Noynoy PDAF `abolition’ misleading, protests to continue – UP community

PRESS RELEASE
August 24, 2013

Noynoy PDAF `abolition’ misleading, protests to continue – UP community

Concerned students, faculty, staff and residents of the University of the Philippines denounced the misleading announcement of President Noynoy Aquino as regards the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

In a press conference last August 23, Aquino said that it is now time to “abolish” PDAF and put in place a new mechanism to meet the needs of the people. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatves can still recommend projects but they will have to go through the process of finalizing the national budget.

The concerned UP community members said that Aquino’s policy pronouncement is just a “sugar-coated reform of the inherently flawed pork barrel system.”

In a statement, they stressed that the PDAF will just be repackaged, “such that the Congress will be at the behest of the Department of Budget and Management and the Office of the President.”

They called for the “just distribution and rechanneling of funds to basic social services, NOT a rehashed pork barrel system that is even more vulnerable to corruption. These funds must be allocated through public agencies such as public hospitals, state universities and colleges, public schools, salary upgrading of teachers and government workers, etc. The skewed regional allocations in the proposed budget must be realigned, with sufficient allocations for neglected regions in the Visayas and in Mindanao.”

In this context, they stressed the need for people to rage against “unbridled corruption” in government. “On August 26, we shall march from Liwasang Bonifacio to Rizal Park to Mendiola to decisively assert our resolve to abolish the presidential and congressional pork barrel and rechannel funds to basic social services!”

The statement was signed by the UP Faculty for the Abolition of the Presidential and Congressional Pork Barrel System, UP Kilos Na, Multi-Sectoral Alliance, Office of the Student Regent, Office of the Staff Regent and the University Student Council.

For verification and more information, please call Prof. Sarah Raymundo at (0939) 925-9368

STATEMENT

Marching On: UP Community for the Abolition of the Presidential and Congressional Pork Barrel System

We, the University of the Philippines community, strongly condemn the deceitful and misleading announcement of President Aquino to “abolish” the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and to institute, in its place, a supposedly “new” mechanism for allocation. This is a clear attempt to pacify and diffuse the just anger of the people and their clamor for the abolition of the pork barrel system and the rechanneling of funds to basic social services. In fact, PNoy’s proposal is by no means an abolition of the PDAF; rather, it is a sugarcoated reform of the inherently flawed pork barrel system. It drowns the more substantive problems of graft and corruption and patronage politics that result from this system. Worse, it conveniently leaves the president’s Special Purpose Funds, amounting to at least 310.1B, untouched, even increasing his discretionary power in the management of national funds.

In PNoy’s proposal, the congressional pork barrel (PDAF) will merely be repackaged, such that the Congress will continue to be at the behest of the Department of Budget and Management and the Office of the President. In the guise of transparency, the proposal actually places the PDAF under the stricter and more direct control of the President, making legislators more beholden to Malacanang. This farce is by no means an “abolition” but a perpetuation of the pork barrel system: it fortifies patronage politics both at the presidential and local levels, and violates constitutional principles by blurring the lines between the executive and legislative functions of government.

We are calling for just distribution and rechanneling of funds to basic social services, NOT a rehashed pork barrel system that is even more vulnerable to corruption. These funds must be allocated through public agencies such as public hospitals, state universities and colleges, public schools, salary upgrading of teachers and government workers, etc. The skewed regional allocations in the proposed budget must be realigned, with sufficient allocations for neglected regions in the Visayas and in Mindanao.

Let not the deceitful machinations of the PNoy Administration dampen our rage against unbridled corruption in government and attacks on our right to social services. On National Heroes Day, we shall continue the legacy of our heroes in upholding the people’s interests against the rich and the few who secure seats in government and reduce the national agenda to their own selfish interests. On August 26, we shall march from Liwasang Bonifacio to Rizal Park to Mendiola to decisively assert our resolve to abolish the presidential and congressional pork barrel and rechannel funds to basic social services!

Join the August 26 March from Liwasang Bonifacio to Luneta to Mendiola: 7AM mass-up at Quezon Hall, UP Diliman; 9AM meet-up at Liwasang Bonifacio and march to Rizal Park.

President Aquino to submit increased budget for SUCs to Congress tomorrow

President Benigno S. Aquino III said today in his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he would be submitting to Congress tomorrow the annual budget for the national government which also includes a 43.61% increase for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

He said that the he is proposing to Congress to approve SUCs a 43.61 percent increase in the budgets of SUCs for 2013. He said that as a reminder though, that everything was in accordance with a plan: There are corresponding conditions to this budget increase.

He said that the SUC Reform Roadmap of CHED, which has been deliberated and agreed upon, must be enacted to ensure that the students sponsored by the state are of top caliber. "Expect that if you work to get high marks in this assignment, we will be striving just as hard to address the rest of your needs," he said.

Here is the full text of President Aquino's 3rd SONA (2012) in Filipino and English.

Other reforms are expected to be operational and fiscal in nature. For example, the Diliman Diary has been following the progress of the University of the Philippines System in realigning the operations of University-affiliated foundations with Commission on Audit requests for more access to its financial and other data. CHED working with COA and the Department of Management will be working even more closely with U.P. and other SUCs in the future to ensure that these reforms are implemented to the greatest extent possible.

P2.006-T PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS ON TUESDAY


President Bis set to submit the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) for fiscal year 2013 to Congress on Tuesday, 24 July 2012: a day after his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) today.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad, who will be delivering the expenditure plan to Congress on behalf of the President, said that this P2.006-trillion proposed National Budget deepens the Aquino Administration’s commitment to its Social Contract with the Filipino People.

“This proposed Empowerment Budget prioritizes funding for programs and projects that have impact in unshackling the poor from poverty and in reducing poverty incidence to 16.6 percent by 2016. President Aquino has directed us to take bold steps in closing key social service delivery gaps—in classrooms, teachers, health insurance subsidies, rural health facilities, etc.—by 2013,” he said.

“He also instructed us to build on our economic achievements so far, such as the 6.4-percent gross domestic product growth in the first quarter of 2012, by investing in the foundations of rapid, inclusive and sustained growth. With this, we are funding the attainment of rice self-sufficiency by next year; the pavement of all national roads by 2014 and all secondary roads by 2016, the arrival of 5.53 million tourists by next year and 10 million by 2016, among others,” he said.

Abad pointed out that the combined budgetary allocations of the Social Services and Economic Services sector of P1.210 trillion for 2013—60.3 percent of the P2.006-trillion Budget—supports the achievement of the aforementioned targets (Annex A).

The proposed 2013 National Budget consists of P1.251 trillion in Programmed New Appropriations for national government operations, programs and projects; and P755.2 billion in Automatic Appropriations for debt servicing, local government allocations and others (Annex B).

Legislative action and approval will be sought for Programmed New Appropriations as well as for P177.5 billion in Unprogrammed Appropriations, or standby spending authority which the national government may only be utilized when its revenues exceed targets.

The Budget Chief also said that the Proposed Budget for 2013 is the earliest to be submitted to Congress in the last twelve years (Annex C). He said that by submitting the BESF right after the SONA, the Administration is showing its commitment to ensure the early enactment of the Budget.

“Last year, the Administration and Congress worked together to ensure that the 2012 Budget becomes law by 15 December 2011: the earliest Budget enactment since the restoration of our democracy. We look forward to repeating that historical feat,” Abad said.

In the last twelve years, the Proposed Budget for 2001 was submitted on 24 June 2000, as early as the 2013 proposal’s submission, but it was not enacted. Before the Aquino administration, the last Budget to be enacted on time was the 1999 Budget, signed into law on 30 December 1998.

Diliman Diary blog: 12.19.2011

"Kim Jong Il, the second-generation North Korean dictator who defied global condemnation to build nuclear weapons while his people starved, has died, state media reported. A government statement called on North Koreans to “loyally follow” his son, Kim Jong Un," according to a Bloomberg report.

Like Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, who is an untried scion of a wealthy family who did not earn his spurs in the school of hard knocks; but rode the quick and easy path to power and influence on the strength of his forbear's efforts, we can expect Kim Jong Un to reign but not to rule.

 If both rulers were made of sterner stuff, they would be calling the shots and imposing a program of action while persuading the people to support it. But the program should be based on truth and justice; not on greed, egoism and self-serving interests.

In North Korea, the Communist Party is a party of privilege whose members get special treatment while the majority of North Koreans slowly starve to death. In the Philippines, it is not much different. Only 100 families control 90% of our Gross Domestic Product. In both instances, a small minority of people control the scarce resources that should accrue to the majority. In this respect, "democracy" and "socialism" are not so far apart.

We have seen President Aquino's faltering efforts to play the macho Man of the People by bullying a Supreme Court Justice who could have been quietly impeached. With his powers at his disposal, he could have done this quietly instead of rattling so many sabers at the same time.

But I await with bated breath the future performance of Kim Jong Un, who is expected to introduce more market reforms in this totalitarian state. For all we know, he may end up being another Pu Yi, or a puppet emperor, who ended up being a figure head emperor of China, while others ruled the Middle Kingdom.

In the Philippines, I don't see any enlightened leadership beyond mere posturing and grabbing at any spontaneous good news that may arise from efforts of various sectors or particularly capable government officials.



(By Chanda Shahani)

October 31, 2011 is a special non-working holiday throughout the country

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 265

DECLARING MONDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2011, AS A SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 84, dated 20 December 2010, declared Tuesday, 1 November 2011, as a special (non-working) day;

WHEREAS, Monday, 31 October 2011, falling between Sunday and Tuesday, 1 November 2011 (All Saints Day), has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country;

WHEREAS, to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe the day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions of the country. Monday, 31 October 2011, may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Monday, 31 October 2011, as a special (non-working) day throughout the country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10^th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR,

Executive Secretary

President Benigno S. Aquino III's 2012 Budget Message

Year 2012

THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET MESSAGE

Ladies and Gentlemen of the 15th Congress of the Philippines: 

Through the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, I have the honor to submit, for your consideration, the proposed National Budget for 2012.

THE DIVIDENDS OF REFORM

Last year, you gave your overwhelming support for the 2011 National Budget, this administration’s first financial blueprint. You diligently and meticulously scrutinized the same, while making sure that it is enacted before the Fiscal Year 2011 started: the first time in over a decade. 

But that timeliness meant not only promptness: it also meant relevance. It reflected your belief that the programs we proposed are able to respond to the immediate and pressing needs of our people, while making sure that our long-term agenda for reform is on track. And I laud you, the men and women of Congress, not only for enacting the current year’s budget on time but also for giving this administration a stable first footing by supporting the 2011 Reform Budget. 

Our pursuit of reform in the long-term cannot blind us from our people’s current concerns. In other words, change also has to be felt now. 

This administration was hoisted to power by the overwhelming mandate of our people, fatigued by the preponderance of corruption and abuse of power. They have expressed their deep yearning for Philippine society to be transformed into one that truly empowers them to pursue their aspirations for themselves, their families, their communities and the country. Through People Power via the ballot, they have demonstrated their longing to be emancipated from poverty and helplessness through honest and effective governance. 

This is the core inspiration by which this administration crafted the 2012 National Expenditure Program that I am hereby proposing to Congress: to deepen the reforms we are setting in place; to go one notch higher in our fight against corruption and our pursuit of good governance, in poverty reduction, and in employment generation from inclusive and sustained economic growth.

Noong nakaraang taon, tinangkilik po ninyo ang aming pakay na tahakin ang landas Tungo sa Paggugol na Matuwid. 

Sa paparating na taon, hinihikayat ko po kayong patuloy na sumama at lumahok sa biyaheng ito: sa pagsiguro na ang benepisyo ng Paggugol na Matuwid ay nakatutok sa ating mga prayoridad at Diretso sa Tao.

THE RESULTS-FOCUSED BUDGET OF 2012
 

With the same degree of political will and sense-of-duty, I ask you to examine, deliberate on, and thereafter approve this P1.816 trillion National Budget for 2012.

This proposed budget is higher by 10.4 percent than the current year’s budget of P1.645 trillion. With the reduction of leakages, inducement of efficiencies and better selection of project priorities, we can ensure that more of our people’s hard-earned tax money is spent on programs, projects and activities that benefit them the most. 

More importantly, this budget—the first that this administration is fully crafting—embodies our commitment to lift the poor from poverty through honest and effective governance. It is intently focused on fulfilling my administration’s Social Contract with the Filipino People as I heeded their clamor for a leadership that will emancipate them from the shackles of hopelessness. It is firmly anchored on our vision and priorities, and focused on results. 

This proposed budget is a Results-Focused Budget. 

Read the rest here.

PNoy’s science policy insults scientists

By Flor Lacanilao

Bruce Alberts, Editor-in-Chief of Science and for 12 years was president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, says “Over the long run, any nation that makes crucial decisions while ignoring science is doomed.” It is critical that national legislation be based on what science knows about potential harm, he added

(“Policy-Making Needs Science”).

It is therefore alarming that President Aquino’s science report in his SONA ignores the overwhelming consensus that scientific research is a prerequisite to technological development. With such practices, it will be difficult to make wise decisions, Alberts added. 

In his SONA, President Aquino said, "Creativity is in display with the innovations that are already being implemented. We have developed low-cost traps that kill mosquito larvae, probably contributing to the nearly fourteen percent decrease in dengue incidents; coconut coir fibers that are normally just disposed of have been used as a cost-effective way to strengthen our roads; we have landslide sensors that warn when soil erosion has reached dangerous levels; we have developed early flood warning systems for riverside communities. All of these are products of Filipino creativity.”

But we are already in the 21st century. Innovations like these are no longer done.

The President continued, “DOST and UP have even teamed up to develop a prototype monorail system, which could potentially provide a home grown mass transport solution that would cost us as little as 100 million pesos per kilometer, much cheaper than the current cost of similar mass transit systems. . . I am telling you now: We can dream about them, we are capable of achieving them, and we will achieve them.”

Can the DOST and UP personnel involved in this project show -- with properly-published studies -- the cost-effective, safety, capability claim, etc.?  

On the other hand, it can be showe that in its over 50 years of existence, the DOST has been funding and announcing inventions and innovations, which “are products of Filipino creativity.” These were not backed up with properly done research by published scientist. And during this period, the Philippines, from second only to Japan, has been left behind by no less than 12 Asian countries.

Further, our stunted growth of scientific capability has been shown by our S&T performance (this is measured by the number of scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals). In 2005, our total scientific publications (in high-impact journals) were only 178, compared to those of Singapore’s 3,600-plus, Taiwan’s 10,800 and South Korea’s 16,400. China in 2009 produced 125,000.

“The environment in which decisions are made in a democracy will always be highly politicized, but it is crucial that both sides of any argument pay close attention both to what science knows and how that knowledge has been gained” Alberts concludes.

(Dr. Flor Lacanilao obtained his Ph.D. (specialization in comparative endocrinology) from the University of California at Berkeley. He served as chairman of the Zoology Department at UP Diliman, chancellor of UP Visayas, and chief of SEAFDEC in Iloilo.)

PENOY a.k.a. PNoy a.k.a. President Benigno S. Aquino III is burned in effigy on Commonwealth Avenue minutes before he delivers his July 25, 2011 State of the Nation Address

Editor's note: A riotous and cheerful crowd of activists from various organizations, urban poor, students, journalists and others marched today up to the point of St. Peter's Cathedral along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City where they were met by metal barriers with truncheon-wielding policemen on the alert to prevent any further passage to the House of representatives Building Complex where President Benigno S. Aquino III was set to deliver his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The crowd essentially did not agree with the spin being put out by the Palace that there were any solid achievements on the part of the Aquino Administration and they were determined to make their case before a wider audience through political theater, song, dance and mobile installation art (we will be posting more pictures as soon as possible).

Embedded below are the pictures taken by Diliman Diary editor Chanda Shahani of President Aquino being burned in effigy, and of other scenes in the anti-SONA protests along Commonwealth Avenue. At one point, the flames grew so fierce and hot that the crowd was forced to beat a hasty rereat. At the end of it all, all was left was a sad heap of ashes, and a feeling of temporary catharsis followed by the unsettled feeling that there were so many burning issues left unfixed and unaddressed by this administration.

 

The media photographing the effigy burning

U.P. Diliman's Zorro joins the rally and reads a manifesto criticizing the Aquino administration

University of the Philippines (Asterisk) Asosasyon ng Kabataang Artista at Iskolar ng UP Diliman members paint a caricature of President Aquino on Commonwealth Avenue

The finished product

 

Policemen on a bridge fronting St. Peter's Parish on Commonwealth Avenue scan the crowd

A police line on Commonwealth Avenue preventing protesters from going anynearer the House of Representatives where President Aquino delivered his speech

Members of the Panginoon Hesus Kristong Hari Espiritu Santo-Holy Spirit Government based in Tandang Sora, Q.C. calling for a change in government from one run by people to one run by the Holy Spirit Government

Diliman Videos of the Week: Kinaya ba ni PNOY?

Video No. 1: Kinaya ba ni PNOY? (1/3) - Administrative Efficiency



Video No. 2: Kinaya ba ni PNOY? (2/3) - Education Policy



Video No. 3 - Kinaya ba ni PNOY? (3/3) - Economic Policy

Fee the UPLB 5! Free the Calamba 7!

(To enlarge the graphic, just click on it.

Source:  http://upissues.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/free-the-uplb-5-free-the-calamba-7/)

Press Statement by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines - Southern Tagalog Chapter

June 20, 2011

Members of the campus press in Southern Tagalog expressed their dismay on the continued illegal detention of 7 individuals collectively known as the “Calamba 7” saying this act by the state is but a “direct insult to the life and death of our national hero, Jose Rizal.”

“It is ironic that 150 years after the birth of Rizal and in his very own hometown of Calamba, the youth and people experience the same political persecution that the Spanish colonial rulers imposed upon the Filipino people hundreds of years ago,” College Editors Guild of the Philippines – Southern Tagalog (CEGP-ST) Chairperson Rogene Gonzales said.

‘Freedom of expression’

Yesterday, during the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Rizal in Calamba, Laguna, protesters registered their dissent to Noynoy Aquino who was present in the ceremony. The militants scored Aquino for his anti-people policies on education and land reform that continues to haunt the Southern Tagalog region. 8 protesters were nabbed by police forces.

Until now, the 7 individuals including 5 youth, who are members of Kabataan Partylist and students of U.P. Los Baños, remain detained at the Calamba Police Station despite petition for recognizance filed yesterday to grant their release.  The other 2 detained are members of Anakpawis Partylist.

“We urge the local government of Calamba to drop the trumped-up charges of the Calamba 7 since they have only practiced their freedom of expression which is a vital cornerstone to a democratic society,” Gonzales stressed.

Last academic year, CEGP-ST recorded around 170 cases of campus press freedom violations (CPFVs) from 40 publications throughout the region while the CEGP National Office has recorded 187 CPFVs during the recent national convention. 22 publications registered they have experienced censorship from their advisers or school administrators.

“If inside their schools, students are already repressed for speaking and standing up for their rights and welfare, what more outside the academic realm?” he asked.

‘Inheritors of our country’s future’

Meanwhile, CEGP-Cavite Chairperson Rose Sugar Velarde stressed that it is not through the construction of a huge monument that we truly commemorate Rizal’s teachings, but through respecting the rights of the youth and people - whom Rizal sacrificed his life for.

“The youth are the inheritors of our country’s future. But do we still need to be exiled and jailed to Dapitan just like Rizal before the government realizes that it is not living-up for the people’s interests?” Velarde said.

She added that if Aquino only gave in to the calls of the people such as higher state subsidy for education, genuine land reform and just wages, then the people would not have anything to protest about in the first place.

In Cavite, for example, farmers have no choice but to evacuate their lands because of the landowners’ rampant land-use conversion of agricultural lands to subdivisions granted upon by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reforms (CARPER).

 

“What the 7 has shouted in front of Aquino are legitimate calls of the people. But does the Aquino administration even listens to us – whom he claims as his boss?” she stressed.

‘Rise in human rights violations’

Yesterday, student journalists in Palawan joined multi-sectoral groups in the province in showing their disgust to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ ruled on the case of slain journalist Dr. Gerardo ‘Gerry’ Ortega absolving former Palawan governor Joel T. Reyes and five more accused personalities from their crimes.

“We understand that the state has always retorted to nothing else but political persecution to its critics. On June 30, Aquino will mark one year in office, and now we see a rapid rise in the number of human rights violations in the country,” according to Allan Jay Javier, chairperson of CEGP-Palawan and editor-in-chief of The Pioneer of Palawan State University.

Javier stressed that the Calamba-7 is not an isolated case of state violence, but roots from the systematic abuse of power from the government no different from what former president-now-congresswoman Gloria Arroyo did when she was in office.

In less than a year of Aquino’s presidency, human rights group Karapatan-Southern Tagalog accounted 11 cases of extrajudicial killings in the region. In addition, the number of political prisoners continued to rise to 54. Last May 18, trumped-up charges of “murder and frustrated murder” were re-filed in San Pablo City, Laguna for 72 leader activists of Southern Tagalog.

‘Release the Calamba-7 now!’

Different groups stormed in front of the Calamba City Hall starting 2pm today, setting-up a protest camp to call for the immediate release of the detained. The protesters vowed not to leave until the 7 individuals are released and all charges have been dropped.

“We call on the youth and the people, most especially campus journalists, to show their support in calling for the freedom of the Calamba-7. Sama-sama nating ipanawagan ang pagpapalaya sa mga tunay na pag-asa ng bayan!”  Gonzales stressed.

The paradox of growth and persistent poverty

 (Source: http://lilashahani.blogspot.com)

"The Arroyo administration had been inordinately fond of citing the 10 years of economic growth during its tenure, peaking at a high 7.1 percent in 2007. And yet, in that decade of impressive growth, more Filipinos actually became poor."

"In 2003, for instance, the official poverty incidence rate for all individual Filipinos was only 24.9 percent. By 2009, this had worsened to as much as 26 percent. Put another way, the number of poor Filipinos in 2003 was a mere 19.8 million. By 2009, this number had swelled to as much as 23.1 million. In reality, many of these additional 3.3 million Filipinos were in fact children who had been born into poverty."

Read the rest here.

Pnoy chase along Univ. Ave. (April 17, 2011).wmv

http://rtvm.gov.ph - PHIL-US Balikatan Exercises

Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija
13 April 2011

President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed the show of cooperation between the Philippine and United States military forces during the Balikatan Exercises 2011 in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Upon arrival, the President was presented with live-fire convoy exercises and mass casualty rescue demonstrations performed by Filipino and American soldiers. They used real bullets, bombs and army rescue vehicles to exhibit actual military operations. President Aquino rode and inspected a B300 army truck after the show.

He then proceeded to a dialogue with the 7th Infantry Division (ID) soldiers and the Special Operations Command troops. The Commander-in-Chief said that the administration is striving hard to provide the needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by providing a housing program, combat pay increment and health benefits to military men. He also reported that the Philippine Navy will soon acquire one of the three Hamilton class cutters from the U.S. Coast Guard and that there will be additional long-range helicopters and multi- purpose attack water crafts to be used in the Palawan coast and Sulu Sea area. The President said that the government is supporting the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) "Bayanihan" to promote peace between MILF and AFP.

(Source: http://rtvm.gov.ph)

Diliman Videos of the Week: U.P. Diliman Graduation 2011 Protest Against Aquino and Aquino's Speech in U.P. Disrupted by Protest - Responsible Parenthood Bill Pushed

Video No. 1: U.P. Diliman Graduation 2011 Protest Against Aquino



Video No. 2: Aquino's Speech in U.P. Disrupted by Protest - Responsible Parenthood Bill Pushed

Statement of Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez (April 18, 2011)

SENATE RECEIVES ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT: Senate Secretary Emma Lirio Reyes receives the articles of impeachment that will be used against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez from Representatives Niel Tupas, Rodolfo Fariñas, Erin Tañada and Rey Umali. (PRIB Photo by Alex Nuevaespaña)

Press Release

I have been attacked numerous times, though unjustly and without basis. Many of these attacks have been coming not only from my usual detractors but from no less than the President of the Republic himself.

Despite his repeated pronouncements, mostly before graduating students of various schools in Metro Manila, that he is “at war” against me, I have chosen to be silent mainly because I have deep respect to the institution that the President represents.

Despite the open call of the President to impeach me and his calling on the people, especially young students, to support the impeachment proceedings against me, I would not engage him in a word war before the public as this would only demean both of us, especially in this season of Lent.

Just the same, the case against me is now with the Senate. The Senate should be allowed to do its job without any interference or pressure. I have always expressed my willingness to take part in the legal processes because it is the only way the issues raised against me will be resolved.

I am willingly submitting myself before the Senate as an impeachment court not only because I am confident that I will be vindicated in the end but also because the Senate as an institution should be protected against any perceived pressure or partiality.

I have always believed in and strived for the preservation of institutions. Institutions must be preserved and protected and not demeaned and destroyed. Otherwise, we go back to tyranny and dictatorship where the rule of those in power reigns supreme over reason and the rule of law.

Despite all that he has said and done, I maintain my deep respect for the President. 

(Sources: http://www.senate.gov.ph and http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph) 

Speech of President Aquino at the UP Diliman commencement exercises, April 17, 2011

To listen to the audio file, click on the "Play" button below:


    
Talumpati ni Benigno S. Aquino III

Pangulo ng Pilipinas

Noong pagtatapos ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman, 2011

(Inihayag sa UP Amphitheatre , Diliman, Quezon City noong ika-17 ng Abril 2011)

Tatay ko na nga po ang minsang nagsabi: Iisa lang talaga ang pamantasan sa Pilipinas—UP lang raw po, wala nang iba. [Applause]

Bata pa po kami ng aking mga kapatid, iyan na ang bukambibig ng aking ama. Heto nga po ang isang kuwento:

Tinanong ng tatay ko ang panganay naming si Ballsy: “Saan mo gustong mag-aral, iha?”nang siya’y papasok sa kolehiyo.

Ang sagot, “Dad, gusto kong sundan ang mga yapak mo. Gusto ko sa UP.”

Sagot ng tatay ko: “Maganda ‘yan.” At pagkatapos po, paglabas po ng aking ate sa kuwarto, kinausap agad ng aking tatay ang aking ina: “I-enroll mo na ‘yan sa Assumption.”

Sa totoo lang po ako po ay medyo mas bata pa noong mga panahon na iyon. Nanonood malamang ng cartoons, napalingon sa naguusap kong magulang at nagtaka: Ano kaya iyong dialogue na iyon?

Hindi ko naman po masisisi ang aking ama kung nagkaroon siya noon ng agam-agam. Natural lang naman pong mag-alala ang isang ama sa kanyang anak, lalo na’t matagal nang nakakabit sa UP ang imahen nito bilang pugad at kanlungan ng mga malayang isip. Hindi magiging UP ang pamantasang ito kung wala ang kultura ng aktibong pagmamasid at pagbabantay sa karapatan ng bayan. Ang tagumpay ng UP ay nagbubukal, hindi lamang sa mataas na kalidad ng edukasyon, kundi dahil sa kalayaang hawak ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan na magpahayag ng kanilang opinyon at pananaw sa kinabibilangan nilang lipunan.

Ilang beses na rin bang UP ang naglantad ng mga palpak na desisyon ng nakaraang administrasyon? Kung maaalala ninyo, hinimay ng UP Law Center noong 2005 ang kuwestyonableng kontrata ng Northrail project. Siniyasat at pinag-aralan nila ito, at dahil sa tulong nila, nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na muling pag-aralan ang kontrata ng Northrail. Iisa rin po ang pananaw natin pagdating sa pangongopya o paggamit sa anumang akda na walang pahintulot o wastong pagkilala sa tunay na may-ari nito. Hindi porket nasa taas ka, puwede mo nang baluktutin at angkinin ang gawa ng ibang tao.

Wala naman po siguro ditong magdududa na ang UP, pinaka-dalubhasa sa napakaraming larangan. Sa puntong ito, nais ko na rin pong magpasalamat sa iginawad na titulong Doctor of Laws sa akin ng UP. At aabutin pa po tayo ng siyam-siyam kung iisa-isahin natin ang matatagumpay ninyong alumni. Halimbawa na si Supreme Court Justice Meilou Sereno, at bagong Commission on Audit Chairperson Grace Tan na parehong mula sa College of Law, at si Heidi Mendoza na proud alumna naman ng NCPAG [National College of Public Adminstration and Governance]. Nariyan sila para ituwid ang baluktot, itama ang mali at tumulong upang maabot ang minimithi nating kinabukasan: Isang kinabukasan kung saan kung may pangarap ka, maaari kang magtrabaho tungo sa katuparan nito. Isang lipunan kung saan, nagbukas ka ng ilaw, may kuryente; nagbukas ka ng gripo, may aagos na tubig; nagbukas ka ng wallet, may laman itong salapi na pinagpaguran mo nang marangal, at hindi mo kinailangang magsanla ng prinsipyo para makamit.

Ngayong araw, kabilang na kayo, at ang summa cum laude ninyong si John Gabriel Pelias, sa hanay ng mga Isko na magkakaroon ng pagkakataong baguhin ang sistema mula sa loob. Kay John: Napatunayan mo nang kaya mong lampasan ang anumang pagsubok. Tiwala akong marami ka pang makakamit na tagumpay, lalo pa ngayong gumagawa na tayo ng paraan para baguhin ang situwasyong kinakaharap ng Pilipino.

Marami nang nagaganap, kaya minsan nadidismaya ako na hindi umaabot sa inyo ang magagandang balita. Huwag na po sana ninyong masamain kung gagamitin ko ang pagkakataong ito upang bawasan ang negatibismo.

Nagkalat na rin lang naman po ang mga puno ng acasia dito, simulan na natin ang good news sa ating kapaligiran. Nitong huli ko rin lang po naintindihan kung bakit sa pagkatagal-tagal ng Clean Air Act, siya pa ring sama ng kalagayan pagdating sa polusyon. ‘Yung mga science major po, malamang alam ito: ang dumi sa hangin, nasusukat sa total suspended particulates. Tama ho ba? Ang UN standard po, 90 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Pagpasok po natin, nasa 166 ang sukat natin dito sa Pilipinas. Bakit? Ganito pala ang nangyari. Kada makina sa emissions testing center, kayang magtest ng otsentang sasakyan lamang bawat araw. Pero LTO na rin ang nagsabi, umaabot sa tatlong daan hanggang anim na raan ang binibigyan ng certificate ng mga testing center kada araw. Sa madaling sabi, daan-daang certificate ang ina-under-the-table, kaya napakarami pa ring sasakyang nagbubuga ng maitim na usok ang lumalarga sa lansangan.

Ano ang ginawa natin? Sa tulong ng DENR at LTO, ipinasara natin ang mga testing center na kasabwat sa kalokohan. Kaya sa huli ngang balita, ang suspended particulates natin sa hangin nitong Pebrero, bumaba na sa 120 micrograms per cubic meter. Simple lang po ang solusiyon. Hindi natin hihintayin iyong punong tumubo, dahil matatagalan iyon. Pero iyon namang tiwali, isara na natin. Hindi po natin tinawag si Captain Planet para solusyonan ito. [Laughter]

‘Di po ba’t kapag may nakikitang binabakbak na mga daan, agad na naiisip ng tao ay pinagkakakitaan ito ng mga nasa ahensya ng gobyerno? Buti na lang, produkto rin ng Peyups si DPWH Secretary Babes Singson. Ang utos ninyong mga Boss sa kanya, ayusin mo naman ang sistema. Ang ginawa ni Babes, binuklat lahat ng kontrata, at ang mga maanumalya, ipinarebid niya. Ang resulta: 1.3 billion pesos na ang nailigtas mula sa tiyak na pagkakanakaw, na maaari pang umabot sa anim hangga’t pitong bilyong piso para sa buong taon. Itinututok na niya ito ngayon sa mga serbisyong pakikinabangan talaga ng amin pong mga Boss.

Sa edukasyon naman po, dahil alam nating sa elementarya nabubuo ang mga batayang kaisipan na humuhubog sa estudyante, pinalaki natin ang budget ng basic education, mula 175 billion noong nakaraang taon, paakyat sa 207.3 billion pesos ngayong 2011.

Dahil din sa marami nating kababayang naghihikahos, binuhusan natin ng pondo ang Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program. Noong isang taon po, isang milyong pamilya ang benepisyaryo nito. Ang panata natin, bago matapos itong taon na ito, aakyat ang bilang na iyan sa 2.3 million na pamilya. Ito po ang magandang balita: sa diperensya pong 1.3 million na pamilya na idadagdag para sa 2011, nasa 500,000 na ang naidagdag natin. Way ahead of schedule po tayo dito, dahil na rin sa pangunguna ni DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, na isa ring proud alumna ng UP.

Lilinawin ko lang po na ang kundisyon naman ng CCT ay hindi “iboto mo si ganito sa susunod na eleksyon.” Ang mga kondisyon: papasukin sa eskuwela ang anak; magpacheck-up ang mga buntis na nanay; at pabakunahan ang mga sanggol. Wala namang talo dito, di po ba?

Naaalala ko tuloy ang batang nakilala ko sa Baseco. Talagang nakapinta sa mukha niya ang hinagpis. Papaano po ba naman, labing-anim na taon lang pala siya, dalawa na ang naging anak niya. Paano niya papakainin ang mga bata, paano paaaralin, gayong wala silang trabaho ng kanyang asawa?

Sino po ba ang nagkulang? Sino ang nagtulak sa kanila sa ganitong situwasyon? Paano nabagsak sa kanilang mga balikat ang ganitong pananagutan? At ang pinakamahalagang tanong: Ano ba ang aking magagawa?

Buo ang loob ko na maisabatas ang prinsipyo ng Responsible Parenthood. [Applause]

Mulat ako na may mga tutol dito. Subalit obligasyon ko bilang pinuno na lumapit sa lahat ng sektor, para kausapin at magpaliwanag sa kanila nang mahinahon—kahit pa ang sabi ng iba’y dapat i-excommunicate na ako. Kailangan po nating pakinggan maski na ang mga taong, sa pananaw ng marami, ay sarado na ang isipan. Pero sa huli, kailangan kong magdesisyon. Kailangan ko pa ring sundin ang aking kunsensiya. Kailangan kong gawin ang tama.

Kung sa paninindigan lang po, hindi nagkukulang ang Peyups. Kaya nga senador pa lang ako ay bumoto na ako para sa pag-amyenda ng UP Charter. Nagbigay ito sa inyo ng awtoridad na i-retain ang kita ninyo, kasama na ang kita mula sa lote ninyong nakatengga sa may Commonwealth. Kung dati, tinutubuan lang ng talahib, ngayon bukod sa nagdadagdag ng kita sa inyong pamantasan, ay nagbibigay pa ito ng trabaho sa napakaraming Pilipino. Pasalamatan ko po si Senador Angara, si Senador Escudero, at marami pang graduate ng UP na ipinaalala sa aking tulungan ang UP.

Mahirap po ang tungkuling magpasok ng reporma, dahil malalim pa sa mga ugat ng puno sa Sunken Garden ang pagkakabaon ng mga latak ng lumang sistema. Pero sino naman po ba ang hindi iinit ang ulo, kung ang mismong mga dapat nagtatanggol sa karaniwang tao, ay bumabantay-salakay lang sa mga ninakaw ng makapangyarihan? Alam na po ninyo siguro kung sino ang tinutukoy ko, kaya huwag na tayong magtagal pa sa isyung ito. Isang simpleng “OMG” ang kolektibong buntong-hininga natin dito.

Simple lang ho, di ba? Nakatutok tayo sa mandato nating maghatid ng hustisya sa lahat, at sasailalim ang lahat sa patas at tapat na proseso. Walang kampo-kampo, walang parti-partido sa harap ng nakapiring na hustisya. Ngayon, kung sa tingin ng iba ay sila lang ang pinagtutuunan natin ng pagod at panahon, baka naman napapraning lang sila. Sa tingin ko po, ang tanging humahabol sa kanila, ay ang kanilang kunsensya na sa wakas ay gumising na muli.

Aaminin ko po: hindi madaling humarap sa inyo, lalo na’t tila ba may tradisyon na ang Republika ng Diliman na magbigay ng mainit at masalimuot na pagsalubong sa mga dumadalaw na opisyal ng pamahalaan. Tanggap ko naman po iyan: Minsan talaga, iba ang ating pinanggagalingan. Pero sana naman po ay iisa ang nais nating patunguhan.

Heto po para sa akin ang proseso sa loob ng isang demokrasya: Mayroon akong sa tingin ko’y magandang ideya. Ang iba naman, mayroon ding ideya, na sa tingin nila’y maganda rin, ngunit salungat kaysa sa akin. Kaya naman ang lagi kong bukambibig: Halika rito, umupo tayo, mag-usap tayo, dahil pag nagkasundo na tayo, siguradong ang resulta ay lalong mas magandang ideya na sama-sama naman nating ipapatupad.

Magtapatan po tayo: May mga isyung umaantala sa paglago ng ating lipunan, at hindi ko naman po masisi ang lahat ng nag-aalburoto dahil dito. Pero sana naman po ay malinaw sa inyo: Anumang landas ang tahakin ng aking administrasyon, hindi naman sarili ang iniintindi namin. Mabigat po ang aming trabaho, pero ginagawa namin ito nang bukas ang puso at isip. Ginagawa namin ito nang hindi nagnanakaw. Wala kaming ibang iniintindi kundi kung paano mag-iwan ng isang Pilipinas na hindi na sinlaki ang problema ng dinatnan namin, ang mga balakid, sa tuluyang pag-unlad.

Ako naman po ay hindi dito nag-aral. Pero malinaw pa sa alaala ko ang mga sinabi sa akin ng aking ama: UP ang tumulong humubog sa kanyang mga prinsipyo, sa kung paano siya mag-isip, at sa kung paano siya nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na manindigan. Nagdurusa ang Pilipino noong mga panahong iyon. Maaari naman siyang nanahimik na lang sa Boston. Pero ang sabi niya, and I quote, “I hear my motherland crying.” Hindi siya umuwi nang dahil sa paghahangad sa kapangyarihan; umuwi siya dahil gusto niyang maging bahagi ng solusyon.

Ang hirap tanggapin na ang isang tao na napakadalisay ng hangarin ay parang karne na ibinagsak sa tarmac at ibinalibag sa AVSECOM van. Mas lalong mahirap tanggapin, na sa kabila ng kanyang sakripisyo at ng marami pang tulad niya, ay kung walang mangyayaring pagbabago. Ang araw-araw pong nasa isip ko, mula nang paslangin ang aking ama: Kung hindi ako magiging bahagi ng solusyon, parang walang-kuwenta na rin siguro ang buhay ko.

Nandito na po tayo ngayon, maaaring dahil sa tadhana, pero higit sa lahat dahil sa ating mga naging desisyon sa buhay. Kayo naman, mga magtatapos ngayon, ay may pagkakataon nang magdesisyon sa kung saan natin nais tumungo bilang isang bansa. Maaari nating piliing magpamana ng isang lipunang maihahalintulad sa isang Jeep UP Ikot—umiikot lamang sa di-nagbabagong ruta habang ang mga pasahero nito ay walang ibang nararating kundi ang nakasanayang kanto ng pagdurusa. O maaari nating piliin na kumpunihin ang kinakalawang na mekanismo ng minana nating lipunan; magdesisyon tayong lumihis sa pabalik-balik na sistema ng pagtitiis, upang sama-sama tayong umarangkada tungo sa kaunlaran. Hinihikayat ko po ang lahat: Maging bahagi tayo ng solusyon. Samahan ninyo kami, nang mapabilis ang pagdating natin sa minimithing paroroonan.

Hiling ko lang po sa inyong mga Isko at Iska: Habang umaaksyon kami at humahakbang sa pagkukumpuni sa pamahalaan, maisabuhay din sana ninyo ang inyong mga obligasyon bilang mga Iskolar ng Bayan. Malaki po ang inaasahan mula sa inyo. Masuklian po sana nang husto ang ipinuhunan sa inyo ng taumbayan.

Ang tanong ngayon: kung nasa mataas na pusisyon na kayo, maalala kaya ninyo ang mga slogan na inihiyaw ninyo habang bumoboycott ng klase? Kung puwede mong ilusot sa kalaboso ang brod, sis, o ka-org mong nagkasala naman talaga, ilulusot mo kaya? Kung kumikita ka na ng limpak-limpak na salapi sa ibang bansa, maisip mo pa kayang umuwi? Manatili kayang bulwagan ng dangal ang inyong mga puso, lalo na kung may mga uma-under the table na sa inyo, at kung hinahabol na ninyo ang quota ng pinagtatrabahuhan ninyong mga kumpanya?

Tandaan na po sana natin, na tulad naming mga nasa gobyerno, nandito kayo dahil sa taumbayan—para sa taumbayan. Utang ng loob ninyo sa Pilipino ang karangalang mag-aral at magtapos sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Balang araw, haharap kayo sa napakaraming bulong at tukso. Sa araw na iyon, sana maalala ninyo ang hamon ng isang nakatatandang Atenistang nasa harapan ninyo. [Laughter] Patuloy po sana ninyong dalhin nang taas-noo ang pangalan ng inyong pamantasan: ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

Sa mga Isko at Iska na kinupkop at hinubog ng UP: congratulations. Inaabangan na kayo ng inyong Bayan.

Salamat sa pakikinig, at magandang araw po sa inyong lahat.

(Sources: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines and RTVMalacañang)

ManilaStandardToday.com: Is U.P. in full mendicancy mode?

"The premiere university, we’ve been told, is now on full mendicancy mode and will do anything to get more funds from the state—and a doctorate degree does seem a small price to pay for that."

"On the other hand, it’s not the first time UP has tried to confer academic awards to Presidents with such callow motives. We recall that Joseph Estrada, when he was in Malacñnang, was also offered such an honor—but Erap, even if he never finished college, wisely declined his honorary UP degree."

"The official Diliman UPDate Online site said the award will be given to Aquino “for providing leadership in rallying the people to stamp out corruption, campaigning for institutional reforms and creating an environment for agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to act with dispatch on malfeasance in government, promote the rule of law, and respect people’s constitutional rights.” Law Dean Marvic Leonen, an Aquino booster who has joined the administration, could not have written a better citation."

Read the rest here: ManilaStandardToday.com: Is U.P. in full mendicancy mode?

President Benigno S. Aquino III swears in Alfredo E. Pascual as the 20th President of the University of the Philippines

Source: http://rtvm.gov.ph

Rizal Ceremonial Hall, Malacañan Palace
31 January 2011

Alfredo E. Pascual has already taken his oath as the 20th President of the University of the Philippines before President Benigno S. Aquino III on 31 January 2011.

On the same day, President Aquino also led the oath taking ceremony of several appointed officers under the Office of the President, namely: Presidential Assistant II for Climate Change Elisea G. Gozon, Assistant Secretary Cattleya G. Amador, CPLC Assistant Secretary William M. Varias and Office of the Political Adviser Ronald Llamas.

Under the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the newly appointed officials are Regional Development Council Chairperson for Region V Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda and Co-Chairperson Fr. Leo V. Casas; Regional Development Council Chairperson for Region VI Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Sr. and Co-Chairperson Ma. Luisa C. Segovia; Negros Oriental-Region VII Regional Development Council Co-Chairperson Arego J. Melisimo; Regional Development Council Chairperson for Region VIII Leyte Gov. Carlos L. Jericho Petilla and Co-Chairperson Tiburcio A. Morales; Regional Development Council Chairperson for Region IX Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy and Co-Chairperson Enrico V. Montano; Regional Development Council Co-Chairperson for Region XI Davao City Vicente T. Lao; Regional Development Council Chairperson for Region XII General Santos City Mayor Darlene Magnolia R. Antonino-Custodio and Co-Chairperson Ramon Floresta; Regional Development Council Chairperson for Kalinga-CAR Gov. Joel Baac and Co-Chairperson Dr. Virgilio C. Bautista; and LEDAC member Ramon R. del Rosario.

President Aquino also sworn into office Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) Chairman Hernani B. Panganiban, Board of Directors Philhealth member Dr. Alex Ayco, Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System Acting Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel, Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System Chairman and Board of Trustees Ramon B. Alikpala, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Policy Usec. Erlinda F. Basilio, DFA Undersecretary for Administrator Hon. Rafael E. Seguis, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Hon. Esteban B. Conejos, PRC Chairman Teresita R. Manzala, POEA Administrator Carlos S. Cao, Jr., Northrail Chairman and Board of Directors Member Jose Martin O. Aliling and Northrail Member of Board of Directors Atty. Daniel L. Henares.