Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 1 PR ( March 18 ,2013),Dispatch for March 19 , 2013 (Tuesday),

PCOO 28 Photonews March 17, 2013, 7 Weather Watch,10 Regl.Watch , 2 OFW Watch,Pres.Aquino’s Speech,15 Online News

Weather Watch

about an hour ago

DZMM: Opisyal nang idineklara ng PAGASA ang summer dahil natapos na raw ang pag-iral ng malamig na Amihan at

opisyal nang pumalit ang high pressure area na magdadala ng maaraw at mainit na lagay ng panahon.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

GMA-7 resident weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz:

-Opisyal nang idineklara ng PAGASA ang pagpasok ng panahon ng tag-init ngayong araw sa bansa.

-Sa ngayon ay ridge of HPA ang nakakaapekto sa Luzon.

-Ang buong bansa ay magiging bahagyang maulap na may pulu-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog lalo na sa Eastern

Visayas Kabisayaan at sa mga rehiyon ng CARAGA at Davao.

-Sa Metro Manila, papalo sa 32 degrees Celsius ang temperatura mamayang hapon.

-Sa Baguio City, 23 degress Celsius ang inaasahang temperatura.

-Sa Visayas at Mindanao, nasa 28 degrees Celsius ang temperatura.

Weather Watch

12 hours ago

GMA-7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:

-Tuluyan nang humina ang hanging amihan pero lumakas naman ang easterlies.

-Asahan ang mahinang pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon dahil sa easterlies.

-Magiging maulap naman sa Metro Manila subalit wala namang posibilidad na uulan.

-Magiging maaliwalas naman ang panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas subalit may posibilidad na umulan sa gitnang

bahagi nito partikular sa Tagbilaran at Dumaguete.

-Malaki naman ang posibilidad na umulan sa Mindanao lalo na sa mga rehiyon CARAGA, Davao at SOCCSKARGEN.

Weather Watch

15 hours ago

DZBB: Idineklara na ng PAGASA ang pagsisimula ng summer. Ayon kay PAGASA weather forecaster Ricky Fabregas, natapos

na ang Northeast Monsoon at iiral na ang cloudless condition kaya magiging napakainit ng panahon. Tinataya ng PAGASA na

aabot ng 35 degrees Celsius ang temperatura sa Metro Manila bago magtapos ang buwan ng Marso at tataas pa ito sa buwan

ng Abril at Mayo.

Weather Watch

22 hours ago

NEWS 5: A rare 4.4-magnitude quake hit Balabac, Palawan around 2:00 this morning. Palawan is believed to be

earthquake-free with no active fault line or volcano in its vicinity. PHIVOLCS explained, however, that it is still possible for the

province to experience tremors especially if the epicenter is close to the island. The dawn quake, with epicenter north of

Malaysia, is meanwhile relatively small and unlikely to cause an aftershock.

Weather Watch

23 hours ago

THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Issued at 10:00 AM, 18 March 2013

Thunderstorm is more likely to develop over Metro Manila within 12 hours. All are advised to monitor updates.

Weather Watch

23 hours ago

PIA-3/BULACAN: (PAGASA-DOST) Dam elevation as of 6:00am, Mar. 18: Water level in Angat dam is at 209.83 meters

and Ipo dam is at 100.02 meters. Angat dam and Ipo dam spilling levels are at 210.00 meters and 100.80 meters respectively.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

CAVITE : Sunny

LAGUNA : Sunny

BATANGAS : Fair weather

RIZAL : Fair weather

QUEZON : Sunny skies

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

15 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: DTI Quezon provincial office will be hosting the 2nd National Coco-coir Summit at Queen Margarette

Hotel in Lucena City on March 21-22. Pablito Budoy of DTI said the summit aims to achieve dynamic coco-coir industry

through optimum private sector involvement. Those who are expected to attend are businessmen engaged in copra industry,

LGUs and representatives from government agencies.

PIA Regional Watch

15 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: Residents of the 12 towns in Bondoc Peninsula area will benefit in the new water treatment facilities

that will be constructed soon. According to Rep. Danny Suarez the project will provide clean potable water to households in

the area.

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: Nagulat ang mga trabahador ng isang ginagawang bahay sa Brgy. 7, Poblacion, Catanauan, Quezon

makaraang makakuha ang mga ito ng isang vintage bomb habang nagsasagawa ng paghuhukay nitong nakaraang linggo.

Kaagad na nakipag-ugnayan ang mga pulis ng Catanauan sa mga sundalo ng 76th Infantry Battalion na nagpadala naman ng

kanilang tauhan upang i-diffuse ang nasabing bomba.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE: In a speech, Sister Arnold Maria Noel of Mindanao Forum Inc. stressed that it was then senator Benigno

Aquino who exposed the Jabidah massacre that naturally angered former president Ferdinand Marcos.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-NCR: Nagbabala ang DTI sa mga motorcycle rider at retailer sa posibilidad na peke ang ICC stickers na nakakabit sa

kanilang mga helmet. Anila, maaaring peke ang mga sticker ng mga sumusunod na brand ng helmet: Ben 2, KH, NSS, Oscar,

Cobra, Pioneer, 2A at Sunstar. Para matiyak na hindi peke ang mga ICC sticker na nasa kanilang mga helmet ay hinihikayat

ang mga ito na pumunta sa pinakamalapit na tanggapan ng DTI. Hinihikayat naman ng Kagawaran na isumbong ang mga

tindahan na nagdidikit ng PS mark o ICC stickers sa mga helmet habang nagbebenta nito.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago

PIA IV-A/CAVITE: President Aquino arrived at exactly 1:50 pm at the 45th commemoration of Jabidah; ground breaking

ceremony of Mindanao Garden of Peace, Corregidor Island, Cavite City.

PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Tanay Municipal Government has been conducting annual upland barangay mobile services starting

March 12 to 27 offering medical, optical and dental services and other basic municipal government services.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: 50 candidates for Binibining Pilipinas 2013 visited the Gawad Kalinga-Araneta relocation site at Sitio

Gabihan, Brgy. Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal last March 13 led by Miss Universe 2012 Runner-up Janine Tugonon. The

candidates conducted community services at the site as part of humanitarian activities to Filipinos nationwide.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: May 16,868 na mga aso ang nabakunahan ng Provincial Health Office simula nitong Enero 2013.Ito

ay bumubuo sa 10% ng bilang ng mga aso sa lalawigan at patuloy din ang pagbabakunang ginagawa gayundin ang

pagsasagawa ng information education campaign ukol dito.

PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday

PIA-4A: President Benigno S. Aquino lll is expected to visit Corregidor Island at around 1:30PM today (March 18, 2013) to

grace the 45th commemoration of Jabidah "Learning from History, Uniting for Peace" and the groundbreaking of the

Mindanao Garden of Peace Development Project at Corregidor Island, Cavite City.

.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

Yesterday

PIA-NCR: The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ordered the suspension of two recruitment agencies

namely: Al-Masiya Overrseas Placement Agency Inc and its counterpart in United Arab Emirates, Äl Madina Recruitment last

week. The suspension was in connection with the alleged suicide report of a Filipina domestic worker in Abu Dhabi last

month. POEA administrator Hans Cacdac claimed that the said agencies failed to monitor the condition of Alona M. Bagayan

who died four days after she was formally turned over to her employers. Under POEA regulations, agencies are obliged to

monitor situation of OFWs especially household service workers

PIA OFW Watch

Friday

Labor Communications Dir. Nicon Fameronag on DZBB:

Re: Germany’s plan to hire Filipino nurses

- Sa Lunes ay magkakaroon ng pirmahan ng bilateral agreement tungkol sa bagay na iyan.

- Patuloy ang usapan ng Pilipinas at Germany hinggil dito. Hindi pa kami nagkomento rito dahil patuloy pa ang pag-uusap

diyan.

- Hindi po tayo ang humingi nito, sila (Germany) ang lumapit sa atin.

PIA Calabarzon 6 PR ( March 14-15 ,2013),Dispatch for March 15 , 2013 (Friday),

10 Weather Watch, 1 Regl.Watch , 2 OFW Watch , Pres. Aquino’s . Speech , 15 Online News

A. QUEZON

Quezon province 4Ps beneficiaries over 90,000

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Saturday 16th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Mar 16 (PIA) --The beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from the two cities and 39 municipalities in Quezon is now 90,347 families according to a March 2013 data. Of the number Pantawid Pamilya households, 6,657 are newly-registered as part of the expansion of the program nationwide, about 4,233 of these beneficiaries come from the municipalities of Lucban, Dolores, Candelaria and Pagbilao- all are implementing the Pantawid Pamilya program for the first time. During the regional memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing held in Tagaytay City December last year, the local chief executives of the four municipalities tied up with the DSWD in the implementation of the program in their respective areas for a period of five years.

At the end of this year, 14,719 families from the province are expected to graduate from the program. They are Set 1 beneficiaries coming from the municipalities of San Francisco, San Narciso, San Andres and Buenavista who are supported by the program since 2008. The DSWD, through Pantawid Pamilya and other social protection programs of the Department, is preparing these beneficiaries for self-sufficiency by the time they graduate from the program. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a social protection strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to qualified poor families with children zero to 14 years old. The grants are provided upon the beneficiaries’ compliance to the conditions on health and education as set by the program. In the CALABARZON Region, there are now a total of 265,215 families who are benefitting from Pantawid Pamilya. (DSWD4A/PIA4A)

B. CAVITE

DTI conducts symposium on World Consumer Rights Day

By Ruel B. Francisco Saturday 16th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Mar 16 (PIA) -- Sixteen representatives from existing and would-be consumer organizations in the province, local government units and from the Department of Education (DepEd) attended the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sponsored symposium cum-mini workshop on World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) celebration, Friday, March 15. With international theme of “Consumer Justice Now!” said symposium focused on various issues/concerns affecting the lives of almost every consumer not only in the Philippines but all consumers’ organization in the world. The event which was held at the second floor of the Government Center Building, Capitol compound started at around 9 a.m. and ended at at nearly 2:30 p.m. The discussion focused on the review on the action plans drafted by the consumer organizations in the 2012 Consumer Organization Regional Assembly which was held at Sol y Viento Resort in Calamba City, Laguna. They also tackled strategy formulation on the execution of the action plan focusing on information advocacy. It was followed by a lecture on accreditation and membership of consumer organizations and at the same time proper handling and filing of consumer complaints and other Fair Trade Laws. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite/DTI-Cavite)

C. LAGUNA

1. BFP Laguna collects 32.4M fire code fees

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Friday 15th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, March 15 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Laguna has collected P32.5 million for fire code fees last year. BFP Supt Carlito Encinas, provincial director said collected fees are remitted to the national treasury to fund the modernization program of the BFP. “Like in our area we need more fire trucks, firefighting gear and equipment including gadgets in communication which are essential especially during fire emergency call,” Encinas said. To intensify their campaign on fire safety, prevention and suppression, he said, year-round activities are scheduled such as dialogue, meetings, radio and TV guesting, seminars, trainings, drills and others involving all sectors in the community. Also, the BFP monitors and strictly implements compliance to the Fire Code of the Philippines and local ordinances on fire safety measures among establishments and buildings in all areas. For this year, the BFP inspected a total of 20,793 establishments and in the course of their inspection, 262 of these establishments were recommended for correction of violation. Meanwhile, the BFP recorded 341 fire incidents, 8 casualties/injured and damages estimated to P41,874,000 for the this year while 246 fire incidents, 34 casualties and injured and P77,593,500 for last year which is relatively lower in terms damages and casualties. (Norito A. Cabotaje, PIA4A)

2. Tagalog news: Mga kawani ng lunsod, nakiisa sa physical fitness program

By Alan C. Ortillano Saturday 16th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO, Laguna, Marso 16 (PIA) -- May 550 regular at casual employees ang dumalo sa isinagawang paglulunsad ng physical fitness program na tinaguriang “Fitness Hour” ng pamahalaang panglunsod kamakailan. Ang physical fitness program na para sa lahat ng kawani ng gobyerno ay alinsunod sa Memorandum Circular No. 8 s. 2011 ng Civil Service Commission (CSC). Ito ay naglalayong magkaroon ng masigla at malusog na pangangatawan ang bawat kawani upang mas lalo pang makapagbigay ng serbisyo sa mga mamamayan. Sinimulan ang Fitness Hour ng isang maikling programa kung saan nagbigay ng impormasyon ukol sa maayos na pagkain o good nutrition si Doris Aliwalas, nutrition coach ng Herbalife International habang si Caridad Gonzales ng city health office (CHO) nagbigay naman ng mga tips sa proper brisk walking o mabilisang paglalakad. Matapos ang programa, nagsagawa ng brisk walking ang mga empleyado palibot sa Lawa ng Sampalok. Ang physical fitness program ay pinangunahan ni Janquil Bumagat ng sports and youth dev’t office sa pakikipagtulungan ng human resource office sa pamumuno ni Elvira Celerio at ng iba’t-ibang departamento ng pamahalaang lokal. (ACO, PIA-Laguna ulat mula sa CIO-SPC)

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: 721 kababaihan natuto ng ilang kaalaman

By Mamerta P. De Castro Monday 18th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Marso 18 (PIA) -May 721 kababaihan ang nagtapos sa long season barangay-based livelihood training/seminar ng home extension division ng Office of the City Veterinary and Agricultural Services (OCVAS) kamakailan.

Sila ay sumailalim sa iba't-ibang pagsasanay tulad ng meat processing, paggawa ng sabon at pabango, cosmetology, pananahi, pagluluto, at pagpreserba ng pagkain. Sinabi ni Sarah Alea, isa sa mga nagtapos sa food preservation training, na malaki ang kanyang pasasalamat sapagkat nagkaroon siya ng negosyong alamang at siomai. Aniya, malaking tulong ang programang ito sa katulad niyang pamilyado at nakatutulong nang malaki ang kanyang kinikita sa pagpapaaral sa mga anak at pang-araw araw na gastusin. Taon-taon, nagbibigay ang OCVAS ng iba't-ibang uri ng pagsasanay na pinakikinabangan ng mga residente ng iba't-ibang barangay sa lungsod. Ang mga programang ito ay hindi lamang para sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho o hanapbuhay, kundi maging sa mga ina ng tahanan at mga out-of school youths na nais kumita sa maayos na paraan. Maraming mga nagsipagtapos dito ang kasalukuyang pinakikinabangan at ilan ay matagumpay na negosyante na. (PIA Batangas with reports from PIO Batangas City)

E. RIZAL

1. PIA-Rizal conducts news writing seminar By Gideon Gapayao Thursday 14th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, March 14 (PIA)—Selected students, out of school youth and teachers of Jalajala, Rizal attended a Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Rizal’s basic news writing seminar last March 6. Jalajala Municipal Information Officer Rolando Pillas said the municipal government invited the PIA to help equip children and several teachers in basic news writing to promote information dissemination within the municipality.

18 MARCH 2013.

President Aquino says local government units can expect honest, hard work from national

government

President Aquino leads groundbreaking rites for the development of the Mindanao Garden of Peace

in Corregidor Island

President Aquino orders Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice and Office of the

Executive Secretary to conduct a research and craft roadmap for peaceful solution of Sabah issue

President Aquino says local government units can expect honest, hard work from national government

(BAGUIO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III said local government units can expect their national government to be a partner in achieving their respective constituents’ dreams and ambitions for their locale as he vowed to provide honest, hard work from his end. In a meeting with local leaders here on Sunday, the President said his administration is working doubly-hard to improve roads interconnecting the province, provide electricity to remote villages, close the classroom gap and boost social spending through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). On improving road infrastructure, the President said rehabilitation work has already begun for the 65-kilometer Gurel-Bokod-Kabayan-Buguias Road that will cut travel time from two hours to just an hour. ―Direkta nitong magpapagaan sa biyahe ang halos may dalawanlibo at siyamnaraang motorista kada araw, gayundin ang mga turistang pupunta sa Mt. Pulag at Kabayan Caves sa Benguet,‖ the President said. On closing the classroom gap and providing electricity to remote villages, the President said the 66,800 classroom shortage for the entire Philippines will be filled by the end of 2013 while 7,200 sitios already have access to electricity. ―May mahigit pitong libo at dalawandaang sitio na rin po ang nakabitan natin ng kuryente, sa mas murang halaga at patas na paraan. Sa probinsya po ng Benguet, umaabot na sa 118 sitios ang napalaya natin sa kadiliman, at tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang pagkayod natin upang tanglawan ng maliwanag na pamumuhay ang bawat Pilipino,‖ the President said. He also noted that 2,881 household beneficiaries here are already participants of the government’s pro-poor program 4Ps and are now on their way towards breaking the cycle of poverty. ―…ang tiwalang kaloob ninyo sa amin ay araw-araw naming sinusuklian ng sipag at katapatan,‖ the President said. PND (rck)

TOP

President Aquino leads groundbreaking rites for the development of the Mindanao Garden of Peace in Corregidor Island

(CORREGIDOR ISLAND, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III led on Monday the groundbreaking ceremonies for the development of the Mindanao Garden of Peace in commemoration of the 45th year of the Jabidah massacre. The Chief Executive spearheaded the groundbreaking rites which has for its theme "Learning from History, Uniting for People," signalling the start of the development of the Mindanao Garden of Peace at the tailside portion of the Corregidor Island. President Aquino was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma Jr., Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas and other government officials. Also in attendance were Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, Colonel Artemio Matibag, Sister Ma. Lourdes Arnold Noel. The Mindanao Forum Inc. and the Corregidor Foundation Inc. agreed to put up the Mindanao Garden of Peace to remind the people of the tragic Jabidah massacre that happened 45 years ago. In 2010, the museum was put up in the place in recognition of the heroism of the Jabidah Martyrs. The Mindanao Garden of Peace is a strong reminder not only for the Filipinos but also to the whole world that both Muslims and Christians, desire true, genuine and lasting peace. After the groundbreaking ceremonies, President Aquino proceeded to the Jabidah Marker for the Hands for Peace where he placed his handprint on the Hands for Peace Wall. The President led the nation in commemorating the grim chapter in the country's history known as the Jabidah Massacre. The incident refers to the massacre of a number of young Moro recruits from Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, with estimates ranging from 28 to more than 200, by their military handlers on the island of Corregidor. The recruits were undergoing training for a government-sponsored covert military operation dubbed ―Operation Merdeka‖ with the objective of invading Sabah. Records showed that Colonel Eduardo ―Abdullatif‖ Martelino started the commando-type of training that involved jungle warfare at Camp Sophia in Simunol, Tawi-Tawi where the training camp was set up. The trainees were later shipped to Corregidor by a naval boat. It was during the second phase of the training in Corregidor that the recruited Muslim trainees learned that their true mission was to invade Sabah, which would mean not only fighting their brother Muslims but also possibly killing their own Tausug and Sama relatives living there. The recruits then demanded to be returned home but their military handlers prevented their return and instead killed them. Jibin Arula, one of the Jabidah recruits from Siasi, Sulu was the lone survivor who managed to tell about the massacre. The Senate subsequently conducted a probe of the alleged massacre after the late Senator Benigno ―Ninoy‖ Aquino Jr. denounced the unfortunate incident in a privilege speech on March 18, 1968. PND (js)

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President Aquino orders Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice and Office of the Executive Secretary to conduct a research and craft roadmap for peaceful solution of Sabah issue

(CORREGIDOR ISLAND, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that he directed the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Executive Secretary to conduct a research and craft a proposed roadmap towards a peaceful resolution of the Sabah issue. In his speech keynoting the groundbreaking ceremonies for the development of the Mindanao Garden of Peace in commemoration of the 45th year of the Jabidah massacre here, the Chief Executive said the use of violence is not the

effective way to resolve the Sabah issue. "Ang tungkulin ko po: halughugin ang kasaysayan para sa mga katotohanang ito, at mula roon ay maglatag ng direksyon na tatahakin ng ating bansa ukol sa usapin ng Sabah—isang direksyong sinisiguro ko po sa inyo ay hindi gagamit ng dahas. Inatasan ko na po ang DFA, DOJ, at ang ating Executive Secretary upang magsaliksik at magmungkahi ng isang roadmap tungo sa mapayapang resolusyon ng isyu ng Sabah," the President said. The President expressed sadness over the standoff in Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, that resulted in the loss of lives of many Filipinos. He called on the Filipinos to remember the grim chapter in the country's history known as the Jabidah Massacre and asked his fellow countrymen to learn from history that violence is not the effective way to resolve the Sabah issue. Following the tragic Jabidah incident, several Moro communities lost trust and confidence in the government of then President Ferdinand Marcos. "Dahil sa insidenteng Jabidah, tuluyan na ngang nawala ang kanilang tiwala sa pambansang pamahaalan; nagsimula silang pumalag, kaya't pinadala ang Konstabularyo, na kinalaunan ay pinalitan ng Sandatahang Lakas. Nanganak ng dahas ang dahas; ang mali, nagbunga ng mas malalaki pang mali," he stressed. "Trahedya po ang nangyayari ngayon sa Lahad Datu, gaya ng trahedya na nangyari sa Jabidah. Ngunit marahil ang pinakamalaki pong trahedya ay tila yata hindi pa tayo natututo sa mga aral ng nakaraan—na ang pagsunod sa batas, at ang pagrespeto sa mga patakaran, ang tanging makatarungang tugon sa mga hamong kinakaharap natin," the President said. "Hindi po ba't puwede naman sanang maiwasan ang situwasyong ito, kung pumasok lamang tayo sa tamang proseso? Anuman pong pilit nating magsimpatiya, hindi po maiwasang manghinayang, malungkot, at masubok ang ating pasensya—dahil gaya ng nangyari sa Jabidah unit, may mga taong inuna ang sarili, kaysa ang kapakanan ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino,‖ he added. The President underscored the need for cooperation among the government, the public and all other entities to achieve a solution to the dispute. During the event, the President also honored the Jabidah martyrs who laid down their own lives for a just cause. "Magsilbi rin po sanang tanda ng pagkilala ng pamahalaan sa pagdurusa ng mga Moro ang aking pagpunta rito. Hindi man po natin mababago ang pagkakamali ng nakaraan, tungkulin nating siguruhing hindi na mauulit ito. Nawa’y maalala natin ang naiwasan sanang pagdanak ng dugo ng ating mga kababayan; sa ating paggunita, harinawa, ay mabibigyang-saysay ang kanilang pagkamatay," he said. The President likewise directed the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to recognize the Mindanao Garden of Peace as a historical landmark. "Maaari na ring mabasa sa ating Official Gazette, sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa NHCP, ang ilang mga detalye: Ang kasaysayan ng mga pangyayaring kaugnay ng Jabidah unit, ang timeline ng mga peace process sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng MNLF at MILF, at iba pang kaalamang maaaring magmulat sa publiko at magtaas ng antas ng diskurso," the President said. PND (js)

TOP

ARCHIVE 2013

18 MARSO 2013

Matapat, puspusang paglilingikod ang maaasahan ng lokal na pamahalaan buhat sa pambansang pamahalaan, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino

Matapat, puspusang paglilingikod ang maaasahan ng lokal na pamahalaan buhat sa pambansang pamahalaan, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino

(LUNGSOD NG BAGUIO) Makaaasa ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na magiging kabalikat nila ang pamahalaang pambansa sa pagsasakatuparan ng mga pangarap at ambisyon ng kanilang mga kababayan kasabay ng pangakong matapat at puspusang paglilingkod ang gagawin niya. Sa pulong sa mga lokal na lider dito Linggo, sinabi ng Pangulo na doble ang pagsisikap ng administrasyon niya upang maayos ang mga lansangang nag-uugnay sa mga lalawigan, malatagan ng koryente ang malalayong mga baranggay, lunasan ang problema sa kakapusan ng mga silid-aralan at dagdagan pa ang guguling panlipunan sa pamamagitan ng Programang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps). Sinabi ng Pangulo na sinimulan nang ayusin ang 65 kilometrong lansangang Gurel-Bokod-Kabayan-Buguias para maging isang oras na lamang ang biyahe sa naturang pook sa halip ng dating dalawang oras. ―Direkta itong magpapagaan sa biyahe ng may halos 2,900 na motorista araw-araw, gayundin ang mga turistang pupunta sa Mt. Patag at Kabayan Caves sa Benguet,‖ sabi pa ng Pangulo. Ayon sa Pangulo, ang 66,800 kulang na silid-aralan sa buong Pilipinas ay malulunasan na sa pagtatapos ng taong 2013, samantalang ang 7,200 sityong nasa liblib na pook ay malalatagan na ng koryente. ―Mahigit nang 7,200 sityo ang nalagyan natin ng koryente sa mas murang halaga at patas na paraan. Sa probinsiya ng Benguet, umaabot na po sa 118 sityo ang napalaya natin sa pusikit na karimlan. Tuluy-tuloy po ang pagkayod natin upang tanglawan ng maliwanag na pamumuhay ang bawa’t Pilipino,‖ dagdag pa ng Pangulo. Binanggit din ng Pangulo na aabot sa 2,881 tahanan dito ang kasama na sa programa ng pamahalaan para sa mga dukha na kilala bilang 4Ps at ngayon ay tinatahak na nila ang landas upang makaahon sa karalitaan. ―Ang tiwalang kaloob ninyo sa amin ay araw-araw naming sinusuklian ng sipag at katapatan,‖ sabi pa ng Pangulong Aquino. PND (rck/zaf)

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President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Speech during the Commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of Jabidah Massacre Mindanao Garden of Peace, Corregidor Island, Cavite City

18 March 2013

Maraming salamat ho. Maupo ho tayong lahat.

Governor Mujiv Hataman; Secretaries Voltaire Gazmin, Edwin Lacierda, Sonny Coloma, Lu Antonino, Rene Almendras and

Ronald Llamas; Sultan Panangan Panipangandaman; Usec. Manolo Quezon; Commissioner Salem Demona; Lt. Col. Artemio

Matibag; Sister Arnold; Executive Director Ludovico Badoy; General Emmanuel Bautista; Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena; Lt.

Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz; Vice Admiral Luis Alano; Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes; our friends from the Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao; fellow workers in government; honoured guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang hapon

po sa inyong lahat.

Ika-dalawampu't walo ng Marso 1968, nang magtalumpati sa Senado ang aking ama ukol sa pangyayaring kinikilala ng

kasaysayan bilang Jabidah Massacre. Isiniwalat niya ang plano ng rehimeng Marcos na mapasakamay ang Sabah; tinawag

itong Operation: Merdeka.

Alalahanin po natin: Noong mga panahong iyon, bagong-silang na bansa pa lamang ang Pederasyon ng Malaysia, at

masalimuot pa ang kanilang situwasyon, habang ang ekonomiya naman natin ay isa sa mga pinakamalalakas sa rehiyon, at

ang militar natin ay sanay na sa bakbakan, sa loob o labas man ng bansa. Noon, hanggang ngayon, nakasaad sa ating

Saligang Batas: "Itinatakwil ng Pilipinas ang digmaan bilang kasangkapan ng patakarang pambansa."

Ayon sa isa sa mga nakatakas na si Jibin Arula, na nakapanayam ng aking ama, ang buod ng operasyon ay ang sumusunod:

Mula sa mga probinsya ng Sulu at Tawi-tawi, kukuha ang militar ng mga mandirigmang Moro. Dadalhin sila sa Corregidor, at

isasailalim sa pagsasanay upang maging mga kumando. Ipapadala sila sa Sabah. Doon, gagawa sila ng gulo, at magsisimula

ng destabilisasyon, hindi bilang mga sundalo ng Pilipinas, kundi habang nakapostura bilang mga kawal ng Sultan ng Sulu. Sa

gitna ng gulo, gagawa ng paraan ang rehimeng Marcos para maangkin ng Pilipinas ang Sabah.

Hindi po nagtagumpay ang plano. Ayon pa rin po sa panayam ng aking ama sa saksing si Arula, naging malabis sa training ng

mga Moro; hindi sila binayaran ng ipinangakong sahod; at hindi nila masikmurang maaaring kailangan nilang pumaslang ng

kalahi para lamang magtagumpay ang misyon. Hindi matanggap ng mga pasimuno ng operasyon ang hinaing ng mga kasapi

ng Jabidah unit. Kaya noong ika-labingwalo ng Marso 1968, pinaslang diumano ang mga kabataang Muslim na kasapi nito.

Sa susunod na araw rin matapos ang talumpati ng aking ama, isiniwalat naman ni Senador Ambrosio Padilla, na noon ay

kapartido mismo ni Ginoong Marcos, ang isa pang balitang may kinalaman sa Sabah. Ayon sa kanya, kinuha ng Sultan ng

Sulu si Ginoong Marcos bilang pribadong abogado. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito? Si Ginoong Marcos ang kakatawan sa

Sultanato, siya ang makikipagnegosasyon, siya ang haharap sa mga korte, may personal siyang pakinabang sakaling

magtagumpay ang layunin ng Operasyong Merdeka at maibalik sa kamay ng Sultanato ang pagmamay-ari ng Sabah.

Tugon naman po ng kampo ni Ginoong Marcos, kinuha siya hindi bilang pribadong indibidwal, kundi bilang Pangulo ng

Pilipinas—isang kilos na, ayon din mismo sa isa pang kapartido niyang si Arturo Tolentino, ay iligal—dahil paano nga ba

naman pagsisilbihan ng isang Pangulo ang buong Pilipinas, kung nasa isip rin niya ang interes ng kanyang mga kliyente?

Saan man pong anggulo sipatin ang papel ni Ginoong Marcos bilang abogado ng Sultanato, malinaw na may maling nangyari,

lalo na kung itatabi sa mga madilim na layunin ng Operasyong Merdeka. Sabi nga po ng kolumnistang si Doroy Valencia

noong ikadalawa ng Abril, 1968 : "If it were a private deal, it would be legal but certainly immoral. If it were a public instrument

of delegation of authority to the President as President, it would be illegal too because the President may not act as attorney-

in-fact for a private party."

Hindi po natin maikakaila ang malalim na sugat na idinulot ng trahedya ng Jabidah sa mga kapatid nating Moro. Ang naging

hinaing nila: Kung kinakasangkapan lamang sila ng makapangyarihan, ano pa ang dahilan para kilalanin ang sarili bilang

Pilipino?

Nagsilbi po itong mitsa sa mga damdaming mapag-aklas, na pinagbaga na rin ng diumano'y mga insidente ng land-grabbing

na laganap noong mga panahong iyon. Naisip patitulohan ng ilang mga bagong-dating na Kristiyano ang mga lupaing ilang

siglo nang sinasaka ng mga Lumad at Moro. Dahil sa insidenteng Jabidah, tuluyan na ngang nawala ang kanilang tiwala sa

pambansang pamahaalan; nagsimula silang pumalag, kaya't pinadala ang Konstabularyo, na kinalaunan ay pinalitan ng

Sandatahang Lakas. Nanganak ng dahas ang dahas; ang mali, nagbunga ng mas malalaki pang mali. Kung nagpanday

lamang sana sila ng mga batas na kumikilala sa mga katutubo noon; kung ang mga unang hinanakit ay sinagot sana ng

malasakit, sa halip na sinalubong ng armas—ilan po kaya sa tinatayang isandaan at dalawampung libong Pilipinong nasawi sa

apatnapung-taon na hidwaan ang siguro'y kapiling pa ng kanilang pamilya ngayon? Ilan kaya sa tinatayang dalawang milyong

napilitang lumikas sa kaguluhan, ang nagkaroon sana ng produktibong buhay, at nakaambag sa pag-angat ng rehiyon o ng

buong bansa?

Hanggang ngayon, alam natin may mga nagtatangka pa ring gamitin ang mga karaniwang Moro upang magtulak ng sari-

sariling agenda. Hindi po ba't nakikita natin sa mga pangyayari nitong huling mga linggo: tila umuulit yata ang masakit na

kasaysayan? May nagsusubo pa rin sa kanila sa panganib, ipinapain ang kanilang kaligtasan, habang ang mga pasimuno

naman ay kumportableng nanonood mula sa malayo. Sa halip na sabihin sa kanilang, "Umuwi na kayo, mahalaga ang buhay

ninyo," sige pa rin ang pag-uudyok, sige pa rin ang panggagatong, na tila ba mga piyesa lamang silang pineperdigana para sa

kung-anong nakakubling layunin.

Ang masasabi ko po: Kung para sa iba ay barya lamang ang buhay ng mga mga Moro, na ating mga kapwa Pilipino—barya

lamang na puwedeng isangkalan para sa pansariling interes—para sa akin, mali ang pananaw na ito.

Trahedya po ang nangyayari ngayon sa Lahad Datu, gaya ng trahedya na nangyari sa Jabidah. Ngunit marahil ang

pinakamalaki pong trahedya ay tila yata hindi pa tayo natututo sa mga aral ng nakaraan—na ang pagsunod sa batas, at ang

pagrespeto sa mga patakaran ang tanging makatarungang tugon sa mga hamong kinakaharap natin. Kaya nga po simula pa

lamang ay gusto na nating pauwiin ang mga tumungo sa Lahad Datu, dahil alam nating mas produktibo ang mahinahong

usapan, at walang mabuting maibubunga ang dahas. Bagkus, manganganak lamang ito ng hidwaan, at marahil ay lilikha ng

mga problemang bibilang na naman ng henerasyon bago masolusyonan.

Nililinaw pa po natin ang tunay na bilang ng mga nasawi sa insidente sa Lahad Datu. Pero ngayon pa lang po, alam na nating

hindi lang sila at ang kanilang mga nagluluksang pamilya ang apektado rito. Nariyan din po ang tinatayang walondaang libong

Pilipinong namumuhay nang tahimik sa kabuuang Malaysia at Sabah, na kung biglang magdagsaan pauwi, ay hindi natin

maaaring pabayaan, at tiyak na makakaapekto sa atin pong kabuhayan at ekonomiya.

Tantsahin po natin: Sa mabilisang komputasyon, kung ilalagay sa limang katao kada pamilya, papalo ng isandaan at

animnapung libong pamilya ang mga kababayan nating ito. Sa pagkain pa lang po, kung 250 pesos ang kakailanganin kada

tatlong araw ng bawat pamilya—katumbas ng 4.87 billion pesos sa isang taon para sa kanilang lahat.

Ang pabahay naman para sa kanila, sa mabilisan ding komputasyon, ay aabutin ng tatlumpu't dalawang bilyong piso, at iyan

po ay hindi pa kasama ang lupa. Pagkain at tirahan pa lamang po iyan; wala pa sa bilang ang pagtuturo sa kanila ng angkop

na kakayahan, ang paghahanap ng lupang sasakahin kunsakali, ang mga dagdag na silid-aralan para sa mga bata, ang pag-

enrol sa PhilHealth, at iba pang mga serbisyong kailangan upang makapamuhay sila nang may dignidad.

Aling programa po kaya ang kailangan munang ipagpaliban upang mapunan ang mga ito? Ano kaya ang maitutugon natin sa

iba pang Pilipinong kailangan din ng kalinga ng estado? Maaari po ba silang bulungan ng, "Pasensya na muna kayo,

maaantala ang pag-unlad ng buhay ninyo"?

Hindi po ba't puwede naman sanang maiwasan ang sitwasyong ito, kung pumasok lamang tayo sa tamang proseso? Anuman

pong pilit nating magsimpatiya, hindi po maiwasang manghinayang, malungkot, at masubok ang ating pasensya, dahil gaya ng

nangyari sa Jabidah unit, may mga taong inuna ang sarili kaysa ang kapakanan ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino.

Apat at kalahating dekada na po ang lumipas mula nang naganap ang madugong pangyayari dito sa Corregidor. Inapi na nga

po ang mga kasapi ng Jabidah unit, pilit pang pinalilimot sa tadhana ang kanilang pinagdaanan. Hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin

itong opisyal na pagkilala mula sa pamahalaan, parang tsismis lamang kung isingit sa mga aklat at ituro sa paaralan, wala pa

ring hakbang upang itala ito sa kasaysayan bilang sugat sa ating nakaraan. Hindi naman po natin nais mag-ilusyon: Dalawang

henerasyon na ang lumipas mula nang mangyari ito. Ang prescriptive period para sa murder, dalawampung taon lamang ;

paglipas nito, hindi na maaaring sampahan ng kaso ang mga diumano'y may pakana ng operasyon. Pinawalang-sala na rin po

ng court martial ang mga nasakdal nuong 1971. Ngunit hindi dapat maging balakid ang panahong nagdaan sa ating

paghahanap ng tunay at ganap na katarungan.

Ang sa akin lang po: Paano hihilumin ang isang sugat na hindi mo man lang makuhang titigan? Paano itatama ang mali, kung

hindi man lang natin kayang harapin ang katotohanan?

Kaya nga po: Ngayong araw, binubuksan natin ang mata ng sambayanan ukol sa Jabidah Massacre. Totoo pong nangyari ito.

At tungkulin nating lahat na kilalanin ito bilang bahagi ng ating pambansang naratibo. Narito tayo ngayon sa Corregidor, sa

islang diniligan ng dugo ng maraming Pilipino at naging kanlungan ng tinig ng kalayaan noong huling digmaang pandaigdig,

upang iukit sa ating kolektibong kamalayan ang malagim na nangyari sa Jabidah unit—at siguruhing hindi na ito mauulit pa.

Dahil kung habambuhay na nakapiring ang mata ng mga Pilipino sa nangyari sa Corregidor noong Marso 18, 1968, para na rin

nating binalewala ang mga aral nito.

Karugtong po ng insidente sa Jabidah ang masalimuot na usapin ukol sa pagmamay-ari ng Sabah. Magsisimula po ang

pagresolba nito hindi sa mga ispekulasyon, opinyon, o haka-haka, kundi sa pagtukoy ng di-maikakailang mga katotohanan.

Ang tungkulin ko po: Halughugin ang kasaysayan para sa mga katotohanang ito, at mula roon ay maglatag ng direksyon na

tatahakin ng ating bansa ukol sa usapin ng Sabah—isang direksyong sinisiguro ko po sa inyo ay hindi gagamit ng dahas.

Inatasan ko na po ang DFA, DOJ, at ang ating Executive Secretary upang magsaliksik at magmungkahi ng isang roadmap

tungo sa mapayapang resolusyon ng isyu ng Sabah.

Inatasan na rin po natin ang National Historical Commission of the Philippines na itala bilang isang historical landmark ang

Mindanao Garden of Peace sa islang ito. Maaari na ring mabasa sa ating Official Gazette, sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa NHCP,

ang ilang mga detalye: Ang kasaysayan ng mga pangyayaring kaugnay ng Jabidah unit, ang timeline ng mga peace process

sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng MNLF at MILF, at iba pang kaalamang maaaring magmulat sa publiko at magtaas ng antas

ng diskurso.

Magsilbi rin po sanang tanda ng pagkilala ng pamahalaan sa pagdurusa ng mga Moro ang aking pagpunta rito. Hindi man po

natin mababago ang pagkakamali ng nakaraan, tungkulin nating siguruhing hindi na mauulit ito. Nawa’y maalala natin ang

naiwasan sanang pagdanak ng dugo ng ating mga kababayan; sa ating paggunita, harinawa, ay mabibigyang-saysay ang

kanilang pagkamatay.

Noong Marso ng 1968, isiniwalat ng aking ama ang Jabidah Massacre, habang mariing nakatuntong sa batayang prinsipyo na

mahalaga ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ang sabi nga po niya sa kanyang talumpati: "The life of a Filipino, no matter how lowly

he is, is as important as the life of a high official, as important as the life of a President."

Nakatuntong po tayo dito ngayon sa Corregidor, buong-pagpapakumbaba na ginugunita ang ating nakaraan, habang taas-noo

namang kinikilala ang katotohanang nagbibigkis sa ating lahi: Moro ka man o Kristiyano; Bisaya o Tagalog; Agta, Ita o Ati ka

man; o Ilokano o Ilonggo; Tausug, Yakan, Maranao, saanmang sulok ng Pilipinas ka man nanggaling, sa ilalim ng watawat ng

nagkakaisang Pilipinas, pantay-pantay ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino.

Ulitin ko lang po: Ang lumipas di na po natin mababago. May tungkulin tayo sa kasalukuyan, at yung hinaharap ng ating

salinlahi obligasyon nating di hamak pagandahin.

Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.

[HOME]

ONLINE NEWS

March 18 , 2013

NHMFC now ISO 9001:2008 certified

NEDA supports agri programs on improving productivity, income of farmers - Balisacan

Discipline among personnel,one of the legacies of BuCor OIC Ragos

German Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs calls on Secretary Albert F. del Rosario

PHL participates in Canberra’s centenary celebrations

GSIS releases Php285-M in pension adjustments

84,000 aliens made annual report

SSS sues over 1,400 delinquent employers in 2012

MMDA welcomes Comelec's 5-day liquor ban extension

Pag-IBIG Fund katuwang mo sa pag-ganda ng iyong buhay

Statement of GPH-Monitoring Committee Chair Chito Gascon on the 15th anniversary of the signing of the CARHRIHL

From youth-gang leader to music band member

Overseas voting mailing center re-launched

Q & A on the Lahad Datu situation

PCOO wins Anvil Award of Excellence

NHMFC now ISO 9001:2008 certified

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

The National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) is now ISO 9001:2008 certified. TUV SUD PSB Philippines, Inc. (TUV SUD), a third party ISO certifying body, awarded the certificate for the Borrower Counseling System of the NHMFC’s Rizal Division in a ceremony held recently. Femelyn Lati, Assistant General Manager of TUV SUD, lauded the Corporation for this much-coveted ISO certification. ―Similar to a house, we have now opened and entered the door. We are hoping that we at TUV SUD would be able to enter the entire home of your organization and certify the quality management of NHMFC,‖ said Lati. With this recognition, NHMFC President Felixberto U. Bustos, Jr. stated that the ISO certification further emphasized the desire of Management to provide quality services that are at par with the highest international standards. ―We assure our clientele that NHMFC will continue to innovate and work for a world class quality management system,‖ he stressed. The NHMFC is the government’s premiere Secondary Mortgage Institution (SMI) mandated to provide strong and sustainable

housing finance. Upon assumption into office of President Bustos in January 2012, NHMFC embarked on a program to enhance all its operations. With the assistance of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as project manager, a Quality Management System for the corporation was developed which initially focused on the Rizal Division. In December 2012, NHMFC passed the two audit stages conducted by TUV SUD and the corporation was subsequently recommended for the issuance of the ISO certificate. Currently, NHMFC is one of the two key shelter agencies that are ISO certified. Pag-IBIG Fund was previously awarded the same certification for their Membership Registration Process.

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NEDA supports agri programs on improving productivity, income of farmers - Balisacan

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

MANILA--The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is advocating an evidence-based program in agriculture for a sustained improvement in productivity and farm incomes, especially for small farmers, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. ―We also want the National Food Authority (NFA) to be strong in rice buffer stocking for emergency purposes and to focus its interventions and programs in areas that would enhance efficiency in the production, marketing, and trade of rice,‖ said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. He added that NEDA has never advocated a policy change that runs contrary to efficiency and poverty reduction objectives in agriculture. ―We recognize that the agricultural sector is a major challenge in Philippine economic development as its potential as a growth driver and source of poverty reduction is not being maximized,‖ the Cabinet official said. He further said that the government needs to substantially improve productivity and raise farm incomes, especially among small farmers and landless workers, to make a big dent on poverty in rural areas where two of every three poor persons in our country are located. ―This will require investment in long-term sources of growth, such as rural road infrastructure, irrigation, research and development, security of land rights and tenure, as well improving the access of farmers to credit and the global or national supply chains,‖ Balisacan said. He added that NEDA is focused on developing an enabling environment for food security. ―Food security is not just guaranteeing availability of food at the national level but, more importantly, ensuring that food is accessible for all through low prices and improved purchasing power of buyers, including millions of small farmers who are net buyers of food,‖ said Balisacan. Also, he stressed that investment in infrastructure is a crucial area, particularly roads and bridges, fit in the picture because this improves mobility of people, goods, and services, thereby reducing the cost of doing business in rural areas. ―We must also increase the sector’s resilience to climate change risk, and enhance the policy environment and governance through convergence of rural development agencies and through public-private partnerships in infrastructure and value chain development,‖ said Balisacan.

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Discipline among personnel,one of the legacies of BuCor OIC Ragos

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

Secretary of Justice LEILA M. DE LIMA approved decisions rendered by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) imposing disciplinary penalties, ranging from reprimand, imposition of fines, and suspension of up to three months without pay, against erring BuCor officials and employees, particularly Prison Guards in the various national penitentiaries and penal colonies.

Pursuant to a directive from Secretary De Lima, outgoing BuCor Officer-in-Charge (OIC) RAFAEL MARCOS Z. RAGOS reviewed, and submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ), decisions rendered by the Office of the Director in twenty-four (24) administrative cases. Out of the two dozen cases, nineteen (19) of the respondents were found to be administratively liable for offenses, such as Violation of Reasonable Office Rules and Regulations, Simple Neglect of Duty, Conduct Grossly Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and Grave Misconduct. The directive came shortly after violent and disturbing incidents in the New Bilibid Prison late last year, including the explosion of a grenade within the penitentiary's premises and the escape of the alleged leader of a known robbery gang, both of which cast doubt in the ability of prison personnel and guards to secure the safety and custody of prisoners. "Ensuring fidelity in the custody of prisoners is, obviously, the number one priority of the Bureau of Corrections. Whether it be through negligence or for more malicious motives, any weakness in securing the safety and continued confinement of individuals convicted of committing violations against our penal laws also, perforce, weaken the government's ability to ensure peace and order, not just within our penitentiaries and penal colonies, but also in our society as a whole. Hence, these disciplinary cases and the imposition of commensurate penalties will hopefully drive the point to those who have been entrusted with such an important mandate that anything less than the expected diligence on their part is unacceptable," said Secretary De Lima. "The service of OIC Rafael Z. Ragos came at a very opportune time, because he has shown himself to be quite capable, not just of making difficult decisions, but also of implementing them along with much- needed immediate reforms. He provided the firm and disciplining hand when it was much, much needed and, in fact, long overdue in the BuCor. Thus, I am personally grateful that he rose to the challenge when it was most needed. I thank him and his family for the sacrifices of the last several months. "I am confident, too, that the incoming BuCor Director, FRANKLIN JESUS B. BUCAYU, will be up to the challenge of continuing a policy of zero-tolerance for negligence and misconduct among the ranks of Prison Guards and BuCor officials and employees. I have known him for his human rights advocacy as a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP), now I anticipate his equally sincere and competent performance as a leader, a manager and a reformer - both of the institution and of its inmates - in his new post." Outgoing BuCor OIC Ragos, upon the assumption of the recently appointed new BuCor Director, shall resume his full duties as Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

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German Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs calls on Secretary Albert F. del Rosario

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

18 March 2013 - Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario at the Department of Foreign Affairs, this morning, March 18. The German Minister is in Manila for an official visit to witness the signing of the Agreement Concerning the Placement of Filipino Health Care Professionals in Employment Positions in the Federal Republic of Germany at the Department of Labor and Employment. The Agreement is expected to open the German health care sector to Filipino health care professionals who have been, heretofore, barred from employment in accordance with existing German laws. It also stipulates the procedures and conditions for the deployment of Filipino health care professionals to Germany. For its initial implementation, the Agreement will apply to the deployment of Philippine nurses who already have a history of working in Germany in the 1970s. The initiative to help facilitate the deployment of Philippine health care professionals, nurses in particular, to Germany has been high in the agenda of the two countries. It was taken up during the official visit of Secretary del Rosario to Germany in December 2011 and during the visit to Manila of German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle last month. In recognition of the significance of the Agreement, Secretary del Rosario said that its conclusion is a win-win situation for both countries. On the one hand, the Philippines will be able to help Germany fill its needs for health care professionals. On the other,

Philippine health care professionals will be given the opportunity to be employed in Germany, a country which is known for its excellent labor and social welfare standards. Secretary del Rosario also acknowledged the active efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Professional Regulation Commission that led to the successful conclusion of the Agreement.

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PHL participates in Canberra’s centenary celebrations

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

16 March 2013 – The Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, marked its 100th year anniversary on March 12. Several activities were organized since February and throughout this year to celebrate the territory’s centenary. The highlight of the activities was the whole day ―WELCOME HOME‖ Project along Lake Burley Griffith on Monday, March 11, which was participated in by the different nationalities and cultures in Australia including the Philippines. The Learning Filipino Together (LFT) represented the Philippines by organizing a display of Philippine products, information and tourism materials, Narra chairs, as well as the Philippines’ basic mode of transportation, the Jeepney. The Philippine flag and a huge wooden artwork of the word ―Tahanan‖ were also displayed. Filipino kids also performed the tinikling and other folk dances. Each of the different cultures tried to portray their respective home environment in this Canberra Centenary HOME Project. The LFT participated also in the WELCOME Project through an hour timeslot at the WELCOME Project to greet people opening the door with the welcome banner ―Mabuhay‖ and speak some of our cultural and basic greetings like ―Magandang umaga/hapon po,‖ ―Kumusta po kayo‖. Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen F. Anota and other staff supported LFT by providing various Philippine products. Visitors to ―Tahanan,‖ including Ambassador Anota and her staff, enjoyed the afternoon. Ambassador Anota met and thanked LFT for organizing the Philippine representation to the Canberra centenary celebrations. The centenary events was culminated by a SkyFire Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. along Lake Burley Griffith.

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GSIS releases Php285-M in pension adjustments

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

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said that it has disbursed a total of Php285 million in pension adjustments to its 45,000 retirees as of February 2013 after it revived the policy recomputing their pension based on their first day of retirement. The new policy covers pensioners who retired on or after September 2009 and are in active status as of payment date. According to GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara, ―the decision to adopt the payment of proportionate pension in 2011 was based on the principle that pension is not a privilege but an earned right.‖ Pensioners were informed of their adjusted pension through a letter and received the amount through their eCards. Under the new policy, a government employee who retired from the service effective February 15, for instance, will be paid a portion or fraction of his or her pension covering February 15-28 apart from the monthly pension thereafter. Previously, a retiree would start receiving his or her pension only in March, which means losing a proportionate pension in February. GSIS started crediting Php212 million in pension adjustments to 33,000 eligible pensioners last December 2011. The second tranche, amounting to Php50 million, was credited to 8,000 retirees in May 2012; while the third tranche of Php23 million covering 4,200 retirees was credited from December 2012 to February 2013.

The crediting of adjustments for the remaining 1,870 pensioners is scheduled this month. Questions on the pension adjustment may be directed to the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747.

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84,000 aliens made annual report

Source: http://immigration.gov.ph

More than 84,000 foreigners made their annual report to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) this January and February, representing six percent more than those who reported in the previous year. BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said a total of 84,399 aliens beat the March 1 deadline for the annual report, compared to 79,289 aliens during the first two months of 2012. David said the government raised more than P24 million from annual report fees this year. David explained that aliens who failed to beat the deadline may still make their annaul report fees but they will be assessed fines and penalties. He reiterated that aliens who do not comply with the reportorial requirement may be liable for deportation for violating Philippine immigration and alien registration laws. The BI chief, nonetheless, noted that the increase in the number of reportees this year is indicative of the continued influx of foreigners into the country. The Alien Registration Act of 1950 requires foreigners staying in the Philippines to report to the BI within the first 60 days of every calendar year. Unless exempted by law, foreigners who are holders of immigrant or non-immigrant visa holders must make the annual report. Atty. Ronaldo Ledesma, BI acting alien registration chief, disclosed that Chinese nationals totaling 30,112 topped the list of the annual reportees, followed by 10,860 Indians, 9,232 Americans and 8,449 Koreans. He added that foreigners from Taiwan, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, and Indonesia make up the top 10 list.

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SSS sues over 1,400 delinquent employers in 2012

Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph

The Social Security System (SSS) filed charges against more than 1,400 delinquent companies last year for various violations, the most common of which is their failure to remit the monthly SSS contributions of their employees. SSS Officer-in-Charge Edgar Solilapsi said 1,165 employers were sued in 2012 for non-remittance of contributions totaling P376.33 million, including P193 million in penalties. Under the law, employers are charged a monthly penalty of three percent for overdue contributions. "We continue to exhaust all legal means available to compel employers to fulfill their obligations under the law. As a result of our campaign against erring employers all over the country, the SSS sued a total of 1,418 companies in 2012, up by 16 percent from our 1,227 total in 2011," he said. Among those charged last year were 253 employers that failed to report their workers for SSS coverage and those that refused to present their employment records to SSS account officers, who are assigned to check companies’ adherence to the Social Security Law. Under the law, delinquent employers face jail terms of 6 to 12 years and fines ranging from P5,000 to P20,000. Those who deduct SSS contributions and loan payments from workers’ salaries without remitting these to the SSS are also liable for estafa or swindling under the Revised Penal Code.

"Apart from possible imprisonment and stiff fines, erring employers must also fully settle their delinquency. This includes the penalties that continue to add to their overdue SSS obligation every month until full payment," Solilapsi said. "The longer they delay, the more they pay." The agency collected P303.88 million last year from employers that settled their delinquent accounts after the SSS initiated legal actions against them, such as issuance of demand letters and filing of cases in court and before the Social Security Commission, which is empowered to hear and settle SSS-related disputes. "To protect themselves against negligent employers, we urge member-employees to keep their pay slips, company IDs and other employment documents. They should also register at the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph so they can personally monitor their remitted SSS payments," Solilapsi said. A total of 638 companies, or nearly half of the 1,418 employers charged in 2012, were based in the National Capital Region. The SSS also sued last year 335 private firms in Luzon; 192 employers in Visayas; and 253 companies in Mindanao for violations of the SS Law.

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MMDA welcomes Comelec's 5-day liquor ban extension

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

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino welcomed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision to extend the nationwide liquor ban for the coming elections from two to five days. The liquor ban will now commence on May 9 instead of May 12, and end on May 13, according to a Comelec en banc decision today. "We at the MMDA would like to thank the Comelec for taking into consideration our proposal and for seeing its merits," Tolentino said. Earlier this year, MMDA filed a petition before the Comelec asking the elections body to enforce a liquor ban simultaneously with the election gun ban that started last January 13, not only to reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving due to the proliferation of free alcoholic beverages during the election campaign period, but to reduce election-related violence as well. "Though not approved as petitioned originally, the extension of the liquor ban is a good step to help reduce road accidents, electoral violence, and will lead to a more sober and meaningful discussion of electoral issues," the MMDA chief said.

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Pag-IBIG Fund katuwang mo sa pag-ganda ng iyong buhay

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

Si G. Vicente ―Vic‖ Iligan Cruz, 52 anyos, may asawa at tatlong anak ay isa sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) na lubos na nakakaunawa sa mga programa at benepisyong hatid ng pagiging kasapi ng Pag-IBIG Fund. Kung kaya’t, hindi nakakapagtaka, kung bakit ito ang naging katuwang niya sa unti-unting pagtupad ng kanyang pangarap para sa kanyang pamilya. Maging ang kanyang maybahay na si Gng. Cristina Erive-Cruz na siya naming nakapanayam ay pamilyar sa Pag-IBIG Fund sapagkat siya rin ay miyembro nito noong panahong siya ay nagtatrabaho pa sa Dubai. Sa kasalukuyan, si Cristina ay isa nang fulltime housewife and mother sa kanilang mga anak. Ayon sa kanya, regular niyang inaalam ang mga bagong programa ng Pag-IBIG at ito ay kanya namang ipinapaalam kay Vic, isang seaman na laging nasa kalagitnaan ng karagatan kung kaya’t limitado ang nakukuhang balita o impormasyon. Taong 1995 nang magsimulang sumakay ng barko si Vic bilang isang boson. Makalipas ang apat na taon,siya ay nagpasiyang maging kasapi ng Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP) na noon ay isang boluntaryong programa para sa mga OFWs. Sa halagang $40 na buwanang impok, si Vic ay dalawang beses nang nakapag housing loan sa Pag-IBIG. Kamakailan nga lamang ay natanggap niya ang kanyang Multi- Purpose loan na nagkakahalaga ng P 257,015.01. Ayon kay Cristina, ang halagang ito ay ginamit nila sa pag-aaral ng kanilang mga anak, pag-papaayos ng bahay, at pambayad sa mga mangilan-ngilang pinagkakautangan. Oktubre 2000 nang mabili ng mag -asawa ang kanilang unang bahay at lupa sa Biñan, Laguna sa halagang P 500,000.00. Sa

pagsusumikap ni Vic, ang pagkakautang na ito ay nagawa niyang mabayaran sa loob ng anim na taon lamang. ―Pero lumalaki na ang mga bata kaya nagdesisyon kaming mag-asawa na magpatayo ng malaki -laking bahay‖, pagkukuwento ni Cristina. Dahil dito, ay muling nag-apply ng housing loan si Vic noong Abril 2009 sa ilalim ng programang Abot Kamay Pabahay. Sa pagkakataong ito, siya ay naaprubahan ng halagang P2,000,000.00 na kanyang babayaran sa loob ng 15 taon lamang. Ang dating tahanan ng pamilyang Cruz ay kanilang pina-giba upang magpatayo ng mas maganda at mas malaking bahay. Palibhasa’y masinop sa buhay, ito ngayon ay hindi lamang nagsisilbing tirahan ng pamilya sapagkat ang ikalawang palapag nito ay pina -uupahan ni Cristina ng P10,000.00 kada buwan – malaking tulong na din sa mga gastusin sa bahay. Muling pagkukuwento ni Cristina, ―Ang mga kakilala ko nga ay ini-encourage ko na maghulog sa Pag-IBIG kasi parang investment na rin ito tulad ng paupahan. At importante, sa pagtanda na may savings ka. .Sa banko kasi, hindi safe.‖ At dahil nauunawaan nga ni Vic ang halaga at benepisyong hatid ng Pag-IBIG, hindi siya nakakalimot sa kanyang buwanang tungkulin bilang miyembero nito. Sa kasalukuyan, si Vic ay tuloy-tuloy pa rin sa kanyang pag-iimpok sa Pag-IBIG Fund, kasabay ng kanyang buwanang hulog sa kanyang housing loan. Ang kuwento ni Vic at ng kanyang pamilya ay isang halimbawa lamang na ang Pag-IBIG Fund ay kasabay at kaagapay mo sa pag-ganda ng iyong buhay. Dahil sa regular na pag-iimpok at pagtangkilik sa mga programa ng ahensiya, lubos na napapakinabangan ni Vic ang mga benepisyo ng pagiging kasapi ng Pag-Fund.

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Statement of GPH-Monitoring Committee Chair Chito Gascon on the 15th anniversary of the signing of the CARHRIHL

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

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front. In the time that has passed since the signing of that instrument, particularly in the last few years, the GPH has time and again demonstrated its firm commitment towards the protection of Human Rights and respect for International Humanitarian Law. Over the last four years, the GPH has passed several laws penalizing the most heinous offenses against human rights, such as torture (as penalized by Republic Act No. 9745), enforced disappearance (as penalized by R.A. No. 10353) war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity (as penalized by R.A. No. 9851), and has even passed a law compensating victims of human rights violations during the Marcos Regime (R.A. No. 10368). The GPH has also passed the long-awaited Reproductive Health Law (R.A. No. 10354) and the Domestic Helpers Act (R.A. 10361) both of which were designed to improve the lives of millions of Filipinos across the country, especially the poor. Furthermore, during the Universal Periodic Review conducted by the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission last May 2012, a marked decrease in reported human rights violations was observed, further testimony that the efforts of the GPH to inculcate respect for HR and IHL extends well beyond the halls of the legislature and all the way to the countryside, where the vast majority of human rights violations reportedly occur. Finally, the GPH has taken significant steps towards prosecuting the alleged violators of human rights with the formation of the Interagency Committee (IAC) through Administrative Order No. 35 (s. 2012) comprising the Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and, as a representative of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the GPH-Monitoring Committee, an office originally created pursuant to the GPH commitment to the CARHRIHL. The IAC has already met several times and has compiled a catalog of cases for immediate action. In the decade and a half that has passed since the GPH signed the CARHRIHL, it has clearly demonstrated that when it comes to respect for HR and IHL, its commitments are far more than mere lip-service. This is a government that is ready to walk the talk.

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From youth-gang leader to music band member

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

―I enjoyed the feeling of leading a gang wherein the rules are my words‖ says 16-year old Vincent Dominique Dequit, a former child in conflict with the law (CICL). Vince, as he is fondly called, is a natural leader, smart, and articulate but has total disregard for tact, patience, and in choosing

friends. Vince organized an all-male ―gang‖ he can command and lead. Little did he know that the members he recruited deviated from their ―all male rule‖ and began accepting girls to be initiated. It was during an initiation rite that a female recruit cried ―foul‖ accusing Vince’s group of molestation, dragging his name, being the gang leader. Eight boys including Vince were apprehended. The cold cuffs on his wrist magnified his fear of being locked up for life. The few days that he stayed in the local jail was like a lifetime for him. His only source of hope was the thought that he did not take part in any initiation nor was a party to any lewd act against the complainant. Yet fear still gripped the once bold youth, who thought he could own the world. ―I still have dreams, so many things I want to do, places to go,‖ said Vince. Upon the assessment of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the case of Vince, it was established that he did not plan the incident. The Department, however, recommended that Vince needs to go through rehabilitation instead of punishment in jail. The Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) of the DSWD in Argao, Cebu became Vince’s home for more than two years. The RRCY is a twenty-four residential center for the rehabilitation of youth offenders below 18 years old whose sentences have been suspended. In 2012, a total of 55 CICL were released from the center, which provides medical, psychological and at times psychiatric; group living services such as non-formal and income generating activities; special and non-formal education in coordination with DepEd which provides formal and remedial classes as well as vocational training. In a reversal of fate, Vince had to follow the rules at the center. Like an obedient son, he performed all the tasks required that included trainings on life skills such as gardening, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and most of all mentoring his fellow CICL. He helped and counselled youth who wished to escape to complete the rehabilitation program. Seeing them rehabilitated was an achievement. This gave him the determination to change.‖ I want to go back to the community and be an example for other youth,‖ he recounted. From being a part of a gang who cuts classes and leads initiation rites, he became part of a band that gives out music as an inspiration.The RRCY has musical instruments that can be used by CICL as part of their rehabilitation. Vince learned to play the guitar. He then organized his fellow CICL who know how to play musical instruments and formed an ―all-male‖ band which is a far-cry from his former group of an ―all-male gang.‖ Today, even if he is already out of the center, he still plays for the youth at the center. He even sometimes teaches the youth how to play musical instruments. Almost four years passed since he got rehabilitated and in less than six months he will soon earn his degree in Information Systems in one of the country’s major universities. It was a not a walk in the park for Vince, though. Like all accused,he was angry and determined not to cooperate. But most of all he was afraid and he manifested this fearthrough regular brawls with the other youth in the center. ―I realized that the more I do not cooperate, the more I would not be able to go home,‖ he quipped. He then started to accept his fate and obediently followed the rehabilitation plan that the center developed for him. ―If I was not able to receive the DSWD intervention as mandated by RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, I might still be serving my sentence in jail with no hope for a second chance,‖ said Vince. Republic Act 9344 RA 9344 mandates that children in conflict with the law are provided with intervention programs instead of being thrown into jail. These intervention programsaimed at helping the child and the family may include any or a combination of the following:peer counselling and life skills training and education; provision of support services to the family, referral to other agencies for appropriate services, and access to child and youth organization in the community. DSWD Centers As mandated under RA 9344 to provide center-based rehabilitation for CICL, the DSWD has 14 RRCYs nationwide and a National Training School for Boys in Tanay, Rizal. The RRCY and the NTSB are mandated to rehabilitate children in conflict with the law, 15 years old and below 18, to enable them to reform and restore their normal social functioning. In 2012, there were 1,378 CICL who were under rehabilitation at the RRCYs and at the NTSB.

Lessons Learned Vince enthused, ―Now, I advocate and practice the lessons I learned the hard way. Humility was my greatest challenge and it is now something I practice on a day to day basis. I cannot undo what has happened, but I can definitely make a difference today and tomorrow.‖ Proud as he used to be, he is humble enough to accept that he is a rehabilitated child in conflict with the law. Active in his school and community, he has once again made his parents proud.

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Overseas voting mailing center re-launched

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

16 March 2013 - The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), the Commission on Elections – Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COMELEC-COAV), and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) signed on February 14 a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the implementation of overseas postal voting for the upcoming 2013 elections. The MOA was signed after a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the re-launching of the Overseas Mailing Center by DFA-OAVS Chairman, DFA Undersecretary Jose S. Brillantes, COMELEC-COAV Chairman, Commissioner Lucenito N. Tagle, and PhlPost Postmaster General Ma. Josefina M. Dela Cruz at the Manila Central Post Office. The MOA signing was highlighted by a ceremonial toast led by COMELEC Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. after giving the closing remarks. The COMELEC Chorale, who sang the Philippine National Anthem at the program, serenaded the attendees with a series of songs. The MOA renews the arrangements between the three agencies on the implementation of the overseas postal voting for the purposes of the upcoming May 13 national elections. As in the past elections, PhlPost is being tapped due to its logistical and administrative expertise on mail matters. This is to ensure that the ballots of overseas absentee voters will be received on time and will not be lost in the process. The OV Mailing Center, the control center, which is situated at the annex building of the historic Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio, is currently operational and is now preparing the electoral ballots for global transmission to all the countries that will adopt the postal mode of voting. A total of 51 Embassies/Consulates/Missions/Manila Economic and Cultural Offices (MECO) will be adopting postal voting that caters to a total of 255,517 qualified overseas voters. Other modes of voting include the following:

MODE OF VOTING NUMBER OF EMBASSSIES/CONSULATES/MISSIONS/MECOs THAT WILL CONDUCT IT

NUMBER OF QUALIFIED OVERSEAS VOTERS THAT WILL BE CATERED

PERSONAL VOTING 28 130,664 AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM

7 324,770

There are also 26,808 sea-based qualified overseas voters who can vote at any Embassy, Consulate, Mission or MECO. |TOP|

Q & A on the Lahad Datu situation

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

1.What transpired in the discussions between Secretary del Rosario and the Malaysian officials?

The Secretary, in pursuing a peaceful resolution, has been in contact on a daily basis with the Foreign Minister and other officials of Malaysia. The trip to Malaysia is consistent with that effort. During this particular trip, the Secretary continued seeking the exercise of maximum tolerance to avert further loss of lives. The Secretary also followed up on the Philippines’ requests for a full briefing on the situation, for clearance for the Philippine Navy ship to proceed to Lahad Datu and for humanitarian and consular services to be made available to the Filipinos in Lahad Datu. While in Malaysia, the Secretary likewise sought the consideration for women and other civilians not involved in the hostilities to be able to exit the area of conflict. The Secretary was also specifically tasked by the President to explore avenues to end the standoff that is acceptable to all parties. 2.Was the Secretary able to achieve his objectives? The abovementioned requests are still being considered in light of the security environment. 3.What avenues did the Philippine Government explore domestically for a peaceful resolution to save lives? From the outset of this conflict, the Philippine Government has been pursuing options which could lead to a peaceful resolution where no lives would be lost. Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s group was well aware of this as they were directly involved. These options, which involve the peaceful withdrawal of the Kiram group from Lahad Datu in order to ensure that lives are not compromised, were relentlessly pursued on a 24/7 basis. Unfortunately, some of these plans did not merit acceptance by all parties and those that did could not be implemented in time. The Philippine Government’s constructive efforts were overtaken by events that were beyond its control. With the peaceful withdrawal, the President initially offered that no charges would be filed and that an avenue for discussion would be made available. 4.What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysian officials? The Secretary worked with the Malaysian officials in ensuring that maximum restraint was exercised for the first two weeks. Until hostilities erupted, Malaysia agreed on a peaceful withdrawal where no charges would be filed. Even as hostilities had begun, the Secretary was still exploring the option of peaceful withdrawal. 5.What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysians during this trip to end the standoff? In meeting with the Foreign and Defense Ministers, the Secretary again pursued the possibility of allowing for an unconditional surrender of the group to avert further loss of lives and allow them to return to their respective homes and families. Negotiations for this remain in progress. 6.Despite our request for maximum tolerance, why were airstrikes and ground operations still conducted? This is a question that can best be answered by the Malaysians. 7.Is it true that the Secretary agreed with the Malaysian authorities’ labelling the Filipino group as ―terrorist‖? According to Ambassador Malaya who was present at the meeting, the report is out of context and the Secretary did not label the Filipino group as ―terrorist.‖ In Semporna, there were alleged acts of terrorism. As reported by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, after the police forces were lured into an ambush and killed, their bodies were brutally mutilated and desecrated. If indeed these atrocities were committed as reported to him, the Secretary and the Foreign Minister both agreed that these were, at the very least, terroristic acts. 8.Will this affect the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro? It should not affect the peace process with the MILF. 9.How many casualties were there from the latest assault?

We do not have information on the number of casualties from the latest assault. 10. Is the standoff over? According to the Malaysian Foreign Minister, as of noontime of 5 March, actions by the Malaysian security forces are ongoing. 11. What is the Philippine Government’s plan to avert further loss of lives? The Philippine Government will continue to explore all possible channels in an effort to achieve the objective of minimizing the loss of life and bringing the matter to an expeditious conclusion. 12. If the members of the Kiram group are criminally charged by the Malaysian authorities, would the Philippine Government assist them and how? Consistent with the President’s policy of caring for the Filipino people wherever they are, the Philippine Government will provide the necessary assistance. 13. What is the Secretary’s comment on the news that thousands of Tausugs are now sailing to Sabah? There is a close cooperation between the Philippine and Malaysian navies to jointly enforce a blockade for such an eventuality. 14. What is the DFA’s position on the Sabah claim? The DFA has been named a member of the team tasked to undertake the necessary study on the Sabah claim. 15. On the issue of the ―missing‖ letter, what does the DFA know about it? On the issue of the missing letter written by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to the President days before the President took his oath in June 2010, that letter has been found with the DFA. The Secretary is taking full responsibility for the oversight. 16. What is the Secretary’s opinion on Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s letter to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee? It is Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s right to appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee. 17. What is the Secretary’s opinion on Misuari’s suggestion to involve the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)? It is a domestic issue and is therefore outside the purview of the OIC. 18. Is the Philippine Government reinforcing the security of the Malaysian Embassy in Manila and the Malaysian Consulate-General in Davao City? Yes. The Philippine Government has provided appropriate security to these diplomatic establishments in accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and on Consular Relations. 19. In light of the advisory issued by the Malaysian Embassy in Manila for Malaysian citizens in the Philippines to exercise additional precaution, is the DFA planning on issuing a similar advisory for Filipinos in Malaysia? For now, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has issued an appeal to Filipinos in Sabah to remain calm and abide by the guidelines issued by local authorities. 20. With everything that has happened, how would the Secretary describe Philippines-Malaysia relations? The relationship remains strong and both countries continue to exert efforts for enhancement of their bilateral relations. The Secretary believes that a close cooperation between the two countries is necessary for dealing with the challenges presented by the current issue. 21. How does the situation in Lahad Datu affect the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah? All concerned agencies of the Philippine Government are taking proactive steps to assist Filipinos in Sabah who are being

negatively affected by the violence there. The Philippine mission in Malaysia, composed of representatives from the DFA, DOLE and DSWD, is closely coordinating with the Malaysian Government in order to ensure that the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers and communities are protected. The DFA, particularly our Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has a contingency plan in place to quickly extend consular and humanitarian assistance to the affected Filipinos. Meanwhile, DOLE has activated an inter-agency Task Force Malaysia to coordinate and monitor the assistance to returnees at the one-stop centers in Zamboanga City and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. 22. What is the DFA’s view on the statement issued by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon? The DFA welcomes the statement. This is consistent with our call for a peaceful resolution of the situation. 23. What is the DFA’s view on Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s call for a unilateral ceasefire? A ceasefire will only work if it is accepted by the other party. In this case, Malaysia has not accepted it.

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PCOO wins Anvil Award of Excellence

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

QUEZON CITY, March 11 (PIA) -- The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) was awarded the Anvil Award of Excellence at the 48th Anvil Awards held last March 6 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. PCOO Undersecretary George Syliangco received the award together with other PTV officials, namely: Atty. Jennifer Jimeno-Atienza, head ot PTV Corporate Communications, News Overseeing Officer Ed Finlan, Public Affairs Overseeing Officer Maria Cristina Mariano and New Media Head Dina Libunao. The program, entitled: ―Pagmumulat ng lingkod-bayan sa mga mamamayan,‖ which covered the events leading up to the death of the late Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, won the Anvil Award of Excellence in the Public Relations Programs category. The award is presented to an outstanding program or tool that surpasses the standards set in a specific category. This year, the Anvil Awards received 387 entries, surpassing their target of 300 entries. The Public Relations Society of the Philippines conducts the Anvil Awards annually. It is a symbol of excellence in public relations in the country, awarded by a distinguished multi-sectoral panel of judges to outstanding public relations programs and tools designed and implemented during the previous year. Vishnu Moran, chief executive officer of Havas Media Asia Pacific, led the board of jurors coming from the public and private sector, academe and the media. (JJOA,PIACentral)

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