DAILY WEATHER FORECAST
Issued at: 5:00 AM today, 17 September 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 AM today until 5:00 AM tomorrow
Synopsis:
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao.
Synopsis:
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao.
Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 AM 17 September 2015
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Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 AM 17 September 2015
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Forecast:
Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Visayas, Mindanao and the Province of Palawan. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Light to moderate winds blowing from the northeast to east will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the southwest over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.
Thunderstorm Advisory No. 1
Issued at: 12:49 PM 17 September 2015
Thunderstorm is affecting portions of #Rizal Which may persist within 2 hours.
Issued at: 12:49 PM 17 September 2015
Thunderstorm is affecting portions of #Rizal Which may persist within 2 hours.
Expect Thunderstorm over #MetroManila, #Laguna and #Batangas within the next 2 hours.
All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flash floods. Keep monitoring for updates.
September 17 , 2015 ( Thursday ) as of 9:00 AM
PIA4A / PIA QUEZON : Fair Weather in Lucena City
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SOUTHERN
WESTERN
EASTERN
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APEC News Releases
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 | Pampanga to pilot APEC policy toolkit on women’s health, says Secretary Garin | ||
| President Aquino: Women can bring inclusive growth sooner | ||
| Pampanga to pilot APEC policy toolkit on women’s health, says Secretary Garin |
| (MANILA) The Philippines has volunteered to pilot the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit in Pampanga to serve as a guide for the rest of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in adopting the toolkit, according to health ministers’ meeting chair, Health Secretary Janette Garin. Germany-based Dr. Sarbani Chakraborty, the global public policy senior director of the pharmaceutical giant Merck, said in an interview that after the field test in the Philippines, APEC economies are expected to voluntarily implement the health policy toolkit by 2019. In a forum, Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the Philippines volunteered to conduct the pilot project in 2014 during the APEC Summit in Beijing. During the test, companies in Pampanga’s economic zone would voluntarily adopt the toolkit by answering a scorecard where they have to identify specific interventions. The DOH and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will then give the companies points for adopting certain practices identified in the toolkit. The point system gives a green mark or 90 points and above for best practices; a yellow mark for 71 to 89 points; and a red mark for 70 points and below. "We will give grants for green scores. These grants will enhance their program," Dr. Ubial said. The Philippines is developing an action plan for testing the toolkit. “One of the things that we are discussing with the regional health office, DOLE, and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) is how to go about actually asking private sector partners or companies in the economic zone in Pampanga to actually adopt the toolkit," Ubial said. The health policy toolkit for women seeks to address the increasing rate of non-communicable diseases among female workers; improve women’s access to health care by providing indigenous and non-regular employed females with health insurance for them and their families; provide them access to maternal health care and education; raise awareness of what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace and due process and fair treatment of both complainants and accused persons; increase coverage of public spaces and public transport; and address discrimination in the workplace among pregnant women, among others. In a related development, Dr. Garin said she and her fellow health chiefs from APEC member economies have been formulating a checklist for the past 18 months to help governments, companies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) improve health-related barriers to women's ability to enter, remain, and rise in the labor force. "Women's empowerment and the promotion of gender equality are keys to achieving sustainable economic development in APEC," she noted. The beneficiaries of these policies are 865 million women workers, particularly the indigenous, cross-border, migrant, unregulated, and local casual laborers, as well as the urban poor. Ubial said implementing these policies would result in an evident gain of financial income for businesses annually. "When the toolkit was first adopted in the United States by its health department, there were lots of reviews as to evidence that showed significant improvement in terms of economic, as well as collateral benefits for involving women in the economy," she noted. (acg) |
| President Aquino: Women can bring inclusive growth sooner |
| (MANILA) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday emphasized the role of women in the Asia Pacific in promoting inclusive growth in the region. “That is precisely why we are here: to express our collective belief that harnessing the talents and potential of all women can bring about inclusive progress sooner rather than later,” President Aquino said addressing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy, held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. He cited the contribution of Filipino women, both in the public and private sector, mentioning the “good number of women of unquestionable moral standing” he has appointed to key government positions, among them Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, Health Secretary Janette Garin, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Lilia de Lima, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, and former head of the Commission on Audit Grace Pulido-Tan. “Over the last five years, these women have bullishly pursued necessary reforms and have refused to back down, even in the face of those with great power and influence, and deeply entrenched interests,” the Chief Executive said. “They are pillars of our administration’s reform agenda, and they are living proof to young people who wish to enter public service that they will not be defined by their gender, but rather, by their integrity, their work ethics, and their willingness to serve,” he added. In the private sector, President Aquino noted that 54 percent of registered businesses in the country are owned by women who are mostly involved in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These enterprises account for 63.7 percent of the country’s total employment. “Our goal is to have an inclusive economy, and if it is clear that women are the better partners towards having inclusive growth, then it behooves government to provide more opportunities to women entrepreneurs,” he said. These opportunities, he said, include the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, a partnership of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Coca-Cola, which trains women owners of neighborhood retail stores in bookkeeping, inventory management, accounting, and other disciplines. The STAR Program helps sari-sari store owners to professionalize and formalize their approach in a typically informal enterprise, he added. “Even better: We are also teaching them how to maximize the utility of their profits,” the President said. “We are already hearing of so many success stories. For instance, there was one owner who used to earn just P800 a day. After going through the program, her daily earnings reached P4,000.” President Aquino said the government aims to train 200,000 Filipinas under the STAR Program, which began in December 2011. Congress has also passed laws that expand the horizon of opportunities for women, he said, adding that in 2011, it repealed antiquated provisions of the Labor Code that prohibit women from working at night. “It comes as no surprise, then, that according to the World Economic Forum, the Philippines is the only Asian country in the top ten, in terms of closing the gender gap,” the President said. “But make no mistake: Our performance in this index will not stop us from pursuing even more progress. Women still face a number of pressing issues, and the issue of gender equality calls for continuous reflection and corresponding action. For this reason, we must always approach our jobs, and even our smallest interactions with people, with the empathy, consideration, and respect necessary to create a truly inclusive society,” he said. The four-day APEC Women and the Economy Fora will conclude on Friday. PNA (kc) |
| Philippines to test APEC policy toolkit for women | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MANILA) The Philippines will conduct a pilot study on an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) initiative to promote the protection of women in the workplace. The APEC Women and the Economy (WE) Fora on Wednesday launched the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit, which provides a menu of policies that aim to address barriers that hinder women’s productivity in the workplace, as well as increase women’s participation in the economy. “The pilot of the implementation of this toolkit will be done here in the Philippines,” Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said at the APEC-WE Fora press conference. Ubial mentioned that the DOH targets to roll out the Policy Toolkit in 10 selected private companies at the Clark Economic Zone in Central Luzon, starting January 2016. The Policy Toolkit focuses on five key categories: workplace health and safety; health access and awareness; work-life balance; sexual and reproductive health; and gender-based violence. The DOH, along with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry, will develop the scorecard next month to rate companies’ implementation of the toolkit. Under the scorecard, the public sector will rate the companies according to colors: green for 90 points and up; yellow for 71 to 89 points; and red for 70 points and below. Ubial said the government will provide a grant of P500,000 per company, or a total of P5 million for the entire trial run, which shall be used by companies to document an impact study on how the Policy Toolkit benefitted the company. “Those rated green will be provided grants so that they can actually document the interventions and the effect on their businesses, whether there has been significant gains in their financial and commercial interest,” she said. “Hopefully the other economies of Asia and the Pacific can adapt it in their specific areas,” she added. The Philippines will conclude its hosting of the APEC-WE Fora on Friday. PNA (kc) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| APEC dashboard shows 60 percent of women do not have savings accounts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MANILA) The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy Dashboard 2015 shows that 60 percent of women in APEC member economies do not possess savings accounts. The report noted that despite APEC initiatives to improve women’s financial literacy and access to capital, women’s use of financial services remains low. “Another example of low use of financial services by women is reflected in the proportion of women aged 15 and older with savings at a financial institution, which was equal to 38.5 percent in 2014. In other words, more than 60 percent of adult women in APEC did not possess savings accounts,” the Dashboard stated. “This occurs despite the fact that around 59 percent of the female population aged 15 or older was economically active between 2008 and 2013, and the ratio of female to male labor force participation remained steady around 77 percent,” it added. During the APEC Women and the Economy (WE) Fora here, it was explained that the APEC measures women’s participation in regional economy through the Dashboard in terms of access to capital and assets; access to markets; skills, capacity building, and health; leadership, voice, and agency; and innovation and technology. "The Dashboard, at the onset, told us that there are clear efforts within the region to improve the conditions women are facing to facilitate their participation in the economy, and there are several areas toward this end that need more work," said APEC Policy Support Unit Senior Analyst Carlos Kuriyama. The Dashboard revealed the low participation of women in leadership positions in both public and private sectors, as well as the limited laws protecting women in entering the labor market. On the other hand, it noted APEC progress on women’s accessibility to training and educational programs; and reducing maternal mortality rates and increasing live births. However, data on women’s participation in innovation and technology are still limited. “Capacity-building activities with statistical government agencies in issues related to data collection could be a first step to improve data availability in the future. This could also be useful for these agencies to cover the gap left by some indicators that seem to have been discontinued,” the Dashboard noted. PNA (kc) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| APEC economies, private sector launch policy toolkit to empower women | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Economic development and gender officials from member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), in cooperation with the private sector, launched in Manila on Wednesday the APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economic Policy Toolkit aimed at empowering women in the workplace and society. The toolkit, which offers a user-friendly, one-stop menu of policy options, can be used to pilot, implement and scale up actions appropriate to local economic and social conditions. With the toolkit, it will be easier for governments and businesses in the Asia-Pacific region to introduce health policies that facilitate the participation of women in economies, opening the door to significant improvements in social mobility and growth across the region. "Better health outcomes for women are a prerequisite for increased women's participation in an economy," said Health Secretary Janette Garin, the co-chair of the experts group that oversaw the drafting of the toolkit. "The Philippines is committed to putting words into action by piloting the toolkit, in the hope that our experience may serve as a guide for greater progress." Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado said the launch of the toolkit is a good start to identify challenges confronting women, despite ample public and private support for advancing women's economic empowerment. Terrado chairs this year's APEC Women and the Economy (WE) Fora, including the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy, which oversees the toolkit and related APEC initiatives. "When evidence and good practices for improving women's health are within arm's reach, it helps to drive the entire process," she said. The International Labor Organization has estimated that a billion women around the world could play a more active role in their economies. This includes women in informal, vulnerable and unregulated employment, as well as women with disabilities and migrant women. In many cases, health barriers inhibit them from entering and remaining in the workforce, and achieving career advancement. "This toolkit brings together the necessary stakeholders to advance health, labor and economic growth, and gender equality all at once," said US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell. "When you consider the research that shows domestic violence costs economies two percent of GDP, it is clear that women's health and safety are critical issues in economic policy," Russell said. The toolkit details issues, actions and implementing elements for improving women's health in APEC economies across five categories: workplace health and safety; health access and awareness; work-life balance; sexual and reproductive health; and gender-based violence. It is assessed by a US-funded literature review that offers evidence validating its recommendations. How the region will move forward on women empowerment and challenges are being addressed by officials and by private sector representatives in Manila this week. Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, Dr. Alan Bollard, said fostering policies that empower women to participate in the economy and benefit directly from the forces of globalization has become a high priority within the APEC. "A fully engaged workforce within and across economies can have profound implication on productivity and prosperity, so we are aggressively collaborating with business and civil society in pushing these initiatives," he said. For her part, Chief Executive Officer of Merck Healthcare, Belen Garijo, said there is a real need to narrow gaps in understanding the relationship between women's health, participation in the economy and economic outcomes. "The new opportunity we have today to define gender-balanced health policies and support implementation work bodes well for the building of inclusive economies into the future," said Garijo, who also co-chairs the expert group that assisted the drafting of the toolkit. PND (as) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| APEC policy toolkit for women seeks to institutionalize paid sick leaves, flexible schedules, child-minding centers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MANILA) The Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit, launched during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy 2015 Fora here Wednesday, will provide solutions to women's "double role" in society by institutionalizing paid sick leaves, flexible schedule, and child-minding centers. During a joint press conference, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said the toolkit aims to provide women "a supportive environment to actually participate in the economy". The policy toolkit identifies issues on workplace health and safety, health access and awareness, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and work-life balance for women in the APEC region. To address work-life balance, the toolkit provides a range of recommended actions for the public and private sector so as to balance the roles of women in homes and in the workplace. "(The toolkit will) allow women to participate in economic activities, particularly (by) looking at strategies (to) mitigate and identify barriers for women's involvement in economy," Ubial said, placing emphasis on the "double burden" carried by women "saddled with the responsibility of caring for the very young and the very old". Flexibility of schedule, child-minding and breastfeeding centers on site, maternity protection legislation, and paid sick leave and time-off policies are just some the recommendations of the toolkit for the public and private sectors. These recommendations will allow women in the workplace to be more productive. Economic impact of more women-friendly policies The policy toolkit also highlights the "need to strengthen family care options" by collecting data that will inform policymakers and employers of the economic impact of more supportive family care policies. It will develop and enforce protective maternity leave laws and policies that will establish a minimum of 14 weeks of compensated leave, and will promote paid paternity, adoption, and family leave work and family policies. According to the toolkit, allowing a flexible work schedule, compensatory leave and telework schedule would enable women employees to take the time necessary to care of children and elders, as well as get the medical attention they need. Ubial explained that although the toolkit is non-compulsory, companies that adopt the recommendations will be provided with a scorecard under which, depending on their scores, they could get as much as P500,000 in grant from the health department. The grant can be used to enhance programs and to document the changes or effects of such programs on their workplace productivity and business improvement. Companies that earn a green mark (90 percent or higher) will get the grant. A yellow mark means the company got 71 percent to 89 percent, while a red mark means the company received 70 points or less. (acg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President Aquino approves 10 percent across-the-board increase in public employees’ compensation pension | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed Executive Order No. 188, imposing a 10 percent across-the-board increase in employees’ compensation (EC) pension in the public sector. The President signed the order last September 11 after the Employee’s Compensation Commission (ECC) recommended the increase in the pension of government employees. An actuarial study conducted by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shows that the State Insurance Fund (SIF), which is administered by the GSIS, can finance the increase in EC pension for the public sector without affecting the stability of the SIF and without requiring additional contributions from the national government. The ECC has the power and the duty to upgrade benefits and grant new ones for permanent disability or death, subject to the approval of the President. PND (ag) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| APEC member economies must address women's health issues, drug company chief says | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Women do not get the right diagnosis and treatment of diseases, compared to men, thus member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) must do more in addressing health issues concerning women to enable them to contribute to economic development, the head of a leading drug company has said. "Health goes hand in hand with workforce participation and obviously, if women are not healthy, they are hindered from joining or remaining in the workforce," Chief Executive Officer of Merck Healthcare, Belen Garijo, said during the launch of the policy toolkit for women, held at the Philippine International Convention Center on Wednesday. Depending on where one lives, the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses often favor men, Garijo said, noting that women's health issues are often tied to maternal and child health. For example, she said, twice as many women who have heart attacks will die within one year, compared to men. Such diseases as hypothyroidism, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and anemia are common among women yet they lack diagnosis and treatment. "So, we do have a responsibility to do better to comprehensively address women's health issues more effectively throughout their life cycle and in the workplaces and communities," she said. Many projects are in the right direction, she said, adding that Merck has been working with the Department of Health on a public-private partnership project to raise public awareness of thyroid disorders, which affect women nearly eight times more than men. Garijo said they have made tremendous progress over the years and that she is looking forward to hearing more on how APEC economies and the private sector could continue to successfully move this forward through the APEC meeting in Manila. At the same time, Garijo noted Merck’s commitment to drive the initiative to achieve APEC goals that benefit women and increase their participation in the workforce. Economic development and gender officials from APEC member economies, in cooperation with the private sector, on Wednesday launched the APEC Healthy Women, Healthy Economic Policy Toolkit aimed at empowering women in the workplace and society. The toolkit, which offers a user-friendly, one-stop menu of policy options, can be used to pilot, implement and scale up actions appropriate to local economic and social conditions. Adopting the toolkit will make it easier for governments and businesses in the Asia-Pacific region to introduce health policies that facilitate the participation of women in economies. It will also open the door to significant improvements in social mobility and growth across the region. PND (as) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Firms that adopt APEC policy toolkit for women can get P500,000 grant from health department | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MANILA) Philippine companies with women-friendly policies that follow the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) can get a P500,000 grant from the Department of Health. The toolkit is not compulsory, but the Philippine government is urging the private sector to incorporate the measures included in the policy toolkit to improve the working conditions for women. Department of Health Assistant Secretary Paulyn Ubial said companies that adopt the toolkit will be provided with a scorecard that will monitor the company's progress in the implementation of the toolkit's five areas of concern. These areas are: workplace health and safety; health access and awareness; work-life balance; sexual and reproductive health; and gender-based violence. Companies with a score of 90 percent or higher will get the green mark, and will receive P500,000 in grant from the health department's budget, which they can then use to enhance programs and to document the changes or effects of such programs on their workplace productivity and business improvement. A yellow mark means the company got 71 percent to 89 percent, while a red mark means the company received 70 points or less. Ubial said the more recommendations in the toolkit the companies adopt, the higher their points. The Philippines has volunteered to pilot the toolkit since the link between women's health and the economy was discussed during the APEC 2014 in China. Ubial said the toolkit will be piloted in Central Luzon, where some 10 companies of different settings -- those with a large number of women workers and those employing a bigger number of male workers -- are expected to participate. The monitoring and grading of the companies that will adopt the toolkit will begin in January 2016 because a scorecard has to be drafted and finalized first, the health official added. Nora Terrado, head of the APEC Women and the Economy 2015 Fora and undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, said "the toolkit provides the framework on how to start." "(The) toolkit will allow companies to identify or articulate the vision on how much target they want (and) how to move forward and identify priorities they want to address first," she added. (acg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| APEC women icons recognized in exhibition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Trade and Industry and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) on Wednesday presented "ICONOGRAPH, An Exhibition of Women Icons of APEC", in recognition of women's contribution to economic growth. The ICONOGRAPH exhibition, held simultaneously with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy 2015 Fora at the Philippine International Convention Center, is a way of recognizing and paying tribute to successful women in the Asia-Pacific region. The exhibition highlights extraordinary women economic leaders from APEC member-economies in the 21st century, appealing to a contemporary sense of pride in leadership in the sustainable growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). "Through ICONOGRAPH, an exhibition of women icons of APEC, we hope to shine the light on 16 extraordinary women, each nominated by the respective economies based on the remarkable achievements in the MSME sector," said Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo, Jr. of the Industry Promotions Group. The women icons were selected based on business model and performance, the role model attributes, their impact on societies, other women, vision, leadership, community service, and social commitment. The exhibit was designed by one of the country's top women curators, Marian Pastor Roces of TAO Inc., which is reflective of APEC's gender integration and equality, as well as women's economic empowerment to foster sustainable growth and prosperity in the region. Its creative approach also signals a kind of leadership anchored on genuine and meaningful engagement. Among the women featured in the exhibit are Carol Hanlon, Australia; Andrea Irarrazaval, Chile; Reny Feby, Indonesia; Bhg Dato' Hazimah Zainuddin, Malaysia; Janet Sape, Papua New Guinea; Victoria Lennox, Canada; Mei-Ping Hasio, Chinese Taipei; Lin Kobayashi, Japan; Wendy Pye, New Zealand; Shao Jie, China; Rosario Bazan de Aranguri, Peru; Minjai Lee, South Korea; Suwanna Jiwattanapaiboon, Thailand; Leonarda Capuyan, Philippines; Julie Hanna, United States; and Anna Nesterova, Russia. PND (as) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 elections present a ‘very unique situation’ to voting public, says Palace official | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| With no explicit face of opposition among potential candidates for president in the 2016 elections, next year’s political landscape offers the voting public a ‘very unique situation’, a Palace official has said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda only said this much to reporters in Malacañang on Wednesday ahead of the expected entry of Senator Grace Poe in the 2016 presidential race. Poe, whose senatorial bid in 2013 was both supported by President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, is presumed to announce her political plans on Wednesday afternoon. The administration party already found a standard-bearer in former interior and local government secretary Manuel Roxas II, while Vice President Binay is leading the United Nationalist Alliance ticket. “This is a very unique situation in our electoral history, where every time there is an election, everybody talks about change. This is the situation in our electoral history where we are going to talk about continuity,” Lacierda said. As President Aquino’s preferred successor, Roxas is expected to continue his programs and policies under the ‘Daang Matuwid’ coalition, he said. What to make of Poe’s and Binay’s objectives in eyeing the presidency remains to be seen as both have yet to present their respective platforms to the voting public. “It is as simple as this—and this is historical, not my own personal opinion—elections in the Philippines have always been binary. When I say ‘binary,’ it’s administration; it’s opposition,” Lacierda told reporters. “So how do you classify Grace and how do you classify Vice President Binay? It depends on the platform that they are going to espouse,” he added, adding that Roxas' chances of winning are strong under 'Daang Matuwid' coalition. Lacierda insisted that there is a need to institutionalize the reforms that President Aquino has implemented, especially the conditional cash transfer program, and the universal health coverage, among other things. “We are running on a platform of continuity. For every country, if you look at the Asian countries that have prospered, it is because of the good economic policies that have continued,” he said. PND (hdc) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Businesses without health care lose $89 billion in annual revenues - APEC experts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MANILA) By failing to attract and care for women workers, businesses that do not provide health care lose some $89 billion every year, experts at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Women and the Economy Fora said here Wednesday. This loss in revenue should prompt APEC economies to provide workers in the workplace, particularly women, easy access to primary health services, they said. With women comprising about half of the 600 million global workforce, the bottom line would be affected if women’s health is not part of the business plan, said Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora Terrado. "When health barriers inhibit women from entering the workplace, it causes the economies a lot of money. So literally, healthy women means healthy economies," Terrado said during the launch of the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit to be presented at the APEC World Leaders' Summit in November. The private sector must be informed of the health risks of its workers so that revenue losses may be avoided, said Dr. Sarbani Chakraborty, Merck senior director on Global Public Policy. Merck, a global pharmaceutical company, helps disseminate health information to businesses, Dr. Chakraborty said. For instance, more women than men suffer and die from non-communicable diseases, such as heart attack, hypothyroidism, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and anemia, said Dr. Belen Garijo, Merck Healthcare Chief Executive Officer. "For us in Merck, we encourage (businesses to adopt the toolkit). When they understand the benefit (the toolkit, they adopt the policy). We want businesses to understand the importance of attracting and retaining women: If you do more for women's health, they are likely to come and stay with you," she said. (acg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| APEC policy toolkit promotes women’s sexual, reproductive health | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MANILA) The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Wednesday launched a policy toolkit that promotes sexual and reproductive health to ensure that women are protected while they work. The Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit, which will be presented during the APEC World Leaders' Summit in November, recognizes that women are prime movers of global economic growth, even as they perform their dual role as homemaker and moneymaker. Merck Healthcare Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Belen Garijo, one of the experts invited by the APEC on women and health, stressed the importance of healthy women in the economy. “Health goes hand in hand with workforce,” she said. Department of Health Assistant Secretary Paulyn Ubial noted that women face the double burden of caring for the young and the old – barriers to achieving healthy women and healthy economies. The toolkit is in tune with Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against All Women (CEDAW), which guarantees women and men equal access to health care services, including family planning, and equal access to information, education, and means to enable them to exercise these rights. The CEDAW also guarantees equal right to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of children. As such, the APEC action plan includes providing services on HIV treatment, family planning, antenatal management, childbirth, and postpartum care and infant and child care. It also seeks to address problems of distance, lack of facilities, lack of transportation, inadequate number of skilled workers, strengthening and developing health services to make them comprehensive and age-appropriate. Mutimedia, such as print, television, radio, and the Internet, will also be tapped to educate, develop, and help women recognize their rights to health. In the Philippines, the Reproductive Health Bill, also known as The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10354), was enacted. It guarantees universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control, sex education, and maternal care. Passed in 2012, it is still awaiting the implementing rules and regulations. (acg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Women migrant workers more at risk from sexual harassment - APEC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MANILA) Women migrant workers face a higher risk of sexual harassment and violence due to limited workspace, language barriers, and lack of job security, among others, experts at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Women and the Economy Fora 2015 have said. Recognizing the vulnerability of women migrant workers, the APEC on Wednesday launched a toolkit proposing policies that promote healthy women, recognizing that healthy women mean healthy economies. The toolkit, which includes policies that help develop, implement, and monitor support mechanisms to address sexual harassment in the workplace, is addressed to regional and local governments, as well as the private sector and non-profit organizations. At the fora, representatives of the International Labor Organization (ILO) explained that women migrant workers are more vulnerable on many fronts: gender, racial, ethnic, occupational, and nationality, and that they may also find themselves victims of exploitation, hazardous work conditions, and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Many women migrant workers are vulnerable to harassment because they are unaware what their rights are and how to exercise these rights, it was noted. A way to address this is to conduct pre-departure and post-arrival seminars to include sharing of information on rights, employment contracts, helpline contacts, and travel tips. These seminars must be conducted in the local language of the migrant women workers. Support services for those who have suffered sexual harassment and gender-based violence must be accessible and promoted widely. The vulnerability is also because they don’t speak the language in the country where they work. At-risk countries This is the case in South Asia and Southeast Asia, where a significant proportion of women in agricultural plantations suffer sexual harassment and are unable to stop it due to difference in language. The Philippines, a big source of women migrant workers, also faces this dilemma. According to 2014 government statistics, 50.5 percent of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are women. The Filipino women migrant workers are also comparatively younger than their male counterparts; almost three in every 10 female OFWs are between 25 and 29 years old. The United States recognizes that women empowerment is needed for stability, peace, and development, US Ambassador-at-Large Catherine Russell said, adding that the US believes that women are entitled to the same rights as men. (acg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| President Benigno S. Aquino III's Press Conference with Palace Reporters on recent findings of the Mamasapano investigation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heroes Hall, Malacanang | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 Sept 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS TO THE MAMASAPANO INCIDENT Aurea Calica (Philippine Star): Sir, before I ask on factual issues, pwede bang malaman kung tuwing magsasalita po kayo tungkol sa Mamasapano, kino-consider po ba ninyo ‘yung emosyon ng pamilya at ng mga tao? Kasi hindi ko alam how government officials work, ‘di ba, dahil iba naman po ‘yung trabaho ninyo, iba rin ‘yung trabaho namin. So pinupulsuhan po ba ninyo ‘yung pwedeng maramdaman or ‘yung pwedeng pinagdaraanan ng mga tao at ng pamilya tuwing magsasalita po kayo sa Mamasapano issue? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Siyempre, parati tayong sensitive doon sa ano nga ba ang mangyayari ‘pag nalaman itong mga bahaging ito, kung babalikan sa kanilang memorya o sasariwain muli sa kanilang alaala lahat ng bahagi ng trahedyang ito. Pero palagay ko naman din, lahat naghahangad na malaman ang katotohanan, at ang katotohanan ang makakatulong sa atin sa tinatawag na ‘healing’ at ‘yon po ang pakay natin. Wala tayong mapapala kung hindi natin sasabihin kung ano ang totoong nangyari. Palagay ko mas masama naman na maraming iba’t ibang palaisipan na walang basehan ang pababayaan nating umiral kung alam naman natin kung ano ang katotohanan na nangyari. Ms. Calica: Okay, sir. Nabanggit niyo po ‘yung reward, and also may mga lumalabas na rivalry ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) para dito sa reward, and also para daw po ma-push ‘yung pagpasa ng BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) kaya nagkakaroon ng mga alternative version. Ano po ang masasabi ninyo tungkol dito? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, ‘yung alternative, gumagawa ng duda doon sa tinatawag na official version. ‘Pag nagkaroon ng duda baka may pagkakataon na silang masabing ‘kami ang may tangan ng totoong bersyon.’ Pagkatapos ‘non, susunod siguro ‘pag medyo… Para magkaroon ng duda, mabigyan sila ng puwang, na para makibahagi sila doon sa reward. Sa rivalry ng PNP at AFP, sa totoo lang, na-point out na siyempre ang maraming bagay dito ‘yung tinatawag na ‘intelligence gathering.’ Tulad ninyo, mayroon kayong mga sources; ‘pag tinanong namin sa inyo kung pwede malaman sino ‘yung sources, sasabihin ninyo sa amin, ‘hindi.’ Mukhang pwede nating pagbutihin pa ‘yung coordination sa mga intelligence operatives natin para hindi nagkakaroon ng salu-salungat na operasyon at para hindi na rin ‘yung pwede silang mabiktima ng mga taong tinatawag na ‘information peddlers.’ ‘Yung mga nagmamarunong na talagang wala namang alam para lang baka sakaling, ‘di ba, may mauto na sinoman [para] mabigyan sila ng pabuya. Ms. Calica: Sir, ‘yun pong anggulo ng MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation) at saka ‘yung pag-push sa BBL, ano pong eksplanasyon doon? Mayroon po bang ganoon? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Sorry ha. Hindi maliwanag sa akin, Au, ‘yung tanong. Ms. Calica: Sir, mayroon daw pong ginagawang alternative version in the hope na kahit paano maibsan ‘yung galit ng mga tao sa MILF at maisulong ‘yung BBL? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, wala akong masasabi tungkol doon sa kung may posibilidad na ganyan. Ang maliwanag lang, may inilabas na statement ang MILF na parang sinasabi na mukhang tama ‘yung alternatibong bersyon. Ang masasabi ko lang siguro doon, tulad namin… Tandaan ninyo, noong unang ipinakita sa akin… (Pakibalik nga ‘yung unang litrato.) ‘Nung pinapunta ko ang PAOCC (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission), actually, para makakuha ng litrato, ang ipinakita lang sa akin ‘yan, eksakto. Itong litrato lang na ito, wala nang iba. Tapos ‘nung sinabi nga naputulan ng daliri, doon sa litratong ito, hindi ganoon kaliwanag. Parang iisipin pa natin, ‘nung unang ipinakita sa akin ‘yung mas maliwanag na version nito, parang supot na ipinantakip doon sa kamay. So diyan nagmula ‘yung pinakinggan natin ‘yung narrative ng SAC-84 (Special Action Company), at parang tinitingnan natin, tugma ba ‘yung sinasabi nila dito sa litratong ito? Doon nag-umpisa, ‘yon nga, ‘yung parang hindi yata eksakto. Hanggang ‘nung Monday ipinakita na sa akin itong mga ibang litrato. So, ulitin ko lang, ‘yung… Kung (ang) mga pormal nating intelligence services may mga information peddler, sinusubukang makasama doon sa pabuya, ay talagang… ‘Di ba, ‘pag magsisinungaling ka raw, kailangan hango as much as possible sa katotohanan. So, kumuha ka ng ibang facts, twinist (twist) itong mga facts na ito para makapasok sila doon sa eksena. So ‘yung MILF ba immune sa… Malilinlang rin sila kung ano talaga ang nangyari diyan? Palagay ko hindi. Ms. Calica: Okay. Last, sir. Since magkakaroon na po ng kaso, so wala na pong re-investigation? And also, ‘yung US involvement, sir. Mayroong nagsasabi na British nationals talaga na kasamahan ng MILF ‘yung mga napatay na three American soldiers. PRESIDENT AQUINO: ‘Nung isang araw Caucasian, ngayon… Hindi, ‘nung una American, naging Caucasian; si Caucasian naging British. Ano kayang miyembro ng Caucasian race ang susunod? So, ang dulo nito, may nag-aakusa. Sa sistema natin ‘yung nag-aakusa ang mag-pruweba. Walang ni-report sa akin ang ating mga ahensya. Ang SAF (Special Action Force) walang kasamang foreigners. Bawal sa Saligang Batas natin na mag-o-operate ang foreign troops in our soil. Kung ang SAF na mga pulis ay may nagpilit na sumama sa kanila doon, baka obligasyon nilang arestuhin dahil bawal ‘yon sa Saligang Batas. So, balikan ko lang, ‘yung nagsabi nga ‘nung alternative version, ‘yung mga nagkalat… Saka ‘yung alternative version, marami pang versions ‘yung alternative na ‘yon. Ito siguro ganoon na rin ‘yon. So, ang dulo, pruwebahan ninyo. Ang pagkaintindi ko lumabas ito diumano sa isang video. ‘Yung pinanggalingan daw ‘nung video, hindi naman niya sinasabing siya ang kumuha ng video. Sa korte, kadalasan parang kailangan ng testimony ‘nung cameraman na siya ang kumuha nito bago matanggap na ebidensya ‘yan. So dito, parang hindi rin ganoon kaliwanag kung sino ang kumuha, sino ba ang tatanungin natin dahil ‘yung accuser mayroon namang… Mayroong karapatan din ‘yung accused to rebut the testimony. Pero kung wala namang nag-a-accuse parang talagang iiwan na lang na halos… Parang isang angat o kung hindi naman kapantay na kuwentong kutsero sa ngayon ‘yan. Thank you. Nikko Dizon (Philippine Daily Inquirer): Sir, good afternoon. I was listening to your speech and did I get it right that the basis of who shot and killed Marwan was the one who cut off his finger? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Teka muna, one more time, let me try to… ‘Yung alternative version basically says people other than the SAF killed Marwan, subsequently, cutting off the finger to deliver to the SAF. That is the alternative version. And I think in the pictures it is clear, the SAF were there, where Marwan’s hand was intact. There is a picture showing them about to cut off the finger, and then there is a picture, parang the picture shows the SAF, parang may continuity. So, if a major component of the alternative version is that other people cut the finger, the pictures I think belie that. Ms. Dizon: So, sir, I heard another version of it so… PRESIDENT AQUINO: The other version is somebody killed and then the SAF took out the hand. Ms. Dizon: Yes. Parang they entered, and he was already dead, they cut off the finger. That was also considered, sir? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Hindi, teka muna. All of the alternative versions start out with other people killing and getting the finger. We now have very, I think, very concrete proof that already demolishes the second half of that primary assertion. So mayroon ding presumption of regularity. So until, you know, somebody comes up with definitive proof equivalent to the photos authenticated already in front of you, why should we listen to that alternative version anymore? Ms. Dizon: Okay, sir. Sir, my other question is have you told the MILF of this final… Is this the final version that we have? Because, of course, they believe in the investigation that they conducted and in the results of that investigation. PRESIDENT AQUINO: I do not consult them in matters that parang lead to my performance of my duty. My duty is to execute the laws and part of this is there was a crime committed in the killing of, well, all the people who were killed because of the Mamasapano incident. Find out who did it, file the appropriate cases, bring them to the bars of justice. And do I have to consult the MILF with regards to that? I don’t think so… Ms. Dizon: Sir, not necessarily consult… PRESIDENT AQUINO: …and parang I am talking to all of you now. I think they will also be monitoring this. They, I think, like any other citizen will be able to ferret out the truth from the available evidence. Ms. Dizon: Sir, not necessarily consult but at least inform them. PRESIDENT AQUINO: In the conduct of this investigation, we do have… For instance, ‘yung sa 90, some were affiliated with them; some are not affiliated with them. ‘Yung they are supposed to be located in territories that are the subject of the peace agreement we have or the ceasefire agreement we have with them. There will be coordination so as to not prompt any untoward incident where we eventually, I think, will be servicing these people with warrants once it gets to the court, subpoenas first for the preliminary investigation. Eventually, they might not appear. If they don’t appear, they waive their right to preliminary investigation; the court, in turn, will order us to execute warrants of arrest for these people. Ms. Dizon: Sir, last question. Is General (Getulio) Napeñas among those who will be indicted? PRESIDENT AQUINO: In the 90? No, these are the people who directly were participants in the deaths of the 35 of the SAC-55. Ms. Dizon: So the 90 would be, I presume, [MILF], BIFF, PAGs? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Yes. Rowena de la Fuente (Net-25): Good afternoon, sir. Sir, days after po ‘nung pangyayari sa Mamasapano, you were saying na confident kayo na ‘yung MILF would cooperate and not surrender but to identify the people involved doon po sa nangyari. May nangyari ho bang ganoon na tugon ng MILF? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Siguro klaro naman sa lahat, ‘di ba, kasama sila sa pagbawi ‘nung mga armas ng SAC-55, amongst others. Tinurn (turn) over nila sa ‘as is where is’ condition ‘nung pagka-recover nila. ‘Yung may pag-uusap… Alam niyo mayroong mga ibang pag-uusap na baka naman itong hahanapin nating 90 tao ay binibigyan ko na ng warning na malapit na namin kayong arestuhin, baka gusto niyong magtago nang mas malalim. Baka pwedeng hindi ko na muna pag-usapan lahat ng iba pang detalye kung paano natin ipananagot or bibigyan ng pagkakataong tugunan ‘yung akusasyon laban dito sa 90 tao na ito. Ms. de la Fuente: Sir, alam naman po natin na itong isyu ng Mamasapano ay isang masakit at matinding isyu po na kinaharap ng inyong administrasyon, so sa tingin po ninyo paano po ito maglalaro sa eleksyon sa darating na 2016? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Palagay ko tulad mo, [Weng], ay may mga susubukan na ‘yung pag-atake sa akin ay babalik-balikan ito at sasabihin nagkulang tayo kaliwa’t kanan at hanggang ngayon nagkukulang pa tayo, at hindi rin nila sasabihin kung paano makakadagdag sila sa—sorry—paano sila makakadagdag doon sa paghahanap natin ng katarungan para sa lahat. Ms. de la Fuente: But are you confident, sir, or are there commitments na ito pong kasong ito ma-re-resolve ito before you step down in 2016? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Mabigat ‘yung tanong mo e dahil ‘yung… Katulad ‘nung Maguindanao, ano, Maguindanao nasa korte na tayo. ‘Yung paglilitis ng mahigit 100 isinakdal napakahabang proseso. So, babalikan ko lang dito, nasa preliminary investigation pa lang tayo. Siyempre, may karapatan silang malaman ‘yung akusasyon, mayroon silang mga karapatan na harapin ‘yung nag-aakusa, mahaba-haba pa ‘yung proseso, baka hindi natin magawa sa loob ng natitira naming 287 days at ‘yon ang realistic doon. Pero ‘yung maumpisahan na ‘yung proseso, matapos na ‘yung imbestigasyon, pupunta ng preliminary investigation para itong tinukoy na 90 ay humarap na sa kaukulang mga proseso sa ilalim ng ating batas. Ms. de la Fuente: Sir, how would this affect ‘yung legacy po ng inyong administrasyon? Ano ho ba ‘yung priority legacy natin, to give justice to the SAF troopers, or to push for the peace embodied doon sa proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Bakit sila kailangang magkaroon ng parang… Why should they be divorced from each other? ‘Di ba, justice for all ang pinag-uusapan natin dahil ‘yon ang pinagmumulan ng peace na dialogue? Mayroon pang mga… Itong ating mga troopers ng SAF ay nabiktima rin, so may justice din tayong hinihingi para sa kanila, bakit hindi parehong magsabay na pakay ‘yan? POE & CHIZ CANDIDACIES Reymund Tinaza (Bombo Radyo): Magandang hapon po, Mr. President. Medyo lihis lang konti sa isyu ng Mamasapano. PRESIDENT AQUINO: Okay. Mr. Tinaza: Kagabi po ay nagdeklara na formally ng candidacy for president si Senator Grace Poe and kaninang umaga rin as vice president naman si Senator Chiz Escudero. Ano po ang inyong masasabing reaksyon dahil sila po ay tumatakbo sa labas ng ‘daang matuwid’ ninyo na inyong ikinakampanya at sinasabi po ni Senator Grace Poe na 'hindi ninyo monopolyo ang daang matuwid. PRESIDENT AQUINO: Hindi ko yata maalala na sinabi niyang 'hindi ko monopolyo.' Pero ang bottom line nito… Medyo naguluhan lang ako nang konti, Reymund, sa tanong mo: 'lihis sila doon sa daang matuwid.’ Hindi, 'di ba? Itutuloy raw nila at patitibayin pa at palalawakin pa. So tayo ay nagpapasalamat, ano. Binigyan naman tayo ng kredito, kunwari, sa paglaban sa mga tiwali. Kung talagang 'yon ang pakay po nila na ipagpatuloy, bakit naman natin ikakagalit ‘yon? At ang taumbayan ang magdedesisyon sa tamang oras kung sino ba talaga ang magpapatuloy 'nung ating pagtahak dito sa ‘daang matuwid.’ So, siguro, kung mapapaganda pa nila 'yung nagawa natin sino naman ang magagalit doon? Siguro ang susunod na tanong diyan: Ano ba ang gagawin ninyo na mas mahigitan pa 'yung ginagawa na namin ngayon? Kung ‘yung maipapakita nila, ma-ca-capture—sa English, ano—ma-ca-capture ang imagination ng ating voters na mas mapapalawak pa nila, e 'di sila siguro ang papanigan. Kung ang ating namang inendorso ang magpapakitang mas kaya niyang ipagpatuloy, o ‘di siya naman siguro ang papanigan. Ang importante sa atin, huwag tayong bumalik sa kung saan tayo nanggaling. Huwag naman sanang lumabas na itong limang taon na ito ay, kumbaga, nagkaroon lang tayo ng intermission tapos babalik sa katotohanan na pangit. Dito na tayo, pagandahin natin 'yung magandang nangyayari na sa atin. Mr. Tinaza: Sir, para malinaw lang. Hindi niyo po nakikita ang kampanya ni Senator Grace Poe bilang kalaban ng inyong kampanya na ‘daang matuwid?’ PRESIDENT AQUINO: Aminin na natin, maging praktikal tayo, pagdating ng eleksyon sa marketing may tinatawag na ‘brand differentiation.’ Paano mo sasabihing 'mas higit kami, mas mahusay ang kakayahan namin, mas maganda ang intensyon' kung hindi ka medyo magsasalita na 'nagkulang ang kasalukuyang administrasyon dito, diyan, doon.' So sana, tulad ng pakiusap ko naman doon sa talagang oposisyon, kapag [magsasalita] ay magsalita tayo (pero) ibase natin doon sa katotohanan, at 'yung pangako natin ilagay din natin sa katotohanan. Huwag nating ipangako 'yung, ‘di ba, langit at saka mga estrella at saka 'yung buwan, kung hindi naman natin talaga kayang abutin ‘yon. Galangin natin ang mga taong pinagmumulan ng kapangyarihan, nagbibigay ng mandato, ang ating mga boss, na ibigay sa kanila ang katotohanan. Mr. Tinaza: Last point, sir. I understand matagal po ninyong sinuyo o niligawan si Senator Grace Poe na maging running mate ni Secretary Mar Roxas. Kinumpirma po ni Secretary Mar Roxas na nagpasabi si Senator Grace Poe, nagpasalamat sa kanya bago siya nag-declare. Sa inyo pong panig, sir, nagpaalam, nagpasabi ba sa inyo si Senator Grace bago siya nagdeklara formally kagabi? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Nangiti ako, Reymund, akala ko se-segue ka sa love life ko e. [laughter] Ito na naman, niligawan mo, nabigo ka na naman. [laughs] Kaya, thank you, hindi ganoon ang tanong mo. Pero, in fairness, mahaba-haba 'yung text niyang ipinadala sa akin—10:00 ng gabi bago siya nagdeklara—at talagang ikinatutuwa ko naman na, in a sense, parang nagpaalam, nagliwanag ng kanyang mga intensyon, may mga pangakong inilabas doon na… Ang sabi niya, isang parte kasi 'non—hopefully, hindi mag-object si Senator Grace—sabi niya 'darating tayo sa kampanya na kung saan makakarating sa kampo mo na inaatake kita at never kong gagawin 'yon.’ Ano ang isasagot ko? E 'di siyempre, nagpapasalamat ako, at sa akin naman kung talagang kailangan na ako ay i-criticize bakit hindi? Basta ilagay natin sa tamang lugar, sa tamang konteksto, at 'yung nakabase sa katotohanan. Mr. Tinaza: Maraming salamat, Mr. President. PRESIDENT AQUINO: Salamat din sa tanong mo, Reymund. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOURCE: Presidential News Desk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | The APEC Women’s Business and Smart Technology Seminar is one of the side events of the APEC Women and the Economy 2015 Fora happening from September 15-18, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center. In the photo during the conferment ceremony are (from left to right): Yong Ja Kim, Vice President, GWIN; Hon. Nora K. Terrado, Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry; and Myonghee Kim, Director, APWINC. | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Leandro Rizzuto, Chairman and Founder of Conair Corporation during the courtesy call at the at the Music Room of Malacanan Palace,Tuesday. (September 15). Conair started in 1959 manufactured hair rollers invented by his father and introduced the iconic pistol-shaped blow dryer in 1965. (Photo by Lauro Motellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Leandro Rizzuto Chairman and Founder of Conair Corporation during the courtesy call at the Music Room of Malacanan Palace,Tuesday. (September 15). Conair started in 1959 manufactured hair rollers invented by his father and introduced the iconic pistol-shaped blow dryer in 1965. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Republic of South Korea Minister of Defense Han Min-Koo during the courtesy call at the Kalayaan Lounge in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Republic of South Korea Minister of Defense Han Min-Koo during the courtesy call at the Kalayaan Lounge in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III in a light moment with Senate President Franklin Drilon and Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan during the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the Iloilo Convention Center during the inauguration ceremony in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Rolando Mailo/ Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III undrapes the marker during the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Senate President Franklin Drilon, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid, Iloilo Local Economic Development Foundation chairman Dr. Alfonso Uy, ILED Foundation president Narzalina Lim, ICC architect William Coscolluela, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry Treñas, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan, Megaworld Corp. first vice president for commercial division Kevin Andrew Tan, Megaworld Corp. chief operating officer Lourdes Gutierrez. (Photo by Rolando Mailo/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Senate President Franklin Drilon; Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid; Iloilo Local Economic Development (ILED) Foundation’s chairman Dr. Alfonso Uy and president Narzalina Lim; and ICC architect William Coscolluela upon arrival for the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Rolando Mailo/ Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III views the Iloilo Business Park Township scale model during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan; Senate President Franklin Drilon; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; and Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry Treñas. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo is Megaworld Corp. first vice president for commercial division Kevin Andrew Tan. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan, tours and inspects the facilities of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Poto Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan, unveils the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo marker at the hotel lobby during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson; Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.; Senate President Franklin Drilon; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; Megaworld Corp. first vice president for commercial division Kevin Andrew Tan; and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan, unveils the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo marker at the hotel lobby during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the Inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson; Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.; and Senate President Franklin Drilon. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan, unveils the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo marker at the hotel lobby during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson; Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.; Senate President Franklin Drilon; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; Megaworld Corp. first vice president for commercial division Kevin Andrew Tan; and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the Iloilo Business Park Township key presented by Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Senate President Franklin Drilon; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog; and Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry Treñas. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the Iloilo Business Park Township key presented by Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Senate President Franklin Drilon; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog; Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry Treñas; Megaworld Corp. first vice president for commercial division Kevin Andrew Tan and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the Iloilo Business Park Township key presented by Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan during the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). Also in photo are Senate President Franklin Drilon; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog; and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Megaworld Corp.’s chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Tan; Senate President Franklin Drilon; and Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry Treñas upon arrival for the ceremonial launch of the Iloilo Business Park and the Inauguration of the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaworld Boulevard, Iloilo Business Park, Manduriao, Iloilo City on Monday (September 14). (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Philippine PECC chairman Ambassador Antonio Basilio during the 23rd Pacific Economic Cooperation Council General Meeting at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in the CCP Complex, Pasay City on Friday (September 11). The theme for the event this year is “Growth Engines for the 21st Century: Balanced, Inclusive, and Sustainable Growth”. Founded in 1980, PECC is a regional organization that has been in the forefront of understanding and examining the forces transforming the regional economy. Also in photo are PECC co-chair JusufWanandi; Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo; and PECC co-chair Donald Campbell. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 23rd Pacific Economic Cooperation Council General Meeting at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in the CCP Complex, Pasay City on Friday (September 11). The event's theme for this year is “Growth Engines for the 21st Century: Balanced, Inclusive, and Sustainable Growth”. Founded in 1980, PECC is a regional organization that has been in the forefront of understanding and examining the forces transforming the regional economy. Also in photo are PECC co-chair JusufWanandi; Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo; and PECC co-chair Donald Campbell. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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