Page 37 - Hello Philippines November 2015 'B' issue

November 2015 / Fortnightly – No. 22 • UK & Europe Edition NEWS www.hello-philippines.com 37

Pgrhaivliepspt ionuetsrageex’porveesrsPeasris‘saotrtraocwks,

THE Philippines on Saturday “The Philippines condemns in France, according to 2013 data Chinese President Xi Jinping.

joined the international community in unequivocally the horrific terror by the Commission on Filipinos “Oursecurityofficialsaremonitoring

condemning the coordinated attacks attacks on Paris. There is no possible Overseas, while more than 10 million and assessing the situation and are

in Paris that left more than 100 people justification for such barbaric savagery. are scattered across the globe, making taking the necessary precautions to

dead and dozens others injured. The world must stand together against them vulnerable to security threats, ensure the safety, security and well- we ask Filipinos in Paris to heed
“The Philippines and its people violent extremism,” Jose said. calamities and domestic conflicts in being of all delegates,” Jose said. the instructions of the authorities
their host countries. and for all of us to cooperate and be
stand in solidarity with the people of French President Francois Hollande Aquino said in his statement that vigilant here at home,” Presidential
Paris and all of France, in this time of declared a state of emergency Philippine Ambassador to France there are no credible threats so far in Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on
deepest sorrow and the gravest outrage following what he described as an Ma. Theresa Lazaro said on GMA News’ the Philippines. state-run dzRB radio.
against the perpetrators of these unprecedented terrorist attack that Balitanghali that there are 10,000 to
crimes,” President Benigno Aquino III was staged days before France was to 12,000 Filipinos in Paris alone. “The PNP is on alert and our Valte said that the Philippine
said in a statement. host a global climate conference. security forces are assessing the embassy in Paris is willing and ready
The Paris attacks also came days situation, including the continuing to assist Filipinos in need of assistance.
Aquino said that the coordinated Hollande also ordered the French after G20 leaders, which include the evaluation of our security procedures.
attacks are “atrocities that demand borders closed. United States, Germany, Russia, China, There is no credible threat registered at “Our Philippine Embassy is ready
a united voice from the world in India, are scheduled to convene in this time but let us all be cooperative and is continuing to monitor the
condemnation and grief.” At least 100 were reported killed by Turkey on November 15 to 16 and in and vigilant,” he said. situation should assistance be required
armed men in the Bataclan concert hall Manila for the Asia-Pacific Economic to be expended to any of our citizens
He added: “In our time of need, and more people in various locations – Cooperation summit on November 18 PHL embassy ready. Malacanang there whether tourist or resident,”
France and her people stood shoulder in bars and restaurants – in the city. to 19. also asked Filipinos in Paris to abide Valte said.
to shoulder with the Philippines in the by the instructions of the police and
wake of Typhoon Haiyan. We stand No Pinoy casualty. Jose said that so Jose assured that the Philippine local authorities in Paris, which has “The attacks on a concert venue, the
with France now, in the firm belief that far, no Filipino was reported hurt in the government is beefing up its security been placed on lockdown following the vicinity of a stadium, and on restaurant
the light must never dim in Paris.” simultaneous gun and bomb attacks in for the high-profile Manila meetings, attacks. showed not only premeditation but
the French capital. where leaders and representatives of the cruelty that demands the greatest
Department of Foreign Affairs 21 economies would attend, including “The Philippines mourns the dead indignation from the world,” she
(DFA) spokesman Charles Jose, “We are grateful that no Filipinos US President Barack Obama, Japanese and stands shoulder-to-shoulder added. n Michaela del Callar and Rie Takumi / ALG,
meanwhile, called the attacks in Paris thus far have been reported hurt in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and with France. At a time that demands
as “cowardly.” these incidents,” he said. heightened security from all of us, GMA News / November 14, 2015 / 12:43 pm

There are around 48,000 Filipinos

#APEC2015 Palace has ‘no info’ yet on freedom of navigation in Aquino-Obama bilaterals

MANILA - Malacanang Palace has Valte said she has no idea at what “Well, all the members of the APEC— these are not purely political matters. The should not take offense if the Philippines
“no information” on a reported plan by point in their interactions during APEC all the member economies are fully aware maritime entitlements questions that the and the US tackle the issues related to
the United States to raise the freedom will President Obama raise the issue of that it’s an economic forum such that Philippines has been raising against China the West Philippine Sea at their bilateral
of navigation issues in the South China freedom of navigation. geopolitical or political concerns usually inextricably involve economic issues, the meeting.
Sea when President Barack Obama and take the backseat to the economic issues MARCHA alliance said.
President Benigno Aquino III hold their that are discussed in any Leaders’ Retreat. “Well, every economy that comes to
bilateral meeting at next week’s APEC However, I have no information on the Freedom of navigation, on the other an APEC Summit is fully cognizant of the
summit. intent of US as a member economy and hand, is something that any stakeholder fact that there may be bilaterals that will
where they intend to raise the said issue.” country has the right to defend and happen outside the Leaders’ Retreat,
According to Undersecretary Abigail promote, considering that it impacts and that the agenda for that is set by the
Valte, all members of the Asia Pacific Earlier, some nongovernment groups the economic life of countries needing parties that will be engaging each other.
Economic Cooperation are aware that had urged the APEC Leaders not to vital sea lanes for commerce, President As such, I cannot comment on the actual
APEC is an economic forum; and that routinely set aside issues on the South Aquino himself recently told the foreign agenda, until such time that the bilateral is
geopolitical and political concerns are China Sea - as Beijing was reported to correspondents’ group FOCAP. concluded.” n InterAksyon.com with Roices Naguit /
normally shelved aside. have asked host Manila earlier - because
Meanwhile, Valte said Friday China News5 / November 13, 2015 / 4:23 pm

ALAM NA Why is FOI still in limbo? ‘Congressmen don’t want it’ - Robredo
MANILA - Why does the Freedom
After assuming office, Robredo make information public even if there many bundles of nails? This is the kind right-to-reply for why the FOI could not

of Information Bill continue to languish began talking to FOI advocates who was no request. Malacañang even of data ordinary Filipinos can relate to. be passed, Robredo said they had not

in legislative limbo at the House of accused President Benigno Aquino supported this version, she said. In fact, Robredo said, this was the yet discussed the subject.

Representatives? III, who made its enactment one of Under this model, a portal would be model they used in Naga City, of which However, she stressed she is against

Camarines Sur Representative Leni his central campaign promises in the created for government information. her husband, the late Interior Secretary the right-of-reply “because that’s not

Robredo, the administration’s vice 2010 elections, no longer favored the If certain data was missing, a request Jesse Rrobredo, was once mayor. what FOI is all about” and, in fact,

presidential bet next year, has a simple legislation. could be made and the government When they posted income struck down versions of the measure

answer: many of her colleagues do not Because she was “always for the would then make the data available statements, she said she and Jesse containing the right-of-reply that were

want to pass the measure first filed two more collaborative approach,” Robredo not just to the party that asked for it, noticed that the only ones who used presented at hearings of the House

decades ago. said she talked to Malacañang officials, but to the general public. the information were those who public information committee.

“The opposition inside is really who explained their reservations about But Robredo stressed that wanted to tear him down. But when Again illustrating why her

strong. In fact, if any one of you the version of the FOI bill at the time. government should not be content they published data like the cost of colleagues, more than anyone else,

ever attended one of our committee A major concern was that with merely presenting whatever Paracetamol for the health center, it are to blame, Robredo pointed out

meetings, madugo (it’s bloody). There government might be overburdened information it has. The data should be became relevant to everyone. that Aquino included the FOI among

is an actual force blocking it. In fact, we with requests for information, forcing user-friendly. Asked how she felt about LP the priority bills in his message

had to strategize how to raise it outside it to set aside employees, offices, and “The purpose of FOI should never standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II accompanying the proposed 2016

of the committee,” she said Friday at funds to comply with requests, even disappear from our consciousness,” she blaming “killer provisions” such as the national budget submitted to Congress

“Happy Hour,” a roundtable discussion multiple ones for the same data—a said, meaning it is not a tool for those in July.

at the TV5 Media Center with panel “a bureaucratic nightmare,” Robredo looking for fault in the government, Despite this, the House has not even

members from News5, InterAksyon. quoted them as saying. but to foster “a more engaged and calendared the measure for second

com, BusinessWorld, Philippine Star, So she looked for a solution to the empowered constituency.” reading despite her “several attempts”

and Bloomberg Philippines. dilemma. This principle should thus guide the to have it scheduled.

Robredo and and Batanes The original bill advocated a sort of information made available. “I am as frustrated as many of you

Representative Henedina Abad co- demand-driven FOI, meaning if a Would an ordinary Filipino are,” she said. “For me, I really think

authored House Bill No. 3237 or the request is made, the government is understand balance sheets and income that it is political, because many here

Freedom of Information Act of 2013, obliged to comply. statements? Why not list the purchases in the House of Representatives are

the year she won her congressional Robredo shifted to a supply-driven made by government instead­—how against it.” n Tricia Aquino / InterAksyon.com /

seat. FOI, which obliged government to much for so many bags of cement or so November 14, 2015 / 2:20 pm