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| DOLE finds jobs in Qatar for some of stranded bus drivers in Dubai |
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The Department of Labor and Employment DOLE) has found employment in Qatar
for many of the 137 Filipino bus drivers recruited by a legitimately
licensed local placement agency for allegedly high paying but non-existent
jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). . In a radio interview over DZXL-RMN this morning (Thursday, April 16, 2009), Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde said Labor Secretary Marianito Roque has just informed him DOLE has found jobs in Qatar for many of the stranded bus drivers. President Arroyo earlier directed Roque to attend to the problems of the duped drivers stranded in Dubai, including their accommodations and sustenance, as well as their return to Manila if they can find no jobs in the Middle East. The President also ordered an investigation into the irregular recruitment of the 137 bus drivers by the CYM International Services and to file appropriate charges against guilty parties, including erring government officials found in cahoots with them, if warranted. The drivers reportedly paid P150,000 each in placement fees for the non-existent jobs in the UAE. |
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| Palace is now focused on jobs creation, economic meltdown mitigation and 2010 elections |
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Malacanang today said it is now focused on job creation and placement for
jobless Filipinos, mitigating the adverse effects of the deepening global
economic meltdown, and preparation for a peaceful and credible elections in
May next year. In an interview over DZXL-RMN, Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde reiterated an earlier palace declaration that there is no more time for the charter change (Cha-cha) initiatives in the House of Representatives and whatever actions its House allies pursue are strictly their own moves. Remonde noted that there is indeed no more time for the cha-cha initiatives by certain congressmen as earlier articulated by Secretary Gabriel Claudio, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs. Malacanang, Remonde said, is instead focused on three major pressing concerns – job creation for Filipinos or their overseas placement, attending to the immediate problems of the economy and mitigating the adverse effects of the deepening global economic crisis, and ensuring that the 2010 election is peaceful and credible. |
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| Palace warns LGUs against impostors |
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Press Secretary Cerge Remonde today cautioned local government officials to
be wary of imposters claiming closeness to Malacanang and promising to
expedite the approval of their projects in exchange for a “cut” or
commission. In an interview over DZRH, Remonde said the Palace has received reports that certain individuals are making the rounds of the offices of local government units (LGUs) claiming that they are influential with Malacanang and promising to expedite the release of funds for LGU projects. “May mga tao ngayon na umiikot sa mga local government officials na nagpapakilalang may mga koneksiyon doon sa Malacañang at tutulong na kukuha ng mga proyekto pagkatapos humihingi ng porsiyento,” Remnde said. “Dalawa ang suspetsa namin dito. Una ito’y mga swindlers lang talaga, pangalawa, possible rin political opportunists’ job ito na alam mo na ngayong panahon ng eleksiyon pagkatapos ay i-expose mamaya na namomorsiyento ang Malacañang sa mga proyekto,” he added. Remonde also warned LGU officials “na huwag po kayong maniniwala pag may mga taong umiikot diyan lalo na sa probinsiya at nagpapakilalang may koneksiyon sa Malacañang. Tutulungan kayong kumuha ng project tapos hihingi ng mga porsiyento. Hindi po namin gawain sa Malacañang pero meron mga taong lumalapit sa mga local government na mga ganyan. Please paki-report niyo po sa amin.” He said LGU officials should not allow their special allotment release order (SARO) to get waylaid by the con artists as he noted that some some LGUs have already fallen victims to the imposters. Remonde said that some of the imposters even carry IDs purportedly issued by the Palace and papers with Malacanang letterhead. LGU officials should immediately report to the police when they are approached by persons offering help to expedite the approval or release of funds for their projects, Remonde added. |
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| PGMA cries hard at “Pasiyam” mass for her departed aides |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who normally keeps her calm and composure
even under intense pressure, cried in public Wednesday evening (April 15,
2009) during the special mass for her eight close aides who perished in the
helicopter crash in Ifugao last April 7. “Hindi talaga napigilan ni Presidente ang paghikbi” (The President could not really control her crying), Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde today said in a radio interview over DZXL-RMN.. Remonde said the Chief Executive was really and deeply affected by the loss of her close aides and cried openly. The “Pasiyam” (9th day) holy mass held in Malacanang was officiated by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu, at the behest of the President in honor of her departed close aides. The eight crash casualties included Press Jose P. Capadocia who is in-charge of her media operations; Undersecretary Malou Frostrom, her appointments secretary; and Brig. Gen. Carlos Clet, her military aide. The remains of Capadocia and Clet were buried separately on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Capadocia and Frostrom were also Remonde’s close friends and work partners. Capadocia was his number 2 man in the Office of the Press Secretary, while Frostrom was his deputy when he was head of the Presidential Management staff. On what will follow next after things settle down, Remonde said “we have to pick up the pieces and move on to serve our people.” |
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| Ermita on Erap’s coming comedy film: Let’s respect him for that |
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With the 2010 elections barely 13 months away, it’s now an open season for
verbalizing none-too-secret personal political ambitions as former President
Joseph “Erap” Estrada has done. But if one were to ask him about the former President’s threat to run for the presidency again, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita’s response would be for Erap to ascertain whether or not he could run again for president under the Constitution. At his regular weekly press conference in Malacanang Wednesday (April 15), Ermita explained that he cannot fault the former president for planning to seek the presidency again “because he (Erap) thinks that he has the support of the people.” “I can only said that maybe he should follow the things that he has in mind and find out whether, indeed, he can run because I am not very sure yet of whether, legally, the former president may be allowed by the Constitution to run” for the presidency, he added. “Siya lang ang makakasagot ng katanungan niyan. Kung talagang siya ba ay puwede pang tumakbo o hindi. But whatever it is, siguro ang maipapayo na lang natin kay dating Pangulo he must take measured steps sapagkat ang kanyang hinaharap is his responsibility. Kung inaakala niya na tama iyong ginagawa niya sa ngayon, di pagpatuloy niya,” Ermita said. Ermita was responding to a newsman’s request for Malacanang’s reaction to Estrada’s announcement that he would run again for president unless the political opposition reached an agreement on a common presidential candidate in the 2010. After a prolonged absence from the cinematic world, Estrada’s is making a comeback with a comedy film, also starring comedian Ai Ai de las Alas. Ermita said people should respect Estrada’s decision if he finally decides to run again for presdent. “Kaniya-kaniyang pamamaraan lang yan. Yan ang kaniyang nahiligan. Let’s respect him for that.” Though some of Estrada’s allies have been advising the former president not to run anymore and to give others a chance, Ermita would rather not venture an advice. “Marami na rin naman sigurong nagpapayo kay dating Presidente Estrada. I am not in a position to do that dahil mas may karanasan ang dating Pangulong Estrada sa pulitika lalong lalo na na matagal siyang naging mayor ng San Juan at naging Senador. So palagay ko he has received enough advice from many friends and I am sure he will have a basis for his own decision for his future.” “It is not for anyone to tell him to stop because he has a right to follow his own aspirations in life. And I will say again, in a democratic system of government, everyone is given the opportunity under the Constitution to seek his fortune in the political field,” Ermita said. But he reiterated that it would be best for the former president to ascertain that he can run again under the Constitution. Otherwise, his efforts would just be in vain. |
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| RP doing its best to help Pinoy hostages in Somalia |
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The Philippine government is doing its best to help and rescue the Filipino
seamen abducted and held hostage for ransom in Somalia by Somali pirates. Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, in a radio interview Thursday (April 16, 2009), said the government has been working very closely with shipowners and manning companies, who employed the Filipino seamen, to ensure the safety and rescue of the victims. The latest count puts at 120 the number of Filipino seamen being held hostage by Somali fishermen, who have made piracy a lucrative enterprise that is being bankrolled and encouraged by Somali warlords. Remonde said the Philippine government has dispatched its own military experts to work with the Filipino seamen’s employers. Due to the country’s limited capability in addressing international piracy, Remonde said the government focuses its efforts and resources in working things out with manning companies and shipowners employing the Filipino seamen. He said the government is also working with the United Nations for a “more determined international response” to the Somali piracy scourge. Remonde said the UN is now in the process of organizing a more comprehensive international response to the hijacking and hostage-taking in the high seas by Somali pirates who have victimized Americans, British, French, Filipinos and other nationalities. |
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| Top presidential military aide, 4 other military men in fatal chopper crash, buried at Libingan |
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LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City – The late Brig. Gen.
Carlos Clet, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s top
military aide, was laid
to rest with full military honors here today with the President joining his
family, friends and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) classmates in bidding
him eternal repose. Eight Palace aides – five of them militarymen led by Clet – died in a helicopter crash in the forested boundary between Benguet and Ifugao provinces in the Cordilleras on Holy Tuesday (April 7), the same day that the country commemorated the 67th Araw ng Kagitingan. Earlier on that fateful Holy Tuesday -- before the evening crash of the Bell 412 helicopter that claimed the lives of those on board – Clet had escorted the President to the Day of Valor rites at Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan. A member of PMA Class ’80, Clet was buried at high noon (April 16, Thursday) as a helicopter dropped rose petals onto the General’s Row where the President once again consoled his wife Joselyn and their children, and the late Army general’s friends and PMA classmates who trooped to his burial to pay their last respects. Maj. Rolando Sacatani and Capt. Alvin Alegata (PMA ’94), who also perished in the Bell 412 crash, were buried earlier today (Thursday) at another section of the Libingan. After Clet’s burial, President Arroyo proceeded to the two pilots’ resting place and consoled their grieving spouses, Rachelle Sacatani and Arlene Alegata, and other members of the Sacatani and Alegata families. All the chopper-crash victims from the military, including non-commissioned officers PO3 Demilyn Reyno (Phil. Navy) and Sgt. Roegem Perez (Phil. Army), were buried here at the Libingan. Deeply saddened by the demise of her most trusted aides, a grieving President Arroyo had earlier honored their remains with an overnight vigil at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall on April 9 (Holy Thursday). An evening mass was also held for the victims on the 9th-day (“pa-siyam”) of the tragic crash at Malacanang’s Rizal Ceremonial Hall yesterday (April 15, Wednesday). The Malacanang “Pasiyam” – concelebrated by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and three other priests – was attended by the victims’ families, friends and co-workers. Also in attendance were First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, former press secretary and now Presidential Legal Counsel Jesus Dureza, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and other ranking government officials. The civilian victims of the Holy Tuesday crash were all top aides of the President, namely, Appointments Secretary Marilou Frostrom who was buried in Cebu; Press Undersecretary Jose Capadocia, who was interred at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina, and Asst. Director Pearlie Bandayanon who will be buried in Davao. |
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| PGMA orders DOLE to assist jobless Pinoys in Dubai |
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) to extend all possible assistance to the 137 Filipino bus
drivers stranded in Dubai. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in a radio interview, said “actually, noong nandoon kami naidulog nga sa amin iyong problema na iyan at kaagad inaksiyunan iyan ng Pangulo. So, inatasan niya kaagad iyong Department of Labor and Employment na asikasuhin itong mga kababayan nating ito.” The good news, he said, is that Labor Secretary Marianito Roque informed him that he has found jobs for the stranded Filipinos in Qatar as bus drivers. The government is spending for their stay in Dubai and transportation to Qatar. “Iyon naman gustong umuwi tinutulungan din ng gobyerno na makauwi. So, iyon ang magandang balita tungkol diyan. In addition to that pinapasampahan talaga ng kaso ng ating Pangulo itong recruiter na nambiktima nitong ating mga kababayan.” Remonde said. The President also ordered an investigation of government officials who may have been involved with CYM International Services and Placement Agency Inc. in the skewed recruitment of the Filipino bus drivers. “Ang nakapagtataka nga nito, panloloko itong ginagawa ng recruiter. And possibly itong recruiter na ito nakakuha ng mga lisensiya, mga permits etc. So, kailangan imbestigahan din iyong ating mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na nagbigay ng mga lisensiya at etc ng recruiter na ito na wala naman pala, na hindi naman sigurado iyong trabahong pinagdalhan nung ating mga kababayan,” Remonde said. He said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been asked to issue hold departure orders against those responsible for the sad plight of the Filipino, who were recruited for non-existent jobs. He said Roque is making arrangements for the employment of the drivers in Qatar. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will shoulder the transportation expenses of the Filipino group to Qatar. Remonde said he will discuss with POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili regarding the immediate cancellation of the license of CYM International to recruit workers. CYM agents are reportedly deployed in various parts of the country. |
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| Malacanang announces new appointments |
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Malacanang announced today the appointment of three new officials. They are: • Andrew Michael S. Ong as deputy director general, Intellectual Property Office; • Michael N. Mallilin as deputy commissioner, National Telecommunications Commission, Commission on Information and Communications Technology; and • Roberto P. Santiago as deputy director general for administration, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency A sixth place in the 1993 bar examinations, Atty. Ong is an educator, advocate and legal practitioner of intellectual property law. On the other hand, Mallilin is a lawyer-CPA, a former prosecutor and law professor. Santiago is a member of Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association (PMAAA) and former general manager of the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club. |
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| PGMA inspects Payatas waste disposal facility |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inspect the Payatas dumpsite in
Quezon City tomorrow, Friday as part of her regular monitoring of local
government units’ (LGUs) compliance with Executive Order 774 which seeks to
drastically reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emission by as much as 50
percent and help mitigate the effects of global warming. Last December, the President signed EO 774 calling on LGUs, non-government organizations and the public in general to help protect the ecosystem by undertaking massive tree planting, coastal clean-up and marine protection, garbage segregation, composting and setting up materials recovery facilities (MRF) across the country. Among those who will welcome the President at the Quezon City Controlled Waste Disposal Facility in Payatas are Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista and Barangay Payatas Chairperson Rosario Dadulo. From a garbage dump, Payatas was transformed in 2000 into a controlled waste disposal facility after the passage of Republic Act No. 9003 otherwise knows as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001 which mandates the closure of all open dumpsites in the country by 2006. In 2004, the Quezon City government started to convert the dumpsite into a controlled waste disposal facility. Quezon City was the first LGU in the country to drastically reduce environmental pollution through the Clean Development Movement (CDM), a strategy under the Kyoto Protocol that allows industrialized countries to invest in emission reducing projects in developing countries as an alternative to more costly gas emission reduction programs. In 2007, the city government approved the Quezon City Controlled Disposal Facility-Biogas Emission Reduction Project in Payatas. Last February 2008, the project was registered as a Clean Development Mechanism by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change under the Kyodo Protocol. Quezon City recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Italy-based PANGEA Green Energy for a biogas emission reduction project on the old Payatas garbage dumpsite, the gas byproduct of which can be converted into usable energy. |
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