PNOY'S SONA TO SET THE PHASE IN ACHIEVING RP'S ECONOMIC GOAL

LEGAZPI CITY — President Benigno Aquino III's effective governance would set the phase in achieving the national vision in addressing debt reliefs, balance budget, corruption, poverty and economic growth.
This was the expectation laid down by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda in PNoy’s first State of the Nation Address at the opening of the 15th Congress this Monday.

Salceda views Aquino’s SONA to set benchmarks for his national vision, goals and strategic thrusts by setting certain record straight on the country’s national debt, budget balance. This should provide the basis for the “shock-and-awe truth-telling exercises.”

“Before you ask the people to follow where PNoy will lead the nation, he must tell them he knows where they are right now,” he said.

Aquino is expected to increase state capacity through efficient governance especially in revenue collection and administrative reforms. However, in pursuing the goal, no new taxes would be introduced except on sin products.

PNoy should bring back investors' confidence to attain a higher track of growth of 7-8% in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through higher domestic private investments and quality public capital outlays and some foreign investments.

Poverty

Job creation, and the full implementation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) coverage would lift the current 4.6 million poor families he inherited in 2010.

Salceda said this program would bring down poverty incidence from the current 29.7% to 14.8% by 2016.

Education

Substantial increase in the education budget is likely to eliminate education backlogs in teachers, textbooks and classrooms in the first three years thus achieving Education for All (EFA).

The Aquino administration should set aside P1.5 billion per year for teacher training for the 598,782 teachers (405,558 ES an 193,224 HS) whose skills, knowledge and values surely need enhancement.

Health

Automatic Philhealth coverage to 4.6 million poor families, and a P10 billion budget for ther Department of Health (DOH) to maintain and upgrade provincial hospitals and rural health stations across the country.

Agrarian reform

Consummate the asset reform program by converting the 74% Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) into full titles; condonation of the P42 billion agrarian liabilities and lift the Landbank liens; full subsidy to farmer acquisition of the remaining 1.4 million hectares and full resolution of the Hacienda Luisita Inc. within PNoy's first year term.

Energy

Review the implementation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and lower cost of electricity by increasing new investments and heightening competition in the energy sector.

Infrastructure

This should be targeted to support the growth of tourism and countryside development such as transportation infra and rural access roads.

Civic duty and local governance

With Robredo at DILG helm, P-Noy would seek the collaboration of local government units as well as communities in enforcing governance and in participating in his socioeconomic initiatives.

Environment

Consider DENR's position on alternative mining. Strictly enforce measures on Clean Air and Clean Water provisions.

Population

Aquino inherited a population of 94 million and this would grow to 104 million by 2016 that would still be 15.42 million poor people or 3.0252 million families by 2016.

P-Noy has still to clarify his position on reproductive health. But a statement on the nexus between big family size and chronic poverty should at least be considered. (PNA Bicol/PIA)

AKO BICOL PARTYLIST IS IN THE HOUSE

LEGAZPI CITY — Representatives of the Ako Bicol political party can now buckle up for work at the Congress following the proclamation of the Commission of Election (Comelec) shortly before President Benigno Aquino III delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, (July 26).

Comelec has issued the Certificate of Proclamation declaring the Ako Bicol to have obtained the required percentage of votes under the party-list system of representation to the House of Representatives and will serve until June 30, 2013. The Bicolano regional political party representatives include Christopher Co, Atty. Rodel Batocabe and Atty. Alfredo Garbin Jr.

Batocabe averred the Comelec decision came five hours before P-Noy’s SONA.

It can be recalled that the proclamation of Ako Bicol had been put in abeyance for a couple of months after militant organizations in the region, led by Bayan Muna, petitioned Comelec to disenfranchise the former since the political party does not represent marginalized sector.

Batocabe furthered “Ako Bicol would like to expressed its utmost gratitude to all supporters, Bicolanos most especially, who never vacillate their support and continue to pray for the Bicolano home grown political party.”

“The decision came unexpected on this date (Monday) and we were no longer able to attend P-Noy’s SONA, yet with this development we can now commence with our job to serve the people and our pursuit for the betterment of all Bicolanos,” he added.

Among those who upheld the decision favoring Ako Bicol include Comelec Chair Jose Melo and Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Lucenito Tagle, Nicodemo Ferrer, Armando Velasco, Elias Yusop and Gregorio Larrazabal

Ako Bicol topped the elections in the party-list with more than 1.5 million votes nationwide, almost 1.1 million in the Bicol region alone. (MALoterte, PIA V)

LEGAZPI LASS TO REPRESENT RP IN WORLD MISS UNIVERSITY 2010

LEGAZPI CITY — Another Albayana is set to make her mark in an international beauty pageant.

Yvethe Marie A. Santiago, a 17-year old BS Accountancy student from Bicol University, will represent the Philippines in the upcoming 22nd World Miss University 2010 to be held in Seoul, South Korea on August 8, 2010.

Santiago, who stands at a statuesque 5’8″, was selected by Lamberto Ricalde of Mega Star Production, local franchise-holder of World Miss University from winners of the Binibini at Ginoong Pamantasan 2010 of CHED. At 17, the BU stude has already collected several beauty titles including Miss Bicol University, Bb. Pamantasan 2nd runner-up and 2009 Mutya ng Magayon 1st Princess.

World Miss University was established in 1986 by the International Association of University Presidents to help spread the message of peace around the world through smart and beautiful women.

This year’s pageant, the 22nd edition, will have 59 contestants from all over the world vying for the title. Santiago

A total of 59 contestants from around the world are expected to converge in Seoul for the World Miss University Pageant that was initiated in 1986 in order to spread its message of peace around the world through smart and beautiful women. Ms. Santiago will be the first Filipina World Miss University if ever she wins.

The grand coronation night of World Miss University 2010 is on August 8, 2010 at the Sheraton Walker Hill Theater in Seoul, South Korea. (BU/PIA)

DTI TURNS-OVER “OTOP KO, ORGULLO KO” SIGNAGES TO MSMEs

SORSOGON Province — Eight Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that established One Town, One Product (OTOP) Pasalubong Shops/Stores received the OTOP Signage from the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) on Thursday, July 22, during the culminating activity of the MSME Development Week celebration.

“As an emblem of OTOP development, we have provided the signage that says “OTOP KO, ORGULLO KO” to our MSMEs who are the true implementers of the OTOP program,” says DTI Provincial Director Leah A. Pagao.

Also tagged as ‘Mga Bida ng OTOP’, the eight MSMEs who received the signages were OTOP Pasalubong Shop c/o Ermino’s Handicraft, Tia Berning’s Pili Candies and Edgieline’s Pasalubong Store, all situated in Rizal St. , Sorsogon City; Tony Co Handicraft in Manook St., Gubat, Sorsogon; Barcelona Multi-purpose Cooperative, Inc. (BMPCI) in Poblacion Norte, Barcelona, Sorsogon; Jasternes Handicraft in Brgy. Abas, Pilar, Sorsogon; Eva G. Odono’s Pilinut Products in Brgy. San Rafael, Bulusan, Sorsogon and Vicky’s Pili and Food Products in Brgy. San Julian, Irosin, Sorsogon.

“Since the signage’s primary objective is to promote and drumbeat our province’s OTOP products, this should be displayed/hanged in a conspicuous place of the company’s establishment/store or in their respective showrooms or in their production area,” Pagao said.

She also said that with the four years of OTOP implementation in the province and with the Local Government Units (LGUs) taking the lead in developing various OTOP industries across the province, the program has already stirred and stimulated Sorsogon’s OTOP MSMEs.

“The convergence efforts of LGAs, NGAs and other non-government organizations and the MSMEs themselves have substantially improved our MSMEs competitiveness. This inspires the DTI to continuously provide developmental activities such as product development, training, marketing, access to financing and business consultancy to the Sorsoganons who would like to venture in the enterprising industry,” she elaborated.

With the assistance that the DTI is extending to the MSMEs, Pagao expresses high hopes that more and more Sorsoganons will be encouraged to enter into business enterprise in order to contribute in the economic development in the countryside. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

DILG TO REVIEW STL OPERATION IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY— The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bicol said they would review the legality and operation of the Meriedien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC) a franchise holder of a Small Town Lottery (STL) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) operating the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.

The review was prompted by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo marching order to stump out illegal gambling activities in the countryside specifically “Jueteng”, an illegal number games that has been in operations for so many decades.

Blandino Maceda, DILG Bicol regional director, said his agency will look into the legal operation of the Meriedien following reports that the gaming outfit is reportedly operating as a Jueteng front disguise as an STL gaming outlet.

Maceda said that the agency would enforce legal and administrative sanctions once proven that the MVG C are operating under the disguise of Jueteng and violating PCSO established policies and standards.

The DILG will recommend to PNP to use its power to put an end to this illegal number games, he said.

Reports gathered revealed the Sanguniang Panalawigan of Albay, Camarines Sur and Norte and other cities, and towns has endorsed and approved the operation of Meriedien Vista Gaming Corp an online betting game with a jai-alai type of game.

Meriedien registers and operates under the rules and regulations, standards set by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and the Local Government Code of the Phils including the PCSO.

But reports said the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has cancelled the permit of Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation (MVGC), a gaming company operating within the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Free Port (CSEZFP), after the Department of Justice issued an opinion against the gaming firm’s holding on-line by means of a jai-alai type of gaming operation.

CEZA, a Philippines government-owned and -controlled corporation established in 1995 by virtue of Republic Act No. 7922, is in charge of developing and managing the 54,000-hectare CSEZFP, an economic and tourism hub in Sta. Ana, Cagayan province. It has powers to grant licenses for casino and gaming operations within the economic zone.

At a press conference, Dondy Bilason President of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Press Corps Bicol, told the DiLG that unlike the legitimate STL operation it draws bet collection directly from their outlets but in the case of MVGC they employ collectors popularly know as “cobrador” soliciting bets in the streets and goes house to house collecting bets.

Bilason said STL outlets issues bet receipts while MVGC collectors does not issue receipts, it only writes the bettors choice number bets in their list, saying that the procedure is similar to that of “Jueteng” operation.

He said that if indeed the game is really legal there is no need for bet collectors as the bettors will have to go to the betting stations since it is an online game.

Under the STL operation bettors have to pick two lucky numbers from numbers 1 to 38 while the Jueteng disguise as STL operates the same.

For this reason policemen are helpless in combating the illegal numbers game because they could no longer differentiate which of gaming operation is the legal one.

Maceda said that they will also review the revenue share that local government receives from the gaming firm following reports the MVGC no longer remits its rightful dividends arising from the gaming directly to the local governments.

The MVGC claims that they are directly remitting the dividends in Manila.

Reports have it that the gaming firm gives a big share directly to city and town chief executives, at the expense of the city and town coffers.

Reports said MVGC is raking tens of millions in daily draws in Bicol while hundreds of thousands in dividends are given to each local chief executive in weekly payoff.

In Albay, members of the SP are moving for the cancellation of MVGC permit to operate for the firm’s failure to comply with the remittance condition as stated in the agreement.

MVGC had been operating in Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte for the past two years. (PNA Bicol/PIA)

ARMY SOLDIERS APPREHEND ILLEGALLY-CUT LOGS IN CATANDUANES

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Army soldiers confiscated illegally-cut logs in landslide-prone Catanduanes Sunday (July 25), a military report said.

Lt. Col. Danilo Aquino, commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army based in Catanduanes, said that he sent a platoon of his soldiers to conduct checkpoint operations in three different villages following text messages from concerned residents of about to be transported illegal logs from the upland villages of Hicming, Bigaa and San Isidro, all of Virac town.

Aquino, however, said that the illegal loggers were able to evade arrest, yet the soldiers were only able to recover the contraband left behind along the road.

The troop was able to account 876 board feet of timber, 1 motorcycle and 5 bicycles which were hastily abandoned by the fleeing perpetrators.

Ben Medel, chief of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office here, also came and inspected the confiscated illegal logs.

Medel has asked the assistance of the army battalion in carrying out checkpoint operations and arrests of illegal loggers in the hinterlands of the island province.

Aquino, in response, has committed to support the anti-illegal logging campaign by PENRO-Catanduanes.

“I had been briefed about the past landslides in the province attributed to the rampant cutting of trees. Soldiers must become part of the solution to this problem to ensure that unnecessary casualties will be incurred among the residents in low-lying areas in this province”, he said.

In December 2008, massive landslides, brought about by continuous heavy rains, blocked the Virac-Vega Road section in San Miguel town, stranding the residents of the town for many days. (HMCabunoc, DPAO 9ID PA/PIA)

MIXED REACTIONS ON P-NOY’S SONA

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III’s first ever State of the Nation Address (SONA) today before the joint opening session of the 15th Congress drew mixed reactions from lawmakers, a number of them optimistic he will be able to push through his programs, and others including from the opposition complementing him and offering help.

"That was a good speech. But I hope it will unfold in the future, maybe within the next 100 days," said former President Fidel Ramos, who attended the SONA together with former President Joseph Estrada.

“We are all waiting for the roadmap, for the long term plan, para umangat na tayo, “ added Ramos."

"Hopefully during the budget deliberations we will be able to uncover and see for ourselves para mas maging malinaw sa Kongreso at kung saan me pagkakamali” said the former President of the detailed enumeration by President Aquino of cases of fiscal abuse by the Arroyo administration.

Rep. Edcel Lagman, the new minority leader in the House of Representatives said he will support the government's national agenda particularly with regard to House measures which will benefit the majority of the Filipino people.

Lagman said these include measures to strengthen healthcare, employment and more economic opportunities, and environmental protection, among others. Lagman said he will support President Aquino’s campaign to improve collection efficiency by stopping smuggling, tax evasion and curbing graft and corruption.

Earlier before the SONA and after losing the House speakership, Lagman said the proposed P1.7 trillion budget for 2010-2011 should include measures to increase taxes and the national government "improve collection efficiency particularly with the Philippines having the lowest collection efficiency among the members of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)."

Former congresswoman Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel expressed optimism that the SONA gave “concrete steps” on how to stamp out corruption in government.
She said the President’s SONA enumerated measures for specific government agencies to eradicate corruption such as amending the national procurement law and the passing of the Fiscal Responsibility Bill, which will provide funding for laws that have already identified its sources of funding.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, for his part, said that the SONA was an “eye-opener” for the people to see the “difficulties that we are in, the sacrifices that we are supposed (to take) to help the President with.”

Meanwhile Senator Loren Legarda expressed dismay that the Aquino SONA “left out” several issues. She said the President failed to touch on topics such as agrarian reform, alleviating hunger and addressing climate change.

Legarda however was quick to add that she was pleased with Aquino’s plans were for Philhealth, the national health card.

The President said that an actual program to identify the correct number of Filipinos who sorely need Philhealth coverage will be undertaken as “current date is conflicting on this matter.”

He added that Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman “are moving to implement the National Household Targeting System that will identify the families that most urgently need assistance.”

“An estimated P9-billion is needed in order to provide coverage for five million poor Filipinos,” P-Noy said. (PIA V Release)

P-NOY DETAILS CASES OF FUND MISUSE IN FIRST SONA

MANILA — In his first state of the nation (SONA) delivered today before the joint opening session of the 15th Congress, President Benigno S. Aquino III bared in detail some cases of fund misuse during the Arroyo administration which in part have worsened the country’s budget deficit problems.

He said that in the first six months of 2010, the previous administration spent more than what it earned. Its target collection was shot by P23.8 billion and its projected expenditure is P45.1 billion, he added.

The President specified the following fund misappropriations:

Calamity Funds
•

Of the P2 billion Calamity fund for 2010, which on its own is already very small, only P1.4 billion or 60 percent is left for use for the remainder of the year, when typhoons are just coming in.
•
Of the P108 million Calamity Fund allotted for Pampanga, P105 million of this went to one district alone. These funds were released during the election period, seven months after Ondoy and Pepeng struck. Pangasinan, which was hardest hit by Pepeng, received only P5 million for the damage wrought by typhoon Cosme in 2008.

MWSS

Members of the board of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) were given fat rewards even if retired government employees failed to get their pension funds due them. In 2009 alone, the payroll of MWSS amounted to P51.4 million, excluding the additional allowances and benefits amounting to P160.1 million.

Regular employees got only 13th month pay plus cash gift but MWSS board members got an equivalent of 30 months pay including bonuses and allowances. The Board of trustees also received P14,000 per meeting, reaching P98,000 each month, excluding grocery incentive of P80,000 a year; mid year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, financial assistance, Christmas bonus and additional Christmas package, all worth P98,000.

The President said the MWSS spent P2.5 million each year for each board member, excluding car incentive, technical assistance and loans.

La Mesa Watershed was not spared. Homes were built for the top officials of MWSS, who couldn’t readily be removed from their posts because they are among the Midnight Appointees of the former president.

DPWH

Infrastructure funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways for 246 priority safety projects funded by the Motor Vehicle Users Charge requiring P425 million budget but what was funded was only 28 projects and the rest were abandoned. The requested P425 million became P480 million, bigger because the additional funds went to select beneficiaries.

•
REHAB FUNDS

P3.5 billion that was ordered released for the victims of Pepeng and Ondoy involving 86 projects for public bidding. But 19 projects alone already got P981 million allotments. Fortunately their release was held even with the signed Special Allotment Release orders.

• P3.5 billion of current DPWH projects will now go through proper bidding for the real victims of storms Ondoy and Pepeng.

NAPOCOR

• The National Power Corp. from 2001 to 2004 was forced to sell power at a loss to forestall any electric power adjustments before the elections. Because of this, in 2004, the agency sank in debts forcing the national government to honor its P200 billion foreign obligations.

MRT

• The Metro Rail Transit was also used as a political tool by keeping the fares low, which disabled the operator from recouping its investments. As a result, the Land Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines were forced to buy the MRT.

NFA

• The National Food Authority over-imported rice in 2004. The shortage was 117,000 metric tons but it bought 900,000 mt. In 2007 the shortage was only 589,000 mt but it bought 1.827 million mt.

Because of the over-importation, the excess supply was left to rot in bodegas even if total debts for these imports reached P171.6 billion as of May 2010, which could have funded the justice department’s budget of P12.7 billion; the conditional cash transfers of the following years amounting to P29.6 billion; all the classrooms needed in the country worth P130 billion. (PIA V Release)

P-NOY VOWS TO TURN AROUND FISCAL MESS

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III, delivering his first State of the Nation Address, today said that misuse of the national budget and funds abuse by state-run firms and agencies during the Arroyo administration will weigh heavily against his fledgling administration, but he vowed to reverse the situation while opening windows of opportunity for all.

“I could almost feel the weight of my responsibility” said the President, as he lamented over initial findings that only about P100 billion or 6.5 percent of the P1.54 trillion national budget for 2010 has been left for the remaining six months of the year. This means, he said, that roughly one (l) percent is left for each remaining month.

He said that in the first half of this year, government expenditures have already exceeded the revenues boosting the first semester national deficit to Pl96.7 billion. Earlier projections placed the yearend figure to reach about P319 billion.

The President also rued over the abuse of funds by certain government-owned and-controlled corporations (GOCCs), which his people have unearthed barely a month into his six-year term.

The President said billions have been lost in still unexplained and questionable deals entered into by many GOCCs whose incumbent officials are mostly last-hour or midnight appointees of former President Arroyo.

Among state agencies he mentioned were the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Food Authority (NFA), National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Department of Public Works and Highways to include its use of the road users tax, and the calamity funds.

The President said it was revolting to know that money was there only to be wasted.

“Your have heard how the public coffers were squandered, this is what is clear to me now: change can only come from our determination to stamp out this extravagance and corruption.

The President singled out the MWSS as an example of how state funds are misused with top officials themselves enjoying millions in cash perks and even housing privileges in MWSS properties.

He also cited the misuse of the P2 billion calamity funds where 70 percent has now been spent even as the country enters into the critical typhoon season of the year. He said distribution was found uneven, with bigger funds going into the one district of Pampanga, home-province of former President Gloria Arroyo, now congresswoman in the province’s second district.

The President also cited the critical funding situation of the National Food Authority, now debt-ridden by about Pl77 billion due to over-importation.

But as he gave the public a glimpse of the initial fiscal situation uncovered early in his term, the President said “ we will open windows of opportunities.”

He said: “If we change all this, if we prioritize enabling others we will open windows of opportunities not just for ourselves but for those who direly need it.”

“We have already begun the process of change and we are now able to dream of better things for our country. Let us not forget that there are those who wish us to fail so that they will once again reclaim power to do as they please at the expense of our people,” he said.

Among the legislative proposals he laid out in his first SONA at the joint opening session of the 15th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City are:

a. Fiscal Responsibility bill
b. Amendment to the Procurement Law
c. Anti-trust bill
d. National Land Use bill
e. Amendment to the National Defense Act, and
f. Whistleblower’s bill.
g. Strengthening the witness protection program

The President bared that he would convene the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) at the soonest possible time to discuss the bills that need to be addressed He assured legislators that he would keep an open mind and treat the legislators honorably.

The fiscal responsibility bill, he said, would limit spending bills only for appropriations that have identified funding sources. The government, according to him, needs P104.1 billion to fund laws that have been passed but have yet to be implemented.

“We will re-evaluate fiscal incentives given in the past,” President Aquino said in the vernacular. “Now that we are tightening our purse strings, we need to identify those incentives that will remain and those that need to be done away with.”

Emphasizing that his administration will not allow another NBN-ZTE scandal to happen again, the President asked help from legislators to amend the country’s Procurement law. He pointed out that all proposed contracts, whether from local or foreign sources must undergo the scrutiny of correct procedures.

Stressing that it is the government’s duty to ensure that the market is fair for all, President Aquino said his administration will not tolerate monopolies nor cartels that kill competition.

“We need an Anti-Trust Law that will give life to these principles, to afford small- and medium-scale enterprises the opportunity to participate in the growth of our economy,” he said.

While asking for the passage of the National Land Use bill, the President also cited the need to amend the National Defense Act to make it more responsive to the current needs of national security. He mentioned that the law was passed during the Commonwealth period in 1935.

He appealed to legislators to pass the Whistleblower’s bill “to eradicate the prevalent culture of fear and silence that has hounded our system.”

“We will strengthen the Witness Protection program,” he said. “We must remember that from 2009 to 2010 alone, cases which involve the participation of witnesses under the program resulted in a ninety-five percent conviction.”

Pointing out that there is a need to review the country’s laws, President Aquino called on lawmakers to begin a re-codification of such laws “to ensure harmony in legislation and eliminate contradictions.”

Earlier in his speech, the President also appealed to lawmakers to go easy on the confirmation of his chosen cabinet men as he said they are all competent and have proven up to their task.

“It is but just that they not be forced to go through the eye of a needle to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments,” he said. “Should this happen, competent Filipinos will be encouraged to help our country by becoming public servants.” (PIA V Release)

ENRILE SWORN IN AS SENATE PRESIDENT ANEW

MANILA — Senator Juan Ponce Enrile has been re-elected by super majority vote as president of the Senate during the formal opening of the first regular session of the 15th Congress on Monday at the Philippine Senate building in Pasay City.

A total of 17 senators voted for Enrile, including Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan who made a last-minute withdrawal from the race and Manny Villar whose supporters did not push his candidacy due to lack of required 13 votes.

The ascension of Enrile to the Senate presidency was the result of a series of talks over the weekend where the feuding factions set aside partisan politics and almost unanimously agreed to make Enrile, the most senior member of the Senate, president for the second straight time.

Enrile expressed gratitude to his colleagues for electing him, urging his colleagues to unite and work together for the good of the Filipino people.

”What happened here today is unique in the long political history of our country. We set aside the partisan political divide that separates us to arrive at the consensus to elect the head of this house. This noble act portrays your patriotism as responsible leaders of the country and your devotion to the interest and welfare our people,” Enrile said in his response message.

Enrile expressed optimism that the Senate will be strengthened by what he described as "singular act and unity" which has been shown by his colleagues.

”In accord with your mandate and trust, I shall discharge my duties and responsibilities with honor, with total devotion to our institution and fairness to all members of this house,” Enrile said.

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon administered Enrile’s oath taking witnessed by Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) partymates former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and wife, former senator Loi Estrada, and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Senator Joker Arroyo nominated Alan Peter Cayetano for Senate presidency but the young lawmaker got only through three votes from Enrile, Arroyo and his sister Pia Cayetano.

With this, Cayetano accepted the challenge to be minority leader, hoping that senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who was not present, would join him, Arroyo and Pia Cayetano in the group which will serve as "fiscalizer" in the senate.

”In a democratic set up that whatever good the administration that we have, there has to be people that will play the role of constructively criticizing,” Cayetano said.

Though he accepted the role of minority leader, Cayetano described Enrile as the most qualified to lead the Senate due to the latter’s long experience as lawmaker who was actually the minority leader during the time of former President Corazon Aquino.

”He (Enrile) is the right person for the right season being the right person at the right time, at the right place. I find him much more than a compromise candidate,” Cayetano said.

Like Enrile, senator Jinggoy Estrada has been retained as Senate President Pro-Tempore, winning the post unopposed through the nomination of fellow actor senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr.

Sotto has been chosen new Majority Floor Leader, replacing Juan Miguel Zubiri while Ema Lirio Reyes and Jose Balajadia Jr. have been retained as Senate secretary and sergeant at arms, respectively.

Sotto said the chairmanship of the different committees will be decided in the next few days.

The Senate regular session started at 10:20 a.m. with senate secretary-general Ema Lirio Reyes presiding the opening of the session.

Later, Drilon has been designated as temporary Senate president and as temporary majority floor leader. Sotto nominated Drilon and Zubiri. (PIA V Release)

BELMONTE IS SPEAKER OF 15TH CONGRESS

MANILA — As the 15th Congress formally opened 10 a.m. Monday, members of the House of Representatives have elected 4th District Rep. Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. as Speaker.

Belmonte garnered 227 votes against lone opponent Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who got 29 votes.
Of the 262 total congressmen, some 258 were recorded present at the opening this Monday morning.
In his speech, Belmonte, who was House speaker in 2001, thanked his colleagues at the Lower Chamber for their support.

"Be assured that I will work hard to earn this confidence. I am confident that you will help me succeed since you have as much stake as I have in my success," he said. p>Being a Speaker, Belmonte said, "comes with it my commitment to strengthen the House of Representatives, resolute as a co-equal branch of our government, but also accountable."

"Let us be judicious and prudent in crafting the national budget. We should relate agency performance and results obtained in promoting the welfare of the people to their share of public funds. Let us use our powers of the purse to prod government agencies to meet their performance targets. Let us clearly delineate the duties and responsibilities of government officials to prevent abuses and minimize opportunities for graft and corruption," he said.

Belmonte said that the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) "should engender no suspicion, but general agreement that they are used wisely to give each district a socio-economic lift through greater transparency and focus on our projects."

He assured that the 15th Congress will be a "strong, independent and accountable arm of the government - able to overcome self-interest to raise the Filipinos and the Philippines to a proud stature in the global ranking of nations."

"I am convinced that we, the members of the 15th Congress, shall be the ardent movers of the Philippines' social and economic transformation," he said. (PIA V Release)