PGMA motors to Pampanga for celebration of 39th Feast Day of Virgen Dolorosa Parish
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joined her cabalens this morning in celebrating the 39th Feast Day of the Apung Virgen Dolorosa Our Lady of Sorrows Parish here.
The presidential convoy from Malacanang arrived at the parish church at 8 a.m. for the High Mass celebrated by San Fernando Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto.
In his homily, Archbishop Aniceto intoned that, “We cannot avoid sorrow, but we can avoid the ugliness that sorrow brings.”
Pointing to the image of the Lady of Sorrows, Aniceto noted how “very, very beautiful” the Virgin has remained despite having suffered through “seven sorrows,” the last of which was the burial of her son Jesus Christ.
“The Lady has shown us that sorrow can be transformative, that sorrow can be borne in the silence of pain. The Lady is showing us how to empathize with others,” Aniceto said.
He added: Similarly, “the President suffers when her plans are not fulfilled.”
“This fiesta, let us be ready and bear one another’s sufferings,” the Archbishop exhorted his cabalens.
Aniceto, together with parish priest Fr. Rodolfo de Guzman, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo and other local and police officials, greeted the President upon her arrival at the church premises.
Churchgoers clapped as the President, in a tangerine blouse and pants ensemble of the same hue as the vestments of the clergy of the San Fernando archbishopric, entered and shook hands with people alongside the aisle on her way to the front pew.
The 8 a.m. mass was concelebrated by Fr. de Guzman and attended by the bishops of Romblon and Surigao, and 18 priests from the diocese.
With the feast day revolving around the theme, “Maria: Ing Uliran Ning Bie Talatuki Kang Kristo (Mary: Model of the Life of A Follower of Christ),” the Pampanga archbishop pointed to Jesus as “the man of sorrows,” and that, “today, his mother is being remembered as the Mother of Sorrow.”
He also urged the laity to be “more mature, respectful, loving and sacrificing.”
Also in the mass were Rep. Aurelio Gonzales (1st dist.) covering this barangay and parish; Rep. Carmelo Lazatin (3rd dist.); and several mayors of Pampanga led by San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, and Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) Commander Maj. Gen. Isagani Cachuela.
After the High Mass, the President graced the blessing of the Parochial Office and Conference Room at the basement of the church by Fr. de Guzman. She stayed for more than two hours here before motoring back to Malacanang to kick off the three-day “economic roadshow” this morning starting with the meeting of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).
PGMA says gov’t remains on track in creating a stronger and more competitive RP amid external threats
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sounded an urgent call today for every Filipino to make a commitment to continue working together in creating a stronger and more competitive Philippines amid the external threats to the local economy.
In her opening statement at the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacanang, the President stressed that she convened the NCC “to make sure we remain on track to improve our business and investment climate and to continue to improve our global competitiveness.”
“I called this meeting also to reassure the investment community, domestic and foreign, that the government is acting responsibly, will stay the course and has plan for the future,” the President said.
She said in her 2006 State-of-the- Nation Address, she has outlined five comprehensive strategies for global competitiveness, namely:
• plentiful and affordable food to keep labor cost globally competitive;
• reduced cost of electricity to make factories regionally competitive;
• modernized infrastructure to efficiently transport goods and people;
• upgraded knowledge and technologies disseminated for productivity; and,
• reduced red tape to cut business cost
She commended the NCC, which will be two years in October, for its initiatives on competitiveness that have influenced many industries and the government as well.
The President said the Philippines’ five notch improvement in its ranking in the Institute
For International Management and Development survey and the four-rank improvement for competitiveness in the World Economic Forum can be attributed partly to the efforts of the Council for the Philippines to be more globally competitive.
However, the President stressed that there is a need to reassess the Philippines’ strategies for global competitiveness as there have been challenges in the global economic front, that include high food and fuel prices as well as the slowing down of US economy.
However, there has been increased revenue collections to fund government programs and projects that will cushion the impact on the poor of external threats to local economy.
“While the economic picture been challenging, thankfully we had the foresight to plan for this day through our tough choices to reform our tax system. It is important to remind ourselves of the tough past choices that have allowed for the revenues and stability to see the nation through this rainy day—namely the successes of the revenue collection which is allowing for greater investment in the people during this tough time,” the President said.
The President stressed that the best buffer to this external vulnerability is domestic and internal strength.
“Building a stronger, healthier economy driven by domestic consumption and investment and relying less on external markets is exactly what our reform agenda is about,” she said adding that this is one of the main contributors to the country’s renewed economic strength and stability on the path to sustainable growth.
She vowed to continue working on improving the economy and be vigilant against further economic challenges by maintaining fiscally prudent policies.
“We are doing everything in our power to focus on the fundamentals, keep the economy steady, and to provide relief for those most in need,” she said.
During the meeting, the six working groups of the Council presented to the President their concerns and recommendations for the Philippines to be more globally competitive.
The working groups---efficient public and private sector management, effective access to financing, improved transaction costs and flows, seamless infrastructure network, energy cost competitiveness and self-sufficiency, special concerns and competitive human resources each presented their accomplishments for the past two years.
The President was visibly pleased with the Council’s accomplishments, saying “ you have accomplished a lot.”
PGMA thanks Intel for P80M cash grants to 31 public schools in Gen. Trias
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed today her gratitude to Intel Technology Philippines, Inc. for the P80 million cash grants to 31 public schools in General Trias, Cavite.
The President witnessed the turnover of the cash grant to build classrooms in Gen. Trias after the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) meeting in Malacanang this afternoon.
“Let me start by thanking Intel Philippines for the generous donation that will build 30 classrooms, provide a brighter future to thousands of school children, and contribute to our global competitiveness,” the President said.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus received the check from Intel Philippines Managing Director Michael Wentling.
The cash grants were from the Intel Foundation generated through the Intel Involved Volunteer Matching Grant Program (IIMGP), an innovative corporate responsibility initiative of Intel that is now on its fourth year.
The program aims to recognize and motivate Intel employees, globally, to engage in outreach and volunteerism to make the communities where Intel facilities are located better places to live, work and play.
“Thank you for your donation,” the President told some 10 Intel workers who were present during the ceremony.
Every hour of volunteer work rendered by Intel Involved, Intel corps of employee volunteers, is matched by Intel Foundation with a cash grant equivalent to around P180.
For the school year 2007 to 2008, Intel Philippines employees logged some 480,742 volunteer hours, approximately equivalent to P80 million.
Intel, a world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance people work and live.
Arroyo concerned over alleged scam in devolved farmers’ subsidy project – Dureza
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is concerned over the alleged scam committed in the long-devolved municipal level in the distribution of subsidies to farmers under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) program of her administration.
The President’s concern was voiced today (Sept. 15) by Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza in an interview over radio station DWIZ:
“Ang Pangulo is very concerned about all this dahil under her watch, she had been releasing a lot of funds, making available funds dahil iyong kanyang economic reform agenda had paid off.
“Marami tayong excess na pera dahil doon sa batas na VAT (value-added tax), although very unpopular pero nakapag-bibigay ng biyaya at ni-release iyong mga pera na iyan (because) we are in a good fiscal situation.”
“Pero hindi ho iyon sadya ng Pangulo na pababayaan niya na lulustayin lang ng iba (the VAT-generated funds),” pointed out Dureza who reiterated, thus:
“You know, the President is very concerned about all this na kailangan, iyong pinag-sakripisyuhan niya -- she even went through a process na naging unpopular siya dahil gusto niyang makapag-raise talaga ng resources, pagkatapos niyan, lulustayin lang ng iba, eh, hindi pu-puwede ho iyon.”
The Press Secretary said it should be easy to pinpoint the culprits “when the full force of the law is applied. “Titirahin natin iyong talaga may kagagawan ng mga kalokohan.”
For his part, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap lamented in a press conference at the palace that news reports about the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the field implementation of the GMA program centered only on the alleged anomalies by local-government employees, instead of giving a full picture by also including the GMA’s successes.
The “scam” reports focused on fake farmers’ signatures and discrepancies in the amount of fertilizer released to beneficiaries, with the implementers not strictly adhering to the one bag per hectare scheme for the seed subsidy.
Some of the GMA successes include the following: 95 percent of farmer-beneficiaries said the new technology had increased their rice production; 95 percent of farmers who adopted the new farming technology said the rice seeds they received were of good quality; and that 59 percent of beneficiaries reported that agricultural technicians did come to visit them during the crop season.
Yap said such successes should also be reported; and that performing local-level workers should also be recognized for their dedication to duty.
CA dismissal of Lozada ‘kidnapping’ case a vindicaton of Palace – Golez
THE dismissal by the Court of Appeals (CA) of the kidnapping case filed by the brother of whistle-blower Rodolfo Lozada against the police and other government authorities vindicates Malacanang’s position that it had nothing to do with the alleged abduction, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said today.
At a press briefing this afternoon in the Palace, Golez said that all along Malacanang maintained that it never meddled in the case involving Lozada, who had claimed that he was kidnapped upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong last Feb. 5 to stop him from testifying against the government in the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN)-ZTE deal.
The case was filed by Arturo, brother of Rodolfo, a former chief executive of the Philippine Forest Corporation (PFC), a government agency.
In an 84-page ruling, the CA stressed that Arturo failed to support with evidence his claim about his brother’s alleged abduction.
“With noon day clarity, this Court finds that the reason why Rodolfo was fetched at the airport was to help him avoid the Senate contingent, who would arrest and detain him at the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, until such time that he would appear and give his testimony, pursuant to the order of the Senate on the NBN-ZTE project,” the court said.
It pointed out that Rodolfo agreed to be fetched by a police contingent, saying that, at the time, his decision was not to testify before the Senate on the ZTE-NBE deal.
The appellate court likewise dismissed Arturo’s petition for the writ of amparo to require authorities to pinpoint the people behind the alleged abduction and the issuance of a temporary protection order for him.
Regarding the graft, malversation and theft charges filed against Rodolfo, the CA said these could not be considered as threats to his life and liberty by the people who welcomed him upon his return from HK, as they had nothing to do with the filing of such cases against Lozada.
“Said purported cases are to be determined based on their own merits and are clearly beyond the realm of the instant amparo petition filed against the respondents,” the CA said.
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Lanao LGUs give all-out support to efforts vs Commander Bravo
ICC-ILIGAN CITY, Sept 15 (PNA) – Government forces got boost from local executives in this area who vowed all out support on the ongoing police operations aimed at capturing the rogue band of Moro rebel leader Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.
Lanao del Norte governor Khalid Dimaporo said authorities must not stop in their efforts to capture Macapaar and his group of about 300 rebels who burned houses, killed civilians, raped women and looted stores in several towns of the province.
Police authorities have already filed some 49 criminal cases against Macapaar and his lieutenants, practically making them the most wanted criminals in the country.
The young Dimaporo said with formal charges already filed and the heinous nature of the crimes committed by Bravo and his group, are enough reason for the police and military authorities to be unwavering in their campaign to capture the fugitive Macapaar and his cohorts.
Dimaporo, himself a Muslim, said it is not only the Christians that were victims of the atrocities of Bravo's group, but, Muslim residents as well who were also displaced from their abodes, fearing they will be caught in a crossfire between the rebels and pursuing soldiers.
He said several municipal mayors in the province have put up monetary rewards for those who can lead authorities to the neutralization of Bravo and his followers.
"They have checks prepared and ready to be given to anyone who can help track down Commander Bravo," he said.
On the part of the military, Major General Nehemias Pajarito, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, said they are firm in their moves and will not waver one bit until they get Bravo.
He said the soldiers have what it takes to capture the likes of the notorious Bravo and his rogue followers, believed to be in hiding in the jungles straddling the towns of Munai and Poona Piagapo in Lanao del Norte and in Balindong and Piagapo towns in Lanao del Sur.
On Sunday, a number of Bravo's followers were believed killed and wounded as patrolling soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion engaged some 20 armed men in a heavily forested area along the boundary of Munai, Lanao del Norte and Balindong, Lanao del Sur.
Lt. Col. Agane Adriatico, 1st Infantry Division civil military operations chief, said there were heavy blood stains found at the position of the rebels who scampered in various directions after an hour of firefight. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
PNP conducts dialogues with Muslim leaders of Iligan City
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/15/08) – Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) here in Iligan City continued to conduct series of peace dialogues with Muslim leaders residing in Iligan City.
Police Chief Inspector Arneil Catarata of the Iligan City Police Office said the sustained dialogues with Muslim leaders and their religious Ulama have strengthened trust and confidence even tightened the harmonious relationship of Muslims and Christians and the other cultural tribes.
Catarata said the Bishop-Ulama Conference in the region is very supportive to the continuing peace dialogues, not only in the City of Iligan and the two Lanao provinces but all over Mindanao areas.
Catarata said the PNP will sustain this kind of program in coordination with the Bishop-Ulama Conference to erase any rift or animosities among Muslims and Christians as a result of the recent lawless MILF atrocities in the towns of Kolambugan, Kauswagan and Linamon in Lanao del Norte.
He said the Muslim leaders and their Ulama have assured the local police office and the City government of their full cooperation and to help in the efforts of securing the City from any attempt of disturbance by the lawless MILF groups.
The continued peace dialogues will also overcome the divisive SMS or text containing messages that tend to polarize residents, Catarata assured.(rex dumarpa-PIA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Army: Commander Bravo's group in disarray
ICC-ILIGAN CITY, Sept 15 (PNA) – An Army official on Monday said the group of Moro rebel leader Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo is now on the run and can hardly sustain prolonged firefights with pursuing government troops.
Lt. Col. Agane Adriatico, 1st Infantry Division civil military operations chief, told newsmen here on Monday that recent skirmishes between Bravo's group and government soldiers indicate that the former has lost needed firepower and determination to sustain a fight.
The Army official was reacting to a growing public clamor for government forces to immediately capture or neutralize those responsible in the August 18 simultaneous attacks in Lanao del Norte and Sarangani Province.
Some residents even raised questions on what is taking the military so long in capturing Bravo and his men.
But, Adriatico explained that persistent police action in the hinterlands of Lanao del Norte has sent Bravo's group in disarray and broken into small units, making it easy for pursuing Army soldiers to track them down.
Adriatico, however, said that for humanitarian sake, any of Bravo's men who want to turn their back on the fugitive rebel leader can surrender, but, without prejudice to the formal charges already filed against them in connection with the August 18 attack in Lanao del Norte.
The military official said Bravo's group continues to evade their forces as they hide in the vast mountain jungles along the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
No need to use air strikes on splintered LMG –Gen. Pajarito
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/15/08) –The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct air strikes only when necessary but ensures that no collateral damage is done and that civilians are protected all the time in the areas where it operates.
This was clarified by Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, Commander of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army whose troops are providing the blocking force in the boundaries of Lanao del Norte, particularly, in Munai, Poona Piagapo, Pantao Ragat and Tangkal towns and Balindong, Lanao del Sur complex.
“Air strikes will only be used, if the number of enemies is more than 30, but what happened in Balindong last Sept. 14 was just a small encounter with the lawless MILF group (LMG) which did not need air power,” he said.
Said incident involved soldiers of the 15th infantry Battalion, 103rd Brigade, IID, PA who were conducting combat patrol in the area when it chanced upon some 20 LMG who engaged them in fire exchange that lasted for an hour.
No casualty was reported on the government side but there were indications that the enemy had more casualties as shown by the blood marks on the route of withdrawal. Pursuing elements are still in the process of pursuit operations, Pajarito said.
“The LMG under Komander Bravo has splintered into smaller groups making it easier for us because we can now task our troops to conduct small unit operations using proportionate small force instead of using the heavy artillery weapon,” the IID Commander said.(RCA/PIA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Secure a Mayor’s Permit before harvesting your farm produce -- IID, PA
ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/15/08) -- Local folks/internally displaced persons (IDP) may now be allowed go back to their farms, as long as they can present a Mayor’s Permit to do so.
This was the agreement reached during a recent dialogue with the farmers, who are temporarily housed in the evacuation centers of Munai, Lanao del Norte (LDN) and the First Infantry Division, Philippine Army that provides the blocking force at the boundary of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
The dialogue was attended by local and national government officials led by LDN Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo and Congressman Abdulah Dimaporo of LDN’s 2nd District, among others.
Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, Commander of IID, PA, said this will determine if the farm produce they will be harvesting really belongs to them and the best people to know this would be the local chief executives (LCE’s).
“The IDP’s need not be afraid because we have troops who are providing security in the area. They will be protected by our units, as long as they are the right persons to protect,” he said.
The IID Commander said the IDPs can even go to their farms during the day and come back to the evacuation centers at night with their produce, if they want.
They are also advised to wear T-shirts of distinguishable colors, such as red or whit, etc. but not to use black colored clothing to be recognized from afar. (RCA/PIA).
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Village chief denies mosque was shot at
ICC-ILIGAN CITY, Sept 15 (PNA) – Military and local officials over the weekend has denied that a mosque was shot at or burned during a clash on Friday in Daliao village, Maasim town, Sarangani.
A report from the Sarangani Provincial Information Office cited Daliao barangay captain Abdulrajes Pangolima as having said that the mosque referred to in reports was far from the encounter site.
Pangolima narrated that on Friday noon, after coming from the mosque, residents told him about the presence of the military heading to sitio Macao. After 20 minutes, gunfire were heard.
The village chief said residents who witnessed the incident told him that it was a group of armed men who first fired shots at the military.
"Reports that the mosque was hit are mere speculations," he said.
He, however, urged the military and rebels to stay away from communities and bring their clashes to remote areas. "It would be best if civilians are not affected," he said in the vernacular.
The Sarangani PIO also quoted Lt. Col. Edgardo De eon, commanding officer of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, as having said that clashes subsided Saturday afternoon and assured residents and commuters of safety.
"There was no mosque in the encounter site, the mosque referred to is near shoreline far from where the encounter happened. There is no truth that a mosque was shot at," De Leon said.
He further explained that the engagement area was about 700 to 800 meters away from the highway. "There's no mosque there nor was there a spillover of the clash to the mosque," he added.
De Leon also said traffic along the national highway traversing Daliao village in Maasim was never disrupted even as government troops and an armed group clashed in the past two days.
He said the clashes subsided Saturday afternoon and assured residents and commuters of safety.
The highway connects General Santos City to Sarangani's western towns of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum.
He said troops on patrol were checking out on reports by residents that an armed group of about 20 armed men were spotted in the area.
"We cannot even tell what group was that, but, we suspect they are bandits roaming the area and our troops engaged them," he said.
De Leon also assured the barangay captain of Daliao that there was no need for Daliao residents to evacuate because they are protected by the 73rd IB.
Meanwhile, De Leon said their soldiers killed in ensuing firefights some 20 banditsand wounded several others in Sitio Macao.
The operation was part of long-range patrols for the continuous hunt of those who attacked the PNP station and Municipal Hall of Maasim last August 18, killing two civilians and robbing several stores in the public market. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Police identifies slain rebel in Sarangani
ICC-ILIGAN CITY, Sept 15 (PNA) – Army Lt Col Edgardo De Leon, chief of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion, said they have brought down from the hills the body of a slain Moro rebel who was killed during clashes with soldiers over the weekend.
De Leon said the cadaver was positively identified by Maasim Chief of Police Insp. Joeffel Remudaro to be that of Yasser Benito, one of those who took part in raiding Maasim Police Station and has a pending warrant of arrest.
The cadaver was brought to a funeral home in Maasim town.
A press statement from the Sarangani Provincial Information Office said soldiers recovered from the slain rebel a carbine rifle and a caliber .45 pistol. Also recovered from the scene of the firefight are a rifle grenade, an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) shell, and several bags of personal belongings.
As this developed, the Maasim Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council reported that as of 8am Sunday, around 781 families with 3,164 dependents are being given relief goods at evacuation centers. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Gen. Yano visits troops in Sulu
ICC-PAGADIAN CITY (Sulu), 9/15--Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Chief of Staff Gen Alexander Yano visited Sunday the military troops in Sulu. This is his first official visit as Chief of Staff in the island province.
Joint Task Force Comet Commander Maj Gen Juancho M Sabban briefed Gen Yano on the various accomplished, ongoing, and future development undertakings meant to benefit the people of Sulu.
Aside from the infrastructure projects under the military’s development program in road constructions, coordinating centers, wells, water system, education, community clinics, plus programs in health and livelihood, Maj Gen Sabban underscored other initiatives like the Agri-Fishery Cooperative, Abaca project in Tugas – a former ASG stronghold, Gawad Kalinga Parsugbatan Build Challenge, Badjao Housing project, and the continuance of Badjao Literacy program.
Other activities include: regular radio programs, conduct of symposium, video presentations, film showings, Sunday movie nights, and production of posters.
Gen Yano congratulated JTF Comet for the job well done, saying that he is glad on the military’s creative efforts in poverty alleviation and economic upliftment toward the attainment of lasting peace and sustainable development.
Moreover, he inspired the troops to be more resolute in the accomplishment of the peace mandate. He showed the publication, where stirring letters from children expressing their support to the military troops are printed.
Likewise, he said that some local government units, non-government organizations, and concerned civilians doled out some goods and loads intended for the soldiers in the frontlines as show of support and appreciation to the military’s peace efforts.
“We cannot afford to fail our people, who are behind and with us in the fight against the threats to national security,” he stressed.
After he spoke before the troops at the 3MBde quadrangle, five enlisted Marines were awarded with medals. (42nd CRU, 4th CRG, CRSAFP)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Army soldiers stumble into abandoned MILF camp
ICC--ILIGAN CITY, Sept 15 (PNA) – Soldiers of the Army's 65th Infantry Battalion (IB) stumbled upon a training camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 101st Base Command at a remote town in Lanao del Sur on Monday.
Col. Rey Ardo, 103rd Army Brigade commander, said the camp bearing the tag Camp Darul Hanan and is located in barangay Basak, Madalum town, Lanao del Sur.
There were indications that the camp was hastily abandoned, he said.
Ardo described the camp to be about seven hectares complete with training facilities, to include three guard posts, a mess hall, an obstacle course, a firing range, a mosque, an officers quarter and three large-capacity barracks, purportedly for training purposes.
Soldiers also found in the camp empty shells of 30 caliber and 60 caliber machineguns and training paraphernallia.
Over the weekend, Ardo said the 33rd IB and 15th IB also encountered around 25 armed men in the vicinity of Mt. Gurain complex, where Commander Bravo is believed hiding.
During the weekend clashes, soldiers recovered night vision goggles, MILF uniforms, a bag of dried fish, shells for B40 rockets, a rifle grenade, bandoleers of bullets and documents believed to belong to the MILF 102nd base command.
"Commander Bravo's world is already shrinking with soldiers almost everywhere," Ardo said.
Meanwhile, on Saturday dawn, the CAFGU detachment in barangay San Isidro, Bagumbayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte was harassed by about 20 MILF guerrillas. A firefight ensued for five minutes before the rebels withdrew.
Reports said the incident could be a prelude to a rebel plan to attack Kauswagan town but were repulsed by militiamen. No casualties were reported from both sides. (PNA)
Reproductive health advocates to church leaders: Let lawmakers do their job
ADVOCATES of the reproductive health bill appeal to the bishops and other Catholic leaders to refrain from spreading misinformation, lies and threats and let lawmakers deliberate the merits of the Reproductive Health and Population Development bill.
Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) said “the essence of lawmaking is to provide the needs of the people and hear different sides to the issue. Let the lawmakers deliberate on the issue. The Filipino people have elected members of Congress whom they have trusted to be their voice in government,” he said.
“Even President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo now states she will not interfere in the lawmaking process and will allow Congress to do its work,” he added.
“Contrary to what some bishops claim, all 94 authors of the reproductive health bill remain firm on their stand to support the bill in a plenary debate set this week,” San Pascual stressed.”
“The efforts by the oppositors to influence lawmakers to derail the passage of the reproductive health and population development bill means denying women and couples the ability to make informed choices in planning their families,” San Pascual concluded.
The approval of the Reproductive Health and Population Development bill (HB 5043) last week in the House of Representatives’ Committee on Rules has again stirred reproductive health advocates and the oppositors as they gear up for the plenary hearing set this week.
Meanwhile, the 2007 Pulse Asia Survey reveals that nearly 9 of every 10 Filipinos think that the government should allocate funds for modern methods of family planning including the pill, intrauterine devices (IUD), condoms, ligation and vasectomy.
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