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Sept 12, 2002
*** Four (4) Stories ***
1. EVACUATION OF PINOYS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES, URGES by
Solon
2. Senate to inquire into the contingency plans and programs of
the government in response to adverse economic development
3. LEGARDA PRESSES FOR RATIFICATION OF ROME STATUTE
4. ALLOCATE SPECIAL FUNDS FOR FILIPINO DEPORTEES FROM MALAYSIA --
ANGARA
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story no. 1
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Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
September 12, 2002
EVACUATION OF PINOYS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES, URGES by
Solon
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Filipinos abroad specifically in the Middle East must be given
priority by the government in the midst of a United States- Iraq
war and urges different government agencies to prepare necessary
contingency plan.
Senator Manuel Villar needle the government to take necessary in
order to ensure that the safety of our Pinoy OFWs will not be put
into risk.
Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said
that it would be "better to be prepared that to be caught
flat footed" as the matter concerns the safety and
well-being of our workers.
"Our embassies and consulates in countries with proximity to
Iraq must have contingency measures and be prepared to evacuate
Filipinos if there is an imminent threat to their safety,"
said Villar.
This comes at the heels of the order of President
Macapagal-Arroyo to evacuate 118 Filipinos staying in Iraq. They
will be evacuated to Jordan as part of the contingency plan of
the Department of foreign Affairs.
Villar points out that in the event that the United States
decides to conduct a strike on Iraq, there is always the
possibility that the conflict would escalate and spread.
"it is better to be prepared as the safety of our countrymen
cannot be compromised," said Villar. He adds that should the
situation normalize, and the threat subside, Filipinos can
immediately be allowed to return.
In the event of a prolonged conflict, Villar says that plans must
be drawn to provide employment and livelihood to OFWs who will be
displaced.
"If the need to evacuate a large number of our OFWs who will
be displaced. If the need to evacuate a large number of our OFWs
in themiddle east arises, livelihood programs should be put in
place to make sure they will have a means to support themselves
and their families," said Villar
Funds, he adds, can be drawn from the P900 million Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration reserve fund to start livelihood
programs should the need arise.
The legislator expressed hope that the conflict between the US
and Iraq would be resolved in a peaceful manner as hostilities
may have an impact on Overseas Filipino Workers in the Middle
East as well as affect world oil prices similar to the Gulf War
in 1991.
"If worse comes to worse, we may see a sharp increase in
pump prices and we do not need this at this point so I hope that
the US will not resort to military action to settle its
differences with Iraq," Villar said.///camille p. balagtas
story no. 2
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Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
September 13, 2002
Senate to inquire into the contingency plans and programs of the
government in response to adverse economic development
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Contingency plans mapped out by the economic gurus of the
government to meet economic threats may not encourage support
from the whole citizenry.
This developed as Sen. Robert Jaworski advanced a remedy by
offering the Senate as a venue for the people to fully understand
the wisdom and benefits of such plans.
Jaworski offer came in the form of Senate Resolution No. 430
urging the Senate as a venue for the people to fully understand
the wisdom and benefits of such plans.
Jaworski's offer came in the form of Senate Resolution no 439
urging the Senate committee on economic affairs, which he chairs,
to inquire into the contingency plans and programs of the
government, in cooperation with the private sector, in response
to the adverse economic developments, events or trends here and
abroad.
Jaworski noted that the economic plans are not fully understood
by the public because of the government failure to propagate its
basic content and direction.
He said the people's full understanding of the economic
strategies would definitely draw wide public support and ensure
success in their implementation.
"The people are apparently not well aware of such
contingency plans, programs and measures initiated by the
government. I believe that public understanding of the issue,
which this Senate inquiry can well provide, will swing the
government, private corporate sector and the whole citizenry to
act as one in exerting concerted effort towards the
implementation of such contingency initiatives," he
explained.
At the same time, Jaworski called on the business community to
stir a sound business climate that will promote national
financial tranquility.
"I believe that the business sector knows its social
responsibility to take an active role in moving the economy.
There are times when its sympathy is called; this is one of those
times and I am sure it will responds," he said.
Jaworski pointed out that the budget deficit of the national
government, which he has already exceeded the whole year target
in the third quarter of this year, and the impending El Nino
phenomenon, whlich would start very soon, are threatening to
derail the economic recovery of the country.
He also warned that the rising prices of crude oil and other
petroleum products would surely induce inflationary measures in
and socio-economic instability of the country.
"You cannot expect support for an idea that is not
well-comprehended. It is imperative for the government to go
beyond announcing generalities. This inquiry, in aid of
legislation, will provide a rostrum for the economic experts to
explain the economic strategies. This way, the people, knowing
the benefits to them, will be triggered to united and back the
plans all the way," Jaworski explained.////camille
p.balagtas
story no. 3
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Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
September 12, 2002
LEGARDA PRESSES FOR RATIFICATION OF ROME STATUTE
================================================
Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda-Leviste yesterday pressed
for the ratification by the Philippine government of the United
Nations treaty creating the International Criminal Court that
would try individuals for crimes against humanity, war crimes and
human rights violations.
Legarda made the proposal in a resolution filed with the Senate
in view of the delay by Malacanang in forwarding a draft of the
treaty to the upper chamber. Although the Philippines has signed
the treaty, it must be ratified by the Senate to bind the
government.
However, United States President Bush has decided to withdraw the
initial US approval of the treaty. Instead, the US said it was
not ratifying the treaty, known as the Rome Statute. The US
claimed that the treaty would diminish US sovereignty and
endanger its soldiers and diplomats to being tried by an
international court for US military adventures abroad.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is envisioned to become a
permanent independent judicial body ceated by the international
community of states to prosecute the gravest crimes under
international law, declared Legarda in her proposed Senate
resolution.
"The ICC shall have the power to try individuals, thereby
serving as a forum for the redress of crimes committed by
individuals whether as part of or in relation to government in
power or of groups rebelling or aiming to change the government
or the status quo," Legarda explained.
She said that the ICC would have jurisdiction over individuals,
including dictators and other criminals, who may have escaped
from the national jurisdiction in which they committed the crimes
against humanity, genocide, war crimes or acts of aggression. The
ICC could also try crimes arising from political conflicts, such
as instigation of forced disappearances, torture, massacres and
abuses against human rights, Legarda asserted.
"The Abu Sayyaf incident emphasized our need for a body
which would help address our grievances against groups an
individuals who cause tremendous harm to our people, economy and
nation as a whole," she explained.
The ICC was established by the Rome Statue, an international
treaty signed by 120 nations in 1998. Seven other countries voted
against it and 21 abstained. The benchmark 60 ratification votes
needed to get the ICC was reached on April 11, 2002. At least 77
countries have already ratified the treaty.
Legarda urged the Senate to ratify the Rome Statue creating the
ICC "in view of our need to protect basic human rights
according to international humanitarian laws."///camille p.
balagtas
story no. 4
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Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
September 12, 2002
ALLOCATE SPECIAL FUNDS FOR FILIPINO DEPORTEES FROM MALAYSIA --
ANGARA
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Senator Edgardo J. Angara today said there is "zero
funding" in the 2002 and 2003 national budgets for the
critical needs of the tens of thousands of deportees from
Malaysia and a funding crisis will surely arise from this unless
Congress and the executive branch agree on an emergency funding
scheme.
"The big problem of government, with its falling revenues
and its swelling budgetary deficit, is where to get the money for
this big program to help the thousands of deportees in
Mindanao," said Angara.
Angara said that the share of Mindanao in the 2002 national
budget and in the proposed budget for 2003 is not even enough to
fund the basic development programs of the region.
In fact, he said the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, from
where the bulk of the deportees came from, has the smallest
allocation undr the 2002 budget and 3rd smallest allocation under
the proposed 2003 national budget.
The ARMM region barely got P11 billion this year and slight over
P12 billion in the proposed 2003 budget.
Most Mindanao regions have meager shares under the current
national budget and the 2003 proposed budget.
"The Mindanao budget, meager as it is in 2002 and still
meager under the proposed budget for 2003 has no funds for the
deportees. They need housing, new jobs, money and that they will
use during the transition to normal lives," said Angara.
Angara said the national government should allocate special funds
for the tens of thousands of Mindanoans returning home from
Malaysia. Or craft a special reallocation of funds for such
purpose.
"Congress and the executive branch have to craft a special
funding package. This is the only way to solve the problem,"
said
Angara.
Angara added that the funding lack for Mindanao is so severe that
the 34 billion worth of area integrated development, projects
initiated by the Estrada administration had failed to get funds
this year and in the proposed National Budget.///camille p.
balagtas
