2 THE BIG NEWS Congress to review laws after SONA EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 93 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013
By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ ejf@edgedavao.net
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ONGRESS vows to now look very closely at the laws that need review after President Benigno Aquino’s state of the nation address (SONA) yesterday. Congressman Karlo Nograles told Edge Davao, “We in Congress will look very closely at the laws the president want us to review.” Nograles said Congress will also look closely at the legislation that the president needs passed. The effort, according to Nograles, will be made to “sustain the momentum of positive transformation that is sweeping us.” The Congressman was referring to the transformation that the current administration has been pushing since the beginning and which the president has underlined in his SONA the other day. “We congratulate President Aquino and our fellow Filipinos for a very comprehensive SONA. As the president himself said, this is the SONA of the people. Clearly, the president wants to emphasize that not only should economic growth be
inclusive,, but that transformation must be inclusive as well, and that is the responsibility of every Filipino,” he said. He added that during the midterm of Aquino’s administration, the president showed that the transformation can already be seen in the different government department, agencies and even GOCCs as the president walked us through some of their accomplishments. “Yet much more needs to be done as some government offices have yet to step up and the president made clear that this has not gone unnoticed and that he will continue his quest to clean up government so the next administration after his term will not inherit any defects, faults or shortcomings,” he explained. Nograles said, “The movement for transformation has already begun and has spread to many more of our countrymen and our communities as they feel the positive effects of good governance and have changed their attitudes towards the government.”
ENERGY FORUM. Davao City Chamber of Commerce president Daniel Lim shares informative insights while European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) vice president and general manager Martial Beck (ext. left), Sarangani Chamber of commerce president Rey Billena (2nd from left)
and Department of Energy (DOE) Mindanao Field Office director Manuel Llaneza listen during the 1st Mindanao Energy Efficiency Forum 2013 at the Marco Polo Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
Rody rates PNoy: 8.5
M
ayor Rodrigo Duterte gave President Benigno Simeon Aquino III a grade of 8.5 in his performance, alluding to his first three years in public office. He said that the President has fulfilled his responsibility to deliver government service to the people. “The human endeavour is there. He is doing things as he promised,” Duterte said. He said he wants to lis-
ten again to the President’s SONA to have a better grasp of the message. Duterte said he was able to hear the SONA only its preliminary part since he was attending to his constituents. He said there is an increase in investments in the country under PNoy’s three years in office. However, Duterte observed there are many areas in the economy that are protected by the constitution
making it hard for foreign investments to come, particularly on mining and power. Duterte said the economy needs foreign investment. He said that the government wants to push for more development but the country is cash-strapped. “We need to amend the constitution and whether or not it is good to amend the constitution is something else,” Duterte said. He lauded Representa-
tive Isidro Ungab of the 3rd District of the city for crafting the stronger sin tax measure which adds more to the coffers of government. Duterte said even the President appreciates Ungab since the measure tends to collect additional P52-Billion to the government. “They believed in Ungab since he didn’t yield to the lobby from cigarette and wine businesses,” he said. [PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]
We’ve got a friend in Napolcom--Bato By CHERRY MAE PALICTE cdp@edgedavao.net
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BACK IN THE STREETS. Not contented with President Aquino’s fourth SONA, militants are again back on the street to protest against government
policies yesterday in front of Sanguniang Panlungsod. Lean Daval Jr.
E’ve got a friend in Napolcom.” This was the take of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Ronald dela Rosa to the plaque of recognition awarded to it by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) last Monday at Camp Captain Domingo E. Leonor. The DCPO has been battling with the plan of the Commission on Human Rights to file a case against it after describing the rescue of kidnapped victim Sally Chua as “murder”, and just recently, the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) summoned DCPO operatives who were involved in the bloody rescue at the Allied Bank C.M. Recto branch last July 11. “While other agencies were quick in investigating us, here comes the Napolcom which was just as quick in recognizing our gallantry action,” Dela Rosa told Edge
Davao, adding that Napolcom boosted the morale and welfare of the police. “We highly appreciate Napolcom’s action, especially at this time when we are troubled and need a helping hand,” he added. Dela Rosa said that the DCPO is willing to face any charge thrown at it. The Napolcom cited DCPO for its “incomparable act of valor” in the neutralization of the heavily-armed kidnappers that paved the way for the successful rescue of the Manila-based businesswoman. The plaque was given by lawyer Randy Babao in behalf of the Napolcom. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said that he is still waiting for an order transferring him to Camp Crame, as his new assignment. “I may leave anytime.” His replacement as DCPO chief had not been announced yet as of presstime.