Toll rates bearable if VAT was not imposed

MANILA, November 14, 2012-If only you had listened.

This was the reaction of Sen. Ralph G. Recto to the reported plan of government to subsidize the operations of privately-run toll roads, including toll fees, to ensure the profitability of the investing firms and soften the impact on motorists.

Recto on Monday said with a 12-percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on toll fees and the expected new wave of increases in toll rates next year, the motorists should brace for an unprecedented higher toll rate regime.

“As early as 2010, I have been saying not to VAT toll rates because it was not the intention of the law, that it would drive up the rates and burden the motorists,” Recto, chair of the Senate committee on government corporations and public enterprises, said.

He said the government would never have to think of subsidy for toll companies had it not stubbornly insisted on slapping toll fees with a 12 percent VAT contrary to the stand of lawmakers who shepherded the law.

The senator, with the backing of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile  and his colleagues, had maintained during hearings last year that toll fee was not in the list of “VATable” items when Congress legislated the law.

“Now they’re beginning to realize the folly of slapping toll rates with VAT and are now considering subsidy to lure in more investors and appease motoring public,” Recto said.

Recto said the supposed billions in revenues to be collected from VAT on toll fee would be washed away by the billions in subsidy to be extended to toll road operators.

He said the proposed subsidy to toll roads is also on top of proposal to extend toll operators income tax holidays (ITH) as a come-on for other groups to invest in the country.

  

Transportation Secretary Jose Emilio Abaya was quoted in news reports that government considers extending subsidy to private toll road companies to guarantee their investments and lure more players in infrastructure projects.

Currently, however, toll firms are already assured of a 15 percent guaranteed return of their investments.

Five toll road operators, handling North Luzon Expressway, Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway, Metro Manila Skyway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, and Manila-Cavite Expressway are poised to increase their toll by the start of 2013.

The toll operators have applied with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for an increase in their rates from 10 percent to 33 percent, which could go up to a high of 50 percent if the income tax holiday (ITH) incentive is not approved.

P-Noy calls on all Filipinos to do their share in the attainment of rice self-sufficiency

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija, November 13, 2012-President Benigno Aquino III called on all Filipinos to do their share in the attainment of rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

In a message during Tuesday’s launch of National Year of Rice (NYR) and awarding of Gawad Saka winners that was read by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Aquino said “idineklara po nating NYR ang 2013 upang paghandaan at lalong mapabilis ang pagiging rice self-sufficient ng Pilipinas. Subalit ano man pong proklamasyon ang gawin ng pamahalaan, kung hindi makikilahok ang taumbayan, para na rin pong nagsayang lang tayo ng ilang pirasong papel (We declared 2013 as NYR to speed up efforts on rice self-sufficiency in the country. However, any proclamation will never materialize and will be wasted if the people do not take part).

The President added that any program of the government stems out from the plea and needs of “Juan dela Cruz” and will only be successfully carried out if everyone will have his/her own contribution. 

“Whatever profession- be it a farmer from Cagayan, or a fisherfolk in Davao; a researcher from Nueva Ecija, or a businessman in Zamboanga- you can help; you can do something. We just have to imbibe and practice the spirit of bayanihan and we will not only achieve rice self-sufficiency but also attain our other aspirations: education, health, and justice; national pride; and development and peace,” the Chief Executive stressed.

Aquino also lauded this year’s 25 National Gawad Saka honorees for inspiring their fellow countrymen and other sectors of Philippine agriculture.

2013 was declared as NYR via Presidential Proclamation No.494 to enlist the support of farmers, consumers, and policy-makers in the country’s endeavor to become rice self-sufficient.

The observance, which is anchored on the theme “Sapat na Bigas, Kaya sa Pinas” is meant to encourage farmers to adopt modern farm technologies while consumers are urged to reduce rice wastage. 

Moreover, Gawad Saka is given to farmers, fisherfolks, livestock raisers and farmers’ and fisherfolk groups and organizations in recognition of their achievements as well as contributions to nation-building. Last year’s performance served as the basis in determining the winners.

The contest started at the municipal level where model farmers, fisherfolks, livestock raisers and farmers’ and fisherfolk groups and organizations were endorsed by their respective mayors to the provincial level competition.

Profiles of the provincial winners were then submitted to the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Units (DA-RFUs) for review and validation.

Regional honorees, who are automatically bets to the national Gawad Saka, were picked by a selection committee composed of various program coordinators and division chiefs of DA-RFUs along with representatives from the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council.

The event coincided with the 27^th anniversary of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Aquino was not able to grace the occasion due to inclement weather.

According to Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte, the Chief Executive was supposed to ride a chopper en route to PhilRice but made a last minute decision to cancel his trip as strongly advised by his security personnel. 

Legarda to Conduct Senate Hearing on Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill

MANILA, November 13, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda will conduct tomorrow, November 14, a Senate Hearing on Senate Bill 2831, also known as the Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill, which seeks to safeguard the intellectual property of Philippine ethno-linguistic groups.

“Our indigenous peoples have suffered historical injustices in the form of discrimination, deprivation of their ancestral domains and lands, among many other human rights violations. To put salt in their many wounds, there have been reported incidences wherein their indigenous knowledge, dances, and designs are being stolen by local and foreign entities,” she explained.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, further stated that the existing Indigenous Peoples Rights’ Act (IPRA) or RA 8371 does not provide for specific provisions for the protection of their cultural properties, both intangible and tangible.

“Besides the lack of protection in the IPRA, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines does not have the legal mandate to undertake the protection of our indigenous cultural treasures. Certainly, this is a void that has to be filled. This bill seeks to address this concern through an inventory of all cultural properties of the various indigenous communities in the country,” she said.

“As a nation, we must end the marginalization of our indigenous communities. Their cultural property, which is a vital part of their identity, must be duly protected. Their intangible and tangible cultural heritage has been passed on from their ancestors, and we must ensure that they will still be passed on to future generations,” Legarda concluded.

Senator Legarda at the ASEAN SMEs Workshop

Senator Loren Legarda gives her “Redefining Development” book, “Message of Our Times” book and the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook to (L-R) Mr. Dennis Wright, CEO of Peregrine, Mr. Tim Gohoc, Managing Director of UPS, and Mr. Alexander Feldman, President of the US-ASEAN Business Council, after her opening remarks at the ASEAN SMEs Training Workshop. Legarda, author of both the Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and the Barangay Kabuhayan Act, emphasized that MSMEs are the lifeblood of ASEAN economies. The workshop, organized by the US-ASEAN Business Council, was held at the Asian Institute of Management on November 12.

Legarda: Expanded Anti-Trafficking Bill Approved in Bicam

MANILA, November 13, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda issued a fair warning to human traffickers as the Congressional Bicameral Conference Committee approved the reconciled version of Senate Bill 2625 and House Bill 6339 -- a measure expanding the Anti-Trafficking Act of 2003.

“This time, there is no reason for human trafficking to triumph against our collective crusade against this modern day slavery,” Legarda said.

“We acknowledge that the problem of human trafficking continues to hound our society, and this is the reason why we need to strengthen the existing law. In the proposed amended version of the law, even acts that shall constitute attempted trafficking in persons will be punishable.  Accomplices and accessories to the crime will also be meted their due penalties,” said Legarda, Chair of the Sub-Committee on Anti-Trafficking and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2625.

“The Expanded Anti-Trafficking Bill aims to fill voids in the existing law by expanding the enumeration of acts that promote trafficking, to include an act to destroy or tamper with evidence, to influence witnesses in an investigation, or to utilize one’s public office to impede an investigation or to obstruct the execution of lawful orders.  The capacities of government agencies will be strengthened and funding will be extended to ensure that the mandate entrusted to them will be carried out on a sustainable basis,” she explained.

Legarda also said that trafficked victims shall be given protection, while prosecution efforts will be heightened by shielding, to a reasonable extent, law enforcement officers and social workers from harassment suits for lawful acts done in good faith during authorized rescue operations, investigation or prosecution of a case.

Furthermore, a permanent secretariat within the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) will be established to ensure continuity of programs and to take the battle against trafficking to a higher plane of strategic action and public awareness. This secretariat will collect comprehensive criminal justice data on trafficking in persons and will train prosecutors and law enforcers.

MEGAWORLD, DOT INK DEED OF DONATION TODAY DRILON ALLOTS PDAF TO BUILD ILOILO CONVENTION CENTER

MANILA, November 13, 2012-Business tourism in the country will get another big boost after Senator Franklin M. Drilon vowed to allot a bulk of his annual priority development assistance fund and sealed the commitment of the Megaworld Corporation and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to construct a state-of-the-art convention center in Iloilo.

With the signing of the deed of donation held today between the multinational corporation and the DOT for the much-awaited multi-million peso Iloilo Convention Center, Drilon, the one who envisioned the construction of said new edifice, said Iloilo is a step closer to becoming a conference hub of Western Visayas and nearby regions.    

“This is a realization of a lifelong dream of the residents of Panay Island to have their own highly impressive and sophisticated convention center at par with those of Cebu and Davao’s that will be capable to hold the best and the most glamorous of the conferences, exhibitions, among others,” said Drilon.

Aside from Drilon, also present in the signing held at the Marriott Hotel were Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Megaworld Corporation President Mr. Andrew L. Tan, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, Iloilo City Representative Jerry Treñas, and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

The construction is expected to begin early next year and be finished by the end of 2014. The convention center is designed by Architect Willy Coscoluella.

He said the Megaworld Corp. will donate 1.7 hectares of lot located in Barangay Mandurriao in Iloilo City to house the two-storey convention center.

“We express gratitude to the Megaworld Corporation for helping us make this endeavour possible and for making our work easier by way of donating a very valuable piece of land where this new edifice will be built,” said Drilon.

  

He said the establishment of a convention center in the Western Visayas will extend support to the country’s rapidly growing tourism industry especially that the present government has been continuously embarking on various efforts and campaign strategies to advance tourism in the country.

“There is a need to ramp up the infrastructure in various parts of the country in order to realize our goal to become a top tourist destination in the world,” he added.

Drilon also said this undertaking will also boost the province’s capability to host the Asia Pacific Economic Council meeting in the first quarter of 2015, for the convention center is designed to attract and accommodate large sized conferences, summits, congresses, fairs, and trade shows and exhibits.

He also noted the proximity of the site for the convention to the Iloilo Airport that offers local and international flights.

“The convention will have an iconic design that truly speaks of the colorful culture not only of the Iloilo Province but of the entire island of Western Visayas. The design will be only one of its kind to the region. The Parao boats and the features of a native tribe in Iloilo called ‘Ati’ intricately carved on the walls as designs will surely entice any audience of its unique beauty,” ended Drilon.   

Legarda: ILO 189 will be More Effective with Passage of Kasambahay Bill

MANILA, November 13, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today stressed on the importance of the immediate passage of the Kasambahay Bill in protecting Filipino domestic workers, stressing that the measure will complement the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189, the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

Legarda, sponsor of ILO Convention 189, said that the treaty will be more effective with the passage of the Kasambahay Bill.

“With the Philippines’ ratification of ILO 189, the treaty will come into force in 2013. This will improve the employment conditions of domestic workers worldwide. Meanwhile, the proposed Kasambahay Act, when approved, will guarantee that our kasambahays in the country will gain more benefits and be better protected as all household working arrangements between employers and helpers shall be duly documented,” she stressed.

“The ILO 189 and the proposed Kasambahay Act are two important measures that will pave the way for treatment of our kasambahays as workers, not servants. These are major steps in according decent working conditions, just compensation, and sufficient benefits to our domestic workers. Thus, I am hopeful that the enactment into law of the Kasambahay Bill will happen very soon,” Legarda said.

The Philippine ratification of the ILO Convention 189 was formally registered last September 5. The Philippines is the second country to ratify the Convention, which is significant as the treaty will enter into force a year after it has been ratified by two countries.

The ILO Convention 189 will benefit the 3.4 million Filipino domestic workers in the Philippines and abroad by ensuring that, first and foremost, domestic workers, like other workers, enjoy the same mantle of basic rights, such as reasonable hours of work, weekly rest, clear information on terms and conditions of employment, and freedom of association.

Meanwhile, the Kasambahay Bill was already approved on third reading by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The two versions of the bill shall be reconciled in a bicameral conference committee meeting.

On the signing of the Purchase Agreement for the sale of the FTI property to Ayala Land

MANILA, November 12, 2012-Today, the President witnessed the signing of the Purchase Agreement for the sale of the 74-hectare Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) property to Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) marking the successful privatization of one of the largest state-owned properties in Metro Manila.

At the ceremonial signing held in Malacañan Palace, government was represented by Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Finance Undersecretary and Chief Privatization Officer Karen Singson, and FTI President Rene Fuentes. ALI was represented by its Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala and President and CEO Antonino Aquino.

The privatization of the FTI property is a significant step towards developing former state-owned lands to maximize potentials for economic growth and infrastructure development. In this particular case, portions of the property have been set aside for the Metro Manila Integrated Transport System which aims to ease traffic congestion by connecting provincial commuters to other modes of urban transportation. Meanwhile, a connector road has been proposed by the DPWH which will link the C-5 Road to the South Luzon Expressway through the FTI property.

Earlier, ALI had won the bid for the FTI property with an offer of P24.33 billion or more than double the base price of P10.25 billion, an impressive haul for government that will redound to funding the social infrastructure that complements the building of roads, bridges, and tollways.

Equitable and inclusive growth is at the core of the Aquino administration’s economic model. We believe this is achievable only through a steady and mutually beneficial partnership between both the public and private sectors. The sale of the FTI property to one of the country’s largest real estate developers shows that the relationship between government and business is flourishing and will continue to grow.

VILLAR SAYS THEY JUST WANT TO SERVE

MANILA, November 11, 2012-THREE-term Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar has asserted  that their running in an election is merely all about public service and not building a political dynasty.     

“We just want to serve,” said Villar, whose husband, Sen. Manny Villar was a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President.

Senator Villar’s term ends in 2013. Their son, Mark , is seeking his second term as congressman of Las Pinas City.

            However, the former congresswoman assured  she will strictly adhere to  the law if it would later say that this is not allowed.           

“If there is a law on political dynasty, we will follow it. It’s not  only in running  for public office wherein we can serve the people,” said Villar who  served  as President of the Lady Legislators of the House during the 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th Congress.

At present, she noted there is no law  in the 1987 Constitution that specifically bars relatives from running for public office.

“What is prohibited right now is with regards to term limits... there is no other prohibitions,” she pointed out.

            But Villar averred that aside from running in a (political) position, they can do other things to serve and help people.         

Since 1992, when the Villar Foundation was founded, Villar   has been actively espousing programs for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), providing livelihood and caring for the environment.

Villar also sees nothing wrong in campaigning with Makabayan Koalisyon ng Mamayan (Makabayan) which endorsed her candidacy and that of  other senatorial hopefuls, incumbent Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former MTRCB chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares.

She said Makabayan, a political alliance of 11 partylist organizations, does not actually have a stage where they campaign.

Recalling her experience with the group, Villar said they just had meetings, and they ask you to join.

“It’s just a small group where they explain their stand on issues. It’s similar to a town hall meeting,” added Villar, a Nacionalista Party candidate running under the ruling Liberal Party and its coalition partners. 

Legarda: Expanded Anti-Trafficking Bill to Improve Efforts Against Trafficking in the PHL

MANILA, November 11, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today said that the proposed amendments to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act will significantly improve the efforts against trafficking in the country as she noted that the statement of UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, should be taken for what it is -- a statement over an alarming global problem that is symptomatic of the “crushing poverty” facing people around the world.

“It would be prudent to carefully study the efforts undertaken, over the years, to identify other gaps that could probably be addressed by stronger policy measures, and improvement in our law enforcement, prosecution, justice system, and even programs and services for trafficked persons and those who are vulnerable to trafficking,” Legarda stressed.

“That is the approach we have taken in seeking to amend the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) of 2003,” said Legarda, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2625 or the proposed Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2012.

“More than nine years after the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) was passed, we have seen 100 convictions. This is by no means an indication that we have won the battle against trafficking; but we have to take notice of the rising conviction numbers over the years,” she added.

Legarda noted that by year-end of 2011, the country’s Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking reported 62 convictions out of a total of 1,519 cases filed between 2003 and 2011. From January to October of this year, however, 38 convictions were made, equivalent to more than half of the total convictions made over an 8 year period.

The Senator said that these are indications of modest but positive strides the country has achieved in the battle against trafficking. 

Even the US Trafficking Report for 2011 cited that while the Philippine government has yet to “comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, it is making significant efforts to do so.”  The said report even cited the “notable efforts” made by authorities to address trafficking-related corruption.

Additionally, the report cited that “the government enacted numerous measures and policies to improve institutional responses to human trafficking for this year and in future years, such as increased training of judicial, law enforcement, and diplomatic officials on trafficking issues.”

“These efforts cannot be dismissed. In the midst of these accomplishments, however, we need to do more.  It is for this reason that the Senate and the House moved to amend the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act to improve our capacity to battle this social scourge,” Legarda said.

On Monday (Nov. 12), the representatives of both chambers will be convening a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the two versions of the bills amending RA 9208.  

“There are major amendments which we seek to introduce into the original law, including new provisions on attempted trafficking to strengthen prosecution of pre-empted acts of trafficking; protection to trafficked victims; accomplice liability; protection to trafficked victims in various stages of the investigation and prosecution process; a permanent Secretariat to the country’s anti-trafficking efforts, among others, as well as stronger penalty provisions,” she explained.

“Hopefully, we can adopt a reconciled version of the measure in time for Dec. 12 -- the day of awareness and vigilance for the countless victims of Human Trafficking,” Legarda concluded.

Trillanes presses for passage of Estrada’s ‘Kasambahay’ bill

MANILA, November 11, 2012-Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV openly declared support for fellow Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s call for the approval of the latter’s “Kasambahay” (house helper) bill in order to provide immediate protection to domestic workers in the country.

“I fully support Senator Jinggoy Estrada in his advocacy to protect the rights of, and provide more benefits and better treatment for our kasambahays. If enacted into law, this landmark legislation will be a giant leap toward our country’s compliance with international labor standards which guarantee rights and humane treatment of domestic workers wherever situated,” Trillanes said.

According to Trillanes, the Philippines, which has always been in the forefront in promoting the rights of domestic workers in the international community, must do its own homework and ensure humane treatment to Filipino domestic workers in the country.

“Millions of our kababayans abroad working as domestic workers have already secured better treatment in some countries due to government pressure and diplomatic efforts. It is an imperative that we walk the talk and afford the same – if not better – kind of protection, rights and benefits to our own kababayan serving within the country,” the young senator added.

Both chambers of Congress have yet to agree on the final version of the Kasambahay bill, which aims to institute a regulatory framework and various mechanisms to ensure compliance with labor law standards in the employment of domestic workers in the country.

The bill, if passed, will provide regulations governing the salary, employment contracts, work schedule, health and other benefits of domestic workers employed in the country. 

“These kasambahay who make our lives easier and more comfortable should be given the opportunity to improve their own lives and be afforded due respect and appreciation,” Trillanes said.

Fast-tracking the proposed legislation augurs well for the Philippines after the Senate has ratified the International Labor Organization Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers on 6 August 2012, he said. 

Jinggoy: ‘Access-enhanced polls to enable millions of PWDs, seniors to vote’

MANILA, November 10, 2012-The country’s millions of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens (SCs) will be encouraged to register and vote – and will be able to actually do so – in local and national polls through the proposed Electoral Processes Accessibility Act.

 

This was underscored by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, principal author of Senate Bill 3287 which aims to make fully-accessible to PWDs and seniors all  electoral processes, which include registration, candidacy, campaign, voter education, and casting of vote.

 

Senate Bill 3287, a substitute bill of several legislative proposals and was sponsored by Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation Chairman Sen. Koko Pimentel III, was approved on Second Reading last November 5.

 

“Consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, other international declarations and treaties as well as our local laws, the bill defines PWDs as those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in the electoral processes on an equal basis with others, while SCs refer to qualified voters who are sixty (60) years or older,” Estrada explained.

 

Based on data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), non-government organizations and other independent groups, there are today about nine million PWDs and 6.5 million seniors among Filipinos.

 

Estrada, however, noted reports that only a fraction of the ranks of SCs and PWDs of voting age have been participating in the elections.

 

He likewise cited a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Asia Foundation which even showed a decrease in participation of PWDs in the 2010 elections compared to 2007, with 17% saying they were ashamed to vote because of their disability, 17% stating mobility problems and 10% saying nobody would shade or read the ballot for them.

 

The same survey showed that the number of PWDs who were of voting age but did not register increased from 20 percent to 22 percent.

 

Estrada said, “The government must ensure that persons with disabilities and senior citizens are able to exercise their right to political participation without discrimination or restrictions. To attain this, we must design systems and procedures that will enable PWDs and SCs to register and vote by themselves.”

 

SB 3287 provides, among others, the following:

 

-      Comelec’s designation of accessible polling places where PWDs and SCs may be able to cast their votes on election day and be provided with the necessary forms of assistance. The polling place shall be located at the ground floor of each voting center preferably near the entrance of the building;

 

-      reasonable accommodation of PWDs and SCs in designing of the ballot and other election materials;

 

-      ensuring that a pool of expert services including sign language interpreters, Braille translators and such other technical support would assist PWDs and SCs during the registration period and election day.

 

-      sensitivity trainings to persons performing electoral duties, including Comelec field officers, members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEls) and accredited citizens' arms to familiarize with the needs of the PWDs and SCs; and

 

-      keeping of an updated record of PWDs and SCs who are registered as voters, indicating the types of disability and the assistance they need, to assist the government in determining policy directions for more inclusive and accessible electoral processes.

 

“Persons with disabilities and senior citizens are vital participants in our national development and, in particular, in electing government officials who will then manage the system of service to the people. We must ensure that our PWDs and seniors are able to fully and actively participate in the country’s electoral processes,” Estrada stressed.

Church, Pangasinan agree on 3 areas of cooperation

MANILA, November 9, 2012— Although Church and State are independent and autonomous, both are called to collaboration in order to serve the people, a Catholic archbishop said.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said it would be unnatural for the church and state to ignore each, adding that cooperation is necessary for the sake of the integrity of the person.

Archbishop Soc Villegas

“The church and state must be properly positioned maintaining distance yet keeping close coordination and mutual cooperation to bring forth peace and progress for the good of the people,” Villegas said.

The archbishop made the statement in his homily during a Mass at the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Shrine in Manaoag yesterday that was attended by Pangasinan provincial government officials.

The archdiocese and Pangasinan province have also agreed on three areas of cooperation called the three “Ps”.

Villegas said these include peace, progress and people.

He said that peace is a priority thrust of both the church and state. “The church promotes peace among its laity and so does the government,” he said.

The archbishop, on the other hand, said that progress comes naturally from a peaceful environment whose leaders are rightfully focused in bringing genuine development to the community.

“The last ‘P’ is People,” Villegas said, as he noted that the vision of the church and the state will not materialize if the community will not embrace the first two “Ps”.

The Mass, which was also attended by local government unit heads and various provincial department heads and chiefs of hospital, was part of the activities in anticipation of the archdiocese’s upcoming jubilee celebration on February 6, 2013. (RL/CBCPNews)

VILLAR SAYS MAKABAYAN ENDORSEMENT WILL BOOST CANDIDACY

MANILA, November 9, 2012-Senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar believes inclusion in the “Magic 6” of Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan), which extols almost 4 million membership nationwide,  will boost chances of winning in the 2013 midterm elections.

            

Aside from Villar, Makabayan also endorsed the candidacy of re-electionists Senators Loren Legarda, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and former MTRCB chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares. 

“Yes, they will reinforce our candidacy rather than us reinforcing their candidacy,” said Villar.

She noted that Makabayan has several organizations and partylist groups campaigning all over the nation.

“Of course, we hope to get the support of members and supporters of the organizations under Makabayan,” said Villar.

Makabayan is a political coalition of 11 party list organizations namely: Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women’s Party, Migrante, Courage, Akap Bata, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Piston, Katribu, and Kalikasan.

It is fielding just one official candidate, former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino who is running as an Independent candidate for senator in next year’s polls.

Villar also stressed that the so-called “6 Senate Champions” of the Makabayan share the same advocacies.

“They laid down their advocacies. We read them. We agreed to support in varying degrees certain advocacies of Makabayan. We saw no problem since they are good,” she said.

Sharing Makabayan’s advocacies was the reason cited by the group’s president, former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, in taking in the five as guest candidates.

Ocampo said they adopted the candidacy of the five based on a history of cooperative relationship with each of them on people’s issues and advocacies.

Among the Makabayan advocacies shared by Villar are lowering the prices of oil products, water, power and other basic commodities and services; pushing for genuine agrarian reform, pro-people mining policies and environmental protection;  equitable minimum wage and salary adjustments in the public and private sectors and subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk.

Villar also vouches for increasing budgetary allocations for essential social services; asserting national sovereignty and pepole’s interest; working for the passage of the Freedom of Information and Whistleblowers Act; seeking an end to extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearances of activists and journalists and amnesty to political prisoners and repealing or amending the Cybercrime Law and decriminalizing libel and pushing for resumption of peace talks. 

Villar sees nothing wrong in the Makabayan endorsement since all of them are running under the ticket of the ruling Liberal Party and its coalition partners.

Except for Villar and Pimentel, Legarda, Escudero and Poe are also guest candidates of both LP and the United Nationalist Alliance, a coalition of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada and PDP-Laban of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The former congresswoman has likewise maintained that   having several endorsements would not prejudice chances of winning of a candidate due to alleged ‘overexposure.”

  “The more, the better,” added Villar, as she reminded the electorate to focus on issues and not on personalities.” 

Legarda Wants Immediate Action on Alleged Waste Dumping Incident in Subic by a US Navy Contractor

MANILA, November 9, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, today said that the alleged waste dumping incident in Subic by a US Navy contractor requires immediate attention and action, stressing that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) cannot be used as a defense in such an incident.

“The VFA is a framework for promoting the common security interests of the Philippines and the United States of America by strengthening our bilateral defense partnership.  It is not a treaty we have entered into with the United States so that their contractors can wantonly violate the country’s environmental laws,” said Legarda, Co-Chair of the Legislative Oversight Committee on the VFA (LOVFA).

The Senator noted that the contractor, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, Philippines, is neither a part of the US personnel, nor is it a part of the civilian personnel contemplated in the VFA.  Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines is a contractor whose status in the Philippines is clearly within the bounds of our laws.

“It is shameless for their contractor to hide beneath the VFA and raise jurisdictional issues.  There is no jurisdictional issue as far as this case is concerned,” she said.

“If it is indeed established that they violated our environmental laws, they should be made to answer, and penalties need to be imposed to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.

Legarda said that the VFA Commission is mandated to coordinate with the Legislative Oversight Committee in ensuring that the implementation of the VFA continues to serve national interest. 

“Clearly, the incident did not serve national interest at all. We shall require a report on this incident and demand immediate action against all those involved in violating our laws. It is time we revisit the VFA not because of this incident, but because it is a long-overdue exercise that is vital to forging deeper and stronger relations with our treaty partner,” Legarda concluded.