Palace emissary wooing Angara rival as running mate in 2013?

BALER, Aurora, August 7, 2012-A Malacanang official has been attempting to convince Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras - who is running for governor - to give way to the gubernatorial bid of Sen. Edgardo Angara.

A highly reliable source, who sought anonymity, said former Cagayan Rep. Manuel Mamba, now the chief of the Presidential Legislative Liason Office under the Office of the President, is trying to persuade Noveras to abandon his Capitol run and instead give way to Angara in 2013.

The source said Mamba first tried to convince Noveras to instead seek a third and last term as vice governor “in deference to” Angara right after President Aquino’s visit in the province last February 19 as guest of honor and speaker on the occasion of its 33^rd foundation anniversary and the 124^th birth anniversary of Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon.

At the sidelines of the anniversary rites, Mamba and Noveras were seen talking to each other. The two both belong to the administration party with Noveras holding the post of provincial party chairman.

Mamba and Noveras have both declined to comment on the supposed negotiations.

President Aquino and the Angaras – this province’s political kingpins - are from different parties. The clan belongs to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino. But they became close due to the impeachment trial that led to the eventual ouster Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Senator Angara and Congressman Angara played key roles in the impeachment, with the former acting as one of the senator-judges and the latter as one of the spokesperson of the House prosecution panel.

Mr. Aquino even announced that the younger Angara is running for senator under the LP ticket.  

According to the source, Mamba told Noveras to give way to Angara since the latter is just eyeing one term as governor to continue the programs he initiated in the province in partnership with the other Angaras – Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Rep. Juan Edgardo and Baler Mayor Arthur – who are all on their third and last terms.

“Nakakahiya naman na Senador e lalabanan mo sa pagka-gobernador (It’s embarrassing he’s a Senator and you will run against him for governor),” the source quoted Mamba as telling Noveras.

The source said Mamba even offered Noveras a position as Regional Trial Court judge if he wants. Noveras reportedly told Mamba he would give the matter a “serious thought.”

The elder Angara, a veteran lawmaker and one of the senior statesman in the Senate, earlier denied he is eyeing the Capitol but reports said he reconsidered after Mayor Angara, who earlier expressed intention to seek the governorship, would lose when pitted against Noveras.

          Noveras announced his intention to run for governor in July last year, two months after reports came out that the Angaras were planning to field him as their standard-bearer in tandem with Rommel Angara, the senator’s nephew Rommel, whom he defeated in the 2007 polls.

When Noveras learned of the plan, he looked excited, saying he would gladly accept it when offered. But negotiations fell through after the Angaras’ political leaders reportedly rejected the “Dream Team” tandem.      

          The senator’s Capitol bid has been the subject of much speculation, particularly due to his “increasing visibility” in the province. Since last year, he has been going around the province, meeting ward leaders of the Angaras, particularly local chief executives.

A Capitol official said the senator can run for governor even without physically campaigning around the province.

“He is very well-known, he has extensive connections and he has the solid support of leaders who can do the campaigning for him while he is attending to the campaign of Congressman Angara,” the official said. (Manny Galvez)     

Senator Loren Legarda today expressed grave concern over the condition of various communities affected by the present weather disturbance that has caused massive flooding in many parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, and called on the government to make the nation’s laws work to avert disasters. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and author of several environmental laws, stressed that both the government and the citizenry should engage in heightened flood prevention measures and other disaster preparedness efforts. “Despite experiences of the past, flooding persists. Now we ask, was there declogging of esteros? Was garbage in open dumps collected? Were roads that needed repair done? Is flood control implemented? Are there updated flood warning protocols for dam water releases? With flooding comes sickness, loss of livelihood and chaos. Laws and policies are in place but when will the executive start implementing our laws and when will people follow laws enacted?” the Senator remarked. Legarda said that laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), Clean Water Act (RA 9275), Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121), if fully implemented, are enough to avert the disasters that have been plaguing many parts of the country every time a natural hazard strikes. She added that with the present condition of communities in Metro Manila, the government should urgently undertake an NCR-wide clean up of drainage, waterways, and riverbanks; engage in more tree-growing activities; craft and implement comprehensive flood prevention and mitigation program in NCR; and create a program to address the problem of ground subsidence. “No to open dumps. We must clean esteros and canals, segregate garbage, plant trees on vacant lots and roadsides, relocate urban settlers living in vulnerable areas, do rainwater catchment basins so that water is stored during rains and used during dry season,” Legarda said. The Senator also stressed that agencies of government, particularly the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and all local government units (LGUs) should coordinate closely with one another for disaster prevention, effective disaster risk communication, and disaster response. “Government must make the National Climate Change Action Plan and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan work. Adopted more than a year ago, they should serve as blueprints in mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the government’s plans and programs, from the national down to the local level, not just in paper but in practice,” she explained. “We now experience the ‘new norm’ and disaster response preparedness, such as warning and alert for evacuation, rescue and relief, can never be enough in this era of weather uncertainty brought by climate change,” Legarda concluded.

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, August 7, 2012-A top official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources whom police tagged along with a former municipal vice mayor as the brains behind the February 4 assassination of a sitting mayor and the wounding of his bodyguard has remained in his post, escapingg suspension by the DENR in Central Luzon.

Rafael Otic, DENR provincial environment and natural resources officer for Nueva Ecija, has not been suspended nor relieved from his post in spite of the gravity of the charges against him.

Maximo Dichoso, DENR regional executive director for Central Luzon, clarified, however, that he is not coddling Otic. He said the latter has not been relieved because he has not yet received a copy of the resolution of the Department of Justice indicting Otic for murder.

Otic and businessman Teodoro Ilagan, former vice mayor of Licab town, were both charged allegedly for killing Mayor Restituto Abad. Otic is the brother of Jose, who ran but lost to Abad in the 2010 elections. Another brother, Luvimindo, used to be a long-time mayor of the town.

          Ilagan also ran for mayor in Licab but lost to the incumbent Mayor Wilfredo Domingo.

          Dichoso said Otic can be relieved once the order from the DOJ has come out. “We have no other recourse but to relieve him. Murder, after all is a non-bailable offense,” he said.

The PACC and the Philippine National Police’s Intelligence Group filed before the Department of Justice murder and frustrated murder charges against Otic and Ilagan.

          Abad died five days later while undergoing treatment at the St. Luke’s Medical Center. Duclayan survived.

Chief Supt. Charles Calima, IG director, said Gov. Aurelio Umali put up a P1 million reward for any information leading to the arrest of Abad’s killers. This is on top of the P100,000 put up by Abad’s relatives.

          Lawmen were able to arrest one of the suspects, Jose Bernalin Pascual of Barangay Pagas, Cabanatuan, driver of the motorcycle ridden by the gunman Jonathan Carpio who shot Abad and Duclayan.

         

Judge Serafin Cruz of the Regional Trial Court Branch 86 based in this city issued a warrant for the arrest of Carpio who is also facing 12 counts of electric pilferage filed in 2007 and 2008 by the Cabanatuan Electric Corp.

          Carpio, 32, who carries the alias Atan was arrested by IG operatives led by deputy director for operations Senior Supt. Allen Bantolo and the PACC in Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City last April 28 while allegedly casing his next target. He yielded a caliber .45 Armscor pistol used in killing Abad.

          Carpio has admitted to the crime and pointed to Ilagan as the one who hired him to assassinate Abad. He said it was Otic and Ilagan who gave him P300,000 as payment for killing Abad, some six days after the incident. The money was handed to him at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Ilagan surrendered to IG and Regional Mobile Group operatives but not after engaging them in a shootout in his house in Barangay San Cristobal, Licab last June 21 which led to the death of his security escort Lorenzo Bote, a retired police sergeant.

Ilagan yielded two caliber 45, a black 40 pistol and a handgrenade. He is now detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.  (Manny Galvez)

Legarda: Make Our Laws Work to Avert Disasters Gov’t and Citizens Must Engage in Heightened Flood Prevention, Disaster Preparedness Measures

MANILA, August 7, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed grave concern over the condition of various communities affected by the present weather disturbance that has caused massive flooding in many parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, and called on the government to make the nation’s laws work to avert disasters.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and author of several environmental laws, stressed that both the government and the citizenry should engage in heightened flood prevention measures and other disaster preparedness efforts.

“Despite experiences of the past, flooding persists. Now we ask, was there declogging of esteros? Was garbage in open dumps collected? Were roads that needed repair done? Is flood control implemented? Are there updated flood warning protocols for dam water releases? With flooding comes sickness, loss of livelihood and chaos. Laws and policies are in place but when will the executive start implementing our laws and when will people follow laws enacted?” the Senator remarked.

Legarda said that laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), Clean Water Act (RA 9275), Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121), if fully implemented, are enough to avert the disasters that have been plaguing many parts of the country every time a natural hazard strikes.

She added that with the present condition of communities in Metro Manila, the government should urgently undertake an NCR-wide clean up of drainage, waterways, and riverbanks; engage in more tree-growing activities; craft and implement comprehensive flood prevention and mitigation program in NCR; and create a program to address the problem of ground subsidence.

“No to open dumps. We must clean esteros and canals, segregate garbage, plant trees on vacant lots and roadsides, relocate urban settlers living in vulnerable areas, do rainwater catchment basins so that water is stored during rains and used during dry season,” Legarda said.

The Senator also stressed that agencies of government, particularly the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and all local government units (LGUs) should coordinate closely with one another for disaster prevention, effective disaster risk communication, and disaster response.

“Government must make the National Climate Change Action Plan and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan work. Adopted more than a year ago, they should serve as blueprints in mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the government’s plans and programs, from the national down to the local level, not just in paper but in practice,” she explained.

“We now experience the ‘new norm’ and disaster response preparedness, such as warning and alert for evacuation, rescue and relief, can never be enough in this era of weather uncertainty brought by climate change,” Legarda concluded.

KIKO: LET's USE PEOPLE POWER, VOLUNTEERISM TO ENSURE SAFETY, RESCUE OF FLOOD VICTIMS

MANILA, August 7, 2012-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan calls on fellow Filipinos to use "people power" and "citizen-powered volunteerism" to send information and rescue efforts to those who are badly affected by this week's floods.

"Thanks to social media and the efforts of ordinary Filipinos to pass on crucial, life-saving information, we are able to respond to the onslaught of floods much better than was possible during the time of Ondoy," Pangilinan says. "We call on our countrymen to continue to be vigilant and keep their families safe, but also to hopefully extend help when and where it is needed."

"We've received reports that rubber boats are urgently needed, as are clothes, slippers, medicines and other medical supplies, food, water, and other emergency items. We urge those who can spare such items to get in touch with government agencies such as the DSWD and MMDA for such donations."

He adds, "Nakikiusap rin ho tayo sa mga nakatira sa mabababang mga lugar--sundin po sana natin ang abiso ng mga kinauukulan at lumikas na kung kailangang lumikas. Buhay natin at ng ating mga mahal sa buhay ang katapat nito. Tayo po at magsama-sama at magtulung-tulong para maiwasan ang matinding sakuna." 

Legarda: Constant Vigilance Needed Amid Torrential Rains, Increasing Weather Uncertainty

MANILA, August 7, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today called for constant vigilance among government authorities, communities and citizens as floods cover many parts of Luzon and Visayas, and water levels of some rivers and major dams exceeded the warning mark due to torrential rains.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that everyone should be on heightened alert especially that with continuous rains, floodwaters rise swiftly and landslides are more likely to occur.

“Flood warnings, especially in areas affected by overflowing rivers and overspilling dams, should give enough time for communities to evacuate and take shelter. There must be a balance between information provision, dissemination, and understanding of the communities, coupled with preparedness and accountability,” she said.

The Senator also urged citizens to be on full alert for severe floods and cooperate with national and local authorities by heeding warnings.

She also stressed that is important to reduce vulnerability over the longer term in order for communities to better cope with climate variability and uncertainty.

“During these times, early evacuation should be implemented to avoid citizens being trapped in their homes due to high floodwaters. But more than the short-term solutions, we must address the lingering problem of recurring floods every single time we experience heavy rains. We have early warning system for flood and evacuation but this is not enough. We need serious flood prevention and mitigation measures such as drainage and river clean-up, relocation of informal settlers along waterways, and effective solid waste management at local level,” Legarda pointed out.

“While heavy and excessive rainfall is part of the ‘new norm’, we need not live with recurrent flooding that put lives at risk and disrupt our social and economic activities. Prevention is always better than cure. We must learn from our past experiences, practice enhanced disaster preparedness and response, and be proactive in reducing the risk of disasters,” Legarda concluded.

Police Regional Office 3 to improve communication skills

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 7, 2012-The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) had launched its Toastmasters Club Division which is also known as Philippine National Police (PNP) Speech Club that will further enhance police’s skills and confidence in public speaking.

Members of the organization include the chiefs of different offices of the regional headquarters.

Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Senior Superintendent (PSSUPT) Noli Taliño said “Toastmasters Club is another opportunity for us to forge effective community relations through good communication.”

Meanwhile, Regional Intelligence Division Chief PSSUPT Oscar Albayalde said that “through this club, our communication skills will be honed, polished and developed as well as the ability to speak professionally and eloquently in public or in front of the media will be enhanced.”

PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome initiated the organization of the said club in regional level mid April.

This, according to him, will improve the communication skills among police officers as part of the objective of the PNP to forge effective community relations. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

Three PNP CL provincial offices successful in anti-illegal gambling campaign

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 7, 2012-The elements of the Pampanga, Tarlac, and Bulacan provincial offices had successfully carried out a series of anti-illegal gambling operations recently which resulted to the arrest of 19 persons and confiscation of five Video Karera machines and one fruit game machine.

Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Regional Director PCSUPT Edgardo Ladao said this undertaking is the agency’s way to eradicate all forms of illegal gambling specifically in Central Luzon.

And in order to totally eliminate this problem, Ladao said that the police operatives continuously conducts and monitors operations especially to the areas where illegal gambling activities have been previously reported.

Case of Violation of Presidential 1602 as amended by Republic Act 9287 is being readied against the suspects.

RA 9287, the Philippine law on illegal gambling is an act increasing the penalties for illegal number games, amending certain provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602 that prescribes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling.

Woman nabbed for drug selling

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga August 7, 2012-A woman was nabbed after selling illegal drugs in Barangay Poblacion, Bulacan province.

According to Police Regional Office Region 3 (PRO3), the suspect was identified as Rebecca Palad, 31 years of age and a resident of the said Barangay.

Prior to her arrest, the Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Norzagaray had received an information from a concerned citizen that selling of illegal drugs occurs in Barangay Poblacion. And upon hearing this, they conducted an anti-illegal drug operation where they captured Palad.

Confiscated from her possession were four pieces of small plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu,” which were brought to Bulacan Crime Laboratory Office for laboratory examination.

And a criminal complaint against the suspect was prepared against her under Violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or known as Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

Palad is presently detained in Norzagaray Municipal Jail.

In a recent development, Aries David Escarpe, 31 years old, was arrested by the virtue of the warrant for violation of section 15 or use of dangerous drugs of RA 9165 by the San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) City Police Station.

The suspect is a resident of Brangay Gumaoc East, SJDM City.

He has a recommended bail of P40,000 which was issued by Hon. Judge Manuel Ortiguerra of Regional Trial Court Branch 8, Malolos City, and is presently detained in SJDM City Jail for proper disposition. ( Joelyn G. Baluyut)

Tarlac’s calamity fund at P62.3M

TARLAC CITY, Tarlac, August 7, 2012-The calamity fund of Tarlac province which will be used for disaster plan for the year 2012 is P62.3 million.

 

In a report sent by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Deputy Executive Officer Engineer Manuel Agustin, said the fund is divided into three areas which are Pre-disaster, post disaster, and quick response.

 

Pre-disaster area will have a share of P27.1 million, where Agustin disclosed that activities under this include updating of provincial evacuation or hazard and rescue plan (P50,000); reproduction and distribution of hazard or risk maps and DRMM flyers/posters (P400,000); conduct of Fora/symposia (P250,000); emergency drills like fire, earthquake, flood, water search and rescue (WASAR) (P500,000); trainings for Disaster Action and Response Team, BLS/CPR Swift Water Rescue and DRRM related trainings (P1.5 million); purchase of rescue/communication equipments (P5 million); repair and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures and facilities (P12 million).

Fuel for equipments and other service vehicles (P1.2 million); stockpiling and prepositioning of relief goods (P2.5 million); provision of certified seeds, probiotics, organic fertilizer, vegetables seedlings, vitamins for livestock and garden tools (P1.2 million); purchase of empty sacks for sandbagging (P750,000); hazard pay and insurance premiums for disaster operatives (P500,000); and stockpiling and prepositioning of medicines (P1.2 million.)

 

P16.5 million will be allotted for post disaster for the repair and rehabilitation of infrastructures and other activities related to the effects of calamity.

 

Under the area include agriculture, long term rehabilitation, food for work, repair of heavy equipments, and repair and maintenance of rescue equipments, said Agustin.

 

And the quick response will have P18.7 million for the purchase of additional relief goods, medicines, fuel, financial assistance; procurement of additional sacks for sandbagging; and procurement of additional seeds, fertilizers and probiotics. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

3 Central Luzon provinces free from red tide

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 7, 2012–The provinces of Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan remains free from paralytic shellfish poison or most commonly known as Red Tide.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Shellfish Bulletin dated August 3 reported, “The coastal waters of Bulacan in Manila Bay; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; and coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan are now free of the toxic red tide.”

BFAR said shellfish from the mentioned areas can now be gathered, harvested, and sold in markets and are safe for human consumption.

Meanwhile, shellfish collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcialagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; and coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

And all types of shellfish and Acetes ap or alamang from the areas mentioned are not safe for human consumption.

“Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” BFAR said. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

Don’t fear political dynasties – Angara

MANILA, Philippines - Political dynasties are not always bad, said Rep Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, a member of the Angara political clan of Aurora province.

“If you have your own qualifications and you have the name, I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” he told ANC's Headstart on Tuesday, June 26.

“Why deprive the people of their choice?,” he said. Angara is the son of Senator Edgardo Angara and the nephew of Aurora Gov. Bellafor Castillo.

AB issue?

Angara said the opposition to political dynasties appears to be a “Manila-type, intellectual A-B issue.”

“In my talks with people, hindi issue sa kanila yun. Kung magaling ang tatay o asawa, may tatak yun at makatutulong sa tatakbo…. I think it's an issue for the elite, but not for the masa," he said.

Nevertheless, Angara said he could still support a bill against political dynasties. “If it’s a good bill and it doesn’t unduly limit the opportunities for public office and the choice of voters, there is nothing wrong,” he said. “There are bills versus political dynasties but the difficulty lies in defining what is a dynasty and what you are prohibiting."

In the end, Angara said it’s all about voter education. Voters should be able to identify politicians from the issues they stand for.

LP’s senatorial bet?

On his third and last term in the House of Representatives, Angara said he is “inclined” to run for the Senate next year.

President Aquino has named Angara as one of the ruling party's potential senatorial candidates next year. Angara said, however, that there is “no formal invitation from the President to run with LP [Liberal Party].” Angara belongs to the Laban political party.

“We'll cross the bridge when we get there. We're not obsessing over it,” he said.

Running for Aurora’s gubernatorial position is also an option, he said.

He said is watching the surveys and may decide in one or two months. The deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacies is Oct 5, 2012.

Senator Angara’s second and last term in the Senate also expires in 2013. (Courtesy to Rappler.com)

PRO3’s TOASTMASTERS CLUB

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, August 6, 2012-To further enhance every PNP personnel’s skills and confidence particularly in public speaking, Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of PCSUPT EDGARDO T LADAO, RD, PRO3 has organized a Toastmasters Club or PNP Speech Club joined in by the different chiefs of offices of the regional headquarters.

            The organization of the PRO3 Toastmasters Club is in line with the directive of the C, PNP, PDG NICANOR BARTOLOME to reactivate the PNP Toastmasters Club which was organized in 1995 but hibernated four to five years later.

            On August 3, 2012, the PRO3 Toastmasters Club Division A was formally launched along with the Induction of Charter Members and Installation of 2012-2013 Officers which was held at the PRO3 Conference Room, Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga wherein the Keynote Speaker was Toastmasters International Director Christine Temblique.

            In his inaugural message, PSSUPT NOLI G TALIÑO, Deputy Regional Director for Operations/President said that “2012 is a remarkable year for Police Regional Office3 since the reactivation of the PNP Toastmasters Club has been realized. This is another opportunity for us to forge effective community relations through good communication.”

            Meanwhile, in his welcome remarks, PSSUPT OSCAR ALBAYALDE, Chief, Regional Intelligence Division3/Vice President Education said that through the Toastmaster’s Club their communication skills will be honed, polished and developed as well as their ability to speak professionally and eloquently in public or in front of the media will be enhanced.

Legarda: Amend Anti-Hazing Law to Increase Awareness and Accountability

MANILA, August 6, 2012-“Hazing has laid claim to many lives, and will continue to do so unless we take concerted action,” Senator Loren Legarda said today in a privilege speech where she called to amend RA 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.

“These tragic, untimely deaths prove that hazing remains a serious problem in fraternities, sororities, and other organizations in the country. The Anti-Hazing Law in its current incarnation is evidently not enough,” she explained.

“We are called upon by the Filipino people to act on these tragedies. Let us advocate heightened awareness and participation among all stakeholders, and reestablish accountability among fraternities, sororities, organizations, and administrators of universities and colleges alike,” she emphasized.

She suggested that careful research should be conducted on effective administrative practices to regulate fraternities, sororities, and organizations should be conducted.

“Banning these student endeavors will only result in driving them underground, making it harder for them to be monitored. Alternatives should be sought and implemented immediately,” she added.

Legarda, expressing indignation over the recent hazing-related death of San Beda College of Law freshman Mark Andre Marcos, also reiterated her call to ensure that perpetrators of hazing are held accountable.

“There is a need to revisit the current policy of regulation under the Anti-Hazing Law given its failure to deter violence and the apparent audacity by which these fraternities and sororities and their officers and members perpetrate violence without regard to the existing mandate of the law,” she concluded.

Legarda Hails Senate Concurrence in Domestic Workers’ Convention

MANILA, August 6, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today hailed the Senate’s concurrence in the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189, the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that all 20 senators present during the voting concurred in the ratification of the Convention.

“I am happy for our kasambahays because the approval of ILO Convention 189 will pave the way for the proper recognition of their important role in the households they are employed in and their contribution to the economy,” she stressed.

The Senator cited records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which showed that the deployment of domestic workers is increasing year-to-year. In 2011, newly hired overseas Filipino domestic workers breached the 100,000 mark (136,000) for the first time in Philippine history.

She added that through this Convention the government can provide stronger protection and greater support to the 3.4 million Filipino domestic workers here and abroad.

“Domestic workers are not nameless persons. They have families. They send siblings to school.  They work, just like us, but unlike us, many of them are denied their rights and are stripped of their dignity as a human being, and through the ILO Convention 189, we are hopeful that this kind of injustice would end,” Legarda stressed.

“Our kasambahays will now be recognized as legitimate workers, not slaves, and be accorded decent working conditions, just compensation and sufficient benefits they greatly deserve,”  Legarda concluded.

Senate budget deliberation kicks off Drilon says 2013 budget plugs in growth constraints

MANILA, August 6, 2012-Senator Franklin M Drilon is confident that the proposed P2.006-trillion 2013 national budget will address the top growth restrictions identified by the National Economic Development Board (NEDA) in order to achieve the projected 6-7 percent growth rate for the next several years.

 At a Development Budget Coordination Council (DBCC) briefing for the Senators on the proposed budget, the NEDA identified five critical areas hampering the country’s growth: slow infrastructure developments, human capital development, institution of governance, agricultural productivity and strengthening manufacturing and industry.

The Senator, who chairs the Senate Finance that reviews the country’s proposed expenditures, said these bottlenecks must be addressed to catch up with the neighboring countries’ robust economic conditions.

The country’s 2012 first quarter growth of 6.4 percent is the highest in the region except for China, gaining praises from a number of senators present in the hearing who expressed satisfaction for the way the economy has been managed for the past one year, noted Drilon.

Drilon cited, in particular, the slow implementation of government’s infrastructure projects will be addressed by allowing the pre-bidding process to take place, short of awards, through the National Expenditure Program (NEP).  

“In order to meet the requirements of the law and address the need to accelerate infrastructure, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would now bid out projects based on the NEP. All infrastructure projects should be bidded out by December this year, so that come January 1, awarding of bids will be made on the basis of the approved General Appropriations Act,” said Drilon.

“In this manner, we will be able to commence these projects during summer months, and more importantly, we don’t want to be caught in the ban of awards of infrastructure projects because of the elections in 2013,” added Drilon.

The DPWH is allotted with P152.9 billion in 2013 to build roads, bridges, ports and airports, noted Drilon.

Meanwhile, to improve human capital, Drilon said, strategic investment in education and health are taken into considerations in crating the 2013 budget. The social services sector has the highest allocation of P698.4 billion.

                                                                                      

The Department of Education (DepEd) will get P292.7 billion allocation – the highest in the entire bureaucracy. The Department of Health will have a budget of P56.8 billion, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development is provided with P56.2 billion allocation.

“All of these would now address this need to develop our human capital and to address the inadequacy in our investment in our people where we lagged behind in terms of our educational attainment and in preparing our youth for the future,” stressed Drilon.

Drilon also pointed out that the policy of the government is to emphasize transparency, strengthen anti-corruption drive, and continuously address red tape.

On the agricultural productivity, the 2013 budget provides for enough funding to support agriculture, particularly to construct irrigation, farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities. The Department of Agriculture is the 5^th highest funded department with P74.1 billion in 2013.

“There is need to support agriculture in order that we can lower the cost of food. This can only be achieved in terms of agricultural productivity. Second is that agriculture is essential because food security is critical to our country,” explained Drilon.

Finally, Drilon said manufacturing and industry will be improved through investments in infrastructure and by encouraging participation by the private sector through Publi-Private Partnership programs

The proposed P2.006 trillion 2013 national budget is 10.5 percent higher than the P1.816 trillion budget this year, and represents 16.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013, said Drilon.

“The government intends to bring down the deficit to two percent of GDP, equivalent to P241 billion, in 2013 from its current target of 2.6 percent or P279.1 billion, to create a robust and sustainable fiscal space,” he added.

On the other hand, the government’s disbursement capacity in 2013 is pegged at P2,021.1 trillion from its current target of P1,839.7 trillion, and it will be funded by the P1,780.1 trillion proposed revenues from its current target of P1,560.6 trillion.

In addition, government owned and controlled corporations have been provided with P29.8 billion subsidy from current’s P11 billion.