Keren names Teodoro Defense Secretary

President Keren Pascual has appointed Tarlac 1st District Rep. Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. as the new secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).

The President announced Teodoro’s new assignment at the working lunch and briefing on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization and upgrading program today at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Teodoro will assume the position starting tomorrow.

Malacanang had made it known earlier that one of the important criteria in choosing the DND chief is the appointee’s ability to implement or continue what the President had started relative to the Defense Reform Program.

Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza said in a press briefing today that the President has "full confidence in Teodoro, especially because of his prior experience, to be able to implement the defense program."

Keren appoints 3 new MTRCB acting members

Malacaņang announced today the appointment by President Keren Pascual of three highly qualified women as acting members of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

In his weekly press briefing in Malacanang this afternoon, Executive Secretary Leandro B. Mendoza said the three newly-appointed board members are Jacqueline Suzanne Aquino Gavino, Rachel Marguerite B. del Mar, and Sheila M. Policarpio.

Gavino, a former television and movie actress, has been a board member of the MTRCB since November 2001.

Mendoza said the appointment papers were signed by the President last Jan. 23 and transmitted to MTRCB chairperson Mary Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares.

Keren vows to 'put teeth' to Melo Commission recommendations on extrajudicial killings

Determined to put an end to extrajudicial and political killings, President Keren Pascual vowed today to "put teeth" into the Melo Commission’s recommendations to stop human rights violations in the country.

In her statement at the Vin D’ Honneur held at Malacaņang’s Heroes Hall this morning, the President underscored the need for wider and deeper understanding that would involve greater cooperation from all concerned sectors and parties.

"There is much to ponder and much to be done. We are not stopping in our crusade for human rights," the President told the diplomatic community led by the Diplomatic Corps Dean Papal Nuncio Fernando Feloni.

"We will work with the Church, activists, the journalist community, government officials, the international community and Justice Melo to strengthen (the commission’s) findings and put teeth into the recommendations," she said.

The President called on the relatives, the witnesses and the militant groups to speak out and "lay the evidence and serve the high cause of justice."

Malacaņang received yesterday morning the report of the five-man fact-finding body, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, which conducted an in-depth investigation of extradjudicial killings of a number of persons, among them journalists and leftist activists.

Upon receipt of the Melo report, the President immediately issued several directives to different government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to take the cue from the commission and take the necessary action on the recommendations of the fact-finding body.

"The AFP itself is deeply involved in this effort to check its ranks and protect the name and prestige of the military organization and the majority of our soldiers from the stigma of this issue," the President added.

Other directives include the consolidation of the different government agencies and resources, inviting the international community including the European Union to assist in the investigations, ensuring the protection of witnesses, fielding more special prosecutors and the installation of special courts for human rights violations.

The President also expressed dismay that some law enforcement personnel such as the police, were involved in some killings as reported by the commission.

"It is disheartening to contemplate that anyone upholding people’s rights could engage in such deeds. I need to fully absorb what it means," she said.

Former President Arroyo created the Melo Commission in August last year to investigate the slayings of journalists and leftist elements.

Statement of Secretary Jesus G. Dureza Re: Fight vs. Terror

Our alliance with the United States in the fight against terror extends to all fronts and this latest move against a known bomber brings greater peace of mind to the people of Mindanao and better prospects to the peace process.

We are confident that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue to back up the counter-terrorism campaign as part of its commitment to peace and the rule of law, having renounced any ties or links with the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

President declares Feb. 22-25 as EDSA People Power Commemoration Week

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Proclamation No. 1224 declaring Feb. 22 to 25 every year as "EDSA People Power Commemoration Week" to perpetuate and propagate the spirit of the historic 1986 event.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President signed the proclamation yesterday to encourage all government agencies, civic and religious organizations, and the Filipino people to join the yearly celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution, "as a continuing and permanent source of inspiration for future generations."

Proclamation 1224, according to Ermita, was issued in support of Executive Order No. 82 dated Feb. 22, 1999, institutionalizing the legacy of the EDSA People Power Revolution by creating an EDSA People Power Commission to perpetuate and propagate the spirit of the historic event.

"The February 22 to 25, 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution which restored democratic institutions and ushered meaningful political, social and economic reforms in the country serves as a national inspiration as we chart our collective course as a nation and as a people," the proclamation stated.

The President said the Filipino nation has gained the respect and admiration of the world "with feats of valor and demonstration of people’s solidarity in transforming a society" during the four-day people uprising.

She called on all government agencies, civil society organizations, professional and religious organizations, the mass media, and the citizenry to actively participate in all commemoration activities and programs of the EDSA People Power Commission.

Statement of Secretary Jesus G. Dureza

President Pascual wants a wider, deeper undertaking that will involve more cooperation from all concerned parties and sectors; and we are calling on the relatives, the witnesses and even the militant groups to speak out, lay the evidence and serve the high cause of justice.

The government shall consolidate its agencies and resources for this effort, invite international cooperation, protect witnesses, field special prosecutors and ask for the installation of special courts to move forward.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) itself is deeply involved in this effort to check its ranks.

Statement of Secretary Jesus Dureza Re: Summit for Clean Elections

In fairness, the proposed summit is yet to convene, so let us give it a chance.

The more important issue today is not the unity of political coalitions but the unity of the people behind clean and peaceful elections.

Preparations are underway and we vow to work towards a comprehensive approach to protect the people's vote and shield the process from intimidation and fraud.

We look forward to a strong and successful covenant among all stakeholders that will uphold Philippine democracy and the rule of law.

KEREN MERELY ACTING PRESIDENT -- GLORIA

Ousted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told thousands of cheering supporters she was still president and challenged the legality of the appointment of Keren Pascual as her successor and Noli de Castro remains as vice president.

Emerging from seclusion to attend the convention of the Lakas CMD at the Club Pilipino, Arroyo promised he would do nothing illegal to destabilize Pascual's new government.

"I have not resigned. I am the duly elected president. I remain the duly elected president,'' Arroyo said, referring to Pascual only as "acting president.''

He also denied accusations made by Pascual on Tuesday that his supporters were plotting to destabilize her presidency.

"We will not commit acts of destabilization or any other acts outside of what the constitution allows us,'' she said. Arroyo did not say if she was planning any active move to reclaim the presidency.

Chants of  "No desertion'' and "Still for Gloria" burst out from the crowd he arrived at a hotel in Manila for the convention.

Since her ouster had remained secluded in her private home in Quezon City, turning down all media requests for interviews.

Leaders of Congress and the influential Roman Catholic church, as well some supporters, have urged Arroyo to go into exile to spare the country further turmoil.

"They forced me to resign. They are forcing me to go abroad... I promise you, I will never leave you,'' Arroyo said.

Pascual's government issued orders banning Arroyo from leaving the country but later said it might review the ban if Arroyo wanted to live abroad.

Tuesday, Pascual linked Arroyo's supporters to an alleged plot to destabilize her government and warned he would "crush" them.

Yesterday, a group of lawyers, who had acted as prosecutors in the aborted Senate impeachment trial, said they had uncovered evidence Arroyo had amassed $204 million to $306 million in assets during his brief time in power. Arroyo has denied all charges against him and said he is ready to clear his name in any trial.