Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for July 8 , 2013 Monday , 5 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 7 Weather Watch,

6 Regional Watch , 4 OFW Watch , 15 Online News , 5 Photonews

Weather Watch

2 hours ago

1. GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz

- Malayo na sa Pilpinas o nasa labas pa ng PAR ang bagyong binabantayan ng PAGASA at wala pa itong epekto sa

bansa.

-Ayon sa Weather Central, tuluyan man itong pumasok ng PAR ay hindi ito nakikitang tatama sa lupa at sa halip ay

lilihis sa pa-Taiwan.

- ITCZ ang patuloy na nakakaapekto sa bansa sa ngayon.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

2. PAGASA weather forecaster Jun Galang on DZMM:

-Isang tropical depression ang namataan at binabantayan sa labas ng PAR. Wala pa po itong direktang epekto.

Posibleng within Tuesday or Wednesday ito papasok sa bansa at papangalanan na "Juaning."

-ITCZ ang nakakaapekto sa Palawan at Mindanao.

-Ang Ilocos Region, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas at Mindanao ay makakaranas ng maulap na may mahina

hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkulog-pagkidlat ngayong araw.

-Ang Metro Manila naan ay magiging maulap na may kalat-kalat na pag-ulan lalo sa hapon o gabi.

Weather Watch

14 hours ago

3. PAGASA: 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued at: 5:00PM 07 July 2013

SYNOPSIS: Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Palawan and Mindanao.

FORECAST: MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate

rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated

rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Luzon and and coming from the east

to northeast over Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.

Weather Watch

20 hours ago

4. PAGASA Thunderstorm Advisory No. 3 ‎#NCR_PRSD

1:45 PM 07 July 2013

Thunderstorm is affecting portions of ‎#Quezon, ‎#MetroManila, ‎#Rizal, ‎#Laguna and ‎#Cavite within 2 hours.

All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flashfloods.

Keep monitoring for updates.

Weather Watch

20 hours ago

5. PAGASA Thunderstorm Advisory No.11 ‎#MPRSD

01:20 PM 07 July 2013

Thunderstorm is affecting ‎#SurigaoDelSur (Hinatuan, Lingig, Bislig, Marihatag, Marfil), ‎#ZamboangaDelNorte

(Siocon, Gutalac, Tampilisan, Salug, Katipunan, Piñan, Mutia, Pres. Manuel Roxas), ‎#LanaoDelNorte (Matungao,

Baloi, Linamon) and nearby areas within 2 hours.

All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flashfloods.

Keep monitoring for updates

Weather Watch

Saturday

6. GMA NEWS: Floods hit parts of Davao City this evening and authorities are verifying possible chemical

contamination of floodwater at Daliao village in the city's Toril district.

Weather Watch

Friday

7. GMA: Sinabi ng isang marine expert na lumala na umano ang beach erosion sa Boracay. Simula raw noong

taong 1993 hanggang 2013 ay mahigit 130 talampakang lawak ng baybayin sa Boracay ang gumuho. Bunsod umano

ito ng pagkasira ng mga coral reef at pabagu-bagong klima. Malaki rin daw ang naiaambag dito ng mga itinatayong

struktura sa Boracay.

Weather Watch

July 8 , 2013 ( Monday ) as of 8 :00 AM

CAVITE : Fair Weather LAGUNA : Sunny BATANGAS : Fair Weather RIZAL : Fair Weather

QUEZON : Fair Weather

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

1. PIA-4A/LAGUNA: At the inaugural session held on July 2, 2013, San Pablo City Mayor Loreto Amante has

called on all city council members to be one with him in the implementation and strengthening of programs on

education, health, peace and order, economic development and tourism.

.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

2. PIA-4A/QUEZON: ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya donated the newly constructed school building to officials and

students of Santo Nino High School, San Francisco, Quezon.The project was made possible through the help of

AFP-SOLCOM.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

3. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Lucena city branch conducts 'money cup for the

grown up' for employees of BSP, Lucena. This is part of the national savings concioussness week and financial

literacy campaign of BSP.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

4. PIA4-A/LAGUNA: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CALABARZON) recently received the "Seal of

Excellence Award" as a result of its compliance to the Anti-Red Tape Act provisions which resulted to a faster

processing of business registration and more investments in the region.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

5. PIA-4IA/QUEZON: The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that based on the 2010 census of population

and housing, Lucena City posted a total of population of 246,392 persons as of May 1, 2010. This is larger by

50,317 persons counted in the 2000 census. The increase of population count from 2000 to 2010 translated to

an average annual population growth rate of 2.31 percent.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

6. PIA4-A/LAGUNA: 15 inmates from San Pablo City Jail recently received their elementary diplomas while 10

received their higj school diplomas after undergoing the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and

Equivalency Test Program under the suoervision of the Deparrment of Education and San Pablo City District Jail.

The program is aimed at helping inmates to lead a new and productive life after doing their time.

PIA OFW Watch

Friday

1. DZMM: Muling nag-abiso ang Philippine Embassy sa Riyadh, Saudi Arabia sa mga OFW roon na may mga anak

na isasama pauwi sa Pilipinas na hanggang sa July 7 ang deadline para sa proseso ng kanilang dokumento partikular

na ang DNA testing. Sa batas ng Saudi Arabia, hindi bibigyan ng exit visa kapag walang pruweba ang isang babae na

anak niya ang nais niyang ilabas ng naturang bansa. Ayon naman sa DFA, hindi saklaw ang pagdodokumento sa mga

ina at mga bata sa extended grace period ng Saudi sa November.

PIA OFW Watch

Friday

2. DZBB: Inaprubahan na ni PNoy ang ginawang rekomendasyon ng assessment team na huwag pahintuin ang

deployment ng mga Pinoy peacekeeper sa Golan Heights hanggang Agosto. Ayon kay Sec. Edwin Lacierda, itutuloy

ng gobyerno ang pagtulong sa UN kung susundin nila ang una nang kondisyon ng Pangulo na paigtingin pa ang

seguridad at kaligtasan ng mga Pinoy peacekeeper.

PIA OFW Watch

Friday

3. DZBB: Nananatili pa rin ang alert level 1 ng DFA para sa mga Pilipino sa Egypt kahit mayroon nang report na

payapa na ang sitwasyon doon matapos mapatalsik ng Egyptian military forces si President Mohamed Morsi.

PIA OFW Watch

Friday

4. DFA spokesperson Asec. Raul Hernandez on ANC:

- On tension in Egypt: The Philippines hopes for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Egypt.

- We advise Filipinos in Egypt to be extra cautious, remain indoors and avoid going to places where mass actions are

being held.

- We are in contact with Philippine community in Egypt and we are prepared to assist them if needed.

- On Filipino peacekeepers: President Aquino agreed to continue with deployment of Philippine troops in Golan

Heights until August 11 at which time rotational process will be determined.

- On sea row: We refuse to dignify the statements made (Philippines, India tagged as troublemaker) by the Chinese

general.

A. QUEZON

1. Tagalog news: Solcom, hiniling na tulungan ang mga rebel

returnees

By Carlo P. Gonzaga

Friday 5th of July 2013

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Hulyo 5 (PIA) -- Hiniling ni Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, hepe ng Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na tulungan ang mga dating rebelde sa kani-kanilang nasasakupan na nanumbalik sa lipunan.

“Ito‎ay‎upang‎matiyak‎na‎ang‎dating‎mga‎komunistang‎rebelde‎na‎nanumbalik‎sa‎lipunan‎ay‎mabibigyan‎ng‎karagdagang‎tulong‎para‎sa‎kanilang‎pagbabagong‎buhay,”‎wika‎ni‎Ordoyo.‎ Sinabi ni Ordoyo na ang pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ay palaging‎may‎nakalaang‎iba’t‎ibang‎pamamaraan‎na‎pangmadalian‎at‎pangmatagalang‎tulong‎sa‎bawat‎rebeldeng nanunumbalik. Isa rito, ayon kay Ordoyo, ang Gun for Peace Program (GPP) kung saan ang rebeldeng nanumbalik ay pinagkakalooban ng halagang katumbas ng kanyang armas na isusuko. “Ano‎mang‎suportang‎ipagkakaloob‎ng‎mga‎pinunong‎lokal‎sa‎mga‎dating‎rebelde‎ay‎napakalaking‎tulong para sa kanila, ngunit ang mga pangunahing pangangailan nila ay kinabibilangan ng tulong pinansiyal,‎kabuhayan,‎at‎iskolarship‎para‎sa‎kanilang‎mga‎anak,”‎sabi‎ni‎Ordoyo.‎ Ipinahayag ni Ordoyo na naniniwala siya na ang mga lokal na opisyales, partikular na ang mga gobernador at alkalde ay tutugon sa kanyang kahilingan. Bagamat ang pamahalaang nasyonal ay may nakalaang pondo para sa mga dating rebelde, nais ni Ordoyo na makatanggap din ang mga ito ng karagdagang suporta mula sa mga pamahalaang lokal. Ibinibilang nito na kabalikat ng militar ang mga pamahalaang lokal sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan, at kaunlarang pang-lipunan. “Nais‎naming‎bigyang‎diin‎na‎ang‎normal‎na‎pamumuhay‎ay‎mas‎mabuti‎sa‎pamumuhay‎sa‎kabundukan‎habang lumalaban sa pamahalaan, ang mga dating rebelde at ang kanilang mga anak ay karapatdapat na‎magkaroon‎ng‎magandang‎kinabukasan,”‎pagtatapos‎ni‎Ordoyo.‎(CPG-PIA4A)

2. Tagalog news: Bagong service vehicle, ipinagkaloob sa PNP

Tayabas

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Friday 5th of July 2013 LUNGSOD NG TAYABAS, Quezon, Hulyo 5 (PIA) -- Sa layuning mabawasan ang bilang ng krimen sa lalawigan ng Quezon partikular sa lumalagong siyudad, ang Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 4A ay nagkaloob ng isang bagong mobile police vehicle sa PNP Tayabas kamakailan. Ang bagong sasakyan ay inaasahang mapapalakas ang police visibility at mobility ng PNP Tayabas, magagamit‎sa‎iba’t‎iba pang operasyon sa paglaban sa krimen, pagdadala sa ospital ng mga biktima ng krimen sa panahon ng emergency at pagtulong sa panahon ng kalamidad. Bunga nito, hinikayat ni Police Sr. Supt. Dionardo B. Carlos, provincial director ng Quezon police provincial office (PPO) ang mga tauhan ng Tayabas city police station na alagaan at panatilihing maayos ang bagong sasakyan upang makapagbigay ng maayos na serbisyo sa publiko. “Ang‎pagkakaloob‎ng‎bagong‎patrol‎vehicle‎sa‎PNP‎Tayabas‎ay‎isang‎paraan‎ng‎pagpapalakas ng kanilang abilidad sa paglaban sa kriminalidad sa pamamagitan ng pagpapa-igting ng pagpapatrol, police visibility, at tapat na pagbabago ng organisasyon para sa mas katiwa-tiwalang‎puwersa‎ng‎pulis,”‎sabi‎ni‎Carlos. Idinagdag pa nito na ang hakbang na ito ay bahagi ng patuloy na pagkilos ng PNP na makapagkaloob ng mga bagong pasilidad at kagamitan para sa mga lokal na pulis bilang suporta sa kanilang field operations sa ilalim ng PNP Integrated Transformation Program. (CPG PIA4A)

B. CAVITE

1. Cavite town first to adopt PST By Ruel B. Francisco Friday 5th of July 2013

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, July 5 (PIA) -- Local officials including department heads of the municipal government of Carmona recently led the synchronization of all clocks to mark its move to a more efficient public service after President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Republic Act (RA) 10535 into law on May 15. RA 10535 or the Philippine Standard Time (PST) Act of 2013 is an act to set the Philippine Standard Time (pst) in all official sources throughout the country, to provide funds for the installation, operation and maintenance of synchronized time devices to be displayed in key public places and to declare the first week of every year as "National Time Consciousness Week". Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Chief Astronomical Observation and Time Unit Mario Raymundo, said Carmona is the first local government unit to adopt the PST in the country. Raymundo was the guest of honor and facilitated the synchronization of all clocks after Mayor Dahlia Loyola delivered her Ulat sa Bayan Address at the Municipal town plaza. Mr. Raymundo oriented the crowd about the PST and‎urged‎all‎offices‎to‎coordinate‎with‎PAGASA’s‎Time‎Service Unit at least once a month to match their official timepieces and other devices. With the PST flashed on the screen at the town plaza, Mayor Loyola, Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay captains and department heads adjusted their respective clocks (wristwatch and other devices) altogether. (Carmona PIO/CPG/RBF/PIA4A-Cavite)

C. LAGUNA

1. Tagalog news: Pamahalaang lungsod, namahagi ng e-tablet sa mga

guro at mag-aaral ng science high school

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Friday 5th of July 2013 LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO, Laguna, Hulyo 5 (PIA) -- Namahagi ng e-tablet ang pamahalaang lungsod sa pamamagitan ng local school board sa mga guro at mag-aaral ng San Pablo City Science High School kamakailan. Ang e-tablet ay isang innovative project ng pamahalaang lungsod na gagamitin bilang textbook, notebook at maaari ring workbook na naglalayong makasabay ang mga mag-aaral sa pampublikong eskuwelahan sa kasalukuyang digital information era ng edukasyon sa bansa.

Sinabi ni Mayor Vicente Amante na siya ring chairman ng local school board na malaki ang maitutulong ng e-tablet sa advanced education ng mga mag-aaral sa high school, ganundin sa mas mabilis at bagong impormasyon para sa pagtuturo ng mga guro sa science high school. “Ang‎pamamahagi‎ng‎e-tablet ay naglalayong maihanda ang mga mag-aaral sa kasalukuyang information-based‎at‎electronic‎education‎na‎lumalaganap‎na‎sa‎iba’t‎ibang‎paaralan‎sa‎buong‎bansa,”‎wika ni Amante. Maliban kay Mayor Amante, ang pamamahagi ng e-tablet na idinaos sa Rizal Hall ng Central School ay dinaluhan nina city schools Superintendent Susan Oribiana at Central School principal Hermogenes Bagsic. (CPG PIA4A at ulat mula sa CIO-SPC)

2. Tagalog news: DSWD, nagpasasalamat sa mga CSOs sa pagtulong sa

mga benepisaryo ng 4Ps

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Friday 5th of July 2013 LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO, Laguna, Hulyo 5 (PIA) -- Nagpahayag ng taos-pusong pasasalamat kamakailan si Leticia T. Diokno, regional director ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 4A sa mga miyembro ng civil society organizations (CSOs) sa pagtulong ng mga ito sa mga benepisaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Ang pasasalamat ay ginawa ni Diokno sa okasyon ng paglagda sa memorandum of agreement (MOA) sa pagitan ng DSWD at tatlong CSOs na kinabibilangan ng United Pastors Council, South-Central Luzon Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist Church at San Pablo Philippines Stake of the Church of Latter-Day Saints na pawang nakabase sa lungsod na ito. Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, ang tatlong faith-based organizations ay nagkasundo na magkakaloob ng suporta sa pagdaraos ng family development sessions (FDS) para sa mga pamilyang benepisaryo ng Pantawid. Ang FDS ay bahagi ng 4Ps program kung saan ang mga magulang na benepisyaryo ng Pantawid ay pinagkakalooban ng edukasyon na may kinalaman sa pagpapamilya kabilang ang paksang relasyon ng mag-asawa, pagbabadyet ng pera at pagpapalaki ng mga bata. Dahil sa malaking bilang ng mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid, patuloy na kinukuha ng DSWD ang serbisyo ng CSOs sa pagsasagawa ng FDS partikular sa mga paksang kung saan sila ay eksperto. (CPG, PIA4A)

D. BATANGAS

)

E. RIZAL

07 JULY 2013.

1. Consul General in San Francisco to determine if any Filipinos were hurt in Asiana Airline

crash

2. Malacanang says travel advisories 'right of any country for safety of their citizens'

Consul General in San Francisco to determine if any Filipinos were hurt in Asiana Airline crash

The Philippine Consul General in San Francisco is working with American authorities to determine if any Filipinos were included in the Asiana Airlines crash upon landing at the San Francisco International Airport on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), a Palace spokesperson said on Sunday. In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that initial reports from ConGen Marciano Paynor, Jr. was that no Filipinos were on board Asiana Air that was coming in from Seoul, Korea when it crashed but were still in the process of confirming it. ―Our fellow workers in the Consulate in San Francisco are already there. I think Consul General (Marciano) Paynor, Jr. has already sent and dispatched embassy officials to go to the airport to check on if there were any Filipinos in the plane,‖ Valte said. ―So far negative pa po ang mga reports but they‘re still trying to get more information,‖ she added. Valte said the Philippines is extending its deepest sympathies and condolences with the families of two passengers who, according to reports, perished in the crash. ―It is very unfortunate what happened. We continue to hope that everybody is safe and we send out our condolences to the families. The last time I checked there were (reports) of two casualties. We send out our deepest sympathies and condolences to them as well as our well wishes for the recovery of the injured,‖ she added. A Boeing 777 airplane of Asiana Airlines carrying 307 people from Seoul, Korea crashed upon landing at runway 28L of the San Francisco International Airport on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Officials said 123 escaped without injury and 181 were hospitalized or treated for injuries. Among the injured, 49 are in serious condition and five, including a child remain in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital. Among the 47 others at the hospital, several were treated for minor injuries, including fractures and abrasions, and were released Saturday night. PND (rck)

TOP

Malacanang says travel advisories 'right of any country for safety of their citizens'

Malacanang brushed off the latest travel advisory issued by the United States of America against travelling to the southern portion of the Philippines, saying it was the right of any country in order to keep their citizens safe. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson said in a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the Philippine government clearly understood the intentions of the travel advisory as the Philippines, through its various diplomatic posts around the world, had also issued similar advisories to Filipinos, the most recent of which, was for Egypt and for Massachusetts during the Boston marathon bombing incident.

―We respect the right of any country to issue any precautionary measures intended for the safety of their citizens while visiting other countries in the same way that the Philippine government through our posts in other countries have also issued several warnings whenever we feel that our citizens should take extra precautions in light of events that are happening,‖ Valte said. One example (is the) one I mentioned yesterday on the caution or the alert levels that we raised in Egypt due to the movements there. I also remember the DFA Spokesperson mentioning that we did issue a precautionary warning to our citizens residing in Boston right after the bombing had taken place,‖ she added. ―You know, as a country we also recognize the need of others to issue these precautionary measures to their citizens,‖ Valte further said. Valte pointed out that despite such travel advisories to foreign visitors, the country posted two million tourist arrivals for the first five months of 2013. ―This is the first time in Philippine history that the country has reached the two million mark in the first five months of the year. So makikita po naman natin na marami pa rin ang dumadating sa ating bansa at talagang malaki ang katotohanan sa likod ‗nung ‗It‘s more fun in the Philippines‘,‖ she added. PND (rck)

TOP

06 JULY 2013.

1. Govt continues to work to address traffic woes, says Palace

2. Palace: There’s enough money to fund P2.3 trillion 2014 budget

3. Palace: Cha-Cha will remain at the back burner

Govt continues to work to address traffic woes, says Palace

Malacanang said the government continues to address the traffic congestion problem in the midst of an economic report saying the country has been losing huge amount of potential income due to the traffic menace.

NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan said the Philippines is losing P2.4 billion a day in potential income as a result of traffic congestion problem.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that among the government‘s major thrusts is to decongest Metro Manila and build infrastructure that will ease traffic

congestion.

The main focus according to Valte is easing traffic flow in EDSA, being Metro Manila‘s main thoroughfare.

Apart from the campaign against the colorum buses, the government plans to move the terminals of provincial buses away from EDSA, she said.

The government is building the North and South terminal so that buses plying provincial routes do not have to take the EDSA route. The administration is also building various infrastructure projects to ease traffic flow in the metro, she said.

The President has instructed agencies to find alternative roads that could be used once the EDSA rehabilitation starts.

In addition to the usual road maintenance, the public works and highways department is also doing flood mitigation plans for Metro Manila. The government targets to pave all national roads by 2015-2016, Valte said.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino gave an update on the construction of the South terminal, Valte said. The MMDA has been carrying out a scheme that controls the buses along EDSA to avoid traffic jams.

Reacting to a recent campaign in the City of Manila targeting street vendors and illegal parking, Valte said traffic enforcement doesn‘t solely rely on the hands of the MMDA and local government units must also act.

Valte said going after vendors and people illegally parking their vehicles are being discussed by the Metro Manila Council. PND (as)

TOP

Palace: There’s enough money to fund P2.3 trillion 2014 budget

The Palace is confident that it could fund the P2.3 trillion budget proposed by the President for 2014 because the executive department has studied it thoroughly, a Palace official said.

President Aquino will seek a P2.3-trillion national budget for next year after he delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22.

The budget department confirmed this week that the P2.268 trillion is the spending level that the President would ask the Senate and the House of Representatives to appropriate.

―Confident tayo na mapopondohan natin iyan, and as is with every budget that we have presented to Congress and that has been approved by Congress, ito ay matagal na pinag-aralan,‖ Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

―What we always look out for would be ways to tighten spending and to make sure that the money that we allot for a particular project actually goes to that project,‖ she said adding Budget Secretary Florencio Abad will present the budget to the President on Monday.

The planned budget is 13.1 percent or about P262 billion higher than this year‘s P2.006-trillion budget.

The department said that the additional funds would go to increased investments in infrastructure, in governance and anti-corruption, in building human capabilities especially of the poor, through quality education, public healthcare and housing, and in climate change adaptation measures.

All these fundamental requirements are vital for the country‘s competitiveness and development, it said. PND (as)

TOP

Palace: Cha-Cha will remain at the back burner

Changing the country‘s Constitution will not have the President‘s support until somebody could convince him on the pressing need to amend it at this time, a Palace official said on Saturday.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte was asked by reporters on what could possibly convince the President to agree to Charter Change.

―This was the question that the President has always asked: What would be the detriment to the country if we do not move for Cha-Cha now, at this time? Ano ‗yung pressing need and until this day, wala pang nakasasagot kung ano nga 'yun to the President,‖ Valte said.

The President was asking if there is a clear and present danger for the nation if it does not amend the Charter now,

she said.

Asked if the President finds the issue of changing the Constitution divisive, Valte said the President thinks otherwise. ―It‘s not really that it‘s divisive, it‘s more of justifying going through that process,‖ she said.

The Palace official argued that Charter Change is not necessary because the country has managed to get along with many challenges without amending the Charter.

―And kung economic progress ang pag-uusapan natin, the numbers are there. We can use the experience of other countries, by way of economic growth, at meron namang mga bansang hindi hinahayaan ang foreign ownership of their land na nagkakaroon ng economic progress, Valte noted. PND (as)

TOP

05 JULY 2013.

1. President Aquino receives delegates of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council in Malacanang

2. Aquino agrees for continued deployment of Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights until August

3. Govt to continue pursuing Marcoses ill-gotten wealth, Palace says

President Aquino receives delegates of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council in Malacanang

The delegation of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC) paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S.

Aquino III at the Malacanan Palace on Friday.

The delegation is composed of Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, APRC chairman and former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand; Mr. Shaukat Aziz, vice-chairman of APRC and former Prime Minister of Pakistan; Ambassador Virasakdi Futrakul, Secretary General of the APRC and former Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Thailand; Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Former Minister of Tourism and Sports, Thailand; and Isidro Camacho, vice chairman of Credit Suisse Asia Pacific and former Philippine Secretary of Finance.

Joining President Aquino in the meeting were Secretary Albert Del Rosario of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, and Assistant Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro of DFA‘s Asia and Pacific Affairs.

The APRC, founded in Bangkok in September 2012, is an independent, international and non-government organization intended to help governments and societies in Asia to identify peaceful means of resolving conflicts and reconciling differences. PND (co)

TOP

Aquino agrees for continued deployment of Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights until August

President Benigno S. Aquino III has agreed to continue with the deployment of Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan

Heights until August 11, a Palace official said on Friday.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said an assessment team has made a recommendation to the President for the stay of the peacekeepers in the Golan Heights at that particular duration

but after that a rotational process will be determined.

―Subject to meeting considerations which the Philippines has made to enhance the security and safety of our peacekeepers, the President has expressed that the Philippines is prepared to continue its UNDOF participation,‖ Lacierda said quoting a statement from Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

The President wants more enhanced security and safety for Filipino peacekeepers serving in the Golan Heights, Lacierda said adding that the Philippine government is currently coordinating with the United Nations to meet the requirements on their safety and security.

―Meron tayong hinihingi, may considerations tayo with the United Nations. We are presently coordinating with them and what is very clear that we are committed to stay until August 11 and then, pag-uusapan. Continuous ang pag-uusap ngayon with the United Nations,‖ Lacierda said.

Asked if the Philippine government will pull out the peacekeepers if the safety requirements are not met, Lacierda said the Palace will leave the issue with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

United Nations appealed to the Philippine government not to remove its troops from the Golan Heights.

The recommendation only applies to peacekeepers deployed in Golan Heights and not to those serving in other areas, Lacierda clarified.

The President said previously that while the Philippines stands ready to maintain peace in volatile areas in the world, the government would also want to ensure the safety of Filipino troops serving in those locations.

The Philippine government has asked for the modification of the rules of engagement as well as an increase in the necessary equipment needed by the peacekeepers to ensure their safety and security.

Only Filipino and Indian peacekeepers remain in the Golan Heights to keep the peace in the area. Contingents from Austria, Croatia and Japan have already pulled out because of the growing tensions there.

Concerns for the safety of the peacekeepers have grown in recent months with the kidnapping of 21 Filipino peacekeepers by Syrian rebels in March. Another kidnapping incident happened in May with the abduction of four Filipino peacekeepers. PND (as)

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Govt to continue pursuing Marcoses ill-gotten wealth, Palace says

Malacanang said on Friday that the Philippine government has not wavered in going after the ill-gotten wealth of the

Marcoses and the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) will continue to do its mandate.

There were reported new developments in the pursuit of Marcos wealth in Australia following a report by an Australian newspaper about a former model in the 70s who became a sole beneficiary of Marcos‘s secret accounts.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the PCGG has not stopped its recovery work, adhering to its mandate to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

Although the PCGG does not receive much media attention sometimes, it does not necessarily mean that there‘s a lull in its works, Lacierda said.

―What they would like to emphasize is that the recovery work continues,‖ he said.

There is also no update on the planned abolition of the commission, he said. But regardless of whatever plans the government has in mind for the PCGG, its work must continue, he said.

Two years ago, the PCGG said it would look into the reported ill-gotten wealth of the late president in Australia believed to be under the name of a former swimsuit model.

The former president reportedly had an affair with a certain Evelin Hegyesi, a swimsuit model in her younger days in the 70s. Hegyesi, who is now more than 40 years old is said to have borne Marcos a child.

Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for more than 20 years with an iron fist, was known to have affairs with actresses and fashion models.

The late president Corazon Aquino, the President‘s mother, established the PCGG immediately after she assumed the presidency following the ouster of Marcos through People Power in 1986.

The commission‘s mandate is to recover the dictator‘s alleged ill-gotten wealth estimated to reach some $10 billion.

PND (as)

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05 HULYO 2013

1. Mga delegado sa Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council, naging panauhin ng Pangulong Aquino sa

Malacanang

2. Pumayag si Aquno na manatili sa Golan Heights ang mga Filipino peacekeepers hanggang Agosto

3. Patuloy na tutugisin ang ill-gotten wealth ng mga Marcos—Palasyo

Mga delegado sa Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council, naging panauhin ng Pangulong Aquino sa

Malacanang

Nagbigay-galang sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Malacanang Biyernes ang delegasyon ng Asian Peace and

Reconciliation Council.

Ang delegasyon ay binubuo nina Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, tagapangulo ng APRC at dating Deputy Prime Minister at

Ministrong Panlabas ng Thailand; G. Shaukat Aziz, pangalawang tagapangulo ng APRC at dating Punong Ministro

ng Pakistan; Embahador Virasakdi Futrakul, Kalihim Pangkalahatan ng APRC at naging Permanenteng Kalihim ng

Ministri ng Ugnayang Panlabas ng Thailand; G. Weerasak Kowsurat, naging Ministro ng Turismo at Palakasan ng

Thailand; at Isidro Camacho, pangalawang tagapangulo ng Credit Suisse Asia Pacific at naging Kalihim ng

Pananalapi ng Pilipinas.

Dumalo sa pagkakataong ito sina Kalihim Albert Del Rosario ng Ugnayang Panlabas, Presidential Adviser on the

Peace Process Teresita Deles at Katulong na Kalihim Ma. Theresa Lazaro ng Asia and Pacific Affairs ng Kagawaran

ng Ugnayang Panlabas.

Itinatag ang APRC sa Bangkok noong Setyembre 2012. Ito ay isang malaya, pandaigdig at non-government

organization na ang pakay ay tulungan ang mga pamahalaan at lipunan sa Asya upang matukoy ang mapayapang

mga paraan ng paglutas sa mga sigalot at sikaping maayos ang ano mang hindi pagkakaunawaan. PND (co/zaf)

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Pumayag si Aquno na manatili sa Golan Heights ang mga Filipino peacekeepers hanggang Agosto

Pumayag ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na manatili ang mga peacekeepers na Pilipino sa Golan Heights

hanggang sa Agosto 11.

Sinabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang na iminungkahi ng

assessment team sa Pangulo na angkop lamang na manatili sa Golan Heights ang mga peackeepers, subali‘t

pagkatapos ay pag-aaralan ang rotational process o paraang palitan.

―Sang-ayon sa tinalakay sa pulong kung saan ginawa ng Pilipinas na mapag-ibayo ang seguridad at kaligtasan ng

ating mga peacekeepers, sinabi ng Pangulo na nakahanda ang Pilipinas na ipagpatuloy ang paglahok sa UNDOF,‖

dagdag ni Lacierda salig sa isang pahayag na galing kay Kalihim Albert del Rosario ng Ugnayang Panlabas,‖ wika ni

Lacierda.

Binigyang diin ni Lacierda na nais ng Pangulo na matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga nasabing peacekeepers na Pilipino

sa Golan Heights at idinugtong na nakikipag-ugnayan ang pamahalaang Pilipino sa Bansang Magkakaanib para

matugunan ang mga pangangailangan sa kaligtasan nila.

―Mayroon tayong hinihingi. Nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa Bansang Magkakaanib. Nakikipag-usap tayo sa kanila at ang

malinaw, nangako tayong mananatili doon hanggang Agosto 11. Pagkatapos, pag-uusapan. Patuloy ang pakikipag-

usap ngayon sa United Nations, ― dugtong pa ni Lacierda.

Sinabi ni Lacierda na ipauubaya sa Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas kung pauuwiin ang mga peacekeepers natin

sakaling hindi matugunan ang ating kahilingan.

Nanawagan ang Bansang Magkakaanib sa pamahalaang Pilipino na huwag pauwiin ang mga kawal nito sa Golan

Heights.

Ang mungkahing ito ay para lamang sa mga peacekeepers na nakatalaga sa Golan Heights at hindi sa mga nasa

ibang dako,‖ paliwanag ni Lacierda.

Una nang sinabi ng Pangulo na bagaman naninindigan ang Pilipinas sa kahandang tumulong para sa kapayapaan

sa maliligalig na pook¸ibig din naman ng pamahalaan na matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga kawal-Pilipino sa nasabing

mga pook.

Hiniling ng pamahalaang Pilipino na pasukan ng pagbabago ang rules of engagement, gayundin ang pagkakaloob

ng dagdag na kagamitang kailangan para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga kawal-Pilipino na nakatalaga sa nasabing

mga pook.

Tanging mga Pilipino at mga Indian peacekeepers lamang ang nananatili sa Golan Heights upang mangalaga sa

kapayapaan sa nasabing pook Ang mga tauhan ng Austria, Croatia at Hapon ay pinauwi na dahil sa nag-iibayong

tensiyon sa nabanggit na pook.

Ang pagkabahala sa kaligtasan ng mga peacekeepers ay nag-ibayo nang nakalipas na mga buwan at nakidnap ng

mga rebeldeng Syrian ang 21 peacekeepers na Pilipino. PND (as/zaf)

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Patuloy na tutugisin ang ill-gotten wealth ng mga Marcos—Palasyo

Hindi nagpapabaya ang pamahalaang Pilipino sa pagtugis sa ill-gotten wealth ng mga Marcos at ipagpapatuloy ng

Presidential Commission on Good Government ang tungkulin nito, sang-ayon sa Malacanang Biyernes.

May mga ulat ng bagong mga pangyayari kaugnay ng pagtugis sa Marcos wealth sa Australia matapos malathala sa

isang pahayagang Australyano ang balita tungkol sa isang dating modelo noong mga taong 70s ang nag-iisang

tagapagmana ng secret accounts ni Marcos.

Sinabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda na hindi nagtitigil ang PCGG sa pagbawi sa sagutin nitong

makuha ang ill-gotten wealth ng mga Marcos.

Idinugtong ni Lacierda na bagaman ang PCGG ay hindi gaanong nakakukuha ng atensiyon ng media kung minsan,

hindi naman ang ibig sabihin nito ay hindi nila ginagawa ang trabaho nila.

―Ang ibig nilang bigyang diin ay patuloy ang paghahanap na ginagawa nila,‖ sabi ni Lacierda.

―Wala pa ring balita tungkol sa balak na pagbuwag sa komisyon. Subali‘t, ano man ang mga balak, ang nais ng

pamahalaan ay ipagpatuloy ng PCGG ang tungkulin nito,‖ wika ni Lacierda.

Dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas, sinabi ng PCGG na sisiyasatin nila ang balita na ang ill-gotten wealth sa Australia

ng yumaong Pangulo ay ipinalalagay na nasa pangalan ng isang dating swimsuit model.

Ang dating Pangulo umano ay nagkaroon ng relasyon sa isang nagngangalang Evelin Hegyesi na modelo ng

swimsuit noong mga taong 70s. Si Hegyesi na ngayon ay 40 taong gulang na ay sinasabing nagkaroon ng anak kay

Marcos.

Ang yumaong Pangulong Corazon Aquino, ina ng Pangulo, ang nagtatag ng PCGG matapos maluklok na Pangulo

noong 1986 pagkaraang ibagsak ng ―People Power‖ si Marcos na mahigit na 20 taong naging Pangulo.

Tungkulin ng komisyon na bawiin ang mga umano ay ill-gotten wealth ni Marcos na tinatayang aabot umano sa may

$10 bilyon. PND (as/zaf)

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ONLINE NEWS

6 JULY 2013

1. DOLE’s BLES comes up with Easy STAT Flyer

2. DOST to strengthen weather forecasting to benefit farmers

3. DENR declares all-out war vs wildlife poachers

4. Stable food prices partially moderate June inflation, price changes in 1st half of 2013 still below government's 3%-5% target

5. OFW Family Circles in Digos City learn financial wellness the fiesta way

6. End-June 2013 GIR settles at US$81.6 billion

7. Ombudsman files graft charges vs Ilocos Sur governors

8. BSP approves further amendments to FX regulations

9. Credit rating upgrade a boon for bank capital and lending

10. Of strength and courage: The tale of two mothers

11. BOC slaps smuggling charges against six traders and a broker

12. Baldoz cites Magsaysay MOL Marine for ensuring benefits to 14 MOL Comfort seafarers

13. Roxas assures San Juan kin blast probe will be thorough and exclusive

14. DOE closely monitors LPG pricing to address overpricing concerns

15. GPH hopes to finish wealth-sharing annex with MILF in next round of talks

1. DOLE’s BLES comes up with Easy STAT Flyer

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

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday commended the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) for its continuing effort to promote the use of labor and employment statistics through

information dissemination and the production of user-friendly statistical materials, with its publication of the Easy STAT Flyer, ―An easy way to understand statistical concepts used in labor and employment.‖ The flyer, published last June, is meant to reach out to ordinary folks and/or workers and explain to them the statistical concepts in labor and employment, specifically, underemployment, through illustrations and citations of common examples known to the public. "In the flyer, the BLES explains the country‘s current underemployment status. This will help the public understand how this situation affects the country in any and every aspect," Baldoz said. "Such knowledge will foster understanding about the consequences of underemployment. Recently, the ILO, in a study, identified underemployment as one of the vital phenomenon, mostly in developing countries, caused by sudden transformation of economic status," Baldoz added. An easy way to compute for underemployment is also given in the flyer. ―Knowing the underemployment rate will improve the means of addressing the variance of employment and will contribute in providing short-and-long term policies towards the promotion of full, productive, and decent jobs,‖ Baldoz said further. The flyer, aside from discussing underemployment, also explains other labor and employment issues, such as unemployment and jobs and skills mismatch, to name a few. BLES is one the DOLE‘s bureaus which develops policies, programs, standards, and provides reviews relative to generation, analysis, and dissemination of statistics on labor and employment. "Hopefully, the DOLE, through the effort of its bureaus, services, attached agencies, and regional branches to equip the public with recent information and guidelines through effective media, continues as these play a very important role in identifying career paths beneficial for everyone,‖ Baldoz explained.

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2. DOST to strengthen weather forecasting to benefit farmers

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

Planting and harvesting will soon be easier for local farmers, even in the face of climate change, with the advent of more reliable and technologically advanced weather forecasting methods. These high-impact solutions come in the form of the Department of Science and Technology‘s (DOST) newly acquired supercomputer complemented with the latest weather modeling software. This development was revealed by DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo during the recent Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Manila. ―The first significant development is that we already have a supercomputer which will be operational this fourth quarter of this year. With this type of facility, we will be able to use advanced weather modeling software that will not only enhance weather predictions from three days to six days, but it could also be more accurate, it could be area specific, and what we are working on is to have a seasonal weather outlook on specific areas for three to six months to help our farmers,‖ said Secretary Montejo. The three- to six-month weather projections, to be issued by DOST‘s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration (DOST-PAGASA), will be on top of its weekly weather forecasts. This will provide farmers with information on the amount of rainfall on specific areas within the next three to six months. Also, these top-flight technologies will enable PAGASA weather scientists to come up with integrated weather pattern information specifically to guide farmers on the best time to plant and harvest crops, thus greatly aiding them with their farming-related decisions and activities. These groundbreaking developments, said Sec. Montejo, will take off by 2014 with the supercomputer‘s initial operation on the fourth quarter of 2013. Agricultural losses caused by climate change Erratic weather conditions, an after-effect of global climate change, have affected many farmers resulting in billions worth of damaged agricultural products annually. In 2012 alone, an estimated total of Php30 billion worth of agricultural products were lost in the aftermath of Typhoon Bopha (Pablo). The Department of Agriculture reported that an estimated Php197 million worth of rice crops were damaged due to the typhoon. Rice, a staple food in the country, is normally grown for three to six months depending on the rice variety, and requires an average of 2,000 liters of water per kilo of rice for its growth. The Philippines ranks 8th among the world‘s rice producers. In 2007, the country produced an average of 3.8 tons per hectare of rice, more than what Thailand produces.

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3. DENR declares all-out war vs wildlife poachers

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

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has declared an all-out war against poachers of

wildlife species, especially those endemic to the country, after authorities seized a large number of protected animals during a raid on a home in Tondo, Manila last Wednesday. DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje had already directed the newly formed Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) to file criminal charges against the suspected owners of the confiscated animals and their possible cohorts. The raiding team, headed by DENR Undersecretary and POGI head Ernesto Adobo Jr., recovered 78 Palawan hill mynas, 12 blue-naped parrots and five juvenile Indo-Pacific or saltwater crocodiles – all dead. Only 14 Philippine forest and pond turtles were retrieved alive. ―What‘s particularly alarming about this poaching incident is that there were reports that most of these endangered animals were intentionally killed to avoid detection by authorities and such act carries a higher penalty,‖ Paje said. Paje condemned the killing and said the government "won't tolerate such cruelty to animals." Under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, illegal trade of endangered species is penalized by a fine of P200,000 and a jail term of two years while the killing of endangered animals carries the penalty of imprisonment of six years and a fine of P500,000. Paje warned that the full force of the law will be used against those who engage in illegal trading, collection and possession of wildlife species. ―The Aquino administration is dead serious about stopping not only the destruction of our environment but also wildlife crime, thus we created POGI to go after these poachers,‖ he said. Adobo's group and some members the Philippine National Police carried out the raid based on a tip about a shipment of animals from Palawan, with the motorized banca docking in Cavite, before being transported to Manila. A day before the actual raid, POGI agents conducted surveillance within the area in coordination with the officials of the barangay. They got one cage of hill myna from the subject residence and were able to determine the presence of animals placed in juice boxes with holes Initial investigation showed that the house had been frequented by buyers, who in turn sell the animals at Aranque Market in Manila and in Caloocan City. During the raid, the team found dead animals apparently dumped outside the house, emitting a strong foul odor. Last June 21, the DENR destroyed five tons of smuggled elephant tusks using a road roller, making the Philippines the first country in Asia to conduct physical destruction of massive ivory stockpiles in support of global efforts to stamp out illegal wildlife trade.

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4. Stable food prices partially moderate June inflation, price changes in 1st half of 2013 still below government's 3%-5% target

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

MANILA—The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said that prices of food commodities were stable in June 2013 despite higher petroleum prices for the said month. This statement came after the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that headline inflation last month was recorded at 2.8 percent. ―The inflation rate in June 2013 was mainly driven by higher petroleum prices following the increase in the price of oil in world markets and the peso depreciation during the period. However, stable food prices on the back of abundant supply partially moderated the increase in inflation,‖ said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. Inflation rate is the percent increase in the prices of goods and services commonly purchased by households, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Balisacan noted that inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages remained at 2.4 percent in June 2013. This was due to slower changes in the price of corn (3.8% in June 2013 vs. 5.7% in May 2013), meat (2.2% vs. 2.4%), milk, cheese and eggs (1.7% vs. 2.1%), fruits (4.6% vs. 5.2%), sugar, jam, honey and confectionery (0.1% vs. 0.7%), and oils and fats (-7.8% vs. -7.5%). For the first six months of 2013, inflation rate was still below the government‘s target. ―The average inflation rate for the first half of 2013 settled at 2.9 percent. This is slightly below the low-end of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC)‘s inflation target of 3.0 to 5.0 percent for 2013,‖ said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. The Cabinet official said that the June 2013 inflation was prompted by the significant price adjustments in electricity, gas and other fuels (0.4%) and transportation related commodities and services (0.7%). In May 2013, these commodity groups previously had price contractions (-0.4% and -0.5%, respectively), he said. ―This is consistent with the higher international price of Dubai crude during the period. The increase was driven by uncertainties in the international market due to social unrest in Syria,‖ said Balisacan.

He added that the peso depreciated by 3.9 percent in June 2013 compared to the previous month, as investors pulled back their investments in emerging economies and shifted to United States (US) instruments. ―This was in reaction to the announcement made by US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the US‘ stimulus policies could possibly wind down later this year due to an improving US economy. However, the peso started to gain strength in the latter part of June 2013 following the slower-than-expected growth of the US economy,‖ said Balisacan. The NEDA official said that apart from stable food prices, the lower price of electricity also tempered the gains in oil prices in June. Citing industry data, Balisacan noted that the generation charge of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) registered an annual decline of 7.8 percent to PhP5.66 per kilowatt hour in June 2013. ―The decrease in generation charges during the period is still attributed to the newly approved rates by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) under the new Power Supply Agreement (PSA) of Meralco, which enables the electric company to purchase power from suppliers with lower costs,‖ he explained. Meanwhile, core inflation further eased to 2.9 percent in June 2013, according to the NSO. This was slower relative to the 3.0 percent rate in May 2013 and 3.7 percent rate in June 2012. Core inflation represents a more long-term inflation trend, as it excludes certain items that have short-term and volatile price movements.

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5. OFW Family Circles in Digos City learn financial wellness the fiesta way

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

Over 162 members of the OFW Family Circles (OFCs) in Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) - RWO XI participated in the financial education campaign on June 20, 2013 at the Fabian Catering and Services Restaurant, Burgos Corregidor St., Digos City, Davao del Sur. The event, BPinoy Fiesta – Pamilyang OFW Learning Series, initiated by OWWA-RWOXI in partnership with the Bank of the Philippine Islands, aimed to give a fiesta atmosphere of fun and learning through games, raffle prizes, and entertainment while teaching financial education. Topics discussed were Financial Wellness on Savings, Empowerment and Self-Reliance. Mr. Ronald Merca Jr., a seafarer and active OWWA-member, expressed his gratitude in taking part of the activity. ―I learned a lot from the discussions especially on saving tips and entrepreneurship.‖

Zenobia L. Caro, Officer-In-Charge of OWWA Davao Region, gave a brief orientation about OWWA Programs and Services to the OFCs. She also announced that the 2013 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) search is now open to nominating parties.

Other highlights of the event included the products and services of BPI such as the BPI Remittance Talk and the BPI Direct Savings Bank. BPI Relations Manager Jerwin A. Agarao spoke on the convenience and safety of sending and receiving money from abroad through bank. He encouraged the OFWs and their families to open their own remittance savings account and they can do so at BPI without having to deposit money as opening or maintaining zero balance.

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6. End-June 2013 GIR settles at US$81.6 billion

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

Preliminary data showed that the country‘s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at US$81.6 billion as of end-June 2013, slightly lower by US$0.4 billion than the end-May 2013 GIR of US$82 billion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today.1 At this level, reserves remain adequate to cover 11.8 months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. The GIR is also equivalent to 8.3 times the country‘s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 6 times based on residual maturity.2 The slight decline in reserves was due mainly to revaluation adjustments on the BSP‘s gold holdings arising from the decrease in the price of gold in the international market, and payments for maturing foreign exchange obligations of the National Government (NG). These outflows were partially offset by inflows from the foreign exchange operations of the BSP, foreign currency deposits by the Treasurer of the Philippines (TOP), and income from investments abroad of the BSP. Net international reserves (NIR), which refer to the difference between the BSP‘s GIR and total short-term liabilities, decreased by US$0.3 billion to reach US$81.6 billion as of end-June 2013, compared to the end-May 2013 NIR of US$81.9 billion.

View Table

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7. Ombudsman files graft charges vs Ilocos Sur governors

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

OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of graft charges against Ilocos Sur Governors Luis ―Chavit‖ Singson (1998-2001) and Deogracias Victor Savellano (2001-2003) for the improper use of public funds amounting to more than P26M in 2001. In a 31-page Resolution approved on July 3, 2013, Ombudsman Morales ordered that Singson and Savellano be indicted for three counts and two counts, respectively, of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) before the Sandiganbayan. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Estelita Cordero, chairperson of the Save Ilocos Sur Alliance (SISA) Foundation on the alleged unlawful release of a total of P26,060,500 by way of financial assistance to Multi-Line Food Processing International, Inc. (MFPII) during the respective terms of respondents as provincial governor. Singson had entered into four (4) Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with MFPII dated 5 February 2001, 20 February 2001, 28 May 2001 and June 2001, for the release of financial assistance in the respective amounts of P9.18M, P4M, P3M and P8M to fund unspecified livelihood projects, for which checks were issued on 6 April 2001, 5 March 2001, 21 June 2001 and 24 July 2001, respectively. The latter check was issued by Savellano who by then had assumed office as provincial governor following the 2011 elections. Savellano, meanwhile, entered into a MOA with MFPII on 27 December 2001 for the grant of financial assistance worth P1,880,500 to fund ―livelihood production/payment of accounts payable,‖ and for which a check was issued the following day. The financial assistance was sourced from the province‘s share of the portion of the proceeds of excise tax earmarked under R.A. No. 7171 (An Act to Promote the Development of the Farmers in the Virginia Tobacco Producing Provinces). The Resolution stated that Singson and Savellano acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence when they repeatedly entered into the MOAs and approved the successive release of public funds that gave unwarranted benefits to MFPII which was not qualified to receive such financial aid from government and whose purported projects were not subjected to the required inspection or audit (under the MOA) before the subsequent MOAs and fund releases were made. It added that the grant of financial assistance contravened R.A. No. 7160 on unallowable disbursements to private interests, and Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 95-003 that regulates the extension of financial assistance to a non-government organization (NGO)/people‘s organization (PO). The Resolution found that ―MFPII cannot be considered an NGO/PO as to warrant the grant of financial assistance from the government,‖ since MFPII appeared to be a private corporation organized for profit and not intended to advance the interest of a specific cause or sector, as shown by MFPII‘s Articles of Incorporation. It cited documents showing that ―the funds were intended to be used in maintaining the operation of the plant – from the payment of its utilities and supplies down to the salary of its employees‖ which ―plainly signifies that MFPII was not in a stable financial condition to sustain its operations, let alone implement a socio-economic or service-based project‖ for the benefit of tobacco farmers. It also revealed that MFPII ―ceased its operations barely four months after the last release of funds in its favor, ironically, due to lack of funds‖ or, as pointed out by complainant Cordero in MFPII‘s termination letters to its employees, ―the incapacity of the Southern Ilocos Sur Federation of Tobacco-Based Cooperatives to sustain management without the necessary funding from the provincial government.‖ The complaint as against Arnulfo Abaya, Hernando Decena, Felipe Que, Danilo Etrata and Norman Mendoza, who are all members of MFPII‘s Board of Directors, was dismissed for lack of any allegation or proof of conspiracy.

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8. BSP approves further amendments to FX regulations

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

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today that as part of continuing efforts to promote an appropriate regulatory framework for foreign exchange (FX) transactions, the Monetary Board has approved further amendments to the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions (FX Manual). The amendments involve the following: a. Allowing registration by custodian banks of non-resident investments in PSE-listed equity securities of non-residents. b. Allowing with prior BSP approval, the conversion to FX by non-resident issuers of the peso proceeds from the onshore sale of their PSE-listed equity securities. These measures will broaden investment options available in the domestic capital market and allow freer capital mobility. c. Allowing prepayment of BSP-registered short-term (ST) loans, subject to standard documentary requirements for FX purchases. This will facilitate access to the banking system for legitimate transactions requiring payment in FX.

d. Waiver of the submission by banks of documents to support reports on importations under documents against acceptance (DA) and open account (OA) arrangement, provided banks maintain adequate records for BSP verification. The measure will simplify and reduce reporting burden on banks. Certain clarifications to the FX Manual have likewise been made for greater clarity of rules and better understanding by the general public, the Governor continued. The implementing circular for these will be issued shortly. The Governor affirmed the BSP‘s commitment to maintaining a safe and sound financial system, a stable FX market, and monetary policy supportive of economic growth.

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9. Credit rating upgrade a boon for bank capital and lending

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

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced a reduction in the risk weights of Philippine sovereign issues denominated in foreign currencies. This reduction is a direct result of the credit rating upgrade of the Philippines into investment grade by two international rating agencies. As part of its overall risk management framework, the BSP conservatively raised in July 2007 the risk weights of sovereign issues denominated in foreign currencies. Under the same guidelines, the recent investment grade ratings from Fitch and Standard and Poor‘s respectively recognize the stronger risk standing of the Republic of the Philippines. This then allows for the reduction in risk weights. The reduced risk weights cover two risk categories. Credit risk weights for foreign currency denominated sovereign issues are reduced from 100 percent to 50 percent. On the other hand, the capital charge for interest rate risks on bank holdings of foreign currency bonds issued by the Philippine government and the BSP is reduced from eight percent to a range of 0.25 to 1.60 percent of these assets, depending on the residual maturity of the debt securities or derivative contract. BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. points out that ―these are the direct gains that accrue with the investment-grade rating‖. He highlighted, however, that ―the impact is not only about the feel-good effects of a lower risk weight but that there are balance sheet implications to consider as well‖. The lower risk weights assets have the effect of making available more funds that may be potentially used for lending and other banking activities. BSP simulations indicate that about Php 147.13 billion may effectively be released for loans and other expenses as a result of the upgrade to investment grade. The same BSP simulations show that the calibrated risk weights will raise the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) from 17.28 percent to 17.83 percent using end-2012 banking figures. The BSP points out that the simulated effects are not insignificant. However, the BSP also reminds banks that credit underwriting standards need to be sustained if we are to sustain the benefit of such ratings upgrade.

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10. Of strength and courage: The tale of two mothers

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

As the adage goes, a mother‘s love is unconditional and surpasses all kinds of love in this world. In the Philippine culture, the mother serves as the light of the home. It is common for Filipino mothers to take care of the children and keep the household while the father works to earn a living. Over the years and because of poverty, the responsibility of earning a living has become the role of both the father and mother. Melinda Sobrenilla of Olongapo City is a mother to nine children and wife to an ailing husband. As the sole bread winner, she needs to work hard to feed her family and support her husband‘s medication. Melinda is a wife, a mother and woman striving to fulfil all the roles rested upon her shoulders. That was the situation Melinda was in when she was introduced to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program back in 2009. Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor households particularly of children aged 0-14. Households receive cash grants on the condition that: (1) pregnant women undergo pre-natal check-ups and give birth in accredited birthing facilities attended by a trained and skilled health worker; (2) mothers must undergo post natal check-up; (3) children aged 0-5 must undergo preventive health check-up;(4) children aged 6-14 must receive deworming pills at least twice a year; (5) children aged 3-14 must attend school at least 85% of the time and (6) parent/s or guardians must attend the Family Development Session (FDS). According to Melinda, the FDS has helped her to become a better mother. She learns to be more compassionate to her children. She makes it a point to check on the studies of her children despite the multiple roles that she had to assume. She became more caring not only to her children but most especially to her ailing husband. As Melinda said, her husband needs her more today. A mother‘s strength is incomparable. For Rhodora Balbuena of Carmen, Cebu, being strong would mean getting through life‘s obstacles and challenges.

―Dors‖ as she is fondly called, married at an early age believing that it would bring her a better life, far from the hard life she had. Marriage though was far from the life that Dors was looking for. Their seven-year relationship was filled with hardships, bitterness, anger, pain, and infidelity. Dors hit rock bottom and came to a point that she almost took her own life just to run away from all her problems. When her family was chosen as beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya in 2011, the Family Development Sessions (FDS), one of the conditionalities that a beneficiary must comply, helped Dors and her husband start to iron their differences. However, her husband continued to philander leaving Dors with no option but to end the relationship. From then on, Dors set a goal for herself, ―nakat-on ko sa among FDS nga dili angay padak-on akong mga anak sa kalagot, kahi-ubos ug pagdumot aron dili mabati ilang pagkatao. Mau nga maningkamot ko nga walay pagdumot ilang kasingkasing ug maibsan ilang kalagot aron di pud sila maglagot sa ilang kaugalingon (I learned from our FDS that it is not right to raise your children in anger and hatred so they would not turn out to be an ugly person inside. I will try my best to ease their hurt, erase hatred in their hearts, hopefully I can lessen their anger so they won‘t end up being angry with themselves),‖ she said. It cannot be denied though that she is hurting still but ―Mas nasakitan ko sa gibuhat sa akong bana kaysa galagot ko. Apan naningkamot ko nga di ko maglagot aron makabaton ug pasaylo akong mga anak (I am more hurt than angry at my husband. However, I am trying my best not to get angry so my children will learn to forgive),‖ said Dors softly. Today, Melinda and Dors realize the value of FDS life-changing teachings that greatly influence them in coping with different challenges affecting their own families. Both of them are hopeful of the bright future that awaits them – that is, to pull themselves out of the inter-generational cycle of poverty.

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11. BOC slaps smuggling charges against six traders and a broker

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

For violating Section 3601, in relation to Section 101 and Section 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) including Executive Order No 156 banning the importation of used vehicles and R.A. 8506 prohibiting the importation of right-hand drive vehicles, six (6) traders and one (1) Customs broker are now in deep trouble after they were formally charged today (July 4, 2013,) for smuggling by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Led by Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon himself and Deputy Commissioner for Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group (RCMG) Peter Manzano, who also heads the BOC‘s Run-After-The-Smugglers (RATS) group, Biazon said the officers of Philippine Genesis Freight Unlimited, Inc., an Intramuros, Manila based company, led by its Chairman of the Board and President Josefina Yap, Treasurer Raymond Yap, Vice president Pamela Bernal and Directors Anthony N. Yap and Patrishia Anne C. Yap are being charged for attempting to bring into the country three (3) units of used vehicles from Korea worth three million pesos (PhP 3,000,000.00,) without the required import permitlast May 10, 2013 at the Port of Davao.. Found inside the one (1) forty-footer container van that was consigned to Philippine Genesis Freight Unlimited, Inc. were used Daewoo Rezzo, Kia Carens and a Hyundai Sonata. ―The Supreme Court has already ruled on the validity of Executive Order No. 156. Hence the importation of used vehicles without the required import permits from concerned government agencies is illegal, and the BOC will strictly enforce this law.‖Biazon said On the other hand, Gaspoint Mechanical Engineering Services owner Venecio B. Luterio of Mandaluyong City and his licensed customs broker Benedicto J. Jamitoare being charged for attempting to slip into the country two (2) units of used right-hand drive Mitsubishi Fuso Canter trucks worth PhP 1.5 million from Japan last April 5, 2013 at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). ―The essence of R.A. 8506 is to keep our roads safe by not allowing right-hand drive vehicles to ply our streets. The BOC will, therefore, never allow the people‘s interest and safetyto be compromised on this regard.‖ Biazon added, even as he stressed that the bureau will aggressively pursue the charges filed today against the seven (7) respondents. The seizure of the hot vehicles from Korea was facilitated by the discovery of Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) operatives at the Port of Davao of the consignee‘s violation of the TCCP. While the seizure of the two used right-hand drive trucks was facilitated by the discovery of MICP Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) operatives led by Bienvenido Rubio of Gaspoint‘sviolation of R.A. 8506.

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12. Baldoz cites Magsaysay MOL Marine for ensuring benefits to 14 MOL Comfort seafarers

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

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz yesterday thanked the Magsaysay MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines) Marine, Inc. for ensuring the best maritime labor standards for 14 overseas Filipino seafarers of its containership, the ―MOL Comfort,‖ whose hull fractured into two portions in stormy weather in the Indian Ocean on 17 June 2013. Baldoz who was apprised by Magsaysay MOL Marine, Inc. (MAGMOL) President Francisco D. Menor said that following the decision to abandon the MOL Comfort on 17 June and their rescue at sea, all of the 14 seamen have been speedily assisted with all due assistance by the company and reunited with their families back in

the Philippines. The MOL Comfort was en route from Singapore to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during the time of the mishap. The 26-man crew who included a Ukrainian and Russians were rescued by a German-flagged vessel in the area, identified as the ―Yantian Express‖, with the Indian Coast Guard assisting the efforts. The ship‘s bow portion was towed to safety on 24 June. However, despite efforts to redeem the entire ship, Mitsui O.S.K President Koichi Muto from Tokyo, Japan said that the aft part of the MOL Comfort sank in the open sea on 27 June, even as the fractured vessel had been unable to continue sailing on under its own power. ―We are happy that all the 14 Filipinos, together with the other crew, are safe and have been given all-out assistance by the company,‖ said Baldoz. MAGMOL President Menor had informed Baldoz that in response to the maritime urgency on 17 June, the company immediately dispatched a representative to meet with and ensure the safety of the 14 Filipino crewmembers in time for their arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka. On 23 June, all the 14 Filipino seamen arrived safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and were met by both their family members and MAGMOL representatives from its headquarters in Manila. They were then billeted by the company at the Manila Diamond Hotel. The following day, Menor, assisted by the Associated Marine Officers‘ and Seamen‘s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), briefed the 14 seamen on the benefits due them by reason of the incident pursuant to their existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), to wit: (a) compensation for lost personal effects at a maximum rate of USD3,000.00; (b) severance pay equivalent to two (2) months basic wage; and, (c) accrued wages for the period 1-23 June 2013. On 23 June, the company paid all the contractual benefits of the crewmembers and were settled before the Department of Labor and Employment All the 14 seafarers appeared before OIC Amorsolo V. Aglibut of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board‘s (NCMB) National Capital Region (NCR) branch and accepted the benefits paid them in the form of cash or cheque, with the assistance of Attorney Emmanuel E. Parado of AMOSUP, and Atty. Imelda L. Barcelona of the Lubeca Protection & Indemnity Phils., Inc.

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13. Roxas assures San Juan kin blast probe will be thorough and exclusive

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

Manila, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Thursday/Jan. 4 assured the family of Serendra 2 blast victim Angelito San Juan that the inquiry into the May 31 tragic incident will be ―thorough and conclusive.― At the same time Roxas appealed for sobriety in the aftermath of the death of San Juan, saying the government has been transparent in its efforts to get to the bottom of the case. ―Dapat siguro magpakahinahon tayo dahil hayag po at transparent ang ginagawa ng gobyerno dito. In fact kumuha pa tayo ng foreign experts dahil kulang tayo sa karanasan at kaalaman sa pag-imbestiga ng pangyayaring ito,‖ Roxas said in a radio interview. While it is clear in the initial probe that gas leak was the cause of the explosion, Roxas said the experts are still trying to determine the sequence of events that led to the blast. ―Malinaw na gas explosion,‖ Roxas said. ―Ang tanong saan ba pumalpak ang sistema? Mali ba ang design? Yung mga sensor at saka yung mga automatic na shutoff ay pumalya ba? Yung installation sa unit ginalaw ba o hindi? Hindi natin masabi kaya kumuha tayo ng expert.‖ Roxas at the same time extended his sympathies to the family of San Juan who died early this morning after being confined at the St. Luke‘s hospital since May 31. Investigators were unable to get a statement from him since the incident because of his condition. ―Our sympathies go to the family and loved ones of Angelito San Juan for their grievous loss,‖ Roxas said in a statement. The 63-year-old San Juan, according to his counsel, died at 12:20 a.m. at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital due to multiple organ failure. He returned to the country from the United States to attend a wedding when the unit he was renting at Serendra 2 was rocked by a powerful blast later traced to a gas leak. Three employees of appliance distributor Abenson were also killed when a concrete slab fell on their passing delivery van after the explosion.

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14. DOE closely monitors LPG pricing to address overpricing concerns

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

(Taguig City) The Department of Energy (DOE) assures the public of its continued close monitoring of the prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to ensure that the adjustments are fair and reasonable. Per monitoring of the DOE, LPG prices have decreased six times totaling to around P9/kg since January as opposed to only one increase this month of P2.50/kg. Under Republic Act No. 8479, otherwise known as the Oil Deregulation Law, the pricing of petroleum products is left with the LPG companies with the DOE determining the reasonableness of the price computation based on submitted information. The DOE computation of petroleum product prices only serves as a guide estimate of the prevailing prices of the commodity in a deregulated oil market. In support of its price monitoring mandate, oil companies are required to inform the DOE of their price adjustment six hours before their implementation. In addition, the DOE regularly sends out field inspectors to monitor the price movements of LPG in the market to ascertain that they are implementing their declared prices.

For reports or complaints about pricing abuses, consumers can all call tel. no. (02)840-2130/(02) 840-2267 or directly file their complaints to the DOE. To support the complaints, consumers are reminded to keep their purchase receipts. Retailers or distributors which are proven to have overpriced customers of its LPG products may be subject to a fine of up to P500,000.00.

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15. GPH hopes to finish wealth-sharing annex with MILF in next round of talks

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

Manila – Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on Thursday expressed the government‘s resolve to complete the annex on wealth sharing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the next round of formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur this month. ―We're both very conscious that we do want to finish (the Annex) as soon as possible; that we do need to find compromises to be able to put something in the text and sign on to it,‖ she said in an interview with Rappler. The annex on wealth-sharing is one of the three remaining annexes that are expected to be completed by the GPH and the MILF soon. Together with the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, the three annexes will comprise the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro. ―It's in this stage that both parties want to come to terms with the remaining issues, specially pertaining to the wealth-sharing annex that has taken a long time to process,‖ said Coronel-Ferrer. The panel chair explained that both parties knew that the document on the wealth sharing annex had to be brought back to their respective principals for final review. ―That's precisely why the two panel chairs did not initial nor sign this document because that will happen after the final review takes place,‖ she added. Coronel-Ferrer denied media statements that called the four-month lull in the negotiations a stalemate, saying that, ―There have been communications going on formally and informally through the facilitator and other channels. The best indication is we're actually meeting again face to face to hammer out the issues.‖ In a separate statement, Coronel-Ferrer disclosed that the GPH proposal on wealth-sharing provides for a fiscal arrangement that is better than what exists in the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. ―There will be more taxing powers and a more defined sharing of government resources on the whole, in keeping with the goal of having a strong and viable autonomous Bangsamoro governance,‖ she said. "If things go well, we might be able to have a good working draft of the power sharing annex with only few items left for resolution,‖ she added. Third-party monitors Coronel-Ferrer also announced that that Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) has been invited by the two panel chairs to join them in Kuala Lumpur next week for introductions and to convene for the first time as the third-party monitor that will review, assess, evaluate and monitor the implementation of the FAB and its annexes. ―The convening of the TPMT is another concrete indication that all is well in the peace process,‖ she stated. According to its Terms of Reference, signed in January 2013 by the two parties, the TPMT will have an eminent person as chair, two persons coming from international non-government organizations, and another two members from domestic NGOs. The identity of the members will be formally announced during the talks. Vigilance from the public Coronel-Ferrer called on stakeholders to be more vigilant amid disinformation surrounding the GPH-MILF peace process. ―We have received disturbing text messages warning the resurgence in violence because allegedly the FAB has been scrapped. We ask the public not to take heed of this form of destabilization from segments who oppose the peace process,‖ she stated.

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Last Updated: 05 JULY 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC), headed by Kingdom of Thailand former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, APRC chairman Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room, Malacañan Palace on Friday (July 05). APRC is an independent, international and non-governmental body whose objective is to assist governments and societies in Asia in identifying peaceful means of resolving conflicts and reconciling

differences. Also in photo are Islamic Republic of Pakistan former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Kingdom of Thailand former Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC), headed by Kingdom of Thailand former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, APRC chairman Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room, Malacañan Palace on Friday (July 05). APRC is an independent, international and non-governmental body whose objective is to assist governments and societies in Asia in identifying peaceful means of resolving conflicts and reconciling differences. Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Marcelino Pascua/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a group photo with the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla during the courtesy call held at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall. The ensemble formed in 1986 through the vision of Cristina Castro who, with a shoestring budget, searched for several years to find a teacher while building up an arsenal of instruments for the children the IP Rondalla has flourished as a truly Filipino American expression, incorporating into its repertoire aspects of traditional and contemporary music from the Philippines and the United States.also in photo are Violaere Rodriguez Bailey, Education secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and IP Rondalla founder Cristina Castro (Photo By : Ryan Lim / Lauro Montellano/ Exequiel Supera/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a memento from the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla during the courtesy call held at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall. The ensemble formed in 1986 through the vision of Cristina Castro who, with a shoestring budget, searched for several years to find a teacher while building up an arsenal of instruments for the children the IP Rondalla has flourished as a truly Filipino American expression, incorporating into its repertoire aspects of traditional and contemporary music from the Philippines and the United States.also in photo are Violaere Rodriguez Bailey, Education secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and IP Rondalla founder Cristina Castro (Photo By : Ryan Lim/ Lauro Montellano/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III watches the performance of the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla during the courtesy call held at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall. The ensemble formed in 1986 through the vision of Cristina Castro who, with a shoestring budget, searched for several years to find a teacher while building up an arsenal of instruments for the children the IP Rondalla has flourished as a truly Filipino American expression, incorporating into its repertoire aspects of traditional and contemporary music from the Philippines and the United States.Also in photo are Violaere Rodriguez Bailey, Education secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and IP Rondalla founder Cristina Castro (Photo By : Lauro Montellan/ Ryan Lim/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!