President Aquino says government pushes for passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law for peace and progress in Mindanao

President Benigno S. Aquino III said his administration is working hard for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law by 2014, paving the way towards a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao.

In his speech during the dinner in celebration of Eid’l Fitr held at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, the Chief Executive underscored the importance of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to end the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.

"The Framework Agreement that we forged with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front stands today as a testament to the meaningful change that can be borne of true partnership and a willingness to sacrifice," the President said.

"Now, our goal of a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao has come into view. We still have some steps to go, as we work to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law by 2014. For this reason, let us continue to find in our hearts the trust and goodwill necessary for the fulfillment of our dreams of peace, bearing in mind not the interest of the few, but the betterment of the majority," he said.

The President vowed to deal with all the obstacles that hinder the efforts of the government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and peace advocates to end the armed conflict in Mindanao and bring progress in the region.

"I ask you to do even more to attain our shared goals. Just as we are committed to do the right and to work together to advance the common good, there are those who are committed to perpetuating the conditions that lead to the misery of many, and enrich a powerful few," he said.

The President said his administration is stepping up its efforts to stop a few groups who are trying to disrupt the peace process in their bid to advance their own interests.

"Therefore all of us, who are people of good will, must overcome every obstacle they place in our path. Every effort they make to disrupt the peace process should be met by our superior effort. In this manner, we will ensure that, just as we are in the right, our just cause will prevail," he said.

The President also lauded the Filipino-Muslim community for their efforts and sacrifices to work together with the government to achieve genuine peace and progress in Mindanao.

"Our commitment to positive change will therefore determine the outcome of our endeavors. Just as you have all fasted and fulfilled one of the great obligations of your faith, it is my hope that every Filipino will find in your example the kindness, humility, and devotion to sacrifice, which are fundamental to establishing lasting peace in our country," the President said.

Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan) is celebrated by the Muslim World for three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting.

Ramadan is the month when Muslims observe strict fasting for a period of 12 hours daily, from sunrise to sunset.

Ramadan is also a month of sacrifice and purification as the Muslims worldwide fast, pray and act with kindness towards the poor and the less fortunate.

Malacanang puts infographic materials and articles online about former Senator Ninoy Aquino to mark 30th Death Anniversary

Malacanang makes available online infographic materials and articles about former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. in line with the observance of his 30th Death Anniversary, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

"August 21, 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr.’s return to the Philippines and his martyrdom. In fulfillment of its mandate as custodian of institutional memory, the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) is spearheading an online commemoration which will feature an interactive page with a comprehensive timeline, music of the era, infographic maps, essays, and testimonials on Ninoy and his sacrifice, on the Presidential Museum and Library website," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.

The government called on the Filipino people to participate in the online commeration which seeks to keep the spirit of Ninoy’s martyrdom alive as an example of the selfless sacrifice of a man who gave up his life to free a shackled country, Lacierda said.

"We call on Filipinos to participate in this campaign, which will source and publish short statements from those who had lived through that watershed event in our history," Lacierda said.

"We will also be featuring a remarkable collection of interviews of Ninoy’s family and close associates, gathered by Ms. Cynthia Sycip and published in 1984. We will also put online, for the first time, the majority and minority reports of the Agrava Commission on the Official Gazette," he stressed.

Lacierda asked the Filipino people to join the commemoration by posting on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #Ninoy or by sending an email to heritage@pcdspo.gov.ph.

"The nation once again marks Ninoy’s sacrifice, and your recollections and opinions will play a vital role in enabling a new generation of Filipinos to understand that period of martial law, and the turning point that was August 21, 1983," he said.

China-ASEAN Expo to further boost trade and economic ties between the Philippines and People’s Republic of China

The Philippine hosting of the 10th China- ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in China this September will further boost trade and economic cooperation between the country and the People's Republic of China, a Palace official said.

"This is one proof of the multi-faceted relationship with China. We’re focusing now on trade and the economic agenda," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.

Lacierda said the Philippines will host the 10th CAEXPO to be held in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China from September 3 to 6, this year.

This year's CAEXPO aims at further developing cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in trade, investment, economy and technology, as well as in projects and labor sourcing.

Chinese and ASEAN government officials, business leaders and scholars are also expected to attend the event.

Lacierda said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will announce whether President Benigno S. Aquino III will attend the event this September.

"We’ll wait for the DFA to confirm. We have not received any word kung tuloy na siya. Whether pupunta or not si Presidente is just a subject of confirmation yet. May Philippine delegation pupunta doon dahil tayo ang host ng ASEAN-CAEXPO," said Lacierda, stressing that economy is primarly the focus of the CAEXPO.

"It’s a primarily economic ang agenda. Wala kaming nakikitang pag-uusapan tungkol sa situation natin with China on the West Philippine Sea. It is primarily an economic and trade event," he said.

"Our concern with the West Philippine Sea is already being handled in the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) arbitral tribunal. The discussions on that area with respect to our situation in the West Philippine Sea has been reserved to the arbitral tribunal to decide," he said.

Malacanang confident Mindanaoans will not be swayed to counter importance of Bangsamoro Framework Agreement

Malacanang expressed confidence on Wednesday that the people of Mindanao will not be easily swayed by moves to counter the importance of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (BFA) saying Mindanaoans were cognizant of the hard work put in by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to draft the BFA and its Annexes.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the government and the MILF had put in “earnest efforts” to draft the peace accord and now that it is nearly ready to be implemented, peace and development are at hand.

“They (Mindanaoans) saw how difficult it was for us to come up with the Framework Agreement. They saw our earnest efforts – from both sides: from MILF and from the government to come up with a workable, doable Framework Agreement and also the Annexes. This shows sincerity on the part of government. This also shows sincerity on the part of the MILF to come up with a doable solution to the decades-old problem of conflict and underdevelopment in Mindanao,” Lacierda said.

“You don’t need to tell someone that there’s a prospect for progress, (that) there’s a prospect for peace. Peace is at hand right now. Once we finish with the comprehensive agreement, the benefits will redound to the entire Muslim Mindanao,” he added.

The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a preliminary peace agreement signed in Malacanang last October 15, 2012. The Framework Agreement calls for the creation of an autonoumous political entity named Bangsamoro, replacing the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which was described by President Aquino as "a failed experiment."

It also outlines general agreements on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory granted for the new Muslim autonomous region.

XUCLA, Balaod Mindanaw hold forum on indigenous peoples’ rights

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) -- The Xavier University Center of Legal Assistance (XUCLA) in partnership with the Karapatan Sa Malikhaing Paraan (KaSaMa) project of Balaod Mindanaw held on Monday, August 12, a forum on the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs).

Lawyer Jarley D. Sulay-Trugillo, executive director of XUCLA, said the forum was aimed at raising public awareness and understanding on the pressing issues affecting the rights of IPs and to discuss and share the solutions to these issues.

Balaod Mindanaw Project Coordinator Ritz Lee Nolasco Santos III said IPs play an important role in good governance.

He said mainstreaming the traditional justice system in local governance is one of the added-value of IPs to local Sanggunians in addition to influence of their culture, tradition and self-determination.

The forum was highlighted by the introduction of KaSaMa project which aims to identify the rights of IPs as mandatory representatives to local Sanggunians as provided by the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), new circulars of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on mandatory representation, as well as the Local Government Code.

Santos said the project seeks to capacitate the IP mandatory representatives with necessary knowledge on human rights, basic local governance, and skills to be effective members to the local Sanggunians.

According to him, the project will be piloted in 26 barangays in Misamis Oriental focusing on IP mandatory representatives in 12 barangays in Cagayan de Oro and 14 identified barangays in Opol and Balingasag towns. (APB/PIA-10)

Suspect in Gingoog attack nabbed

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 13 -- Joint police and army troopers arrested a suspect in the attack of former Gingoog Mayor Ruth Guingona and her convoy.

The joint operation was made at about 12:30 nn on August 10 by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Mirabeau A. Undalok of Branch 43, Regional Trial Court 10, Gingoog City for the crimes of double murder and multiple frustrated murder. No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the arrested suspect.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 identified the suspect as Reynaldo Agcopra, also known as Commander Tarik of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Commander Tarik was one of the accused during the attack of Mayor Guingona last April 20 at Binakalan Village, Gingoog City, a month before the 2013 synchronized national and local elections.

Meanwhile, Mayor Guingona and her convoy traveled from a nearby village back to the city when they were attacked, resulting in her serious injury, death of her two trusted workers, and injury of one of the responding police officers who were part of her convoy.

PRO-10 will continue to play its support role to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in pursuing and tracking down the insurgents.

Further, PRO-10 has since launched manhunt operations on all suspected rebels who were charged in court for their involvement in many different atrocities that caused the loss of human lives and damage to properties. (PSupt Ronnie Francis Cariaga/PRO10/PIA10)

Gov. Adiong denies presence of jihadist group in Lanao del Sur

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Aug. 14 (PIA) – Provincial Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. denied reports on alleged presence of a jihadist group called Khalifah Islamiah in the province.

"I have not heard of Khalifah Islamiah before and this group is not from Lanao del Sur," said Adiong in a press conference on August 12.

The group, believed to have links with the Jemaah Islamiah, is allegedly behind the spate of bombings in Mindanao.

“Ang grupo lang dito sa Lanao del Sur ay ang Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) at ang Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at hindi naman sisirain ng MILF ang kanilang mga pag-uusap sa gobyerno,” Adiong said.

When asked on the extent of support of Lanao del Sur on the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF peace talks, Adiong said he is confident that his constituents is fully supportive to the peace process.

“Gusto naming matuloy ang peace agreement at Bangsamoro at walang Muslim dito ang humaharang nito (We want the peace agreement between government and the Bangsamoro to succeed and no Muslim opposes this)," he said.

Adiong also disclosed that the five governors and nine representatives in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had an initial talk with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) that they will lead the campaign on the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro entity if it will push through.

The Framework Agreement was signed last October 2012 while the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities and the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing was signed February and July of this year, respectively.

The GPH-MILF peace panels are in the process of negotiation on the two remaining annexes on normalization and power sharing.

These four annexes together with the Framework Agreement will complete the comprehensive peace agreement. (APB/PIA-10)

'Buy Pinoy' exporters fair promotes entrepreneurship, economic patriotism

MANILA, Aug 14 (PIA) -- The 25th Buy Pinoy Exporters Trade Fair opens this week to promote entrepreneurship and economic patriotism.

Marlane Villa-Real, president of Buy Pinoy Movement Foundation Inc. (BPMFI), said the fair, slated on August 15-18 at the Megatrade Hall 1 and 2 of SM Megamall, is especially mounted this year to celebrate its 25th edition.

Expected are institutional buyers, local government officials and employees and private sector to participate in the event so they could appreciate first-hand what local entrepreneurship can do to their respective localities. To develop more entrepreneurs in the country, teachers, children and the youth are likewise invited.

Villareal said that for the past ten years, the fair, held twice a year, had been providing inspiration and hope to many Filipinos by showing them products of Filipino originality, artistry, craftsmanship and industry that have growing demand in the world market.

Leonor D. Abella, Vice President for Promotions of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) and Trustee, said that apart from job generation, the fair is also key to a sustainable anti-poverty program as it promotes skills upgrading, training and continuing improvement and innovation by small and medium enterprises.

The event subscribes to this anti-poor formula with its "Buy Pinoy Save Jobs!" , according to Cecilia Ramos, secretary and assistant treasurer. The more Filipinos patronize Philippine made products, the more we create and save jobs, she noted.

In support of this objectives, the organizers are extending free admission for all teachers, students, Department of Education and DILG employees as well as local government personnel, but they must present their identification cards to avail of this privilege.

The BPMFI is spearheaded by Philexport, Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc. (Philfoodex) headed by Roberto C. Amores; Home Accents Group of the Philippines (HAPI) led by Annette Pagtakhan; Philippine Chamber of Handicrafts Industries, Inc. (PCHI) represented by Albert de Rivera; Meycauayan Jewelry Industry Association, Inc. (MJIA) headed by Cecilia Ramos; Christmas Décor Producers & Exporters Association of the Philippines (CDPEAP) led by Romeo Balderrama,Jr., and Federation of the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc. (FFCCCII). (PhilExport-10/PIA)