Hostage crisis
Aquino III: Heads will roll
Although President Benigno S. Aquino III took the responsibility for the August 23 hostage crisis, the President said that heads will still roll. Government officials found accountable for bungling the incident will be fired, he said.
The President was criticized by concerned sectors for not being visible during the hostage drama. He, together with other top officials, were also criticized by some senators for taking full responsibility but officials at the presidential office said Aquino III will not resign due to the “clear mandate vested on him” by the people.
Sen. Joker P. Arroyo said Aquino III’s statement “cheapens” the presidency. Although the Palace moves were intended to repair the presidential image, nothing was solved, observers noted.
There is too much drama already regarding the hostage taking. What the Philippines and the international community need is justice for the victims and assurance that this mishandled situation will no longer happen again.
Presidential office and media discuss crisis coverage parameters
Due to the August 23 hostage fiasco, the presidential office and different media groups are identifying precautionary measures and proper handling of such incidents.
Some of the parameters are: Delayed broadcast of footage to the areas where the crisis is taking place instead of the blow-by-blow account of the situation; assigning one government officer to liaison with the media; and enhancement of the capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in crowd control management.
It is regrettable that a tragic hostage drama had to happen first before the government thought of these parameters. The government, the media and the PNP must now ensure that the parameters will not be put into waste and will be strictly be implemented when a similar incident takes place in the future.
Congress
Interior secretary’s post threatened?
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo will not be on the list when the President Benigno S. Aquino III submits his cabinet appointees to the Commission of Appointments (CA) of Congress. Robredo is currently in the hot seat following the 12-hour hostage crisis of August 23.
Robredo and two other secretaries - Ramon J. P. Paje of the Department on Natural Resources and Environment and Rosalinda D. Baldoz of Department of Labor and Employment - were only “acting” secretaries while the others were named “ad interim” officials.
Sources close to the President disclosed to the investigative news agency VERA Files that the DILG secretary already had differences with the President even during the campaign. Robredo, a three-term Naga City Mayor and a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, was also among the last Cabinet secretaries to be appointed by Aquino III.
Still in the third month of his term Aquino III already faces organizational gridlocks and will probably shuffle his cabinet early. During the election he said he will bring Filipinos to the “daang matuwid” (literally, correct path). People are now asking, however, whether he will ever reach that goal considering the internal troubles he is facing.
Budget Appropriation
Presidential office cuts SC proposed budget by almost half
Malacanang allocated P14.3 billion to the judiciary almost 50% lower than the P27.1 billion budget proposed by the Supreme Court (SC). Despite the budget reduction, the presidential office still expects the Judiciary to do its task and support the judicial reform that the Aquino III administration is pushing.
SC spokesperson Atty. Jose Midas P. Marquez said the budget allotted to the judiciary will affect the personnel services, capital outlay of the branch of government, and expenses for their employees.
According to Article 8 of the Philippine Constitution, the judiciary enjoys fiscal autonomy. In these times of budget deficits, it’s a tall order whether huge budget cuts can still enable the high court to implement the reforms it is expected to accomplish.
Youth solon seeks higher SCU budget
The State Colleges and Universities (SCU) budget cut for 2011 means abandoning the responsibility of the state to provide quality and affordable education to the youth, Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond V. Palatino said during the week.
The rationale of the President for the budget reduction - to encourage SCUs to be self- sufficient - will mean more tuition and other fee increases as the public academes partner with private entities. This, according to Palatino, will cause higher dropout rates and students having less access to tertiary education. The cutbacks will force public educational institutions to redefine their role whether they can still cater to the educational needs of youths who cannot afford to pay.
Self-sufficiency may just be a sugar coating for abandonment. While it is a duty of the government to provide the basic needs of the people including jobs, education, and basic social services – budget cuts especially earmarked for education and services will further widen the gaps between governance and its intended beneficiaries.
OFW legal budget in peril
From P50 million to P27 million. The presidential office halved the legal assistance fund for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) which is now just a quarter of the amount that is stated in the Migrant Workers Act.
However, during a budget hearing legislators were surprised that Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto G. Romulo was calm and just said that the department will ensure that the law will be followed. DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos, Jr. said that the fund will be used to pay for legal fees to assist and defend workers who are jailed especially those with grave sentences.
The government always says that OFWs are Philippine's Modern day Hero. But it seems that depriving the OFW a proper assistance they deserve is not a right way to treat a hero especially these hardworking people who have been remitting billions of income annually.
President Aquino III’s US trip
Trip includes meetings with US CEOs; ASEAN trip canceled
On September 20, President Benigno S. Aquino III will leave for his first visit to the U.S. This has been reported a non-traditional move since Philippine Presidents usually take an ASEAN trip first before going to the U.S.
Aquino III’s itinerary in the 7-day US visit Includes meetings with big New York executives like those from Coach, Luen Thai, IBM, JP Morgan, Sutherland, Automatic Data Processing and Hewlett-Packard. The business meetings are said to be a step to achieve some of the president’s goals to create jobs, reduce the poverty rate, improve infrastructure, and attract investors.
Aside from the economic and political visit, Aquino will also visit the Filipino- American communities in New York and San Francisco to get support from Filipinos overseas.
Filipinos will just keep their fingers crossed that the presidential visit is truly for the sake of the nation’s development. Too many trips have been made by past presidents to the U.S. – and other countries – on the pretest of economic development yet the country remains on its knees.
Counter-insurgency
A change in AFP strategy?
Crafting a new tactic, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed militant organizations like Bayan Muna and Karapatan to help “in formulating a new anti-insurgency campaign that will be acceptable to all sectors.”
The AFP conducted a three-day symposium with different sectors - from religious sector, academe, Commission on Human Rights, and militant groups to ensure that the new campaign will be responsible and will not abuse any stakeholder.
It is said that this is a non- traditional campaign since it is not concentrated on the hard approach. It can be recalled that the last anti- insurgency campaign, “Oplan Bantay Laya II,” was blamed by leftist groups to legitimize extra-judicial killings and promote state terrorism.
The last thing that this country needs is for the government-AFP to conduct anti-insurgency where suspected leftist activists end up the victims. The AFP invitation may be taken with some grain of salt as it has been directed by no less than the President to finish off the leftist insurgency with a 3-year target.
Hacienda Luisita
President refuses to intervene in Luisita issue
Organized farmers at the controversial Hacienda Luisita in Tarla have junked the idea of entering into a negotiation through mediation by the Supreme Court asserting “it is no longer necessary and ineffective.” The farmers asked the SC to decide on the case without going through mediation since all evidences have been submitted.
They said mediation will only nullify the ruling of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council which opted to distribute the 6,500 hectare land rather than give the tillers stock distribution option.
Palace has remained steadfast in its stand not to intervene with the pending case in the high court. Presidential spokesperson said that President Benigno Aquino III – whose family owns the hacienda - has nothing to do with the compromise agreement.
The continued refusal of the President to take a clear stand on the land issue will only confirm press speculations that his family had been in talks with members of the SC to resolve the case without prejudice to family interests. (With additional notes by Mia Toledo)
References:
Rosales, Angie M. (2010). Joker: Palace moves ‘cheapen’ presidency. Retrieved September 6, 2010 from http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100906hed1.html
Mallari, Mario J.(2010). AFP takes new tack on leftists. Retrieved September 7, 2010 from http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100906hed3.html
___________. (2010). US trip to proceed; Noy plans to meet China execs. Retrieved September 6, 2010 from http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100906hed6.html
VERA FILES. (2010). Aquino alliance rocked by factions, interests. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/25264-aquino-alliance-rocked-by-factions- interests
Sabater, Madel R. (2010). Palace hands off in Luisita case. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/275600/palace-hands-luisita-case
Salaverria, Leila B. (2010). Cut in SCU budget scored. Retrieved September 6, 2010 from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100904-290539/Cut-in-SCU- budget-scored_____________. (2010). Palace hopes for better work from judiciary despite budget woes. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/275701/sc-asked-stop-enforcing- comelec-resolution
Mabasa, Roy, (2010). Aquino Deferring ASEAN Trips my Idea – Romulo. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/276128/aquino-deferring-asean-trips-my-idea-romulo
Dalangin- Fernandez, Lira. (2010). Palace cuts by half OFW legal help fund in 2011 budget. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100908- 291176/Palace-cuts-by-half-OFW-legal-help-fund-in-2011-budget
Aning, J. & Salaverria, L. B. (2010). Farmers reject Luisita mediation: Tillers want high court to rule on merits of case. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100909-291277/Farmers-reject- Luisita-mediation
_____________. (2010). Palace, media identify possible crisis coverage parameters. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/275967/palace-media-identify- possible-crisis-coverage-parameters
Ruiz, J. B. & Kabiling, G. (2010). 3 TV channels to air interview: Aquino Bares Role in Hostage Drama this Thursday. Retrieved Spetember 9, 2010 from http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/276209/aquino-bares-role-hostage-drama-thursday