PGMA fetes top soldiers for 2010 in Malacañang
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo honored this year’s “The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers” (TOPS) in simple
ceremonies this morning at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall.
An annual project of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MFI) and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro, TOPS honors the
soldiers' selfless acts of gallantry in protecting the people and preserving the nation's sovereignty.
Every year, three outstanding soldiers--two enlisted personnel and one commissioned officer--are identified
from each of the three Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) major services namely, the Philippine Army (PA),
the Philippine Navy(PN), and the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
One winner is chosen from the AFP Technical Service Units such as the Medical Corps, Veterinary Corps,
Nurses Corps, Dental Services, Chaplain Service, the Corps of Professors, Engineering Corps, and the Judge
Advocate General Service.
For this year, the TOPS awardees from the Army are: Col. Melquiades Feliciano and Master Sergeants (M/Sgt)
Ruben Lucero and Hercules Regis.
Feliciano led the clearing of insurgents in his areas of assignment by involving the community through dialogue
and consultation in implementing government policies.
Lucero, who has been named “Enlisted Personnel of the Year” five times, believes in the importance of
continuous training to help remind an individual of his duties and responsibilities; while Regis considers his
being able to write and publish a book as his most challenging achievement.
Winners from the Navy (Marines) are: Col. Nathaniel Casem, Technical Sergeant (T/Sgt) Marcelo Batingan, and
Sergeant (Sgt) Vicente Sustiviero, Jr.
Casem was the Commanding Officer of Marine Battalion Landing Team-11 that successfully took over the main
camp of rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari Break Away Group (MILF-MBG) despite
being confronted with about 500 fighters in Sulu.
Batingan considers being part of the combat clearing operations along the Narciso Ramos Highway against the
MILF in 2000 as his most significant accomplishment in his career while Sustiverio, Jr. has been engaged in
various operations involving different lawless elements.
For the Air Force, the awardees are: Col. Arnold Mancita, M/Sgt. Leonilo Pedrosa and T/Sgt. Rogelio Alarcon, Jr.
Mancita is the Director for Operations of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing and has served as helicopter pilot for
Philippine Presidents from Fidel Ramos to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Pedrosa, although an aircraft mechanic by profession, has been assigned to the Air Force General Hospital for
the past three decades as an aero-medical technician; while Alarcon, Jr., who has vast knowledge as a radio-
electrical-instrument technician, has been part of the team that constructs the rolling test bed that provides
accessibility to aircraft spares as well as writes maintenance manuals during the conduct of scheduled and
unscheduled maintenance works.
Rounding off the winners of this year’s TOPS is Major Vicente Magaro from the Office of the Army Dental
Surgeon in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, who played an important role in drafting circulars and standard
operation procedures aimed at improving the performance of the unit’s responsibilities and duties.
Each of the 10 awardees received from the President their plaque and a cash prize of P250,000 from MFI.
Assisting the President were Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, AFP Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado, MFI
president Aniceto Sobrepeña, and Rotary Club of Makati Metro president Albert Guevara III.
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PGMA open to moves to declare power crisis in Mindanao
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Presidential deputy spokesman Ricardo Saludo today said that in view of the worsening power situation in
Mindanao, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has accepted recommendations to declare a power crisis
situation in Mindanao to enable her to set in place, upon congressional approval, additional power generating
capacity in the region.
Saludo said the recommendation came from Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, following the series of meetings
the latter had with energy sector stakeholders.
Saludo said the Palace is very much concerned and shares the serious worries of consumers and the private
sector over the power situation in different parts of the country, particularly in Mindanao.
Quoting as well a report from the private-owned National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Saludo
said the situation in Mindanao is graver than Luzon or the Visayas and that the power crisis there is being
aggravated by the El Nino phenomenon which has reduced the capacities of the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric
plants by 80 and 90 percent, respectively.
Saludo said the President’s action on the DOE recommendation will come in a few days.
The President is expected to invoke the crisis power provision of the EPIRA law or the Electric Power Industry
Reform Act of 2001, Section 71 of which states: “Upon the determination by the President of the Philippines of
an imminent shortage of the supply of electricity, Congress may authorize, through a joint resolution, the
establishment of additional generating capacity under such terms and conditions as it may approve.”
In his February 27 report to the President, Reyes said that with the significant drop in the electricity generating
capability of the hydro electric plants and the absence of new large generation capacities to meet growing
demand for power in Mindanao, the DOE recommends the power crisis declaration to the President.
Reyes has clarified, however, that he was not recommending Constitutional emergency powers for the
President but merely additional authority under the EPIRA law.
His report said that the currently low reservoir levels brought by El Nino reduced the generating capacity of the
Mindanao plants from 1, 423 megawatts (in excess of peak demand of 1,116 MW) to only a dependable 917
MW. The shortage is 145 MW below peak demand.
Reyes recommended four courses of action “to immediately solve the power supply situation in Mindanao.”
These are:
• Lease-rental of 160 megawatt (MW) gensets;
• Operation and maintenance of the Alsons Corp.’s 30-MW Iligan Diesel Power Plant 1 (IDPP);
• Enter into an operation and maintenance agreement with Alsons Corp. for the 70MW IDPP2 ; and
• Contract an additional five MW from Southern Philippines Power Corp. (MW), which is jointly owned by Aboitiz
Equity Ventures, Conal Holdings Corp., and Tomen Power Corp. of Singapore, under an existing contract
Saludo said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), an independent body that sets power rates, must also
act on the cost recovery petitions filed by the power producers that have been pending with it.
“These petitions must be addressed to give security to our power companies so they can undertake necessary
measures to ensure the supplies of their generating plants,” he said.
“It has been a long time policy of the government to encourage private investment to come in and build
generating plants which we need as our economy grows as our need for power in different parts of the country
increases,” Saludo said.
The government, he noted, has had some successes but EPIRA does not allow the government to invest in new
power plants which causes constraints for government in addressing the current power crises.
Saludo said the Palace appreciates the efforts of the DoE, the National Power Corp. and the National Grid
Corporation of the Philippines working with key sectors to bring relief to the current shortages.
“Because of these efforts, our power situation in Luzon and in the Visayas had begun to normalize such that this
month, we expect these shortages will already be stopped,” he said.
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PGMA cites role of women judges in building competent judiciary
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today cited the role of women judges in building a competent judiciary,
saying the lady magistrates are “potent forces” in “influencing the direction and quality of our judicial system.”
In her speech delivered before some 150 women judges representing the 500-strong Philippine Women’s
Judges Association (PWJA) who called on her in Malacañang this afternoon, the President said their pioneering
efforts and forward-looking programs were instrumental in bringing the judiciary to its current status today.
“PWJA has been truly a potent force in fostering an independent, efficient, and highly competent judiciary since
your inception almost a quarter of a century ago,” the President said.
She pointed out that PWJA’s practice of the continuous trial system as well as in other areas of effective court
management, such as the mandatory wearing of judicial robes, have shown “how much our lady magistrates
can influence the direction and quality of our judicial system.”
The President also cited PWJA for its role in promoting gender equality and women’s advancement, saying its
“trademark discipline” and stringent work ethic were instrumental in narrowing the gap between male and
female socioeconomic standings.
PWJA is currently headed by Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro as its president.
The President pointed out a United Nations (UN) report, which ranked the country sixth in the world in “gender
parity.”
The President added that the results of the 2010 Mastercard Worldwide Index of Women’s Advancement
showed that “we scored better this year than last year so we are getting better and better all the time.”
“I am sure the women judges helped make this happen because you have put your trademark discipline and
long hours to work on behalf of a nation,” the President said.
The Chief Executive also called on the lady magistrates to continue to work hand in hand with the Executive
branch of government to ensure that the basic rights of freedom and human rights are applied to all.
“As women, let us continuously work hand in hand. We in the Executive are very much willing to work hand in
hand with the courts to ensure the full protection of human rights and fundamental freedom of women,
especially those who are marginalized, and the promotion of social, political and economic equality of men and
women in our society,” the President said.
PWJA is holding its 15th Annual Convention with the theme: “Role of Lady Magistrates in the Protection of the
Environment” at the Manila Hotel today.
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AMBASSADOR AND MADAME GAA HOST PNP-SULU PARTICIPANTS OF THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
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03 March 2010. Ambassador Willy C. Gaa and Mrs. Linda C. Gaa hosted a reception at the Official Residence for
the nine (9) PNP personnel from Sulu, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), who are participants
of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for Community Policing. The
program’s objectives are: (i) to learn about successful joint law enforcement efforts between the U.S. policy
force and community; and (ii) to meet with American counterparts working on community policing, outreach and
education efforts.
L-R (1st Row). Consul General Domingo Nolasco, IVLP English Language Interpreter Dr. Teresita Bernales,
Deputy Provincial Director PNP Sulu Province Amil Baanan, Ambassador Willy C. Gaa, Mrs. Linda C. Gaa,
Company Commander PSInsp. Russell Elenzano, and Personnel Officer Norhara Haiber
L-R (2nd Row). Tagalog Interpreter Ms. Lilly May Bayley, Economic Officer Angelito Nayan, Naval Attaché Capt.
Antonio Habulan, Jr., Chief of Police Francisco Panisan, Chief of Provincial Investigation and Detection
Management Section PO3 Pakhar Mawan, Police Inspector Kris Conrad Gutierrez, Tagalog Interpreter Virgilio
Villapando, Chief of Administration Ednahar Hambali, Police Attaché PSSupt. Armando Ramolete, Police Officer
Ferusa Asiri, and Assistant Investigator Aida Baanan. END
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AMBASSADOR GAA WELCOMES MARTIN NIEVERA AND GARY VALENCIANO
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01 MARCH 2010 WASHINGTON DC – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa welcomed Gary
Valenciano and Martin Nievera here during the performing artists’ courtesy call at the Ambassador’s
Residence. Ambassador Gaa described the two as “among the Philippines’ best,” citing their musicality and
commitment to their craft. Valenciano and Nievera are in the United States for a series of concerts entitled, “As
1.” Also in the photo is Madame Erlinda Gaa, the wife of Ambassador Gaa.
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AMBASSADOR GAA CITES FILIPINO-AMERICAN LEADERS IN VA, MD
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01 MARCH 2010 WASHINGTON DC – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa cites Delegate
Ron A. Villanueva for his “demonstrated performance in the field of leadership and governance” during a Filipino-
America community event here recently. Villanueva represents the 21st District, City of Virginia Beach, in the
Virginia House of Delegates 2010. During the ceremonies, Ambassador Gaa described Villanueva’s
achievements as an elected official as “providing inspiration to a new generation of Filipino-American leaders to
pursue higher levels of political engagement and participation. END
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01 MARCH 2010 WASHINGTON DC – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa reads the
citation for Delegate Kris Valderrama for “demonstrated performance in the field of leadership and governance”
at the DC Armory recently. Valderrama has been a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates since January
10, 2007, representing District 26, Prince George’s County of the State of Maryland. Delegate Valderrama is a
member of the Judiciary Committee; Vice-Chair of the Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards
Committee and a member of the Prince George's County Delegation, 2008. During the ceremonies,
Ambassador Gaa described Valderrama’s achievements as an elected official as “providing inspiration to a
new generation of Filipino-American leaders to pursue higher levels of political engagement and participation.
Shown in the photo is David Valderrama, Kris Valderrama’s father. David Valderrama, was the first Filipino-
American elected to a state legislature on the mainland United States. Elected representative of Prince George’
s County to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1990, he served for three terms. Also shown is Miss Naomi
Fitzwilliams who handed the award to Mr. Valderrama. END
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PHILIPPINE AGRIBUSINESS EXPORTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATURAL PRODUCTS
EXPO WEST AT ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
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A group of 10 Philippine agribusiness exporters organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and assisted
by the Philippine Trade Representative in Los Angeles will be participating in the Natural Products Expo West
(NPEW) at the Anaheim Convention Center from March 12 to 14, 2010.
These companies are: Atson/Tropicana Food Products, CRD Herbal Products, Earth Seeds and Gems Inc,
Gracias Food Manufacturing Corp, Pasciolco Agri-Ventures, Prime Fruits Intl Inc, Primex Coco Products Inc,
Prosource International Inc, Rohi Rapha Corp, and See’s International Food Manufacturing Corp.
An exciting range of coconut products such as virgin coconut oil, nata de coco, natural coconut vinegar, coconut
vodka, coco jam, coco sugar, coco nectar syurp, coco flour, coco chips, coco nectar jam, dessicated coconut,
coconut juices will form part of the exhibits.
Natural food supplements, personal care products, herbal products, organic and homeophatic foods and
various tropical fruit preparations such as banana chips, dehydrated papaya, pineapple and dried mangoes,
tamarind fruit candy and other dried fruits, pili nut, coffee and tea will also be showcased in the Philippine booth.
New products will also be highlighted like mango moringa jam using coco sugar, strawberry rolls and mango-
strawberry rolls.
Since 2008, Philippine exporters have participated yearly in this trade show. Best sellers in the past two years
were dessicated coconut, banana chips, coconut sugar, coconut jam and other coco products.
For inquiries, please email the Office of the Trade Representative, Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles at ptic-
la@earthlink.net or the Office of the Agriculture Attache in the Philippine Embassy, Washington DC at philagri.
wdc@gmail with NPEW 2010 in subject line.
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