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JulyFebruary 27 - August 2, 2013 2012 8-14,
5th Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians vs. Corruption. President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the 5th Global Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption Opening Ceremony at the Reception Hall, Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Jan 31, 2013. GOPAC, an international network dedicated to good governance and combating corruption throughout the world, has provided information and analysis, established international benchmarks, and improved public awareness through a combination of global pressure and national action. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau/PNA)
Manila GOPAC reaches milestone in fighting corruption T he well-attended 5th Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) ended Saturday, reaching a milestone with the signing of the Manila Declaration. This recognizes the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) as the first legally binding and internationally accepted instrument in the fight against corruption.
”GOPAC members agree that corruption is a plague that affects individuals at the local level, and that this plague can have serious consequences globally," Angara said in a press conference. A record-high 429 participants, including 12 heads of parliamentarians from 78 countries, participated in the four-day conference. ”Corruption is largely measured by perception because cor-
ruption is based on people’s experience. It is a gut issue for many. Eliminating corruption therefore necessitates changing experiences, changing how people experience governance,” Angara, newly elected chair of GOPAC and current chair of the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption, said. "As legislators, we cannot remain idle. We must be part of
Accused in Aman Futures' P12-B scam wants to be state witness
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ne of the accused in the P12billion pyramiding scam allegedly committed by the Aman Futures Group Philippines, Inc. expressed her willingness to turn state witness in the case. Aman Futures has been alleged to have duped P12 billion from 15,000 victims in Visayas and Mindanao. During Thursday's hearing at the Dept. of Justice on the com-
plaint for syndicated estafa filed against Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co, Donna Coyme said since last December she has submitted her application to be placed under the DOJ's Witness Protection Program. Coyme added she has also been interviewed as part of the process of her application to be covered by the WPP. Likewise, Coyme clarified she
was not an official of Aman Futures and she was just an investor and was a tutor to the child of Fernando "Nonoy" Luna, the president of Aman Futures. Coyme said she would like to testify to tell the truth and to give justice to the other victims of Aman Futures. She appeared before the DOJ hearing as a witness of Fabian Tapayan, one of the complainants against Co. (PNA) q
Labor Statistics showed. Asian Americans living below the poverty line statewide increased 50 percent over a similar period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. "As the state legislature begins to tackle a new policy agenda, safety net programs remain critical to those in our community who are
trying to get back on their feet." said Hyeon-Ju Rho, executive director of ALC in San Francisco. Healthcare is another critical issue. Approximately 14 percent of Asian Americans in California do not have health insurance, higher than the 10-percent rate for Whites.
"We hope the report promotes a better understanding of our growing and diverse communities," said Joanna Lee, senior research analyst at APALC. "California can't craft good public policy on Asian Americans and NHPI without good data," Lee added. (PNA) q
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the solution, even while there are those among parliamentarians who have been party to corruption," Angara added. With the common goal of combating corruption and promoting good governance, the Manila GOPAC participants to
enhance the capacity of parliamentarians to adapt international standards to national needs, strengthening anti-corruption strategies and monitoring their respective countries' compliance with the UNCAC. "The agreement also urges
parliamentarians to participate in anti-corruption meetings on the international stage, and work with international organizations and civil society on anti-corruption initiatives," Angara said. Turn to page A4
Aquino to join sorties of Team PNoy
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s campaign period for senatorial candidates in the May mid-term elections kicks off Feb. 12, Malacanang Thursday said President Benigno Aquino III will be joining the Liberal Party's campaign sorties. "The President has promised to support his senatorial slate. It’s very important for us that, from a governance point of view, that the Senate slate that was chosen by the President -- Team PNoy, wins in this election," said Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang in a press briefing. "We have a challenging three years ahead of us. We have not finished all the work that we have sought out to do. We still need to bring in more investments. We still need to combat poverty. We still need to fight corruption," he stressed. And, for the administration
By Lilybeth G. Ison to continue to move towards the right direction, Carandang said, "we need support from members of the Senate," "The President has chosen his team. He is going to support them. He is going to campaign for them and we are hoping that, if the public is happy with the achievements of the Aquino administration over the last three years, then they will support the President’s choices for the Senate," he said. Carandang, however, clarified that the President may not join every sortie of Team PNoy, but "he will actively campaign for them." Meanwhile, LP campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon earlier said a 12-0 victory for Team PNoy in the May polls can be achieved, just as the administration was able to generate a 6.6 percent economic
growth in 2012. "We are confident that we would be able to convince the people that Team PNoy is the right team to put in the Senate because they will be the one to push the reforms that the President has started and were finished before his term is over," he said. Drilon said they will not vacillate in highlighting the achievements of the administration visa-vis the strengths of the 12 Team PNoy senatorial candidates. He said this is to "make a distinction between the administration candidates, the PNoy Team, and the opposition." Drilon said the popularity of the President will trickle down to his chosen candidates. "We ask the question: are we better today compared to June 30 of 2010? If we are, we should continue supporting the President and his team," he said. (PNA) q