade development of almost the entire world. The Galleon Trade firmly put Manila on the world map as the largest trade hub in the Orient with solid historical links to its neighbors. The Route becomes symbolic of UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention’s aims and objectives in establishing peace across nations through shared heritage and a culture of understanding.

The roundtable meeting and the nomination of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route to the World Heritage List are initiatives of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the UST Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics. Following the roundtable discussion of the Philippine experts, a series of meetings will be convened for its launch in the international community.

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Cancellation Of CLOA in conformity with 2008 OP decision

Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

The Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) issued in favor of certain agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Barangay Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga were cancelled by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in compliance with the 2008 Decision of the Office of the President (OP) excluding from CARP coverage the landholding – a Decision which were eventually covered by an Order of Finality.

DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Luis Pangulayan clarified that the Department did not have much of an elbow room when it decided the Petition for Cancellation in 2011. The Department is bound by the Order of Finality made by the OP. In this case, the DAR could not disturb the Decision of the OP which removed the landholding outside the ambit of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The DAR had no choice but to follow the 2008 Decision of the Office of the President thus the DAR cancelled the CLOAs.

The 2011 Decision of the DAR cancelling the CLOAs were appealed to the OP by the counsel of the farmers. The OP eventually affirmed the DAR in December 2011 but the counsel of the farmers failed to file any Motion for Reconsideration or appeal the case to the appellate courts.

“If there is any error of judgment on the part of any tribunal, such as the DAR Office of the Secretary, it can be cured on appeal by a decision of the appellate court or tribunal. However, it is indispensable that the parties, through their counsels, should be vigilant in filing the appeal. Had the counsel of the farmers in this case felt that there were errors in the decision ordering the cancellation of the CLOAs, he should have appealed the 2011 decision of the Office of the President.” said Pangulayan.

“There are two OP Decisions involved in this case – the 2008 Decision declaring that the Lot was excluded from CARP coverage and the 2011 Decision that affirmed the Secretary’s decision directing the cancellation of the CLOAs. Both were not appealed to the Court of Appeals.” explained Pangulayan.

Allegations of the farmers and testimonies during the Congressional hearing appear to show that the farmers and their counsel never received a copy of the 2008 OP Decision. As a result, according to the farmers, the 2008 OP Decision never became final.

“Please understand that until the Office of the President lifts the Certificate of Finality it issued, for all intents and purposes its decision is final. It is not within the authority of the DAR, a subordinate of the President, to make a declaration whether an act the Office of the President has certified – in this case, the finality of the Decision – is valid or not. Only the OP or the appellate courts can make such a declaration.” Pangulayan responded.

During the last Congressional hearing on this issue, the farmers stated that they will file a case with the OP to question the finality of the 2008 Decision and its eventual effects (i.e., the cancellation of their CLOAs.

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DAR conducts food-safety seminar to farmer-beneficiaries in Mindoro

Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Mindoro has recently offered safety lessons and efficient manufacturing and processing of food products to various agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Oriental Mindoro.

Provincial Marketing Assistance Officer Ester P. Pagilagan said the DAR tapped the services of Sentro sa Pagsusuri, Pagsasanay at Pangangasiwang Pang-Agham at Teknolohiya (SeNtroTek) Corporation to train ARBO on Food Safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Personnel Hygiene to ensure that their products would pass the standards of Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

SeNtroTek earlier conducted plant visits to the processing areas of each organization to check the compliance to the elements of food safety and GMP. It also did hygiene audit/assessment which serves as the basis for SeNtroTek’s recommendation.

A total of 40 members from 7 ARBOs, with existing products and processing centers, participated in the training. They were: Bigaan Agrarian Reform Community Organization (BARCO) with Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO); Guinobatan ARC Cooperative (GARCCO) with squash and malunggay canton; Samahan ng Manggagawa sa Balatasan (SAMASABALATASAN) with seaweed-based products;

Mahabang Parang ARB Association (MAPARBA) with nata de coco; Matulatula ARC Cooperative (MARCCO) with calamansi concentrate with ginger and honey; Calima Socio-Economic MPC (CASEMPCO) with VCO and Community MPC (CMPC) with rice crispies.

“Every food processing center of ARBOs must be subjected to ocular inspection to ensure that it conforms to the operational standards and is worthy of the FDA’s approval,” Pagilagan said.

SeNtroTek is a company equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation. It offers services such as laboratory testing, research and development, training, food safety and hygiene assessment.

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April 2015 Librarian Licensure Examination results released in three (3) working days

Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 349 out of 742 passed the Librarian Licensure Examination given by the Board for Librarians in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Legazpi this April 2015.

The members of the Board for Librarians who gave the licensure examination are Yolanda C. Granda, Chairman; Lourdes T. David and Agnes F. Manlangit, Members.

The results were released in three (3) working days after the last day of examination.

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on May 4 and 5, 2015. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2015-2018. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremonies of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

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Most outstanding athlete from NCR all geared up for Palaro 2015

Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph

Armed with clubs, hoops, ribbons and a ball, the Rhythmic Gymnastics team of the National Capital Region (NCR) rigorously trains at the gymnasium of Jose Abad Santos High School. Amidst them is a soft-spoken girl who has been the crown jewel of the team after bagging the title of “Most Outstanding Athlete” in last year’s Palarong Pambansa.

Meet Arielle Nichole G. Orella - a girl whose demure façade is not to be underestimated since she is a frequent in the first place-winners platform in every Palaro that she has competed in. At the age of seven, Arielle was enticed to enter the world of rhythmic gymnastics after watching older girls in her elementary school perform the graceful sport.

It takes Arielle three (3) months of intensive training to perfect a routine. “If we don’t have any classes, our training starts from morning until afternoon, 7am to 4pm. When there were still classes, training starts from 3pm to 6pm. Our only rest day is every Sunday, but when there is an upcoming competition, there is no such thing as a ‘rest day’,” she said.

Through the capable hands of her coaches, the dedication and determination that she has been giving out in her trainings, Arielle has been reaping gold after gold in the hopes of one day becoming the Philippine representative in international competitions. “I want to be part of the National team because I want to compete again internationally to represent our country.” said Arielle, referring to her experience in the recent ASEAN School Games.

In college, Arielle wants to take up Physical Education in preparation for a coaching career. “Gusto ko rin pong magturo din ng Gymnastics at mag-coach ng mga batang athletes. That is my dream.”

The champ’s message for inspiring gymnasts out there? - “Never be afraid to try the craft you really want, don't ever think of giving up and lastly, strive for your higher dreams to be an inspiration to others.”

She and the NCR team will be competing next week in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

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Imports rebound, surge by 11.2 percent in February 2015

Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILA – Philippine imports surged by 11.2 percent in February 2015 as higher payments were recorded in raw materials, intermediate, capital and consumer goods, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

According to a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), imports rose to US$5.3 billion in February 2015 from US$4.8 billion in the same month last year— a significant rebound from the previous month’s contraction of 12.4 percent.

The increase, primarily from capital goods at 21.5 percent, followed by raw materials and intermediate goods (16.7 percent) and consumer goods (12.2 percent) pulled merchandise imports up despite the drop in mineral fuels and lubricants.

“This good performance suggests robust economic activity in construction and manufacturing and is likely reflective of upbeat domestic demand particularly in private consumption and investments. We expect this to remain favorable over the near term,” said NEDA Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and Deputy Director-General Rolando G. Tungpalan.

“If a similar trend in importation for the succeeding month continues, it will secure government’s expectation of a strong GDP growth for the year,” he added.

Conversely, the 18.7 percent contraction from mineral fuels and lubricants in February 2015 marks its fourth consecutive drop. From US$819.6 million in February 2014, its outturns went down to US$666.7 million in the same period this year.

Tungpalan said that this current oil price trend should be seen as favorable and a good opportunity for businesses to expand investments.

“The persistent low oil price will further boost importation of petroleum crude and other mineral fuels for the succeeding period, which bodes well for the industry sector,” he said.

Also, the Philippines appears to have bucked the downward trend of the merchandise imports of most Asian economies which, according to Tungpalan, can be attributed to a strong consumer base and improved employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China remains to be the country’s top (16.3%) source of imported goods. It was followed by United States of America (10.7 %), Taiwan (8.4%), Singapore (8.2%), Japan (7.6%), Germany (6.7%), Thailand (6.4%), South Korea (6.3%), Malaysia (4.6%) and Indonesia (4.2%).

Tungpalan is OIC of NEDA while Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan is on official travel in Malaysia from April 26-28, 2015.

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Number of Filipino account holders increased, growth higher among low income and less educated

Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

The BSP estimates that over 3 million new accounts were opened between 2011 and 2014. This estimate is based on the latest edition of the World Bank Global Findex which reveals that 31.3% of Filipino adults own a formal account, up by 4.7 percentage points from the baseline figure of 26.6% reported in the 2011 Findex. Formal account refers to an account held in financial institutions such as banks, cooperatives or microfinance institutions and can be a mobile money account as well. Such account can be used to save money and send or receive payments and remittance.

Worth noting from the 2014 Findex is that there is growth in account penetration across income class, gender, age and educational attainment. The percentage of the poorest 40% of Filipino adults who own a formal account increased by 7.1 percentage points to 17.8% in 2014 from 10.7% in 2011. Account ownership in the richest 60% rose only by 3.4 percentage points to 40.6% in 2014. The increase in account ownership is slightly higher for men, although the percentage with account is still higher for women (37.9%) than men (24.4%). In terms of age, account penetration is higher for older adults (those aged 25 years old and above) at 35.9% compared to 19% among younger adults. While account ownership is higher for adults with at least secondary education (36.8%) than those with at most primary education (18.1%), it is interesting to note that growth is higher for less educated adults.

These gains are a result of continuing efforts in bringing the financial system closer to the people, especially to the disadvantaged segments. The BSP defines financial inclusion as a state wherein there is effective access to a wide range of financial services for all Filipinos.

Aside from account ownership, the 2014 Findex also provides insights on usage of other financial products. For loans, informal borrowing is still the most common practice in the country. The percentage of those who borrowed from family and friends in the past 12 months increased to 48.7% in 2014 from 39% in 2011. The Philippines is also one of the countries in the world where more than 10% of adults borrow money from private informal lenders. In 2014, 13.5% of Filipino adults reported sourcing credit from an informal lender, up by 0.8 percentage points from 12.7% in 2011.

A new feature of the 2014 Findex is the inclusion of additional survey questions on payments and remittance. This is in recognition of the potential of payment platforms in expanding financial access. Results show that only 4.2% of Filipino adults have a mobile money account while 3.5% used the internet to pay bills or make purchases. For domestic remittance, use of money transfer operators (MTOs) is more prevalent than sending or receiving remittances via banks or mobile phone. Around 71% of Filipino adults who reported sending remittance and 58% of those who received remittance said that they used MTOs. BSP data show that there are more MTOs than banks in the country – in 2014, there were 10,315 banking offices as opposed to 15,443 MTOs comprised of 6,621 pawnshops with remittance business and 8,822 remittance agents and money changers offering remittance services.

In comparison with other ASEAN countries, the level of financial inclusion in the Philippines as measured by the percentage of adults with account is lower than Malaysia (81%), Thailand (78%) and Indonesia (36%) but higher than Vietnam (31%), Myanmar (23%) and Cambodia (22%). Globally, the percentage of account holders is 62% with variation among high income (91%), middle income (58%) and low income (28%) countries.

The Global Findex is considered as the world’s most comprehensive database on financial inclusion. The indicators are drawn from survey data and based on interviews with more than 150,000 nationally representative and randomly selected adults in 143 countries representing more than 97% of the world’s adult population. The results of the 2014 Global Findex will be enriched by the BSP’s first ever nationwide survey on financial inclusion which will be released soon. Said survey has a more in depth look at the state of financial inclusion in the country to complement the high level cross country indicators of Global Findex.

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DSWD supports amendments to solo parents’ welfare law

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

As the lead agency in social protection, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to support the amendments of Republic Act (RA) 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman expressed the Department’s full support to the substitute bill that seeks to amend RA 8972 to further help solo parents and their children.

“Solo parents are considered a vulnerable sector of our society. Since child rearing requires both parents, and doing it on your own makes it doubly difficult, hence, they must be given special protection,” Sec. Soliman stated.

Leaders of various solo parents associations (SPAs) nationwide are lobbying for additional proposed amendments, such as: allocation of one percent from the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of LGUs for programs/services benefiting solo parents and their children; creation of an office of solo parents in every province, city, and municipality; provision of full scholarship up to the tertiary level to at least one child of a solo parent; and equal access to employment and educational opportunities.

Since solo parents are the sole breadwinners of their families, the SPAs are also strongly recommending the reduction of taxes for solo parents, provision of PhilHealth cards for solo parents below the poverty line, free legal assistance, and increase the age of a solo parent’s dependent from 18 to 21 years old in view of the implementation of the K-12 curriculum of the Department of Education which adds additional years to basic education.

Meanwhile, the DSWD proposes the following: decrease the waiting period from one year to six months before a solo parent can be allowed to avail of benefits and clarify the category of any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children, specifying if he/she is a legal guardian, adoptive parent, or licensed foster family.

The Department is also recommending the inclusion of the issuance of IDs to solo parents, creation of the Special Review Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, and imposition of penalties for non-compliance to the amended law and budget appropriation for its implementation.

Based on issues raised by solo parents over social media and various consultations being conducted by the DSWD in the regions, the sector is also lobbying for additional benefits.

“We need to come up with progressive policies and legislative measures focusing on the evolving nature of the Filipino family that will acknowledge, recognize and respect the existence of alternative families and varying compositions of the family,” Sec. Soliman stated.

“In addition, we need policies that must address the issues of discrimination being experienced by children of solo parents from private schools thereby depriving them of their right to a quality education,” Sec. Soliman emphasized.

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OWWA undergoes 2nd Surveillance audit for ISO 9001:2008

Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) went through the second surveillance audit for its ISO 9001:2008 Certification last April 14, 2015.

The scope of the certification includes the following core processes: Repatriation Assistance and Post-Repatriation Services, Membership Verification Process, Death Benefit Process, Arabic Language Training and Culture Familiarization for Household Service Workers (HSWs), and Education for Development Scholarship Program process. Included also in the coverage of the certification are eleven (11) support processes.

Among the processes enrolled in the said certification, 3 core processes and 7 support processes underwent surveillance audit conducted by the Certification International.

OWWA went through its first surveillance audit for the certification last December 5, 2014 and yielded positive results as the agency’s Quality Management System (QMS) was found by the Certification International to be maintained in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001: 2008. The 2nd surveillance audit was conducted to ensure continued ISO Certification.

The Certificate of Registration for the ISO 9001:2008 was officially conferred to OWWA last 2014 during its 32nd Founding Anniversary.

With this ISO Certification, each OWWA employee is challenged to be effective and efficient worker and to provide the best service to address the clients’ needs, thus, attaining total customer satisfaction.

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PSA releases reports on the 25th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration

Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) releases the Report on the Highlights of the Observance of 25th National Statistics Month (NSM) in October 2014 and the Report on the 25 Years of NSM Celebrations. Since 1990, the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) annually celebrates the National Statistics Month (NSM) in October pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 dated September 20, 1990.

The Report on the Highlights of the Observance of 25th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration in October 2014, which can be accessed through the following link: http://nap.psa.gov.ph/nsm/25thnsm/Highlights of the 25th National Statistics Month.pdf, features the 25th NSM Opening and Closing Ceremonies, NSM Awards, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – Department of Education (DepEd) Oratorical Contest, and Philippine Statistical System (PSS) activities conducted in line with the nationwide observance of last year’s NSM.

Meanwhile, the Report on the 25 Years of NSM Celebrations traces the milestones of the 25 years of statistical advocacy in the Philippines through the NSM. The report also includes an assessment of the relevance, effectiveness, use of resources, impacts and sustainability of the outputs and outcomes of the NSM celebrations. The report is available for download at: http://nap.psa.gov.ph/nsm/25thnsm/The 25 Years of National Statistics Month (NSM) celebrations.pdf.

In October 2015, the PSS will once again celebrate the NSM. The 26th NSM, which will be hosted by Department of Health (Opening Ceremony) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Closing Ceremony), will underscore a theme relating to health statistics.

Preparations for the 13th National Convention on Statistics (NCS) for conduct in October 2016 shall also commence this year. The NCS is a triennial event, which gathers statisticians and professionals in related fields from the government, academe and private sector to exchange ideas and discuss recent statistical challenges and developments in the PSS.

For the past years, the NSM and the NCS became key advocacy initiatives of the PSS to communicate official statistics to the general public. Thus the PSA would like to thank the various government agencies, private sector groups, academe and civil society organizations for actively and regularly partaking in the annual NSM celebrations, which paved the way for better quality and utilization of statistics in the country.

For inquiries on the 26th NSM and 13th NCS, interested parties can contact Interim Assistant National Statistician Regina S. Reyes at telephone number: 895-2439 or e-mail address: R.Reyes@nscb.gov.ph.

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Blue chip companies among 15,733 establishments issued CoCs under new LLCS in 2014

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Large corporations with employees of 200 and above were among the 15,733 establishments awarded and issued Certificates of Compliance (CoCs) in 2014 under the new Labor Laws Compliance System.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday in the DOLE press conference on the implementation review of the DOLE’s major reform on labor inspection.

“I can report happily that the country’s blue-chip companies—not all, but many—were among the 44,041 establishments who were found compliant with all labor laws and occupational safety and health standards during the first salvo of our joint assessment under the LLCS, so they were issued their CoCs,” said Baldoz.

“Another 7,528 establishments—part of the 23,865 establishments that were found to need corrective action—brought the total of compliant establishments in 2014 to 51,569 establishments,” said Baldoz.

Of the 51,569 establishments, 15,733 were issued CoCs last year, and, as Secretary Baldoz said, some of them were big names in Philippine business and she commended them for standing up as models to other business firms.

Citing some of these firms, Baldoz named 2Go Group, Inc.; Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company; Del Monte Fresh Produce Phils., Inc.; KCC Mall of General Santos City; Manila Electric Company; Marco Polo Hotel;

Norkis Distributors, Inc.; Optimum Security Services, Inc.; PhilSaga Mining Corporation, Nickel Asia Mining Corporation; Wyeth Philippines, Inc.; Team Sual Corporation; Ayala Seafoods Corporation; Universal Canning Corporation; Aquatic Food Manufacturing Corp.; Permex Producer and Exporter Corporation; and Jen Hotel, which is the first hotel to have received three CoCs—one each in Labor Relations, General Labor Standards, and Occupational Safety and Health.

She also cited Mercury Drug Corporation, whose workers are all regular employees; and Puregold, which voluntary approached the DOLE and sought for assistance so that all its branches in the country can become compliant.

She also singled out San Miguel Corporation, the diversified conglomerate, which had ordered all its subcontractors and supply-chain partners to comply.

“I commend these companies, veritably the ‘who’s who’ in Philippine business, for ensuring and promoting a workplace climate conducive to productivity, competitiveness, and decent work through labor laws and occupational safety and health compliances.

“Under the new system, DOLE innovates its role as labor partners and allow companies to see labor laws not as deterrent in doing business but as a reward. In turn, innovations in labor practices eliminate corruption. To be able to help ease doing business in the country, all companies are assessed for labor compliance. We make the system transparent for the business establishments,” Baldoz said.

She also cited Aquatic Food Manufacturing Corporation, Permex Producer and Export Corporation, Ayala Seafood Corporation, and Universal Canning Corporation in Zamboanga which, after joint assessment, regularized their 1,184 apprentices.

According to the results of the LLCS, 12,254 establishments have been issued CoCs on General Labor Standards, while 11,618 establishments were awarded CoCs in occupational Safety and Health.

As an incentive to the labor laws-compliant companies, they will receive DOLE productivity improvement services for free, as well as exemption from assessment for a period of two years.

“We will train, mentor, and assist these companies on specific labor programs and services at no cost to them.

The labor and employment chief added that the system allows companies to be good business citizens. “Companies which are labor compliant tend to be more productive. They enjoy good working relation with its employees,” she said.

“They get loyalty from their workers; they tend to be more productive. If companies are labor-law compliant, they and their workers benefits much and these companies have self-instituted that they are compliant, we made the industrial peace possible,” Baldoz said.

Regionally, the bulk of the companies which were awarded CoCs in Luzon are, as follows: Region 4-A, with 2,535; Region 3, with 1,949; CAR, 1,322; National Capital Region, with 702; Region 1, 657; Region 4B, 645; Region 2, with 340; Region 5, with 186;

In Visayas: Region 6, with 1,197; Region 8, 381; Region 7, with 359;

In Mindanao: Region 10 with 2,562 establishments; Region 11, with 1,179; Caraga, with 872; Region 9, with 590; Region 12, with 257.

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President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Statement after his arrival from the 26th ASEAN Summit, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia

NAIA Terminal 2, Pasay City

28 April 2015

Kakagaling lang po natin ng Malaysia matapos dumalo sa ika-26 na ASEAN Summit. Gaya ng lagi, bitbit natin sa ating pag-uwi ang mga positibong bunga ng pakikipag-usap sa mga pinuno ng ating karatig-bansa. Inihayag natin sa kanila: Sa pagkakaisa, higit na natutugunan ang mga hamon sa rehiyon, mas nakakaarangkada sa kaunlaran ang mga bansa, at nabibigyang-lakas at kakayahan ang mamamayang umasenso.

Lalong naging makabuluhan ang summit na ito dahil ngayon pong taon itinakda ang pagpapatibay ng binalangkas na ASEAN Community—ang integrasyon ng mga bansa sa Timog Silangang Asya tungo sa katuparan ng ating kolektibong mga hangarin. Isinantabi natin ang pagkakaiba, upang nagkakaisang solusyunan ang mga suliranin sa rehiyon, lalong-lalo na ang mga kinakailangan ng agarang tugon.

Kung titingnan po natin ang mapa, ano ba ang nag-uugnay sa mga bansa sa Asya? Ito ang dagat na may iba-ibang katawagan: South China Sea sa karamihan, East Sea para sa Vietnam, at sa bahagi naman ng Pilipinas, ito ang West Philippine Sea. Sa kasalukuyan, lalong tumitindi ang usapin ukol sa pag-angkin sa nasasakop nitong teritoryo dahil sa mga aktibidad ng bansang Tsina. Kaya naman isa po sa naging pakay natin sa ASEAN summit ay ang publikong maihayag ang ating saloobin ukol sa nasabing isyu. Binalikan natin ang puno’t dulo ng usapin at inilatag kung ano ang maaaring gawing tugon bilang isang komunidad.

Marami na pong dekada na pinagtatalunan ang pagmamay-ari sa mga features tulad ng Spratlys Island. Noong 2002, nagkaroon ng pag-uusap ang mga miyembrong estado ng ASEAN at ang Tsina upang ayusin ang tensiyon, ngunit nabigong magkasundo sa mga isyung legal. Ang resulta: bigo rin silang makabuo ng tinatawag na Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Nagbunsod ito sa pagkakaroon ng Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, sa pagitan ng Tsina at ng lahat ng miyembro ng ASEAN. Nakasaad sa DOC na ito ang pag-iwas sa anumang gawain na lalong magpapakomplikado sa sitwasyon at lilikha ng gulo sa mga bansa. Dito po naipapamalas ang prinsipyo ng ASEAN Centrality, o ang pagtataguyod ng isang pananaw na pinagkasunduan ng lahat ng kasapi ng ASEAN para sa kabutihan ng buong rehiyon. Kaya naman ‘pag nilabag ang DOC, nilabag na rin ang kasunduan sa ASEAN.

Sa ginagawa ngayong malawakang reklamasyon ng bansang Tsina, masasabi ba nating tumutupad ito sa mga nakasaad sa DOC na kanila mismong nilagdaan? Malinaw na nagdudulot ang kanilang mga aktibidad ng banta sa seguridad at estabilidad ng atin pong rehiyon. Nakakaapekto din ito sa malayang kalakalan, at nagbubunsod ng pinsala sa ating kalikasan at sa kabuhayan ng atin pong mga mamamayan.

May nagmumungkahi po na ang tugon sa problemang ito ay isang diyalogo sa dalawang bansa lamang. Ang problema po, sa ASEAN pa lang, apat sa 10 miyembro nito ang claimants ng Spratlys, idagdag pa rito ang dalawang hindi miyembro ng ASEAN na ang bansang Tsina at Taiwan. Batid naman natin: Anumang kasunduang naabot ng dalawang panig, hindi nito maoobliga na sumunod ang karagdagan pang apat na hindi bahagi ng pinag-usapan ng dadalawa lang.

Kaugnay nito, naglabas ng pahayag ang Chairman ng katatapos lang na ASEAN summit na si Prime Minister Najib Razak ng Malaysia. Dito, sinegundahan ang ating pananaw na kailangang isabuhay ng lahat ang mga prinsipyong nakasaad sa Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Sa pamamagitan nito, masisiguro na ang mga pagkilos ng mga bansa ay may paggalang sa karapatan ng bawat isa. Talaga naman pong ikinalulugod nating dumadami na ang nagpapahayag ng kanilang paninindigan ukol sa pinagtatalunang teritoryo, hindi man sila claimant. Patuloy po nating isinusulong ang mahinahon at mapayapang paraan, upang matupad ang matagal nang inaasam na Code of Conduct.

Kaakibat ng pagsasaayos sa mga gusot sa ating rehiyon, isinasagawa din natin ang mga hakbang upang mapalakas ang samahan at ugnayan ng ating mga bansa. Kapag sinuri natin ang mabibigat na problema na ating hinaharap sa kasalukuyan, gaya ng banta ng terorismo, epekto ng climate change, ang mga nagbabantang pandemics, mas nagiging madali ang pagtugon sa mga ito kung mas marami ang nag-aambagan at nagtutulungan. Isa nga po sa napag-usapan sa summit: imbis na isa-isang mag-abot ng ayuda, kolektibong maghahatid ng tulong ang ASEAN sa Nepal matapos itong yanigin ng malakas na lindol. Di po ba’t kapag pinagsama ang kakayahan ng bawat bansa at nagbuklod ito para sa isang adhika, di-hamak mas malaki ang magagawa?

Pagkatapos ng ASEAN summit, nakilahok naman tayo kaninang umaga sa Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit. Pinag-usapan dito ang mga paraan kung paano pa mapapaunlad ang rehiyon. Mayroon tayong tinatawag na focus areas sa bawat bansa na di-gaanong nakakasabay sa kaunlaran. Sa halip na tingnan ito bilang problema, itinuturing natin itong isang oportunidad sa pag-asenso. Magkakalapit lang ang lokasyon ng nasabing focus areas, kaya’t praktikal lang na ikonekta at paunlarin ang mga ito. Sa ganitong paraan, mapapalawak ang merkado na higit sa sakop na teritoryo, at mapapabilis ang pagpapalitan ng kalakal, teknolohiya, at kaalaman sa rehiyon.

Habang nasa Malaysia, nakipagpulong po tayo din sa Prime Minister ng Vietnam na si Kagalang-galang Nguyen Tan Dung para mapalawig ang ating bilateral relations. Kabilang dito ang pagpapalakas ng defense at maritime cooperation, at pagpapaunlad ng kalakal at pamumuhunan. Nagpasalamat din tayo sa kanila sa pagsagip sa anim na mangingisdang Pilipino nang lumubog ang kanilang bangka sa Southwest Cay Island nitong Enero.

Nabigyan din po tayo ng pagkakataong makausap doon si Pangulong Joko Widodo ng Indonesia upang umapela sa kaso ng ating kababayang si Mary Jane Veloso. Matagal na nating ginagawa ang lahat upang tulungan si Mary Jane, kabilang na ang pagsigurong maiibsan ang agam-agam niya at ng kaniyang pamilya. Patuloy ding sinisikap ng inyong gobyerno na maglatag ng mga hakbang upang maiwasan ang ganitong mga kaso na nasasangkot ang ating Overseas Filipino Workers. Maigting nating isinulong ang halaga po ng pagkakaroon ng ASEAN Instrument for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. Sinuportahan din natin ang pagtangkilik sa ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons at ang Regional Plan of Action tungkol dito. Kasabay nito, todo-kayod tayo sa pagpapalawak ng oportunidad sa ating bansa upang marating natin ang bukas kung kailan hindi na sapilitan ang pangingibang-bayan.

Sa pakikipagpulong sa ating mga kapwa pinuno sa Malaysia, isinalaysay natin ang transpormasyong tinatamasa na ng ating lipunan. Sa bawat repormang ating ipinupunla, binibigyan natin ang ating mga Boss ng kakayahang umasenso at makiambag sa pagpapaunlad ng lipunan. Gaya ng lagi ko pong idinidiin: Hindi magiging posible ang pagbabago kung wala ang pakikiisa ng bawat Pilipino, sa loob man o labas ng ating bansa.

Tunay po: sinasagad natin ang pagbiyahe sa ibang bansa upang makapagbukas pa ng pinto ng pagkakataon sa ating mamamayan. Muli’t muli nating pinapatunayan sa mundo: maaasahan na tayong katuwang sa pag-unlad ng lahat. Sa nalalabing panahon ko sa termino, tuloy lang tayo sa pagsisikap at pagtatrabaho, alang-alang sa kapakanan ng mas nakakarami. Walang pagod nating isinusulong ang pagbabagong kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Taas-noo nating ipapamana ang maunlad na bukas sa susunod na salinlahi, na kinikilala hindi lamang sa Timog Silangang Asya, kundi maging po sa buong daigdig.

Magandang hapon po. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DZRH / Isyu by Deo Macalma and Karen Oyong
29 April 2015

DEO: Puwedeng paki-abot po kay President Noynoy Aquino, His Excellency, ang ating pasasalamat at papuri dahil sa ginawa niyang pakikipag-usap, Mr. Secretary, kay President Widodo. Aba’y eh nagkaroon po ng reprieve, nailigtas po sa bitay kagabi itong kababayan nating si Mary Jane Veloso, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Makararating Deo at nais din nating iparating muli ang pasasalamat ng ating pamahalaan kay President Joko Widodo at ang pamahalaan ng Republika ng Indonesia sa kanilang pagbibigay ng konsiderasyon sa apila ni Pangulong Aquino para ma-reprieve o hindi matuloy ang execution ni Mary Jane Veloso, hiningi po ito ni Pangulong Aquino kahapon para po mabigyan ng pagkakataon si Mary Jane na magbigay ng karagdagang testimonya hinggil sa pagiging biktima siya ng isang kriminal na sindikato na involved sa human and drug trafficking. Batid naman natin, Deo, na siya ay galing sa pamilyang maralita at nais lang po niyang makahanap ng mas mabuting kabuhayan kaya nakipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa. Sa masamang pangyayari lang ay nadawit siya o nasangkot siya sa isang kriminal na aktibidad na hindi po naman niya sinasadya. Kaya iyon po ang paki-usap at pasalamat po tayo na napagbigyan po ito. At ganundin ang ating pasasalamat sa ating mga kababayan para sa kanilang panalangin at pagdadaos ng mga vigil na nakatulong din sa pagsalba kay Mary Jane. KAREN: Secretary Coloma, matanong ko lang po. Ilan beses po ba nag-meeting o nakapag-usap si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino with Indonesian President Joko Widodo? SEC. COLOMA: Para buo lang ang larawan natin, Karen. Madali lang pong summary ito, ano. Naaresto po si Mary Jane April 2010 sa Yogyakarta. Siya po ay na-convict noong August of 2011 at pagkatapos po noon ay sumulat kaagad si Pangulong Aquino sa Pangulo ng Indonesia noon, si Pangulong Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at nag-apila nga po na huwag ipatupad iyong death sentence kay Mary Jane at pinagbigyan naman po si Pangulong Aquino ni Pangulong Yudhoyono. Kaya lang po natapos na ang kanyang termino at ang susunod na naganap ay iyong pagpapasya ni Pangulong Joko Widodo hinggil sa pagpataw ng execution sa mga drug convict sa Indonesia. Kaya kay President Widodo naman po nag-apila si Pangulong Aquino. Una, sa pamamagitan ng sulat, pangalawa, sa pamamagitan ng personal na pakikipag-usap nang dumalaw si President Widodo sa ating bansa. May state visit po siya dito noong February 2015. At pagkatapos po niyan, sinundan nang personal na pakikipag-usap sa sidelines po ng ASEAN Summit sa Kuala Lumpur nung makalawa. At kahapon nga po ng umaga sinundan pa ito ng panibagong request dahil nga doon sa bagong kaganapan na nasa ilalim na po ng otoridad sa Pilipinas iyong alleged illegal recruiter na nag-engganyo kay Mary Jane na magpunta sa ibang bansa. Iyan po ang buong kasaysayan niyan. Sa simula’t sapul po tinugunan ng Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Indonesia si Mary Jane. Binigyan po siya ng legal counsel simula pa po nung 2010. Tinutukan po ang paglilitis sa kanya at sa lahat ng pagkakataon binigyan ng ating Embahada ng karampatang pag-ayuda si Mary Jane at ng kanyang pamilya. DEO: Secretary, buti’t sinasabi n’yo po iyan, kasi hindi po alam ng marami iyan. Ilang beses na palang ipinapaki-usap ni Presidente Aquino sa mga lider ng bansang Indonesia, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Mahalaga, Deo, kasi nga parang naka-focus lamang dito sa kumbaga eh last two minutes papunta doon sa execution. Pero sa buong kasaysayan niyan, simula nung nahuli o naaresto si Mary Jane, tinutukan na po ng ating Indonesian Embassy. Binigyan na ng abogado doon lamang sa first level na District Court, iyon po ang equivalent ng Regional Trial Court natin dito. At every step of the way ay binigyan po siya ng tulong. Ang mahalaga po iyong tatlong taon na hindi po pinatupad iyong sentensiyang ito dahil sa nauna nang pakiusap ni Pangulong Aquino kay dating Pangulong Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. At ipinagpatuloy po iyong pag-apila noong nasa tungkulin na po si Pangulong Joko Widodo. KAREN: Secretary Sonny Coloma, kasi meron din po tayong kumbaga ay maling impression yata, iyong mga tao, iyong ating publiko ‘no. Ang kumakalat din po kasi na mga ulat ay wala pong abogado itong si Mary Jane Veloso at iyong abogado po na ine-assign sa kanya ng Indonesian Court hirap pong mag-communicate sa kanya. Nakakaintindi lang pong mag-English at marunong lang pong mag-Indonesian. So, isa rin daw po ito sa dahilan kung bakit na-convict itong si Mary Jane Veloso. Pero sa inyong pagsasalaysay nga po ay sabi ninyo ay nabigyan naman pala siya ng legal assistance from the Philippine government. SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Karen, at hindi po nagpabaya, bagkus ay tinutukan ng ating Philippine Embassy ang kaso ni Mary Jane mula po nung simula pa at bawat avenue po ng appeal hangga’t sa kataas-taasang antas sa pagitan ng ating Pangulo at sa Pangulo ng Indonesia, nung dati si Pangulong Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at pagkatapos niya si Pangulong Joko Widodo naman sa pamamagitan ng sulat at sa pamamagitan ng personal na pakikipag-usap. DEO: Secretary Coloma, sir. Ano sa tingin ninyo, nakatulong po ba iyong sinabi ng Presidente kay President Widodo na kakausapin si Mary Jane na magsalita at kung puwedeng gawing state witness para ituro kung sino po ang mga involved dito sa drug syndicate, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Iyon ang buod ng ipinarating na mensahe, Deo. Kahapon kasi wala na doon sa Langkawi si President Widodo, hindi na po siya nagtungo doon para dumalo doon sa BIMP-EAGA Summit na kasama pa doon sa ASEAN Summit. Ang ipinadala po niya doon ay iyong Vice President niya at nandoon din po iyong Foreign Minister. Para po maging agaran iyong pagpaparating ng mensahe, kinausap na po mismo ni Pangulong Aquino iyong Foreign Minister nila habang nandoon pa po sa Langkawi. At dinadagan iyong apila. Noong una kasi ang sabi ng Pangulo ay siya ay dapat bigyan ng konsiderasyon dahil nga galing lang siya sa isang maralitang pamilya at naghahanap lang naman po siya ng hanapbuhay at naengganyo lamang nitong mga sindikato na engaged sa human and drug trafficking. At nagkaroon nga po ng fresh development nang mapabalita na nasa kamay na ng otoridad iyong alleged illegal recruiter niya at iminungkahi ni Secretary Leila De Lima na i-offer po natin iyong bagong testimonya ni Mary Jane. Ang tawag po yata nila dito ay “perpetuation of testimony” - dapat makuha iyong kanyang karagdagang impormasyon para mabigyang-linaw naman kung ano ang modus nitong sindikato na nag-engganyo sa kanya. At ito iyong nagbunsod sa pagbibigay ng reprieve o bagong pagkakataon para kay Mary Jane. DEO: Ito ngayon ang irony nito, Secretary Coloma, sir. Halimbawa, sa nakita natin, halimbawa mapatawad itong si ano…hindi matuloy iyong bitay kay Mary Jane Veloso at ma-convict iyong recruiter niya, si Ma. Cristina Sergio, at ma-convict naman ito ng death penalty, Secretary. Tutulungan pa ba ng gobyerno naman itong si Sergio? SEC. COLOMA: Masyado pang maaga, Deo. Pansinin natin, kumbaga, ay tip of the iceberg pa lang ito, ‘no. Kasi ito iyong mga international na sindikato. Maaring kinasangkapan din iyong alleged illegal recruiter. Kaya kailangan pang magkaroon ng case build up. Kailangan pang makakalap tayo ng mahalagang impormasyon. Huwag naman po nating huhusgahan itong alleged illegal recruiter at kailangan pa pong kumalap pa tayo ng mas mahalagang impormasyon, na maaring siya rin ay makakapagbigay ng dagdag na testimonya hinggil dito. KAREN: Secretary Coloma, dahil po sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ano po ang mga ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan para hindi na po maulit itong mga kaganapan na ganito sa ating mga OFWs? Sabi nila kailangan massive information campaign. SEC. COLOMA: Mabuti at na-take up mo iyan, Karen. Kung maalala natin, noong 2011, February 2011, tatlong Pilipino ang na-execute sa iisang araw lamang, o magkakasunod na araw sa China. At talagang nabahala tayo noon at nagsagawa po ang ating pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng PDEA, iyong Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, ng malawakang information campaign. Batid ko po ito dahil nakatulong po ang ating Philippine Information Agency sa pagsasagawa po nito. Iyon ating pong kampanya ay hanggang sa level ng mga parokya. Hanggang iyong mga Pari po natin, mga Kura Paruko nagdedeliver po ng sermon sa pulpito sinasabi iyong mga may kamag-anak o iyong mga manggagawa na magtutungo sa ibang bansa dapat ay mag-ingat, huwag tatanggap ng anumang padala, huwag ma-e-engganyo sa pakiusap ng mga nagpapanggap na humihingi lamang ng tulong iyon pala ay bahagi ng mga sindikato sa human at drug trafficking. At noon pong unang taon, kung tama po iyong aking pagka-alala, dati ay ang bilang ng mga naaresto, average of 82 per year. Bumaba po, naging 14 na lamang. Kaya malaki ang ibinaba pagkatapos nung pagsasagawa ng information campaign. Ito po ay nung 2011 at succeeding years. Si Mary Jane po ay nadakip nung April 2010 pa po. Kaya maari pong hindi po nakasama doon sa kampanya. Ganunpaman, patuloy po nating pinag-iigting ang kampanyang ito at iyong pakiusap nga po natin sa ating mga kababayan: Huwag na huwag po silang magpapa-enganyo o magpapalinlang sa mga taong nag-o-offer ng pera o ng anumang insintibo dahil mahalaga iyong kanilang buhay. Hindi dapat na ilagay ito sa alanganin o ipagsapalaran. DEO MACALMA: Ang naging problema yata, Secretary, kay Mary Jane Veloso, hindi po siya OFW, Secretary, kung hindi tourist lang po siya. Iyan ang naging problema kaya matindi ang gagawing briefing, departure briefing ng OWWA o kaya POEA. Eh paano po iyong nagiging turista na nagbabakasakali, Secretary Coloma? SEC. COLOMA: Mabuti’t naungkat mo iyan, Deo, dahil iyan nga ang riyalidad na nais nating tukuyin sa pamamagitan ng pagpapanawagan sa ating mga kababayan na hangga’t maaari ay dumaan sila doon sa maayos na paghahanap ng trabaho para po maprotektahan ang kanilang mga karapatan at ang kanilang buhay na rin. Dahil marami ngang masasamang elemento na nagsasamantala sa mga katulad niya at sila ay nililinlang at nilalagay ang buhay sa panganib, dapat po talagang iwasan ang mga sindikatong ito. DEO MACALMA: Secretary, so ano pa ang—ngayon ay ligtas na, sabagay temporary reprieve po ito. Ano naman ang gagawin ng gobyerno ngayon dahil lumilitaw po na mahigit pitumpu (70) yata, Secretary, sir, iyong mga nasa death row ngayon sa iba’t ibang bansa – sa China, sa Middle East, Europe at dito sa Asia. Anong gagawin natin sa kanila, Secretary, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Well, patuloy na diplomasya po at pakikipag-usap sa iba’t ibang bansa. Dahil kung titingnan din natin iyong kabilang anggulo niyan, Deo at Karen, meron din namang mga foreign nationals na nakapiit dito sa atin dahil lumabag sila sa ating batas. Isang importanteng prinsipiyo iyan na kinakailangang ginagalang ng mga mamamayan natin ang bansa—ang mga batas sa bansa na kanilang pinupuntahan. At ganun din naman ang inaasahan natin sa mga galing sa ibang bansa na pupunta dito sa atin - kailangang respetuhin at sundin nila ang ating mga batas. Kaya po dinadaan po natin sa diplomasya, dumadaan din po tayo sa mga legal na proseso ng ibang bansang iyan, at on a case-to-case basis ay nagbibigay po tayo ng specific legal assistance sa atin pong mga Filipino nationals. At iyon nga po, mahalaga dito iyong diplomasya at iyong paggamit ng atin pong pakikipagkaibigan sa mga bansa na kung saan sila ay nakapiit o humaharap sa mga kaso o paglilitis. DEO MACALMA: Secretary, puwede bang ikunsidera iyong tinatawag na “prisoner swap,” Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Wala pa po kasing nababanggit na ganyan doon sa partikular na kaso ni Mary Jane. At iyon naman po ay highly exceptional lang po iyan ‘no dahil nga ang importante ay iyon ding pagpapairal ng ating batas at iyong pagsunod ng ating mga mamamayan sa batas ng ibang bansa. Wala pa pong usapin na hinggil sa bagay na iyon. KAREN OYONG: Secretary Coloma, sa isyu naman po ng mga iligal na droga. Marami ang mga ulat dito rin, locally – sa ating bansa kalat na rin po – at may mga sindikato na rin po na naririto at nambibiktima po, hindi lang po ng mga gusto pong mag-abroad. Hindi lang po sila gumagamit ng mga tinatawag na recruiters. Pero dito po sa ating bansa ay medyo laganap na po sila. Ano naman po ang dapat nating gawin dito, Secretary Coloma? SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy pong tinututukan iyang mga iyan ‘no at dinadakip po iyong mga natutunton. At hindi po nagpapahinga ang ating mga awtoridad, pinapaigting pa po ang mga operasyon laban sa kanila dahil ayaw po nating mapariwara at malagay sa panganib ang ating mga mamamayan. DEO MACALMA: Secretary, sa ibang isyu. Tinanggap na po ba ni Presidente iyong resignation ni Secretary Petilla at BuCor Director Franklin Bucayo, Secretary, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Naitanong iyan sa kaniya ng media delegation sa Langkawi kahapon, at sinabi niya na nagkaroon nga sila ng pag-uusap ni Secretary Petilla – nagpahiwatig ng kaniyang pagnanasang magbitiw. Kaya lang ay kinakailangang tiyakin na magkaroon ng smooth transition. Wala pa naman pong pinag-uusapan doon sa date of effectivity at kung kailan po ito magaganap. Pinaliwanag lang din po ng ating Pangulo na maraming naglilingkod sa pamahalaan na sinisikap na gawin ang kanilang pinakamahusay na pagganap sa tungkulin. Pero hindi naman po kasi ganoon kadali rin iyong paglilingkod sa pamahalaan – marami din pong pressure, marami ring ligalig at panganib. At doon po sa ganiyang aspeto ay nabanggit din niya iyong hinggil sa sitwasyon naman ni Bureau of Correction Director Franklin Bucayo. Iyon lang naman po ang natalakay kahapon. Wala pang mga partikular na petsa kung kailan magiging effective ang mga pagbibitiw na nabanggit. KAREN OYONG: Pero hindi lang, Lakay, Secretary Coloma, itong si Secretary Petilla at itong si BuCor Franklin Bucayo ang nababalita pong nagbitiw na. Maski po si DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima, nagsi-circulate po sa ating mga babasahin ngayon na may plano rin po siyang mag-resign na bilang DOJ Secretary. SEC. COLOMA: Wala po tayong impormasyon hinggil diyan. DEO MACALMA: Secretary, sir, kailan po pupunuan ng Presidente ang mga bakanteng posisyon sa Comelec, sa Civil Service Commission - na balitang pupuntahan ninyo raw? Kailan, sir, pi-fill up-an (fill up) itong mga bakanteng posisyon na ito, Secretary, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Tinalakay din ni Pangulo ang bagay na iyan kahapon sa kaniyang media interview, Karen at Deo. At sinabi nga na patuloy pa rin iyong kaniyang pagkonsidera sa mga nominado para sa mga posisyong ito dahil nga sa kahalagahan na mapunan ito ng mga pinaka-kwalipikado, pinakahanda at ganadong maglingkod ay kinukunsidera po niya nang maigi, at sa lalong madaling panahon kapag nabuo na iyong line up ay ibubunyag naman po kung sino ang mga hihirangin niya sa mga posisyong ito. DEO MACALMA: Secretary, sa Comelec, may mga mungkahi po iyong mga taga-Comelec na sana ay insider daw po ang piliin ng Presidente bilang chairman para hindi na mag-aaral, at least alam na ang palakad sa Comelec, sir. Ano ang tingin ninyo diyan? SEC. COLOMA: Ang nais po ng Pangulo ay mailuklok diyan iyong pinakakwalipikadong indibidwal na kakayanin iyong tremendous pressure po na batid natin ay iiral diyan dahil nga sa papasok tayo sa mahalagang presidential election sa susunod na taon. Kinakailangan ay may sapat na kakayahan, sapat na kaalaman at sapat na tibay ng dibdib kung sinuman ang mahihirang sa posisyon na iyan. At iyan ang isinasaalang-alang ng ating Pangulo. DEO MACALMA: At saka nababanggit na rin, Secretary, sir, ang mga kandidato sa 2016, mga probable candidates. Kayo, sir, ano ba talaga ang plano ninyo – sa Civil Service Commission o kayo po ba ay nagbabalik ding tumakbong senador, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Katulad ng binanggit ko, Manong Deo, hindi na po natin kayang tumakbo at Masaya naman tayo doon sa sabay nating paglalakad kapag tayo ay umuwi. Wala po tayong ganiyang plano. Ang nais lang po natin ay makapaglingkod sa ating Pangulo at sa bayan sa pinakamainam na paraan. KAREN OYONG: Marami pong nagtatanong, Secretary Coloma, bakit po matagal magdesisyon si Pangulong Aquino kung sino po iyong mga ilalagay niya o ia-appoint niya sa mga very sensitive na mga posisyon sa kaniyang Gabinete? SEC. COLOMA: Katulad nga ng binanggit mo, Karen, napakasensitibo po at napakahalaga kaya sa halip na magkamali po ‘no o maging padaskul-daskol iyong pagpapasya, mas mainam na rin po iyong ginugugol talaga ang sapat na panahon para mabigyan nang masusing pag-aaral, para isandaang porsiyento po ang pagiging tiyak na ang iluluklok diyan ay mga pinakakwalipikado at pinakahandang mga opisyal. DEO MACALMA: Iyon bang pagpili nang ganoon, sir, ng mga Cabinet members, ganoon din ba siya katindi sa pagpili ng kaniyang magiging makasama sa buhay, Secretary Coloma? SEC. COLOMA: Ikinalulungkot ko po na hindi po iyan sakop ng aking tungkulin. At wala po akong permiso o karapatan na tumukoy sa bagay na iyan. Paumanhin lang po. KAREN OYONG: Labas na sa tungkulin ni Secretary Coloma, Lakay. DEO MACALMA: Secretary Coloma, sir, maraming salamat po. KAREN OYONG: Thank you, Secretary. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga sa inyo, Karen at Deo.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanigue
29 April 2015

ALLANIGUE: Reaksyon po ng Malacañang, sir, dito sa reprieve na ibinigay dito sa ating kababayan na si Mary Jane Veloso? Inantabayanan po ng buong bansa kagabi hanggang kaninang madaling araw, at iyon nga pong anunsiyo ay hindi itinuloy iyong pagbitay sa ating kababayang si MJ Veloso, Sec. Sonny, sir. SEC. COLOMA: Kaisa tayo ng sambayanan sa pagpapasalamat na nabigyan ng bagong pagkakataon si Mary Jane Veloso na magbigay ng paglilinaw na siya ay isang biktima ng human at drug trafficking, at siya ay napagsamantalahan doon sa pangyayaring ito; at dapat nga siyang bigyan ng pagkakataon, Alan. ALLANIGUE: Okay. So kasunod po nitong naging desisyon na ito ng pamunuan o mga leaders diyan po sa Indonesia, ano ho ang latest naman na nakarating sa Malacañang kaugnay ng kalagayan ni MJ at ng kaniyang pamilya na naroon ngayon sa Indonesia, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy na tinututukan at binibigyan ng tulong ng ating embahada sa Indonesia ang ating kababayang si Mary Jane at sampu ng kaniyang pamilya, na ito naman ay ginawa noon pang … sa simula pa ng kaniyang kaso at lalo na nitong mga nakaraang araw na nasa Indonesia na rin iyong mga mahal sa buhay at kaanak ni Mary Jane. ALLANIGUE: Opo, opo, okay. Sa ibang usapin po, Secretary Coloma, sir. Kahapon po ay nagbalik na sa bansa ang Pangulong Noy mula sa kaniyang pagdalo sa ASEAN diyan po sa Malaysia. At ano hong mga highlights, kumbaga, ng naging pagbisita ng Pangulong Noy? We understand na maraming mga mas malakas na ugnayan ngayon sa pagitan po ng Pilipinas at ng iba pang mga ASEAN member countries, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Sa kaniyang paglahok sa 26th ASEAN Summit ay nagsalita ang Pangulo hinggil sa mga panukala ng ating bansa kung paano mapapalakas ang pagkakaisa ng mga bansa sa ating rehiyon, lalung-lalo na sa taong ito ay minamarkahan iyong pagbubuo ng ASEAN Economic Community at iyong ASEAN Integration. At sinabi ng Pangulo na bukod sa mga partikular na inisyatiba sa larangan ng kabuhayan, turismo at kalakal, mahalaga rin iyong pagtiyak na patuloy iyong magiging maayos na pagdaloy ng komersyo at kalakal dito sa rehiyon. At ang pinaka-definition ng rehiyon ng ASEAN, na bilang isang community, ay iyong pagkakaroon ng malapit na ugnayan sa isa’t isa, dahil magkakapit bansa nga tayo. At lahat ng mga bansa halos sa ASEAN ay sangkot doon sa mga usapin sa South China Sea kaya mahalagang bigyan ito ng pansin. At gumawa ng panibagong panawagan si Pangulong Aquino hinggil sa pagbubuo ng Code of Conduct para magkaroon ng malinaw na batayan sa pagkilos ang mga bansa, at iyong pagbibigay ng sustansiya sa Declaration on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea na isinagawa noon pang 2002 sa pagitan ng China at ng mga bansang ASEAN. Kaya iyan ang ilan sa mga highlights ng mga ginawang pahayag ni Pangulong Aquino sa Kuala Lumpur at sa Langkawi. ALLANIGUE: Okay. Secretary Coloma, sir, muli, salamat po nang marami for the updates from the Palace. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
ANC / Headstart by Karen Davila
29 April 2015

KAREN: Good morning to you, Secretary Coloma. SEC. COLOMA: Good morning, Karen. KAREN: Alright. Secretary, I would like to read the exact text of Tony Spontana, the spokesman for Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office. Would you mind, Secretary, before I ask you a question? SEC. COLOMA: It’s okay, I will listen, Karen. KAREN: Okay. The Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office said: “There was a request from the Philippine President regarding the perpetrator who is suspected of committing human trafficking and surrendered in the Philippines. Mary Jane is needed for her testimony”. Secretary Coloma the Attorney General’s Office clearly attributes the reprieve, the stay to the request of President Aquino to President Widodo. Your thought, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Exactly as you had quoted the Attorney General’s Spokesperson, Karen. That was the message conveyed by President Aquino to President Widodo yesterday in Langkawi before returning back to the Philippines. The message was conveyed to President Widodo through the Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno who happened to be in Langkawi. The session of the BIMP-EAGA Summit that is part of ASEAN Summit just ended in Langkawi. President Widodo left for another country on Monday afternoon, Karen. That is why he was not in Langkawi anymore yesterday. So, in order to be able to relay the message immediately, President Aquino talked to the Indonesian Foreign Minister who was still in Langkawi and that was the essential message. The latest development in the Philippines where the alleged illegal recruiter turned herself over to our police authorities and the Department of Justice - our Department of Justice - will do a case build up and provide the information to the Indonesian authorities so that the position of Mary Jane may be clarified. That she was a victim of a human trafficking and illegal drug trafficking syndicate. That was the message that President Aquino conveyed. KAREN: Okay. Secretary, I’m just curious. Can you clarify this. So President Aquino was not personally able to sit down and talk to President Widodo about it. He was only able to give his message to the Foreign Affairs Secretary. Did I hear that correctly? SEC. COLOMA: That is correct. Because we received the information from the Philippines yesterday morning that the alleged illegal recruiter had given herself up to the Nueva Ecija police. And Secretary De Lima told President Aquino that this would open the possibility of getting the information that will establish the fact that Mary Jane Veloso was a victim of a syndicate and because of this, she deserves proper consideration of her situation. KAREN: Okay. So, Secretary, you have mentioned about a case build up. That’s one. If Indonesia asked for a swap, for example, with prisoners on who is more guilty, so to speak. What would the President do? I mean, I won’t assume this, the conversation has gone this far? SEC. COLOMA: I have no information on that, Karen. I don’t think that has ever been considered in the last few days or in relation to other case of Mary Jane. We had just been focusing on being able to save her life and to get a reprieve, because we really want to save her life. KAREN: Yeah. Now, without taking away any of the efforts of the Philippine Embassy, NGOs, prayers coming from ordinary citizens, I just wanted to ask you, what do you think did it? That the President, I’ll be honest Secretary, really got lucky. Considering, you have Vice President Binay who had spoken to Widodo personally during the Asia-Africa Summit and Widodo has been very firm. Even in my interview with him, he was very firm on following the rule of law. What do you think did it for Widodo to change his mind? SEC. COLOMA: My understanding is they were able to appreciate the new input that President Aquino conveyed to President Widodo. And the important consideration here, Karen, is that Mary Jane Veloso went to Indonesia in search of a better life and a better opportunity. At that time, she was not a criminal, she had not violated any Philippine Law or any International Law and she was sincerely in quest of a better life when she got entangled and she was apparently duped by a criminal syndicate. That was the message conveyed by President Aquino personally to President Widodo when they had this brief one-on-one at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. And President Aquino observed that President Widodo was sympathetic to that appeal. KAREN: Pero, Secretary, could you clarify this: Nung nagkasama si President Aquino at President Widodo, although Cristina has not yet surrendered then, no. He was able to talk about Mary Jane to President Widodo, personally? SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyon, Karen. Nakausap niya at sinabi nga niya na wala namang mataas na pinag-aralan itong si Mary Jane at naghahanap lang siya ng kabuhayan, ng trabaho at iyong kanyang pagtungo sa ibang bansa. Unang-una niyang pagkakataon na sumakay sa isang eroplano at malaki talaga iyong posibilidad na siya ay niloko at ginawang kasangkapan, nabiktima ng isang kriminal na sindikato. Kaya iyon iyong apila ng Pangulo on humanitarian grounds, ‘no - na kailangang unawain na si Mary Jane ay isang biktima ng sindikato, hindi naman siya kriminal nung nagtungo siya sa bansang Indonesia. At ang sinabi naman ni President Widodo ay bibigyan ito ng konsiderasyon. Kaya nga lang at the end of the day, that was Monday, we received word that the judicial review petition had again been denied. Kaya nung kahapon ng umaga, iisa lang kasing session iyon, iyong BIMP-EAGA Summit, pagkatapos noon ay dali-daling kinausap ni Pangulong Aquino si Foreign Minister Retno ng Indonesia, kasi nga wala na doon si President Widodo, nasa ibang bansa. The fastest way was to convey to the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Minister promptly conveyed that message. Nung nakabalik kami sa Maynila kahapon, Karen, ay meron ng breaking news na merong announcement from the Indonesian Authorities that they were taking into account the fresh appeal made President Aquino. Hanggang nalaman na lang early this morning from the DFA, through official sources, na binigyan nga ng pagkakataon si Mary Jane. KAREN: Okay. Well, Secretary, looks like with your narrative. It seems that President Aquino was really focus and bent on taking up Veloso’s case - first to talk to President Widodo himself and the second, when he had left, is even to talk to the Foreign Minister after. SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Karen. Napaka-focus ni Pangulo, dahil hindi talaga niya matanggap na mapabayaan si Mary Jane. Napakahalaga ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Lalung-lalo na si Mary Jane ay talagang galing sa isang maralitang pamilya, naghahanap ng mas magandang oportunidad at hindi naman makatuwiran na nabiktima lamang siya ng isang sindikato ay mawawalan na siya ng buhay. Kaya simula pa nung una siyang nasentensiyahan ay puspusan na ang pagtulong ng pamahalaan sa kanya, Karen. KAREN: Okay. Last question: What is the President’s reaction, have you spoken to him? Has President Aquino given his statement on this? Did he text you this morning? SEC. COLOMA: Wala pa akong pagkakataon, Karen. Dahil 2:30 in the morning lang naman ito nakumpirma ng DFA. Pero sa aking palagay ay relieved and thankful po siya katulad nating lahat. Relieved that a reprieve had been given. Thanking the Indonesian authorities and thanking God na meron pong panibagong buhay si Mary Jane Veloso. KAREN: All right. On that note. Thank you very much, Secretary Coloma.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
CNN Philippines / Headline News by Amelyn Veloso
29 April 2015

SEC. COLOMA: (recording cut) …thanking the Indonesian government for giving a reprieve to our compatriot, Mary Jane Veloso. We have appealed to the Indonesian government. And yesterday, President Aquino made another appeal to President Widodo through Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno (Marsudi) before leaving Langkawi in Malaysia to convey this request for a stay or reprieve because of a new information that Mary Jane could be able to provide the Indonesian government in relation to the activities of the illegal drug and human trafficking syndicate that is involved in her case. AMELYN VELOSO: Why do you think Indonesia’s President Widodo suddenly changed his mind to give way to this appeal? SEC. COLOMA: I’d like to acknowledge their sense of fairness in assessing the new information we have provided; and in understanding that Mary Jane Veloso is a person that went to their country in search of a better life and a better opportunity, and was most probably taken advantage of by criminal syndicates. This was conveyed by President Aquino in his conversation with President Widodo the other day, and this was essentially the same message that he conveyed to President Widodo when they met in Manila in February during President Widodo’s state visit. AMELYN VELOSO: Now, what’s the next step, Secretary Coloma? What happens now to the case of Mary Jane Veloso? SEC. COLOMA: The next step is for the Department of Justice to do a case buildup on the illegal recruiter, and to be able to establish that Mary Jane was a victim and not one of the perpetrators of their criminal activities. And another step that we could see down the road is the statement of Mary Jane Veloso that is sought to be perpetrated - this is called “perpetration of testimony” - so that there will be a basis for the Indonesian authorities to consider the new inputs and to reconsider the sentence that had been imposed on her. AMELYN VELOSO: So in the meantime, Secretary Coloma, where will Mary Jane be? Is there a possibility that she can be sent back to the Philippines or will she be staying in Indonesia until her case is resolved? SEC. COLOMA: Well she is still within the jurisdiction of the Indonesian authorities as she had been imposed a death sentence and there are legal processes that need to be followed. My understanding is she will be brought back to the Yogyakarta jail, and it is from there that she will be brought to the court, because there will be a resumption of court proceedings which will enable her to give her testimony. AMELYN VELOSO: Okay, thank you so much for answering our call, Secretary Coloma. SEC. COLOMA: Thank you, Amelyn.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
Umagang Kay Ganda / Punto por Punto by Anthony Taberna
29 April 2015

TUNYING: Secretary Coloma. Congratulations po. Umagang kay ganda po sa inyo. SEC. COLOMA: Umagang kay ganda sa iyo, Tunying. TUNYING: Opo. Unang-una po, I’m sure nakarating na po sa Pangulo iyon pong nangyari diyan po sa Indonesia. Ano po ang mensahe ng ating Pangulo? SEC. COLOMA: Kaisa po tayo ng sambayanan sa pasasalamat na nabigyan ng muling pagkakataon ang ating kababayan na si Mary Jane Veloso na makapagbigay ng pahayag hinggil sa buong kaganapan ng kanyang pagkadakip at paglilitis sa kasong drug trafficking. Dahil sa atin pong pananaw ay siya ay maaring naging biktima ng drug at human trafficking. TUNYING: (garbled) SEC. COLOMA: Hindi po ano. Ang nangyari, Tunying, bago umalis si Pangulo sa Langkawi sa Malaysia, doon po idinaos iyong pagtutuloy at pagwawakas ng 26th ASEAN Summit, ay nakipagpanayam po siya sa Philippine Media Delegation doon sa airport. At habang nakikipagpanayam siya ay nagpa-excuse lang po siya dahil kinausap niya iyong Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno (Marsudi) at ipinahiwatig sa pamamagitan ng Foreign Minister iyong apila kay Pangulong Widodo na kung maari bigyan ng bagong konsiderasyon itong ating kababayang si Mary Jane Veloso dahil nga doon sa nasa kamay na ng otoridad iyong recruiter na nagdala sa kanya sa Malaysia. May bagong impormasyon at maaring makapagbigay ng testimonya si Mary Jane para bigyang linaw na siya nga ay biktima ng illegal drugs at human trafficking. At hindi naman magaganap ito kung siya ay babawian na ng buhay. Kinakailangan ay magkaroon ng “perpetuation of testimony” - kailangan ay marinig iyong kanyang panig - at ito iyong batayan ng ating pag-aapila sa Indonesian government. Ipaliwanag ko lang, Tunying. Kaya hindi diretso kay President Widodo iyong pakikipag-usap. Wala na po sa Malaysia si President Widodo, hindi na siya pumunta sa Langkawi mula sa Kuala Lumpur. Siya po ay nagpunta yata sa bansang Japan at naiwan doon sa Langkawi sa pagpapatuloy ng ASEAN Summit iyong kanyang Vice President at si Foreign Minister Retno. At para mas mabilis iyong komunikasyon, dahil nandoon nga mismo rin sa Langkawi iyong Foreign Minister, iyong Foreign Minister po ang kinausap ni Pangulong Aquino at sinabi naman ni Foreign Minister Retno na agad na ipararating iyong mensahe kay Pangulong Aquino. Kaya po nung lumapag tayo sa airport kahapon ng bandang 4:30, mag-a-alas-singko na po. Lumalabas na iyong breaking news, meron na ring mga pahayag mula sa Indonesia na tila nais bigyan ng pagkakataon si Mary Jane. Pero siyempre, Tunying, kailangang i-kumpirma ito through official sources. Kaya si Secretary De Lima po, sinikap na makontak iyong Attorney General’s Office, hindi po siya nakakontak. Iyong atin pong Foreign Affairs ay patuloy iyong pakikipag-contact sa pamamagitan ng Ambassador sa Indonesia, si Ambassador Lumen Isleta, pero wala din pong nakuhang kumpirmasyon. Kaya ito po ay naganap na lang, naghihintay na lang po tayo ng oras at saka na lang po nalaman ay nung mismong nagbigay na ng pahayag ang Spokesperson ng Attorney General’s Office at ito po ay natanggap ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs bandang alas-dos y medya na ng umaga. TUNYING: Naku tingnan n’yo nga no. Ang talagang nakakarating po sa aming mensahe sa kuwento ninyo ay talagang lahat ng mga paraan at ginagawa para po dito sa ating kababayang Mary Jane. Tama rin po ba ang pagkaintindi namin na gagamiting state witness si Mary Jane laban po sa sindikato ng drug trafficking at ng human trafficking? SEC. COLOMA: Isa po iyan sa mga posibilidad, Tunying ‘no. Nag-umpisa kasi lahat ng iyan nung naibalita ni Secretary Leila De Lima kay Pangulo iyon ngang—hindi naman siguro pagsuko, nagpunta sa Nueva Ecija police itong si recruiter, si Ma. Cristina Sergio. Siya ay nagpunta sa istasyon ng pulis at sinabing magbibigay siya ng impormasyon at ang sinabi ni Secretary De Lima sa Pangulo, iyong development na ito puwedeng magbigay ng daan na magkakaroon ng bagong testimonya si Mary Jane. At iyong kanyang testimonya nga ay laban sa sindikato na gumamit at nagsamantala sa kanya. Ang tawag diyan ay “perpetuation of testimony.” TUNYING: Perpetuation of testimony po. SEC. COLOMA: Oo kaya pagkatapos noon ay siyempre pag-aaralan ng Indonesian authorities kung ano iyong halaga ng kanyang pagiging testigo at sila na iyong magpapasya kung puwede nga siyang gawing state witness. Para din iyong proseso natin dito. TUNYING: Opo, tama po iyan. Huli na lang po, ano. Kayo po ba sa Malacañang o ang Pangulo ay umaasa na dahil sa higanteng hakbang na ito na ginawa po ng Indonesia ay tuluyan nang makakalaya itong si Mary Jane? SEC. COLOMA: Siyempre, Tunying, iyan ang ating panalangin at sana iyon ang makita nating kaganapana dito. Dahil simula pa nung 2010, nung nadakip si Mary Jane, nilitis siya ay tinutukan na ng masinsin ng ating pamahalaan ang kasong ito. Noon pang unang yugto sa District Court, meron pong abogado na umaayuda sa kanya, tinututukan po ang lahat ng pagdinig ng ating mga embassy officials sa Indonesia. At nung 2011, mahalagang bagay ito, Tunying, nung 2011 nung nasentensyahan ng kamatayan si Mary Jane ay agad na sumulat si Pangulong Aquino kay Pangulong Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at nakiusap nga na huwag ipagpatuloy at rebisahin iyong kanyang sitwasyon. At sa loob ng tatlong taon, hanggang natapos iyong panunungkulan ni President Yudhoyono, ay hindi na nagkaroon ng iba pang aksyon. Ibig sabihin binigyan ng pagturing iyong pakiusap na iyon ni Pangulong Aquino. Kaya lang nung pagpasya na si President Widodo naman na ituloy iyong mga execution ng mga drug convicts. Nag-apela tayo muli at sumulat si Pangulong Aquino noon. Nung dumalaw dito nung Pebrero si President Widodo ay nag-apila na naman ng personal si Pangulo at noon ngang makalawa, doon sa kanilang pagkikita sa Kuala Lumpur, ay muling nagbigay ng apila ang ating Pangulo. At ayon naman kay Pangulong Aquino ay sympathetic naman si Pangulong Widodo. Ibig sabihin ay habang iginigiit nila iyong kanilang mga batas ay nagbibigay din naman sila ng makatuwirang konsiderasyon sa mga bagong impormasyon, katulad nga nung nabanggit natin. TUNYING: So ang klaro po doon, as early as 2011, isang taon pa lang sa puwesto ang Pangulo, meron na pala siyang pagkilos para maisalba si Mary Jane. Secretary, kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyo at I’m sure nagpapahinga po ang Pangulo. Pakibanggit po na kami dito ay nagpapa-abot ng pagpapasalamat sa kanya. Thank you po. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat. Magandang umaga, Tunying. (COMMENTARY) TUNYING: Ang resulta po ng ating informal survey sa atin pong katanungan na: Umaasa po ba kayo na tuluyan nang makakalaya si Mary Jane Veloso. Ang nagsabi ng Oo, 92% - iyan ang pag-asa at 8% ang nagsabing hindi. Mga kapamilya para pong eksena sa pelikula ang sinusubaybayan po nating kabanata sa buhay ng ating kababayan na is Mary Jane Veloso. Na habang lahat tayo ay suko na, habang tayo ay halos nawalan ng pag-asa, na tayong tagapagbalita ay meron na nga pong nag-advancer ng istorya na is Mary Jane ay baka wala na. Na mismong si Mary Jane ay tinanggap na ang kapalaran na ang pamilya ay tuluyan nang maiiwan. Dumating po ang isang napakagandang balita kaninang madaling araw na ang execution sa ating kababayan ay ipinagpaliban. Hindi pa po natin masasabi na ganap nang nakaligtas si Mary Jane sa kamatayan o kung ang ending nito makababalik siya sa piling ng mga anak niya. Pero isang araw na madugtungan po ang kanyang buhay ay sapat na para po sa mas maliwanag na bukas. Pasalamatan po natin ang kanyang mga abogado, ang kanyang pamilya at ang mga taong hindi naman niya kaanu-ano ngunit nagpuyat, kumilos para po kay Mary Jane at hindi po uubrang maitsapuwera ang mga pagsisikap ng Pangulong Aquino na sa pagkakataong ito ay umakto bilang tunay na ama ng bansa, nilunok ang pride at halos ay manikluhod sa Pangulong Widodo upang maisalba ang isang buhay. Eh alam n’yo naman po kami dito hindi kami madamot sa papuri kung kailangang purihin. Ngunit hindi rin naman po kami magtitikom ng bibig kapag dapat na pintasan o punahin. Pero sa ibabaw po ng lahat kapamilya, lalo pong nagliwanag sa atin, hindi natutulog ang Panginoon para huwag pansinin ang sama-sama nating panalangin.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DWIZ / Kasangga Mo ang Langit by Rey Langit
29 April 2015

LANGIT: Mr. Secretary, magandang umaga po sa inyo. COLOMA: Magandang umaga, Rey. LANGIT: Opo. Mr. Secretary, unang-una, nasa inyo po ang pagkakataon, mensahe po ninyo dito po sa hindi pagkakatuloy ng parusang kamatayan para sa ating kababayang si Mary Jane Veloso. COLOMA: Rey, kaisa tayo ng buong sambayanan sa pasasalamat at nabigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating kababayang si Mary Jane Veloso na mapabatid ‘yung buong kaganapan na humantong sa kaniyang pagkasangkot dito sa kaso ng illegal na droga. Dahil kahapon nga ng umaga sa Langkawi, Malaysia, ipinarating ni Pangulong Aquino, sa pamamagitan ng Foreign Minister ng Indonesia, ang kaniyang apela – muli – kay Pangulong Joko Widodo na bigyan ng pagkakataon na maibunyag ni Mary Jane ‘yung buong kaganapan na ito ‘no dahil materyal ito sa pagpapatunay na siya ay biktima ng drug and human trafficking at hindi naman siya ‘yung prinsipal na sangkot dito, na siya ay napagsamantalahan lamang. LANGIT: Secretary, aside po dito sa meeting ng ating Pangulong Noynoy at saka Pangulong Widodo ng Indonesia, meron po kaming naulinigan na – I just don’t know, kayo po ang magba-validate nito – tumawag po ba ang ating Pangulong Noy kay Pangulong Widodo kagabi? COLOMA: Wala po akong impormasyon hinggil doon ‘no dahil ang batid lang natin, bago kami umalis ng Langkawi ay kinausap sa telepono ni Presidente Aquino si Foreign Minister Retno (Marsudi) ng Indonesia, dahil siya ay nasa Langkawi pa rin ‘no, iyon na lang ang sinikap na magawa dahil mas mabilis iyon – na nasa parehong lokasyon sila – at nangako naman si Foreign Minister Retno na ipaparating ang mensahe kay Pangulong Widodo. At kahapon, o hanggang kagabi, hanggang six o’clock, nang magkahihiwalay kami sa airport ay hindi pa na-contact ‘yung place at time sa kabila ng (garbled) opisyal, kaya wala talaga tayong feedback hanggang noong mabalitaan na lamang ‘yung pag-aanunsiyo ng tanggapan ng Attorney General ng Indonesia hinggil nga sa pasya nilang ito. LANGIT: Doon sa katanungan, Secretary, na ano daw po ang kapalit – kung meron man – dito sa request nating ito na reprieve para kay Mary Jane Veloso? COLOMA: Wala naman tayong ibang alam na kung anumang kapalit. Ang apela natin ay batay doon sa pagbibigay ng karagdagang impormasyon ni Mary Jane na maaaring makatulong sa pagtunton sa mga mastermind nitong sindikato. At nais nga nating magkaroon ng pagkakataon na ipakita niya o ipatunay niya na siya ay nabiktima rin ng human at drug trafficking. LANGIT: At this point, Secretary, madako naman tayo sa isa pang big event, at ilang tulugan na lamang ay ang inaasam-asam ng sambayanang Pilipino at gayundin ng lahat ng mga fans ni Congressman Manny Pacquiao. I understand na meron pong statement ang Pangulong Noynoy related po rito kay Manny. COLOMA: Siyempre po ‘no, ang ating panalangin at pag-asa ay ipagtagumpay niya itong mahalagang laban na ito at isang sa atang sa kahusayan ng Pilipino ‘no sa larangan ng boxing. At sabi rin ng Pangulo ay nais din niya ‘yung kalusugan ng ating Pambansang Kamao na ma-enjoy naman niya iyong bunga ng kaniyang pagpupunyagi kapiling ng kaniyang pamilya, at mapanatili iyong mahusay na kalusugan. LANGIT: Tama po ba ‘yung naulinigan namin na mayroon pong payo o advice ang ang ating Pangulong Noynoy na mag-retire na itong si Manny Pacquiao after ng kaniyang fight kay Mayweather? COLOMA: Sorry, Rey, paki-ulit lang ‘yung last part, hindi masyadong malinaw. LANGIT: Secretary, ‘yung pong payong mag-retirement ni Manny Pacquiao right after ng fight nito kay Mayweather, ito po ba’y nanggaling sa ating Pangulo? COLOMA: Iyon nga ibig kong sabihin, Rey, doon sa kababanggit ko lamang sa iyo na ang nais ng Pangulo sa kaniya bukod sa tagumpay ay mapanatili iyong kaniyang kalusugan, makapiling ang kaniyang mga mahal sa buhay at pamilya, dahil nga doon sa naging—nakita natin ‘no, iyong nangyari sa katulad ng heavyweight champion na si Mohammad Ali – na hinahangaan din ng ating Pangulo – na hindi naman kaaya-aya iyong kaniyang kalusugan o iyong kaniyang kalagayan ngayon dahil nga sa naging epekto na rin ng kaniyang pagiging boxer. Iyon ang ibig sabihin ng ating Pangulo. LANGIT: Okay. And naniniwala naman ang ating Pangulo na itong fight na ito ay papangibabaw itong si Congressman Manny Pacquiao versus Mayweather, Jr. COLOMA: Siyempre po. Kaisa ang Pangulo ng lahat ng Pilipino na nagnanais na siya ay magtagumpay. LANGIT: Secretary, madako po tayo sa pulitika. COLOMA: Sorry lang po ‘no, Rey. Hihingi ako ng malalim na paumanhin sa iyo. LANGIT: Opo. COLOMA: Ako ay patungo ngayon loob ng simbahan. Kung puwede mamaya na lang. Sorry, Rey. (Laughs) LANGIT: Paki dasal na lang po ninyo kami, Secretary. (Laughs) COLOMA: Salamat, Rey, salamat. Salamat sa pag-unawa. Okay, okay. LANGIT: Thank you po and good morning.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.

DZRB / "Kaagapay ng Bayan" by Melany Valdoz-Reyes and Oliver Abelleda

25 April 2015

OPENING STATEMENT:

SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga po. Ipagpatuloy na lang po natin iyong nauna nating --- hinggil doon sa paglilipat ng mga functions ng OPARR (Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery) sa NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority).

Na-discuss na natin ‘yan kanina. Ipagpapatuloy ng NEDA sa pamumuno ni Secretary Arsenio Balisacan ‘yung pangangasiwa doon sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa hinggil sa rehabilitasyon bunsod ng mga pinsala na dulot ng Typhoon Haiyan o Yolanda.

Imi-maintain din po ‘yung kasalukuyang structure na meron po tayong limang clusters. Iyon pong infrastructure cluster, patuloy pa rin po itong pangungunahan ng Department of Public Works and Highways. Iyong resettlement naman po ay nasa pamumuno ng HUDCC iyong Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. Iyong social services cluster ay under po sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). Iyong livelihood cluster ay under sa DTI (Department of Trade and Industry). At iyong support cluster, dalawa po ang co-chairpersons doon, iyong DBM (Department of Budget and Management) at ‘yung NEDA.

So ipagpapatuloy po. Wala pong interruption doon sa progreso ng ating mga rehabilitation programs. Ipagpapatuloy po ito sa pangangasiwa na ngayon ng NEDA.

Tapos meron po tayong mga appointments na inannounce din ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo. At ito po ay para sa mga sumusunod: sa Department of Social Welfare and Development, ito po ay para sa Inter-Country Adoption Board. At ang mga kagawad po nito ay magsisilbi para sa isang termino na hanggang anim na taon.

Pwede ko na po bang banggitin ang mga pangalan? Ang mga hinirang po ay ang mga sumusunod: si Antonia Siy, ito ay member na isang psychologist; si Rosario Dela Rosa, siya po ay member na isang registered social worker; meron pong dalawang abugado na kasapi, sila po ay si Maria Gabriela Concepcion at Eric Remegio Panga; at meron din pong dalawang kinatawan na mga non-governmental organizations, sina Ma. Teresa Nuqui at Maria Carolina Legarda. So iyan po ang bumubuo ng Inter-Country Adoption Board na nasa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ng DSWD. Lahat po sila ay maglilingkod para sa isang termino na anim na taon.

Okay na po ba ‘yon? So ang nahirang din po ay bilang miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio City ay si Lilia Yaranon.

At para naman po sa Department of Trade and Industry, inanunsyo po ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo ang paghirang bilang Acting Director IV kay Patricia Mae Abejo.

Ang huli naman po…Okay na po ba ‘yung mga nakaraan? So ang last po ay hinggil sa National Meat Inspection Service ng Department of Agriculture. At sampu ang hinirang na Acting Director II. Sila po ay ang mga sumusunod, in alphabetical order:
Angelita Barcelona, Ronnie Ernst Duque, Lilia Juliana Fermin, Myrna Habacon, Fernando Lontoc, Eduardo Oblena, Orlando Ongsotto, Mildred Saligan, Marvin Vicente and Maria Ancilla Zartiga.

So iyan po ang kabuuan ng mga new appointments. Lahat po ng mga ito ay naipadala na rin po natin sa mga kagawad ng Malacañang Press Corps kasama na rin po ‘yung nauna nating pahayag hinggil sa OPARR na inilipat na sa NEDA.

So handa na po akong tanggapin o sagutin ang mga iba pang katanungan.

Q&A:

Melany Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, nabanggit po ang appointment, sir. Kakamustahin po natin kung kamusta na po ang pagpili ng Pangulong Aquino sa susunod na PNP (Philippine National Police) chief at sa COMELEC (Commission on Elections) chief, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy pa rin po ‘yung pagsusuri sa mga kuwalipikasyon ng mga ipinanukala na nominees sa mga mahahalagang posisyong ito at binibigyan po nang masusing pag-aaral ito ng ating Pangulo.

Kapag handa na po siyang pumili at kapag nalagdaan na po ang mga appointment papers ay ipagbibigay-alam po natin sa mga kagawad ng media.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Okay, kasamang Oliver?

Oliver Abelleda: Yes, sir. Sir, kukuha lang po tayo ng update po tungkol sa kalagayan po --- kasi alam po natin na nakahanda na nga pong i-execute iyong isa po nating kababayan sa Indonesia si Mary Jane Veloso po. Kukuha lang po tayo, sir, ng update po sa hakbangin po ng ating pamahalaan para sikapin na maisalba po siya sa parusang kamatayan, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy pong tinututukan ito ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs. Ayon po sa kanilang spokesperson, si Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, ay nakatanggap na ng abiso 'yung order of execution.

Pero ang batid po natin na patakaran doon ay nagbibigay ng 72-hour notice. Wala pa naman daw pong tiyak na oras o petsa na ibinibigay. Kaya tayo po ay nag-aantabay pa at sinisikap po nating gawin pa ang lahat ng magagawa. Hindi pa po tayo tumitigil doon sa pagsisikap na matulungan o maisalba si Mary Jane Veloso.

Tinutulungan din po ang kanyang mga kaanak na nandun ngayon sa Indonesia. At inaantabayanan po ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs sa pamamagitan ng ating embahada ang mga kaganapan.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Secretary, meron pong tanong si Ms. Marie Peña-Ruiz. Ang tanong po niya is there a chance the President will talk to President (Jokowi) Widodo at the sidelines of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, sir. Bukas po aalis ang Pangulo, sir, to ---

SEC. COLOMA: Pangkaraniwan po na sa ganitong mga pagpupulong, sa mga ASEAN Summit, ay may pagkakataon ang mga heads of state and heads of government na magkausap po sila sa sidelines, sa pagitan ng mga plenary sessions po nila at iba’t ibang pagpupulong.

At siyempre po kung mayroong pagkakataon na makausap ni Pangulong Aquino si President Widodo, isa po ‘yan sa mga prayoridad na concerns ng ating Pangulo.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, clarify lang po natin, meron na po bang natanggap ang ating gobyerno na notice kasi ‘yung family, sir, as you said may natanggap na po silang execution notice. Ang ating gobyerno po ba ay may natanggap na po na parehas na sulat galing sa gobyerno ng Indonesia?

SEC. COLOMA: Ayon po kay Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, spokesperson ng DFA, meron na nga daw pong ganyang order of execution.

Kaya lang hindi pa naman daw po…Doon po sa pagkaalam ng DFA, wala pang tiyak na petsa o oras. Iyon po ang pinakahuli niyang ibinigay na update sa akin kaninang umaga at nagaantabay po sila doon. Tinututukan po ito ng ating embahada sa Jakarta, iyon ang pinakahuling kaganapan.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, on another topic po. Tomorrow po aalis ang Pangulong Aquino patungong Malaysia para sa 26th ASEAN Summit. Ano po ang ating inaasahan lalo po’t marami po ang umaasa na through the ASEAN Summit, sir, e mareresolba, sir, itong nangyayaring sigalot sa West Philippine Sea?

SEC. COLOMA: Simula noong nakaraang pagpupulong ng ASEAN sa Myanmar ay umigting ‘yung mga aktibidad ng reclamation doon sa West Philippine Sea o sa South China Sea.

At ito po ay naging kapansin-pansin hindi lamang sa mga miyembro ng ASEAN pero sa mga iba’t ibang bansa dahil iyon pong South China Sea ay pinadadaluyan ‘yan nang maraming barko at halos kalahati ng kalakal ng buong mundo ay dumadaan diyan sa sa West Philippine Sea o sa South China Sea.

Kaya hindi lang naman po ang Pilipinas o mga bansa na nagpahayag ng kanilang pagkabahala hinggil diyan sa mga reclamation activities na ‘yan dahil meron po itong implikasyon sa regional peace and stability.

Kaya tiyak po na ito ay isang paksa na bibigyan po ng mataas na kahalagahan kapag nagsama-sama na po ‘yung mga lider ng ASEAN sa Kuala Lumpur sa mga darating na araw.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, hinggil pa rin po sa West Philippine Sea. Ano po ang pananaw niyo sa nabanggit po ni Vice President (Jejomar) Binay hinggil dito sa kanyang pahayag na joint venture with China on oil and gas exploration in disputed areas of South China Sea? Taliwas po ito, sir, sa pananaw ng Pangulong Aquino na walang business partnership sa China sa mga isla na may sigalot ang Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea?

SEC. COLOMA: Okay, iyon pong binanggit ninyo ay natunghayan na po natin ng pahapyaw. Hindi naman po natin pa nabeberipika kung ano ‘yung kabuuan ng kanyang sinabi.

Ganunpaman, ‘yung kung iyan nga po ang kanyang posisyon ay ‘yan po ay kanyang personal statement at hindi po ito ang opisyal na posisyon ng ating pamahalaan na katulad ng inyong binanggit ay doon pa din sa pagresolba sa matahimik at diplomatikong paraan kaya nga tayo naghain ng petisyon sa arbitral tribunal ng United Nations.

Kaya wala pong pagbabago sa posisyon ng pamahalaan at iyon pa rin po ang ating ipinupursige kung ano man po ang nabanggit ni Vice President Binay ay personal na posisyon po niya ‘yon.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, isa pa po ‘yung nangyari po sa isa pang isla diyan sa West Philippine Sea kung saan gumamit ‘yung China ng mga flashing lights --- malalakas na flashing lights --- laban doon sa mga Navy ng Pilipinas, sir. Ano po ang susunod na aksyon natin dito, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Lahat po ‘yan ay binibigyan po nang seryosong atensyon dahil hindi naman po nating mapapahintulutan ‘yung binabraso po tayo diyan o binu-bully. Ang posisyon nga po natin na iyan po ay sakop na ng UN Convention on the Law of the Sea at habang hindi pa naman nagkakaroon ng resolusyon doon sa mga maritime entitlements ng mga bansang ASEAN at ng China sa usapin na ‘yan, ay hindi dapat pairalin ‘yung mga taktikang panggigipit o pangha-harass o ‘yung paggamit ng anumang paraan ng karahasan.

Kaya kapag ‘yan po ay ganap nang naberipika, kung kinakailangan ay gagawa po ng diplomatic action ang ating Department of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Abelleda: Sir, madagdag ko lang po doon sa aktibidad po ng China sa West Philippine Sea kasi noong mga nakaraan po kasi, sir, parang merong mungkahi ‘yung ibang sektor ang sabi nila, dapat daw magbigay ng statement dito sa issue po na ito ay dapat 'yung mga diplomats, ano, inawasan na lang daw sana na ang mga military officer 'yung magbigay ng pahayag po tungkol po sa isyung nito. Okay lang po ba sa Malakanyang po ito, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Lahat naman po ng ating mga binabanggit ay batay po sa opisyal na posisyon ng pamahalaan ng ating Republika. At siyempre po ang pinanggagalingan ng posisyon ng Republika ay ang ating Pangulo. At ang Pangulo naman ay nagbibigay ng guidance sa Gabinete na kung saan ang pangunahing ahensiya po diyan ay Department of Foreign Affairs at meron din naman pong ibang ahensiya na 'yung aktibidad nila ay meron din pong kinalaman diyan katulad nga ng Department of National Defense na kung saan naman ay bahagi nito ang Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Kaya ko lang po sinasabi ito, sinabi ko lang na kung meron mang naririnig tayo na komentaryo mula sa iba't ibang mga ahensiya, makatitiyak po tayo na iisa lang pong posisyon ang ating tinatahak dito. At nagkataon lang siguro, siyempre, kapag tinanong 'yung isang opisyal at ang tinutukoy naman ay 'yung aktibidad, halimbawa, ng Philippine Navy sa pagpapatrol, pwede naman pong magbigay ng komentaryo ang AFP chief of staff o sinumang opisyal ng Armed Forces o ng Philippine Navy pero makatitiyak po tayo na tumatalima iyan sa overall guidance ng pamahalaan na kay Pangulong Aquino po mismo nanggagaling.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Pero, sir, may habol lang po ako sa West Philippine Sea po. Ayon po kasi kay AFP-PAO chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, maaari daw pong maapektuhan ng reclamation activities ng China diyan sa West Philippine Sea 'yung food security ng bansa. Paano po natin, sir, matitiyak na hindi ito mangyayari?

SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga patuloy naman iyong ating vigilance at patuloy naman nating tinitingnan ang lahat ng mga kongkretong epekto nito katulad nga 'nung sa aspeto ng sa environmental conservation o mga mahahalagang marine resources katulad ng coral reef na kasama doon sa mga napinsala ng reclamation activities. At iniulat nga po ng ating BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) kahapon sa pakikipagtalakayan sa Malacañang Press Corps, 'yung findings ng ating national scientist. Kaya lahat po nang may epekto sa ating kabuhayan, sa ating mga likas na kayamanan, ay tinututukan po natin 'yan at hindi po natin pahihintulutan na walang habas 'yung pagsasamantala sa ating likas na kayamanan.

Mr. Abelleda: Sir, tungkol naman po doon sa ASEAN na may kaugnayan po doon sa liderato po ng Bureau of Customs. Kasi po isa sa mga malalaking hamon po sa Bureau of Customs po ngayon 'yung kinakaharap po natin na ASEAN economic integration dito sa Timog Silangang Asya nga po kabilang na diyan ang ating bansa. Tanong lang sana sir namin kung kumpiyansa po ba ang Malakanyang sa kahandaan po ng Bureau of Customs sa kabila po nitong parang biglang pagpapalit po ng liderato ng kawanihan po na 'yon sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Iyon pong mga pagkilos ng ating pamahalaan hinggil sa ASEAN integration ay pagkilos po ng iba't ibang ahensiya --- isa po diyan ay 'yung Bureau of Customs.

At ang pinag-uusapan po natin dito ay 'yung trade facilitation dahil iyon pong mga kalakal ay dumadaan 'yan sa airport at saka sea port, at isa sa mga nagpo-proseso ng pagdaloy ng mga kalakal ay 'yung Bureau of Customs bukod po doon sa ating mga port authorities.

Kaya hindi po pwedeng isolated lang 'yung pananaw natin. Sa mga nakaraang taon ay pinalakas na po natin ang ating mga sistema, binago natin ang ating mga patakaran at doon sa natunghayan po nating ulat, sa kabuuan, in terms of economic integration, ang natunghayan natin ay 'yung figure na 86 compliant na po tayo doon sa overall measures ng ASEAN integration.

Kaya hindi naman po iisang ahensiya lang ang concerned dito. Team effort po ito ng ating pamahalaan at hindi po natitinag 'yung ating determinasyon. Maayos 'yung paglahok ng Pilipinas sa ASEAN economic integration.

Mr. Abelleda: Sir, kaugnay po niyan sa nabanggit niyo sa Customs chief po natin, kasi kuhanan na rin namin kayo ng reaskyon sir, ang Palasyo, sir, kasi nakahanda raw pong humarap si resigned Customs chief (John Philip) Sevilla doon po sa pagdinig po ng Senado sa issue naman po ito sir ng katiwalian umano sa Bureau of Customs, sir?

[line cut]

Mr. Abelleda: Sir, 'yung tanong ko nga po kanina sir tungkol po kay resigned Customs chief Sevilla po ---

SEC. COLOMA: Ngayon po siya ay isa nang pribadong indibidwal. Hindi na po siya sakop ng pamahalaan dahil nagbitiw na nga po siya. At nasa kanya na pong personal at pribadong desisyon ang bagay na 'yan. Hinggil naman sa pagsisiyasat ay nasa desisyon na rin po 'yan ng Kongreso kung nais nilang magsiyasat dahil sila naman ay hiwalay at kapantay na sangay ng pamahalaan.

Para po sa atin, patuloy po ang trabaho sa Bureau of Customs. Nakapaghirang na po si Pangulong Aquino ng bagong Customs commissioner at determinado po si commissioner Alberto Lina na ipagpatuloy at tapusin ang mga repormang nasimulan na diyan at gawing mahalaga 'yung paglahok ng Bureau of Customs sa overall economic [performance] po natin lalung-lalong na doon sa nabanggit na ASEAN integration na kung saan sa trade facilitation ay malaki ang papel na ginagampanan ng Bureau of Customs.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, sa iba pang topic, kukumpirmahin po namin 'yung mga reports na nag-resign na daw po si Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa?

SEC. COLOMA: Wala po tayong impormasyon hinggil diyan.

Mr. Abelleda: Sir, iyon naman po kasi ito maganda-ganda itong balita po na ito, kasi kasama po ang Pilipinas doon sa top 100 happiest nations sa buong mundo. Pang-90 po 'yung pwesto po natin sa 158 na bansa po. Ito ba sir mga ganitong quantitative ranking e pwede ring maging batayan sa pagbalangkas po ng polisiya po ng ating pamahalaan, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Iyan po ay mainam na indikasyon at [patunay] doon sa ating tourism campaign. Hindi po ba ang ating sinasabi ay: "It's more fun in the Philippines". At iyan po ang atraskyon natin --- napakagandang mga tanawin at tourist spots dito.

Ikinararangal po natin na kaligayahan ang magiging karanasan ng mga dadalaw sa atin. Kaya iyong pag-validate po na isa sa pinakamasayang tao ay patunay po 'yan doon sa ating marketing campaign that it's more fun in the Philippines at iyan po ay pagyayamanin natin.

Sa bagay, hindi lang naman po 'yan ang ginagawa, pinapahusay din natin iyong imprastruktura at 'yung mga pasilidad para maging kaayaaya ang pagdalaw sa atin ng mga turista.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, magiging abala po ang Pangulong Aquino. Bukas po ay aalis na siya patungong Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit. Then the following month po, pupunta siya ng US, Canada, June at sa Japan naman?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganun nga po. Aktibo po ang ating Pangulo sa pagtataguyod ng ating mga national programs. Marami po kasi tayong mahahalagang interactions sa iba't ibang bansa tulad po 'nung sa bansang Japan, strategic partner po natin ang Japan. At napakasinsin ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila sa larangan ng economic cooperation, pati po doon sa pag-build up ng kapasidad natin sa disaster risk reduction, at pati po sa mga people-to-people programs. Isa po sa mga matibay na kaalyado natin ang bansang Japan.

Sa Canada naman po, susuklian po o ire-return po ni Pangulo 'yung state visit ni Prime Minister Stephen Harper. At tayo rin po ay preferred country na rin po tayo ng Canada in terms of economic development kaya nais po nating palawigin at palalimin pa 'yung economic cooperation sa Canada.

Kung maaalala natin, si Prime Minister Harper ang nagsabi na "the Philippines is the rising star of Asia". Kaya mainam po na pinapagtibay po natin 'yung relasyon natin sa mga bansang bilib na bilib sa Pilipinas at mga Pilipino.

Ms. Valdoz-Reyes: Sir, marami din po sa ating mga kababayan, sir, diyan sa Canada ang nagaantabay na rin sa pagbisita ng Pangulo dahil ---

SEC. COLOMA: Kasi kung hindi ako nagkakamali more than 700,000 yata ang mga Pilipino diyan at tiyak naman na sabik na sabik na rin sila na makita at marinig ang ating Pangulo.

Mr. Abelleda: Ano lang sir siguro nanumpa nga pala 'yung mga bagong lawyers po ng ating bansa po kahapon. So baka lang may mensahe po ang Palasyo po para sa kanila, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Mahalaga po ang papel na ginagampanan ng mga abugado dahil nga po sa pagtahak natin sa matuwid na daan. Ito po ay naglalayon na ang maging plataporma ng ating pamamahala ay 'yung good governance at ang good governance po ay nakabatay sa batas at sa mga patakaran na dapat ay may disiplina ang mga mamamayan sa pagsunod.

Isa pa pong aspeto 'yung judicial reform. Kailangan pong pahusayin natin ang ating criminal justice system, kailangan pong bumilis ang pag-proseso ng mga kaso dahil justice delayed is justice denied. At malaki rin po ang papel na ginagampanan ng mga abugado sa prosesong iyan.

-end-

SOURCE: Presidential News Desk (PND)

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Last Updated: 28 APRIL 2015
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			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his arrival statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Tuesday (April 28) from his successful participation in the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Tuesday (April 28) from his successful participation in the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with members of the Philippine Media delegation covering the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Sheraton Langkawi Resort on Tuesday (April 28). Also in photo is PCOO Sec. Sonny Coloma. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III reviews his documents during the 11th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Grand Ballroom 2 of the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Tuesday (April 28). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairperson Luwalhati Antonino. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Valerie Jude Escalera / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III reviews his documents during the 11th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Grand Ballroom 2 of the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Tuesday (April 28). Also in photo is Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairperson Luwalhati Antonino. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Valerie Jude Escalera / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins his counterparts during the 11th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Grand Ballroom 2 of the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Tuesday (April 28). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Valerie Jude Escalera / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Republic of Indonesia Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Malaysian Prime Minister The Honourable Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak for a snap shot during the 11th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Grand Ballroom 2 of the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Tuesday (April 28). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Valerie Jude Escalera / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins fellow regional leaders during the 26th ASEAN Summit closing ceremony at the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Monday night (April 27). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen and Indonesia Vice President Jusuf Kala for the traditional group photo opportunity during the 26th ASEAN Summit Retreat Session at the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Monday night (April 27). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen and Indonesia Vice President Jusuf Kala for the traditional group photo opportunity during the 26th ASEAN Summit Retreat Session at the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Monday night (April 27). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)


			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III takes a breather during the plenary of the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday, April 27. (Photo by Gil Nartea)

			(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino gets a chance to confer with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday, April 27. (Photo by Gil Nartea)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins his counterparts for the traditional group photo opportunity during the opening ceremony of the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday (April 27). Also in photo are Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysian Prime Minister The Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen and Indonesia President Joko Widodo. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen and Indonesia President Joko Widodo for the traditional group photo opportunity during the opening ceremony of the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday (April 27). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Republic of the Union of Myanmar President Thein Sein, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Kingdom of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen and Republic of Indonesia President Joko Widodo for the traditional group photo opportunity during the opening ceremony of the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday (April 27). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor upon arrival at the Park Entrance of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre during the opening ceremony of the 26th ASEAN Summit on Monday (April 27). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, President Benigno S. Aquino III (left) and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong (right) are among the ASEAN Leaders present at the gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. --(handout picture: foto BERNAMA (2015) COPYRIGHT RESERVED

			(KUALA LUMPUR) (from left) President of Philippines Benigno S. Aquino III, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsein Loong and Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-O-Cha are among ASEAN leaders present at a gala dinner for the 26th ASEAN Summit 2015 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today. (handout picture)-- foto BERNAMA (2015) COPYRIGHT RESERVED

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during a bilateral meeting at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sunday (April 26), at the sidelines of the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during a bilateral meeting at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sunday (April 26), at the sidelines of the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a group photo souvenir during the gala dinner hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister The Honourable Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor for the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sunday night (April 26). Also in photo are, Republic of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Kingdom of Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha,Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Republic of the Union of Myanmar President Thein Sein, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Kingdom of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Republic of Indonesia President Joko Widodo. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor upon arrival at the Park Entrance of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sunday night (April 26). (Photo by:Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III upon arrival at the Park Entrance of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sunday night (April 26) to join his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the Gala Dinner for the 26th ASEAN Summit. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to participate at the 26th ASEAN SUMMIT being held in Malaysia on Sunday (April 26). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his departure statement during the send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Sunday (April 26) to join fellow ASEAN Leaders in attending the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., review the honor guards during the send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Sunday (April 26) to join fellow ASEAN Leaders in attending the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his departure statement during the send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Sunday (April 26) to join ASEAN Leaders in attending the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III prepares to board the plane at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Sunday (April 26) to join fellow ASEAN Leaders in attending the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia. (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 20th Anniversary Celebration and Investors’ Recognition of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) at the World Trade Center in Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City on Thursday (April 23). Also in the photo are TESDA Director Joel Villanueva,Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, PEZA Director General Lilia de Lima, Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

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PIA News Desk

2 hrs ·

Today is the 78th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in PH. The plebescite that gave Filipino women the right to vote. http://t.co/uRAZdFs6aY

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RTVM added 2 new photos to the album: Arrival from Malaysia.

Yesterday at 8:05am ·

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 bearing good news after his attendance at the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia.

With the theme “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision”, President Aquino successfully fostered good relationship with the neighboring countries. He took the opportunity to voice the stand of the Philippines regarding the Spratlys issue. “Kaya naman isa po sa naging pakay natin sa ASEAN Summit ay ang publikong maihayag ang ating saloobin ukol sa nasabing isyu. Binalikan natin ang puno’t dulo ng usapin at inilatag kung ano ang maaaring gawing tugon bilang isang komunidad,” he said.

Also among the good news, President Aquino announced that the ASEAN leaders have decided to send assistance to Nepal after the massive earthquake that killed more than 4,000 people. “Di po ba’t kapag pinagsama ang kakayahan ng bawat bansa at nagbuklod ito para sa isang adhika, di hamak mas malaki ang magagawa?” he added.

While in Malaysia, the President had a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam to advance the Philippines’ bilateral relations including the strengthening of defense and maritime cooperation, as well as trade expansion.

Lastly, President Aquino had the opportunity to talk with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and asked for clemency for Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina that was sentenced to death in Indonesia.
“Matagal na nating ginagawa ang lahat upang tulungan siya, kabilang na ang pagsigurong maiibsan ang agam-agam niya at ng kaniyang pamilya. Patuloy ding sinisikap ng inyong gobyerno na maglatag ng mga hakbang upang maiwasan ang ganitong mga kaso na nasasangkot ang ating Overseas Filipino Workers,” he emphasized.
After the 26th ASEAN Summit, President Aquino attended the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.

Hadhad Partylist via Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

5 hrs ·

PNP with 210 more multi-role patrol jeeps, augmenting the 1,470 units earlier acquired

The PNP has 210 brand new, multi-role patrol jeeps—augmenting the 1,470 earlier acquired—to be used for law enforcement and disaster response operations.

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PIA News Desk

2 hrs ·

Palace welcomes survey results showing drop in ‪#‎unemployment‬ figures - See more at: http://t.co/As5Yh7tEF1

PIA | Palace welcomes survey results showing drop in unemployment figures

MANILA, April 30 -- Malacanang welcomed results of the latest quarterly survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) which showed a decrease in the...

news.pia.gov.ph

PIA News Desk

4 hrs ·

President Aquino to visit Filipino communities in United States, Canada - See more at: http://t.co/k3sXg1fZzk http://t.co/LFd9DISCpm

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5 hrs ·

‪#‎PHLPost‬ Piso Padala promo is still available
http://t.co/c8W0Mj6Ts0 http://t.co/2mAtcDZ3D0

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20 hrs ·

ICYMI:PPP Center launches new website READ MORE http://t.co/ycGHGZfVy2 http://t.co/BBDCvGHUoN | via @PPP_Ph

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Hadhad Partylist shared Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines's photo.

2 hrs ·

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

PHOTO via Secretary Joel Villanueva:
Earlier today, President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated the Negros First CyberCentre IT & BPO Hub in Bacolod City.

PIAQuezon

Thursday, April 30, 2015

13 Dispatch for April 30, 2015 ( Thursday ), 4 Weather Watch , 7 Regional Watch, 7 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech, 7 INTERVIEW OF SEC. COLOMA, 20 Online News (Apr. 29) , 29 PhotoRelease (Apr.28 )

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April 30, 2015 (Thursday) as of 10:00 AM

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PIA News Desk

RTVM added 2 new photos to the album: Arrival from Malaysia.

Hadhad Partylist via Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

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Hadhad Partylist shared Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines's photo.