Share |

Content about Secretary

December 30, 2011
Arroyo couple sued over NBN-ZTE scandal

MANILA, Philippines (Dec. 30, 2011) - The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft cases against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo and two former officials in connection with the NBN-ZTE scandal that errupted in 2007.

The NBN-ZTE deal became a by-word that refers to the aborted $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between her administration and ZTE Corp. of China and was a subject of a senate investigation.

MANILA, Philippines (Dec. 30, 2011) - The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft cases against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo and two former officials in connection with the NBN-ZTE scandal that errupted in 2007.

The NBN-ZTE deal became a by-word that refers to the aborted $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between her administration and ZTE Corp. of China and was a subject of a senate investigation.

December 20, 2011
Sendong death toll tops 900

MANILA, Philippines (Dec 20, 2011) - Three days after tropical storm Sendong triggered deadly flash floods in Northern Mindanao and Southern Visayas, death toll rises to 927 based on the latest figure released by Benito Ramos, head of the Office of the Civil Defense (OSG). as rescuers retrieve more bodies amid worsening working condition aggravated by the stench of decaying flesh.

While there is reasonable certainty in count of the dead, there is wide disparity in the reported number of those who are still missing. The OSG figure, which is considered official, puts the number at 82. On the other hand, the Philippine Red Cross has a higher estimate at 800.

Mass burials has been started as funeral parlors are stretched beyond capacity and have started rejecting more bodies.

Sunny weather now prevails over the disaster areas as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that storm “Sendong” had left the Philippine area of responsibility and the good weather would prevail in the next five days.

MANILA, Philippines (Dec 20, 2011) - Three days after tropical storm Sendong triggered deadly flash floods in Northern Mindanao and Southern Visayas, death toll rises to 927 based on the latest figure released by Benito Ramos, head of the Office of the Civil Defense (OSG). as rescuers retrieve more bodies amid worsening working condition aggravated by the stench of decaying flesh.

December 14, 2011
9 Bicol lawmakers sign to impeach Corona

NAGA CITY (Dec 14, 2011) - In the field of lawmakers that include Congressmen Edcel Lagman, a loyal Arroyo supporter, Dato Arroyo, former presidential son, and Rolando Andaya, Jr., former Budget secretary, 7 out of 16 Bicolano district representatives in the Lower House signed the resoluton to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Two of 3 Ako Bicol partylist representatives – Rodel Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin Jr. - also signed in, favoring the ousting of the Chief Justice.

In total, 9 Bicol lawmakers joined the 188 signatories to the Corona impeachment resolution.

NAGA CITY (Dec 14, 2011) - In the field of lawmakers that include Congressmen Edcel Lagman, a loyal Arroyo supporter, Dato Arroyo, former presidential son, and Rolando Andaya, Jr., former Budget secretary, 7 out of 16 Bicolano district representatives in the Lower House signed the resoluton to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Two of 3 Ako Bicol partylist representatives – Rodel Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin Jr. - also signed in, favoring the ousting of the Chief Justice.

November 29, 2011
GMA News scores big in exclusive Clinton coverage

From questions about her family, to what’s in her iPod’s playlist and on to more serious matters on US-RP relationship, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was clearly in her element during a public forum organized by the US Embassy in Manila recently.

Dubbed “A Conversation in Manila,” the forum was held last Nov. 16 at the National Museum, and was aired live and exclusively by media partners GMA News TV and GMA News Online.     

From questions about her family, to what’s in her iPod’s playlist and on to more serious matters on US-RP relationship, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was clearly in her element during a public forum organized by the US Embassy in Manila recently.

Dubbed “A Conversation in Manila,” the forum was held last Nov. 16 at the National Museum, and was aired live and exclusively by media partners GMA News TV and GMA News Online.     

November 23, 2011
Ombudsman OKs graft raps vs Mike Arroyo over choppers deal

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 23, 2011) – Finding probable cause, a  fact-finding panel of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft charges against former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for involvement in the allegedly anomalous second-hand choppers purchase by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

The panel said Mike Arroyo has liability for "undue injury to the government" and "for entering into a contract grossly disadvantageous to government."

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 23, 2011) – Finding probable cause, a  fact-finding panel of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft charges against former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for involvement in the allegedly anomalous second-hand choppers purchase by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

The panel said Mike Arroyo has liability for "undue injury to the government" and "for entering into a contract grossly disadvantageous to government."

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 23, 2011) – Finding probable cause, a  fact-finding panel of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft charges against former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for involvement in the allegedly anomalous second-hand choppers purchase by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

The panel said Mike Arroyo has liability for "undue injury to the government" and "for entering into a contract grossly disadvantageous to government."

November 21, 2011
After the counterpunches, knockout blows awaited

 

There is no widespread indignation at the arrest of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad observes that the "people power" of the magnitude that can unseat presidents is on the side of the current president. That seems to be holding and, barring major missteps on the part of the government, is not expected to wane throughout this Arroyo saga.

There is no widespread indignation at the arrest of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad observes that the "people power" of the magnitude that can unseat presidents is on the side of the current president. That seems to be holding and, barring major missteps on the part of the government, is not expected to wane throughout this Arroyo saga.

November 16, 2011
DOJ defies SC, prevents Arroyos' travel abroad

MANILA, Philippines (Nov. 16, 2011) – In a surprise move, the Department of Justice blocked the rush departure of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband Mike in spite of a Supreme Court order permiting the former first couple to travel abroad.

Hours after getting the Supreme Court’s approval to travel abroad, Gloria and MIke were barred last night from leaving the country.

Pandemonium broke out at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 as the ailing former president – now a Pampanga congresswoman –and husband Jose Miguel made a virtual dash for the earliest flight out.

MANILA, Philippines (Nov. 16, 2011) – In a surprise move, the Department of Justice blocked the rush departure of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband Mike in spite of a Supreme Court order permiting the former first couple to travel abroad.

Hours after getting the Supreme Court’s approval to travel abroad, Gloria and MIke were barred last night from leaving the country.

September 15, 2011
Mayor urgently appeals for a fire truck

LAGONOY,CAMARINES SUR (Sep 15, 2011) - After three destructive fires in the last two years, Lagonoy town Mayor Delfin R. Pilapil Jr. is appealing to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, to provide his town at least one fire truck.

LAGONOY,CAMARINES SUR (Sep 15, 2011) - After three destructive fires in the last two years, Lagonoy town Mayor Delfin R. Pilapil Jr. is appealing to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, to provide his town at least one fire truck.

The latest destructive fire razed the town’s public market in Sept. 8, damaging P4.5 million worth of properties including 30 public market stalls.

 

September 14, 2011
James Jacob is new LTFRB chairman

Naga City native, Lawyer James Jacob, is the new Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) after the resignation of its chief, Chairman Nelson Laluces.

Naga City native, Lawyer James Jacob, is the new Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) after the resignation of its chief, Chairman Nelson Laluces.

Laluces reportedly tendered his resignation to give Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas a free hand in choosing his own team.

While Jacob has not made any public announcement about his new appointment, sources say the LTFRB post is a position he likes.

James Jacob has a long record in government service.

August 21, 2011
Masbate cops awarded medals for gallantry

LEGAZPI CITY (Aug 21, 2011) – Seven Masbate policemen belonging to the Municipal Police Station of Mobo, Masbate and the Masbate Police Office Public Safety Company received the “Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting” and several others received the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” during a visit by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo at the DILG Regional Office here on Thursday, (August 18).

LEGAZPI CITY (Aug 21, 2011) – Seven Masbate policemen belonging to the Municipal Police Station of Mobo, Masbate and the Masbate Police Office Public Safety Company received the “Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting” and several others received the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” during a visit by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo at the DILG Regional Office here on Thursday, (August 18).

August 7, 2011
Evacuees, students share use of classrooms in CAMSUR

PILI, Camarines Sur (Aug 7, 2007) – Two weeks into the aftermath of Typhoon Juaning, hundreds of evacuees have no choice but to sleep in classrooms that students use in day time. This cumbersome arrangement ensued after classes were ordered resumed even in the still flooded areas in the 2nd and 5th districts of Camarines Sur.

PILI, Camarines Sur (Aug 7, 2007) – Two weeks into the aftermath of Typhoon Juaning, hundreds of evacuees have no choice but to sleep in classrooms that students use in day time.

This cumbersome arrangement ensued after classes were ordered resumed even in the still flooded areas in the 2nd and 5th districts of Camarines Sur.

Department of Education (DepEd) Camarines Sur Schools Division Superintendent Emma I. Cornejo said that regular classes have resumed even in flooded areas of the province since August 3.

August 1, 2011
Garci: Time to move on, and forget too

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Philippines (July 31, 2011) - For Virgilio Garcillano of 'Hello Garci' notoriety, it's time the country forget the issue of 2004 election fraud and start moving on.

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Philippines (July 31, 2011) - For Virgilio Garcillano of 'Hello Garci' notoriety, it's time the country forget the issue of 2004 election fraud and start moving on.

He is willing to help the Aquino administration in crafting electoral reforms and he even called for an education campaign on the electoral process.

“I can contribute... We are talking about elections, which I am known for. I already said we should start by educating our people," he said.

July 12, 2011
Robredo sues police officials in purchase scam

MANILA, Philippines (July 12, 2011) - At least four police officials are now being sued for their involvement in questionable multi-million peso procurement of choppers, rubber boats and one patrol boat during the term of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

MANILA, Philippines (July 12, 2011) - At least four police officials are now being sued for their involvement in questionable multi-million peso procurement of choppers, rubber boats and one patrol boat during the term of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo announced today that he has ordered the filing of charges against Director George Piano, Senior Superintendent Loi Saligumba, Senior Superintendent Nolan Antonia and Superintendent Edgar Bataan - all of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

July 11, 2011
DAR, SOLGEN contest SC ruling on Hacienda Luisita

MANILA, Philippines (July 11, 2011) – The Solicitor General (SOLGEN) and the Agrarian Reform Secretary are in unenviable position as they take on the family of their boss, the President of the Republic, in defense of the government and the farmers of Hacienda Luisita.

MANILA, Philippines (July 11, 2011) – The Solicitor General (SOLGEN) and the Agrarian Reform Secretary are in unenviable position as they take on the family of their boss, the President of the Republic, in defense of the government and the farmers of Hacienda Luisita.

July 11, 2011
P-Noy to make FOI law a reality in months

MANILA, Philippines (June 11, 2011) - Malacañang has given the assurance that the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill will become a law under the Aquino administration. And we are counting months, not years, before it becomes a reality.

MANILA, Philippines (June 11, 2011) - Malacañang has given the assurance that the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill will become a law under the Aquino administration. And we are counting months, not years, before it becomes a reality.

Presidential Communications Group Secretary Herminio Coloma told the “No Holds Barred” media forum at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila, that it is reasonable to expect tha passage of the bill within the coming months.

July 10, 2011
Malacañang scraps PCSO intelligence fund

MANILA, Philippines (July 10, 2011) - The Palace has decided that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shall no longer be entitled to intelligence fund. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday that agencies, including the PCSO,that have nothing to do with government intelligence work shall not anymore receive allocation for intelligence fund. And one thing more - use of all intelligence funds now requires liquidation.

MANILA, Philippines (July 10, 2011) - The Palace has decided that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shall no longer be entitled to intelligence fund.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday that agencies, including the PCSO,that have nothing to do with government intelligence work shall not anymore receive allocation for intelligence fund.

And one thing more - use of all intelligence funds now requires liquidation.

Abad stressed that these are among the reforms that President Aquino likes to see implemented.

July 6, 2011
Environment Secretary Paje to cleanse Bicol mining industry

RAWIS, Legazpi City (July 5, 2011) – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje promised to protect legitimate mining industry players in this region by strict implementation of the “use it or lose it” policy.

RAWIS, Legazpi City (July 5, 2011) – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje promised to protect legitimate mining industry players in this region by strict implementation of the “use it or lose it” policy.

In a statement issued by Paje to the DENR regional office here, he said that President Aquino has ordered to cleanse the mining industry of all non-compliant projects.

June 28, 2011
Robredo now full-fledged DILG secretary

Taking almost a year to decide that they can work along after all, President Benigno Aquino III finally keeps Jesse M. Robredo in the cabinet as full-fledged Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and turns over to him the supervision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well.

Taking almost a year to decide that they can work along after all, President Benigno Aquino III finally keeps Jesse M. Robredo in the cabinet as full-fledged Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and turns over to him the supervision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well.

“We confirm that last June 13, President Aquino issued an ad interim appointment to Mr. Jesse Robredo as Secretary of Interior and Local Government," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

June 19, 2011
Grateful nation celebrates Rizal's 150th birthday

Manila Philippines (June 19, 2011) - The Jose Rizal mystique lives on in a nation that for long was in need of heroes. Filipinos learning to find the hero in themselves celebrate today the 150th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal,the national hero of the Philippines amid a rekindled patriotic fervor.

Manila Philippines (June 19, 2011) - The Jose Rizal mystique lives on in a nation that for long was in need of heroes. Filipinos learning to find the hero in themselves celebrate today the 150th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal,the national hero of the Philippines amid a rekindled patriotic fervor.

Rizal was born in Calamba on June 19, 1861 and was executed in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) on Dec. 30, 1896 by the Spanish colonialists.

June 16, 2011
DPWH Secretary: Siruma road condition 'deplorable'

Tigaon Camarines Sur (June 15 2011) - Early this week, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson did an on-site inspection of the Tinambac-Siruma secondary national road and the Goa-Tinambac Road in the Partido district (4th district) and found the road conditions 'deplorable.'

Tigaon Camarines Sur (June 15 2011) - Early this week, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson did an on-site inspection of the Tinambac-Siruma secondary national road and the Goa-Tinambac Road in the Partido district (4th district) and found the road conditions 'deplorable.'

June 16, 2011
Olea slay: top Bicolano crime fighters weigh in

(UPDATED) Naga City (June 14 2011) – Bicol has a crime-busting powerhouse in Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez. They weigh in on the Olea ambush-slay.

(UPDATED) Naga City (June 14 2011) – Bicol has a crime-busting powerhouse in Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez.

June 14, 2011
Malacañang condemns killing of Bikol journalist

MANILA, Philippines (June 14 2011) - Malacañang condemned yesterday the "senseless" killing of a newsman in Camarines Sur.

MANILA, Philippines (June 14 2011) - Malacañang condemned yesterday the "senseless" killing of a newsman in Camarines Sur.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma asked the police to immediately resolve the ambush of Romeo Olea, a radio commentator of DWEB-FM in Nabua, Camarines Sur.

"We deplore the senseless killing of radio commentator Romeo Olea who was fatally gunned down this morning by still unidentified persons in front of the Holy Child Learning Center in San Jose, Iriga City," said Coloma.

June 12, 2011
Philippines celebrates 113th Independence Day

Manila, Philippines (June 12 2011) - The Philippines celebrates today its 113th Independence Day, the first under President Benigno C. Aquino III.

Manila, Philippines (June 12 2011) - The Philippines celebrates today its 113th Independence Day, the first under President Benigno C. Aquino III.

The president's independence day speech is expected to be a preview of his upcoming upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday.

Today's celebration kicks off with simultaneous flag raising in various historic sites.

May 19, 2011
DFA Orders Repatriation of Pinoys in Syria

Philippine embassy in Damascus, Syria shall start offering voluntary repatriation to Filipino workers in Daraa, Latakia and Homs in the Syrian capital.

MANILA, Philippines -  Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has ordered the Philippine embassy in Damascus, Syria to start offering voluntary repatriation to Filipino workers in Daraa, Latakia and Homs in the Syrian capital.

Del Rosario visited Damascus over the weekend to assess the political situation in Syria and check the condition of 43 Filipinos who have taken shelter in the embassy.

Some 110 Filipinos are in Daraa, 2,400 in Latakia, and 1,600 in Homs, according to the DFA

May 18, 2011
Robredo's Relentless Full Disclosure Campaign

QUEZON CITY, May 17 2011 – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) goes full force in its drive for transparency in the operations of all local government units through steadfast full disclosure campaign, deriving inspiration from P-Noy's campaign mantra, "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap"(No corruption, no poverty).

QUEZON CITY, May 17 2011 – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) goes full force in its drive for transparency in the operations of all local government units through steadfast full disclosure campaign, deriving inspiration from P-Noy's campaign mantra, "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap"(No corruption, no poverty).