Message Board


web stats

Monday, October 17, 2016

5 Killed in Kidapawan road mishap

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Five were killed while two others wounded in a vehicular accident involving a van and a motorcycle at Barangay Kidapawan City in North Cotabato early morning Sunday.

Authorities have identified the fatalities as Vince Ocumen, Ejay Campanero, Julius Saure, Napoleon Paclidore and Elton Dayudo.

Initial investigation revealed that the motorcycle went over the opposite lane as the van was approaching, causing the collision.

The van came from Cagayan de OroCity and plying the Davao Road while the motorcycle was bound for Cotabato.

Two other passengers, Delfin Querkis and Priscila Querkis, were rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Police are verifying reports that the motorcycle driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Investigation on this road mishap incident ongoing. Ciudate

Monday, July 18, 2016

Congressmen Introduce Bill to Defend South China Sea

Jul 15, 2016 
Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and Rep. Eliot Engel (NY-16), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after introducing a bill to strengthen international cooperation and support freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
Congressman Matt Salmon: “Following this week’s landmark arbitral tribunal decision on the maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, China has already signaled its refusal to comply with the ruling, scorning international law and rejecting binding and peaceful dispute resolution. It is paramount, now more than ever, that we work to strengthen the security capabilities of our allies and partners in the South China Sea region.  By increasing their capacity to monitor their own maritime territories, by improving their military and law enforcement prowess, and by building the bonds between our militaries, the maritime nations of Southeast Asia, we will be in a better position to negotiate a peaceful resolution to one of the most dangerous security situations of our times.  This legislation builds upon our solid relationships with allies and partners in the region to shore up our response to China’s continued belligerence.”
Contact: Tristan Daedalus (202) 225-2635
Congressman Eliot Engel: “The United States, as a Pacific power, has an enduring interest in the stability of the Asia-Pacific region. This week’s landmark ruling by an international Arbitral Tribunal in the case of The Philippines v. The People’s Republic of China provides an important opportunity to decide what kind of Asia-Pacific region we will live in: will it be a region that respects the rule of law to enhance the security of all nations? Will it be a region committed to resolving disputes diplomatically and through peaceful means? Will it be a place where all countries have confidence in their freedom to legal passage through waterways and airspace without fear of harassment or intimidation?  The United States remains committed to that vision. This legislation lays out key tenants of U.S. maritime security policy in the region, and if enacted, will increase the maritime law enforcement and security capabilities of our allies and partners, especially those bordering the South China Sea.  It is important to note that our legislation poses no threat to any particular country in the region.   Rather, we seek to promote an enduring legal framework whereby all countries bordering the South China Sea can live in peace and security while sharing in the natural resources of this diverse region.”
Contact: Tim Mulvey (202) 226-8467

Thursday, June 30, 2016

FULL TEXT: President Rodrigo Duterte inauguration speech

Inaugural Address of President Rodrigo Duterte
Oath-taking of the President of the Philippines
MalacaƱang Palace | June 30, 2016
President Fidel Ramos, sir, salamat po sa tulong mo (thank you for your help) making me President; President Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Senate President Franklin Drilon and the members of the Senate; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the members of the House of Representatives; Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court; His Excellency Guiseppe Pinto and the members of the Diplomatic Corps; incoming members of the Cabinet; fellow workers in government; my fellow countrymen.



No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.
It is the people from whom democratic governments draw strength and this administration is no exception. That is why we have to listen to the murmurings of the people, feel their pulse, supply their needs and fortify their faith and trust in us whom they elected to public office.
There are many amongst us who advance the assessment that the problems that bedevil our country today which need to be addressed with urgency, are corruption, both in the high and low echelons of government, criminality in the streets, and the rampant sale of illegal drugs in all strata of Philippine society and the breakdown of law and order. True, but not absolutely so. For I see these ills as mere symptoms of a virulent social disease that creeps and cuts into the moral fiber of Philippine society. I sense a problem deeper and more serious than any of those mentioned or all of them put together. But of course, it is not to say that we will ignore them because they have to be stopped by all means that the law allows.
No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.
Erosion of faith and trust in government – that is the real problem that confronts us. Resulting therefrom, I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system; the erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people’s lives better, safer and healthier.
Indeed, ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. But all is not lost.
I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality, the sale and use of illegal drugs and corruption. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal. In response let me say this:
I have seen how corruption bled the government of funds, which were allocated for the use in uplifting the poor from the mire that they are in.
I have seen how illegal drugs destroyed individuals and ruined family relationships.
I have seen how criminality, by means all foul, snatched from the innocent and the unsuspecting, the years and years of accumulated savings. Years of toil and then, suddenly, they are back to where they started.
Look at this from that perspective and tell me that I am wrong.
In this fight, I ask Congress and the Commission on Human Rights and all others who are similarly situated to allow us a level of governance that is consistent to our mandate. The fight will be relentless and it will be sustained.
As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.
I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal.
My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising.
You mind your work and I will mind mine.
Malasakit. Tunay na Pagbabago. Tinud-anay nga Kausaban (Compassion. Real change.)” – these are words which catapulted me to the presidency. These slogans were conceptualized not for the sole purpose of securing the votes of the electorate. “Tinud-anay nga kabag-uhan. Mao kana ang tumong sa atong pang-gobyerno (Real change. This is the direction of our government).”
Far from that. These were battle cries articulated by me in behalf of the people hungry for genuine and meaningful change. But the change, if it is to be permanent and significant, must start with us and in us. [applause]
To borrow the language of F. Sionil Jose, we have become our own worst enemies. And we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves.
As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.
Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished – these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines. The ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest.
There are two quotations from revered figures that shall serve as the foundation upon which this administration shall be built.
“The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
And from (Abraham) Lincoln I draw this expression: “You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men.”
My economic and financial, political policies are contained in those quotations, though couched in general terms. Read between the lines. I need not go into specifics now. They shall be supplied to you in due time.
However, there are certain policies and specifics of which cannot wait for tomorrow to be announced.
Therefore, I direct all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, from the submission to the release. I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all.
I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong.
I abhor secrecy and instead advocate transparency in all government contracts, projects and business transactions from submission of proposals to negotiation to perfection and finally, to consummation.
Do them and we will work together. Do not do them, we will part sooner than later.
On the international front and community of nations, let me reiterate that the Republic of the Philippines will honor treaties and international obligations.
On the domestic front, my administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.
I am elated by the expression of unity among our Moro brothers and leaders, and the response of everyone else to my call for peace.
I look forward to the participation of all other stakeholders, particularly our indigenous peoples, to ensure inclusivity in the peace process.
Let me remind in the end of this talk, that I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I was not elected to serve the interests of any one person or any group or any one class. I serve every one and not only one.
That is why I have adapted as an article of faith, the following lines written by someone whose name I could no longer recall. He said: “I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.”
On the international front and community of nations, let me reiterate that the Republic of the Philippines will honor treaties and international obligations. On the domestic front, my administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.
Prescinding there from, I now ask everyone, and I mean everyone, to join me as we embark on this crusade for a better and brighter tomorrow.
But before I end, let me express the nations, on behalf of the people, our condolences to the Republic of Turkey of what has happened in the place. We offer our deepest condolences.
Why am I here? Hindi kasali ito diyan (This is not part of my speech). The past tense was, I am here because I love my country and I love the people of the Philippines. I am here, why? Because I am ready to start my work for the nation.
Thank you and good afternoon.

Source: PCO


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

NATIONAL SHRIMP CONGRESS

PRESS RELEASE
MOA SIGNING and PRESSCON
May 11, 2015
Green Leaf, General Santos City

The PHILIPPINE SHRIMP Industry, Inc., and SARGEN Shrimp Stakeholders’ Association, Inc. will conduct the 10th National Shrimp Congress on November 11-13, 2015 at SM Trade Hall, General Santos City.
As sponsored by DA-BFAR Central Office, BFAR 12, DOST 12, SEAFDEC, CMO-LGU-GenSan, PGO-Sarangani, Congressional District of Sarangani, DTI 12, DOT12, The congress is highly anticipated to feature technology successes and new developments in the shrimp industry. The congress will also highlight on marketing and value adding opportunities with invited foreign resource persons us our speakers.
 The Shrimp Congress promises to be another great exposure for all sponsor and exhibits, giving them the opportunity to access highly targeted and influential participants. This 3 –day congress will be attended by local and foreign experts and is estimated to draw more or less 600 industry leaders and practitioners engaged in grow-out farming hatchery operations, feed milling, processing/exporting and input supplies.
Shrimps are the gourmet food for the vast majority of the global market. Shrimps remain to be the most profitable and sought after crop in brackish water aquaculture in the tropical areas. The cultivation of Penaeus Monodon and penaeus Vannamei are necessary for the growth and development of the shrimp industry. It gives the Philippines the opportunity to follow promising paths that differ from its ASEAN neighbors. In the said Congress, it aims to maximize the shrimp culture for a modern globally competitive industry.

The key leaders of the Shrimp Congress are the following known personalities: Atty: J. Lorenzo S. Vergara, Marjun P. Villanueva, Mr. Roger Rivera, Councilor Brix “Lic-lic” Tan and the rest members of the National Shrimp Council who are present in the MOA Signing and Presscon in their  in-coming preparation for the 10th National Congress will be held in Gensan on November 11-12, 2015. (By: ADLSNTV & adlsntv.blogspot.com)

20th National Tuna Congress Broke Records!

Ms. Rosana Contreras, Executive Director of Socsksargen Fishing and Allied Industries Incorporated (SFFAII), Friday, said that the 20 th N...