Archive for April 3rd, 2009
‘Less talk, the better’ for 2 hostages—Palace
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:06:00 04/03/2009
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang kept mum on details about the release of a Filipina Red Cross worker from the Abu Sayyaf, so as not to compromise the safety of the two other captives.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, however, maintained that the government was firm in its “no ransom” policy, amid speculation that money changed hands for the release of Mary Jean Lacaba on Thursday evening.
“The less talk muna [for now], the better,” Remonde said, adding “Hindi natin muna dapat busisiin. Hayaan natin ang autoridad on the ground [We should not scrutinize this now. Let's leave this to authorities on the ground].”
Remonde said the Palace was “grateful” to those who worked for Lacaba’s release – the local crisis committee headed by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“They have done a good job. Na-release naman si Lacaba [Lacaba was released],” Remonde said.
Two International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers remain under captivity, Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian national Eugenio Vagni.
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Palace welcomes move to shelve Charter change
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:48:00 04/03/2009
MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s chief political adviser welcomed a move by the administration Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats party to put efforts to rewrite the 1987 Constitution in the backburner.
“We welcome, cheer, and support the assurances of the leaders and Charter (change) proponents in Congress that, whatever route or fate cha cha (Charter change) takes, the elections next year will not be suspended or cancelled and terms of incumbent officials will not be extended,” Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said.
“The Palace simply maintains its position to leave the fate and disposition of cha cha to Congress. Meanwhile, we are putting on high gear all preparations for the general polls next year, particularly measures to ensure honest, efficient, and credible elections through full automation,” he said.
House Speaker and Lakas-CMD President Prospero Nograles had said that Charter change proponents only have until the adjournment sine die of Congress on June 6 to push for their resolutions to amend the Charter.
He said there was not enough time to push for constitutional amendments when Congress resumes sessions in late July, or 10 months before the May 2010 elections.
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Arroyo sets P35-M for school buildings
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:25:00 04/03/2009
MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced that she would give P35 million to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCII) to build low-cost school buildings for grade school students.
The President praised the FFCCII for donating thousands of school buildings, which they built “at half the cost” in a speech during the group’s 27th biennial conference in Pasay City on Friday.
“I will give you a P35-million check so that you can be even more generous, as you have been generous with your two-classroom building donations,” she said.
The President said the money should be spent in elementary schools where the ratio of students per classroom was 100 for every shift or 50 students each for two shifts.
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Arroyo to NCRPO chief: Probe kidnap cases
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:25:00 04/03/2009
MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the new chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to investigate reported kidnapping incidents in the metropolis.
The President issued the directive to Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales in a speech before the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. in Pasay City on Friday.
Arroyo said she had ordered Rosales to “look into the kidnapping incidents in Metro Manila.”
“He has done a good job in Manila. I’m sure you’re supporting him [in his new assignment],” Arroyo said of Rosales, who was Manila Police District chief before he took over the NCRPO from Director Leopoldo Bataoil.
The President said security forces should “become even more vigilant” in the face of kidnapping incidents in the country.
An anti-crime crusader, Teresita Ang See, has said there were 40 cases of kidnapping so far this year, but the police leadership has refuted the figure.
Chinese-Filipinos are common targets of kidnap for ransom groups.
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Arroyo talks to freed Red Cross worker
Commends troops, crisis committee
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:03:00 04/03/2009
MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she talked on the phone with Mary Jean Lacaba, a Red Cross worker freed by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, after over 70 days in captivity.
Arroyo also commended the military, the police, the interior and defense departments, and the local crisis committee for working for Lacaba’s release.
“This [Friday] morning, I was able to talk tot he phone with Ms Lacaba. I told her I was happy that she was back with us,” the President said in speech before Chinese businessmen in Pasay City.
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