MILITARY POWER

Philippines: Duterte declares martial law in

Mindanao amid clashes
By Jason Hanna and Euan McKirdy, CNN
Updated 0950 GMT (1750 HKT) May 24, 2017

(CNN)Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has cut short an official visit to Moscow after
deadly clashes erupted between Filipino government troops and Islamist militants Tuesday
in the southern city of Marawi.

ISIS' media wing, Amaq Agency, put out a statement announcing that "fighters of the
Islamic State launch a wide-scale offensive on positions of Philippine troops in the city of
Marawi."
Speaking from Moscow, Philippines Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that the
violence in Mindanao, one of the Philippines' southernmost islands, was Duterte's priority,
despite the high-profile visit to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
"(The Russians) understand that the security of the Filipino people, especially in Marawi
and in Mindanao, is a priority," Cayetano said.
"They understand that the presence of the president, President Duterte, is essential in the
Philippines. But I will be staying behind. The agreements will be signed."

Philippines President Duterte meets his Russian counterpart in Moscow, May 23.
The outbreak of violence has prompted Duterte to declare martial law throughout both the
city of Marawi and the wider island of Mindanao, of which Marawi is a part.
Clashes between government forces and the Maute group, an Islamist militant organization
based in Mindanao, began in Marawi, a city of about 200,000 people about 2 p.m. local time
Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella confirmed that the fighters had taken over several
government buildings in the city, and had torched others, including a church, a school and
the city jail. It was not clear from his statement how damaged the buildings were by the
arson.
Mindanao is home to a sizable Muslim population, in contrast to the overwhelmingly
Catholic remainder of the country.
The militants had reportedly taken over a medical center and replaced the Philippines flag
with a black, ISIS-style banner.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera said that Isnilon
Hapilon, the leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS, was
among the armed men.

Casualties
Three government troops had died in the fighting, said Abella, and 12 were injured. Martial
law was declared about 10 p.m. local time, and reinforcements were expected.
"Our operation is still ongoing in Marawi City and sporadic fighting is still continuing," a
statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.
"The joint AFP-PNP team that is after Isnilon Hapilon and his cohorts is determined to finish
him off," the statement said.
Residents were sheltering in their houses overnight, said Abella. Social media users in the
city posted photos online that claimed to show residents attempting to evacuate the city
Wednesday morning.
Heavy traffic at Marawi City as residents evacuate. Some go on foot as they leave the
city.
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Extended martial law
Martial law will be in effect on the Muslim-majority southern Philippines island for 60 days
"to suppress lawless violence and rebellion and for public safety," said Abella, according to
PNA.
Under the 1987 constitution, the president has the ability to place the country under martial
law. The period should not last more than two months.
However, Duterte says martial law in the southern Philippines could last a year.
"If it would take a year to do it, then we'll do it. If it's over within a month, then I'd be happy,"
Duterte said in a video posted on Facebook by Mocha Uson, the assistant secretary to the
Presidential Communications Operation Office.
The country suffered 14 years of martial law under former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who
was ousted in a peaceful revolution in 1986.
During those 14 years, perceived opponents of Marcos were subjected to numerous human
right violations, including imprisonment, forced disappearances and torture. Extrajudicial
killings carried out by Marcos' secret police were also common.
Many young Filipinos have little or no knowledge of the period under Marcos, and life under
martial law.
Authorities have accused the Maute of involvement in a bombing in Duterte's hometown of
Davao in September that left 14 people dead.
Terrorism has been a persistent problem in the southern Philippines, where Maute and Abu
Sayyaf are based.
PARDONING POWER
Duterte pardons 27 elderly, sickly
prisoners
Twenty-seven of the 127 prisoners endorsed for executive clemency by the DOJ will be
given signed certificates of pardon on Tuesday, March 7

MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has pardoned 27 elderly and sickly
prisoners, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday, March 6.

"This is the first batch, these are 27, of those given conditional pardon and commutation
of pardon," said Aguirre in a dzMM radio interview.He is set to attend a ceremony on
Tuesday morning, March 7, to hand the signed certificates of pardon to the inmates.

There are a total of 127 elderly and frail prisoners for whom the Department of
Justice recommended pardon from Malacaang. The remaining 100 may be released
within the coming months.

A majority of the 100 are set to be granted commutation of pardon or a shortening of

their prison sentences. Those with shortened sentences will still need to spend a few
more months in jail before they are released.

"There are 100 more but we will explain that because most of them will be given
commutation or shortening of sentence, but even if we shorten the sentence there are
some months remaining.s Some will be freed next month, some in May, so we will free
them batch by batch," said Aguirre.

The recommendation to release the 27 prisoners was studied by the DOJ's Board of
Pardon and Parole and sent to Malacaang for approval.

The DOJ is still studying the possibility of adding more names to the list.

Last November 2016, Duterte voiced his intention to grant executive clemency to
prisoners aged 80 years-old or above and prisoners who are sickly.

"I am contemplating it, they are preparing it, all the old and sick, those suffering from
rheumatism, those who can't run, those 80 years old and above, those who want, those
who have homes to return to, I will grant them pardon so that they can return home," he
had said. Pia Ranada/Rappler.com
INFORMING POWER
SONA 2017: President Rodrigo Dutertes Report Of
Changes
by JEEL MONDE on JULY 24, 2017

SONA 2017 delivered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

SONA 2017 State of the Nation Address 2017 has finally been delivered by the
16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte dated July
24, Monday.

Due to his firm and strong personality, Duterte attracted the majority of the votes
of Filipino the reason why he has secured the position being the leader of the
country.

Aside from his strength, he is also known for his promise to bring change to this
country and on top of his list ever since is his aim to put an end on the illegal drugs
in our country.

In this years SONA, the president reported all the plans he had acted upon and
the plans he had set for next year.

Nearly 4 pm, the president arrived through a chopper clad in his clean white
barong.

Dutertes report stated that for change to come, it has to start on the people on
high position.

Genuine change is what this country needs, the president indicated.

As per the top on his list, his target is to still end the illegal drugs and the
criminalities in the country.

The fight against illegal drug will continue for according to him it remained to
be the root of evil. And the fight will not stop until those people involved will
cease.

To those the critics of his fight, he said that instead of judging they better help
educate for he will not allow the ruin of the youth and the disintegration of the
families.

And to those who tend to ruin the life of the youth, to which the future lies, he will
hound them to hell.

The changes start and the end of it can be found within of each.

However, he was saddened by what happened in Mindanao for it is the pursuit of

the living peace he is after not of the dead.

The rebellion in Mindanao was clear that the extremist has an intention of building
up a caliphate and the reason why he declared the Martial Law because it is the
only way he thought to solve it that would not cost too many lives and properties.

And as the president, he gives his unwavering support to the armies and the
militaries for he further added that he and he alone is responsible.

He recognized the heroic acts of the PH troops because of their valor and
sacrifice as they risk their lives on the war so they do not have to fear because the
president got their backs.

He also tackled the food production in the Philippines and he believes that the
resources of the count needed to be utilized.

At this point, he does not want exportations anymore. For these resources just
needs to be extremely preserved and protected.
And emphasized that the environment needs to be taken cared of carefully and he
has plans to give the mining businesses and companies a halt.

He also plans that all the places that the mining have affected should be
rehabilitated and the people affected more significantly needed special attention.

Upon watching Ted Failons documentation about the mining, the president
realized that he has to do something and he has saluted the broadcaster for
featuring such topic.

He took, for example, is the palayan and the fishing labors who are greatly
affected by the mining to which these fields are the main sources of protein
needed by the people.

For the mining companies, he will either raise the taxes to death or restore the
virginity of the sources.

The tax will still go back to the rehabilitation of those which and who are affected.

For other generations is waiting and is yet to come.

He really gave emphasis how he hated the mining even the speaker hated the
mining.

Going back to the Martial Law, he did it because he wanted to stop the rebellion.

Because as a matter of fact, he does not have any plans of going beyond his term.

He also admitted the except for his salary, he never accepted any money or even
allowances.

And to the mining companies, they just have to comply with the rules and
regulations and pay the right taxes for failed to do so, he will do what he has to
do.
And as for the natural distractions such as typhoons and the earthquake, he will
have to empower and sustain the agencies related to it.

These agencies should be prepared for all the disasters that are coming.

However, he still points out that the change he pursues is to still end the illegal
drugs, the criminalities and the corruption.

He as well discussed the issue about the West Philippine Sea and the federalism.

He also tackled how the Pinoys are so impressed with those Western people.

Bakit kayo bilib sa puti? he inquired.

He is willing to protect the people of this country and if what he did just to secure
the people would mean that he will get imprisoned, then he is willing to do so for
life.

I dont have to make them happy. If I go to prison, dont worry about me.

The Capital punishment or the death penalty.

Those who committed a crime should be penalized but then, there is this
Positivist Theory.

But then, some are afraid to die, the president said yet he is not afraid to die.

The president believes that there is always time for everything.

POWER OF APPOINTMENT

Duterte names members of

Cabinet
By: Nestor Corrales - Reporter / @NCorralesINQ
INQUIRER.net / 10:40 PM May 31, 2016

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night named members of his Cabinet,

about less than a month before he assumes office on June 30.

Below are the men and women who will compose the Duterte administration.

Presidential Spokesman, Salvador Panelo: A high-profile lawyer whose client

include Andal Ampatuan Jr., a suspect in the infamous Ampatuan massacre. He also
lawyered for detained Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., who is facing plunder charges
regarding the misuse of his Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF).
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Executive Secretary, Salvador Medialdea: A childhood friend of Duterte, he is the

son of former Associate Justice Leo D. Medialdea. A lawyer by profession, he finished
his Bachelor of Laws from San Beda College in 1976.

He started his career in government in 1998 when he was appointed as the administrator
of the Livelihood Corporation (LIVECOR). He was later appointed Presidential
Assistant for Political Affairs from July 2000 until October 2000.

Cabinet Secretary, Leoncio Jun Evasco Jr: He is the outgoing mayor of Maribojoc
town in Bohol and was the national campaign manager of Duterte. Evasco, a former
rebel priest, is a long-time chief of staff and close friend of Duterte. The two first met in
Davao City when Evasco, who was at that time a New Peoples Army rebel, was
arrested and detained. Duterte, on the other hand, was a city prosecutor.
Duterte said he trusts Evasco because he is a principled man. As campaign manager
of Duterte, Evasco planned the overall strategy for the mayors 90-day campaign.

Peace Process Adviser, Jesus Dureza: Dureza is a former classmate of Duterte who
previously served as the presidential peace adviser of former presidents Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo and Fidel Valdez Ramos.

Solicitor, General, Jose Calida: He is a former justice undersecretary. He worked as

an undersecretary of Department of Justice from March 12, 2001 to Jan. 20, 2004 and
as an executive director of Dangerous Drugs Board from Jan. 21 to Oct. 31, 2004.

He graduated cum laude in AB English at Ateneo de Davao University in 1969 and

obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1973.

Presidential Assistant for Visayas, Michael Dino: He will have the rank of an
undersecretary. He is a Cebuano businessman and one of the founders of Bisaya Na
Pud movement, a group that supported Duterte during the campaign. He graduated from
De La Salle University in Manila with a degree in Business Management.
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National Security adviser, Hermogenes Esperon: He is a retired general and was the
AFP chief of staff of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Department of Foreign Affairs: Perfecto Yasay Jr: A lawyer and a former chairman
of the Securities and Exchange Commission from July 1995 to March 25, 2000. He ran
but lost as vice president in the 2010 national elections.

Department of Transportation and Communications, Arthur Tugade: He is a

lawyer by profession and was Dutertes classmate at the San Beda Law School. He was
formerly Chief Executive Officer and President of the Clark Development Corp.

Department of Public Works and Highways, Mark Villar: A businessman by

profession. He is a reelected representative of the lone district of Las Pias. He is the
son of former senator real-estate-retail tycoon Manny Villar and incumbent Sen.
Cynthia Villar. in the 15th Congress, he chaired the Committee on Trade and Industry.
Department of Science and Technology, Fortunato dela Pena: He is a DOST
undesecretary. He was elected as Chair for the 15th Session of the prestigious UN
Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) during its 14th
Session in Geneva on May 27.

National Bureau of Investigation, Martin Gierran: He is the director of the NBI in

Region 11.

Department of Interior and Local Government, Mike Sueno: He was a former

PDP-Laban national chair and former South Cotabato Governor.

Department of Interior and Local Government undersecretary, Catalino Coy: He

is a DILG undesecretary and a former director of the Special Action Force of the
Philippine National Police (PNP).

Philippine National Police, Ronald Dela Rosa: He was Davao City police chief from
2011 to 2013 and is a member of Class 1986 of the Philippine Military Academy
(PMA) and has earned the trust of Duterte through his hardworking style.

Department of Justice, Vitaliano Aguirre: He is a veteran lawyer and a batchmate of

Duterte at the San Beda College of Law. They are also brothers of the Lex Talionis
fraternity. Aguirre handled the defense of Hubert Webb in the celebrated Vizconde
massacre and rape case. In 2012, he was cited in contempt for cupping his ears with his
hands as Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago was lecturing during the impeachment hearing
of former Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona.
Department of Education, Leonor Briones: She is a Professor Emeritus of Public
Administration at the National College of Public Administration & Governance
(NCPAG) at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She was a former Presidential
Adviser for Social Development with Cabinet Rank and served as a National Treasurer
of the Philippines from August 1998 to February 2001

Bureau of Immigration, Jaime Morente: He was a former police chief for Southern
Mindanao.

Bureau of Customs: Nicanor Faeldon: He was a former Marine Captain who will
head the bureau dubbed by Duterte as one of the most corrupt in government.
Faeldon was a former ally of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. He became famous when he
and a group of junior officers led the Oakwood mutiny in the Makati Business District
on July 2003 during the Arroyo administration.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Isidro Lapea: He is a former Philippine

National Police Director and is the head of Dutertes security team during the campaign
period.

Department of Labor and Empployment, Silvestre Bello III:Bello served as a

former justice secretary and as solicitor general during the Ramos administration, from
September 1996 to February 1998 and again on June 9-30, 1998. Bello is a known
human rights lawyer in Davao. He was among those who helped defend former priest
and rebel Leoncio Jun Evasco, who became Dutertes city administrator.
Department of Social Welfare and Development, Judy Taguiwalo: She is a former
Associate Professor at the Department of Women and Development Studies of the
University of the Philippines Diliman.

Department of Budget and management, Benjamin Diokno: He was the budget

secreatry during the administration of then president Joseph Estrada. He also served as
Undersecretary for Budget Operations at the Department of Budget and Management,
during the administration of President Corazon Aquino. He is a lso an economic
professor of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Department of Energy, Alfonso Cusi: He was former Manila International Airport

Authority (MIAA) General Manager. He also served as head of the Civil Aviation
Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). He was
appointed director general of the CAAP in March 2010 but resigned nine months
later after a very public dispute over the appointment without his knowledge of senior
management officials at the agency. In 2004, Cusi was implicated in alleged massive
electoral fraud involving then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was cleared by
the Ombudsman in 2012. He is currently chair of the Batangas-based shipping company
Starlite Ferries Inc.

Department of Finance, Carlos Dominguez III: He was the chair of Dutertes

finance committee during the campaign period. Owner of the Marco Polo Hotel in
Davao City, Dominguez is a former classmate and childhood friend of Duterte. He is
also a former Cabinet secretary of Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos. He was also
former president of Philippine Airlines and Manila Hotel. Duterte trusted Dominguez to
head his finance team because he has a good reputation in the business community.
Department of Agrarian Reform, Rafael Mariano: He is a apeasant leader and a
former Anakpawis party-list Representative. Mariano was among the list of potential
Cabinet members submitted by the National Democratic Front (NDF).

National Economic Development Authority, Ernesto Pernia: He is a professor

Emeritus of the School of Economics of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

National Risk Reduction and Management Council, Ricardo Jalad: He was a

retired general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

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POWER OF REMOVAL

The Presidents power to appoint

includes the power to remove
6

BY THE MANILA TIMES ON AUGUST 26, 2016EDITORIAL

The moaning and complaints that have met the issuance of President Dutertes
Memorandum Circular No. 4, wherein he fired all presidential appointees of the previous
administrations, could have been avoided had the appointees tendered their courtesy
resignations upon the accession of the new President.

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The resignations are normally expected and necessary so that the new chief executive can
have a free hand in shaping his administration and in choosing replacements for the fired
executives.

There is a seeming controversy in this only because many of the affected officials have
clung to their positions and salaries, in the hope of prolonging their stay in government
service. This, of course, is futile.

The entire presidential appointment system is based on the premise that a new President is
entitled to have his own choice of people to run the government at its top levels. President
Duterte has had to resort to firing officials, for two stated reasons:

First, his disappointment that corruption has persisted within the government bureaucracy,
especially in the regulatory agencies; and Second, because after over a month since
Dutertes accession, the appointees have not submitted their resignations.

These are reasonable grounds for the President taking action the way he has.

The circular is not a blanket order covering all presidential appointees; there are clear
exemptions enumerated in the circular.

The exemptions are:

newly appointed Cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries and assistant secretaries in their
respective departments, including presidential advisers and assistants other officials in the
Executive Department, including state universities and colleges, and government-owned or
-controlled corporations (GOCCs), appointed by the incumbent President career officials as
defined by the Civil Service Laws, rules, and regulations members of the judiciary officials
whose offices are created by virtue of the Philippine Constitution such as Constitutional
Commissions and Ombudsman those whose appointments are currently being processed
or who may be appointed by the President shortly after the effectivity of the memorandum
circular.

At the House hearing on the 2017 budget, CSC chairperson Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala clarified
that officials who may be removed at the pleasure of the appointing authority are those
appointed without security of tenure. She also explained that appointed non-career service
officials may be removed by the President.

As things stand, President Duterte has actually been more lenient and liberal toward
appointees affected by the order than his predecessor, President Benigno BS Aquino 3rd.
He gave them a month to show performance and wrap up their affairs. In contrast,
President Aquino, on his first day in office, issued a blanket order firing all appointees of his
predecessor, President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo. With one, there was a gesture of
goodwill; with the other, there was a lash of vindictiveness.

The question has been raised by one Liberal Party congressman whether the Duterte
circular observes the constitutional provisions covering and protecting public servants. CSC
Office for Legal Affairs director Ariel Ronquillo says it does not transgress the constitutional
guarantee of securtity of tenure to qualified and career officials

The principle involved here is clear:

The presidential power to appoint includes the power to remove.

DIPLOMATIC POWER

Duterte sends Cayetano to

attend Bhumibols funeral
By: Anthony Q. Esguerra - / @AEsguerraINQ
INQUIRER.net / 03:46 PM October 25, 2017

BANGKOK President Rodrigo Duterte has sent Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan
Peter Cayetano to represent the Philippines at the funeral rights for Thailand King
Bhumibol Adulyadej.

After more than a year of mourning, Thailand will witness this week the royal
cremation of the kingdoms most revered king.

Thousands of Thai people poured into the streets in this city and the areas around
Sanam Luang or the Royal Parade Grounds and the Grand Palace to get a glimpse of
the kings procession.
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Cayetano will join the roster of foreign dignitaries from at least 32 countries who will
witness the lavish funeral rites.

Secretary Cayetano was designated by the President to attend the Royal Cremation of
the late Thai King, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Roberspierre Bolivar told
INQUIRER.net when asked to confirm Cayetanos attendance.

Royals attending five-day rites include Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Maxima from the
Netherlands, Prince Akishino and Prince Akishino from Japan, according to a report
from The Nation Thailand.

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BORROWING POWER
Duterte government borrowing $500 M in
first international foray
By Lawrence Agcaoili (The Philippine Star) | Updated November 23, 2016 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines The Duterte administration is planning to borrow at least $500 million from its first ever
foray in the international debt market early next year.

National Treasurer Roberto Tan said in an interview after yesterdays auction of Treasury bonds the Philippines
would likely foray into the foreign debt market either in January or February. X

Tan said monetary authorities would assess the impact of the impending rate hike by the US Federal Reserve
next month as well as the assumption of office by US president-elect Donald Trump in January.

It has always been our tradition. Of course we will assess the market once a Fed decision is made in
December and how the market will take it, he said.

Tan said authorities would closely monitor the policies to be adopted by the 45th president of the US.

We will continually monitor the market, assess whether it is the right time. In the past almost always we hold it
either in the first or second month. It is only this year that we held it in the second month, Tan said.

The Philippines raised $2 billion from the issuance of global bonds in February this year. About $500 million
went directly to government coffers to help finance programs and projects while $1.5 billion was used to retire
old expensive obligations.

The important thing is clarity and certainty on what the policy of the Trump administration will be. So from now
until the time he assumes, hopefully there are some greater clarity on economic and financial policies he will be
pushing for. That will help the market in stabilizing, he said.

For 2017, Tan said the government may borrow at least $500 million but has yet to determine the amount to be
raised for debt liability management.

We always consider liability management as a package with the new money so hopefully there is an
opportunity for both transactions to be launched back to back, he said.

The national treasurer said authorities have yet to determine if the Philippines would tap the foreign debt
market only once next year.

Right now we really have to find out first how market reaction would be after the Fed meeting and how the
market behavior is turning out after that. The $500 million new money is quite modest based on our volumes
and our capacity to generate external funds, he added.

The fresh borrowings would have a tenor of 10 years.

The Philippines borrows heavily to finance the countrys ballooning budget deficit. The government does not
raise enough revenues to finance its expenses.
For 2017, the government is set to borrow P631.3 billion including P505.03 billion through the issuance of
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds.

It intends to borrow P126.26 billion from foreign sources including multilateral lenders such as the Asian
Development Bank, World Bank, among others. Of the total amount, about P24 billion would come from the
issuance of global bonds.

During yesterdays auction, the Bureau of Treasury raised P25 billion from the re-issuance of five-year T-bonds
due over the next three years and nine months.

The debt paper fetched a higher yield of 3.977 percent from last months 3.605 percent.

We got a fairly healthy volume of bids considering market conditions. Based on behavior of trading during the
past two weeks there is already a trend toward higher rates and we found this to be acceptable given the
pattern of trading where there is a direction towards higher yield because of the developments particularly in
the US, Tan said.
POWER OF CONTROL
Duterte EO hands extensive supervisory
powers to 2 aides
By Alexis Romero (philstar.com) | Updated July 4, 2016 - 9:57pm

MANILA, Philipines Two of President Rodrigo Dutertes closest aides were given extensive supervisory
powers in his first executive order (EO) that reorganized the structure of his office.

The order entitled Reengineering the Office of the President towards greater responsiveness to the attainment
of development goals placed more than a dozen agencies under the supervision of Secretary to the Cabinet
Leoncio Evasco and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go.

Evasco is a former rebel priest and mayor of Maribojoc, Bohol who served as Dutertes campaign manager.
Previous reports said Evasco was considered for the post of Interior secretary but Duterte thought he was not
qualified due to his previous links with communists.

Go, meanwhile, is Dutertes long-time executive assistant. He has worked with Duterte since 1998.

The EO, signed by Duterte last June 30, said the reorganization would eliminate duplication or overlapping of
common functions, maximize resources and to coordinate efforts closely.

Basically, its streamlining. I think its basically just to streamline so that its not repetitive, its not redundant,
presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press conference Monday.

Evasco will have supervision over 12 agencies namely the Cooperative Development Authority, the Housing
and Urban Development Coordinating Council, National Anti-Poverty Commission, National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, National Youth Commission, Office of the
President Presidential Action Center, Philippine Commission on Women, Presidential Commission on the
Urban Poor and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, and two agencies that used to belong
the Agriculture department the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the National Food Authority (NFA).

These agencies shall primarily evaluate existing poverty reduction programs and, if deemed necessary,
formulate a more responsive set of programs complementing existing ones, channeling resources as
necessary to reduce both the incidence and magnitude of poverty, Duterte said in the order.

The agencies would also develop programs and projects designed to reduce poverty and promote social
education that would allow the people to participate in effecting real change by keeping watch of the affairs of
the government.

Former Agri agencies included

The NFA and the PCA used to be under the Agriculture department and later moved to the Office of the
President on May 5, 2014 via EO No. 165. Then President Benigno Aquino III said the transfer was made due
to the "need to enhance and coordinate the efforts of the agencies in fulfilling their mandates.
The two agencies, along with the National Irrigation Administration and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority,
were placed under the supervision of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural
Modernization, a position created on the same date EO No. 165 was released.

Aquino ally and former Sen. Francis Pangilinan was appointed to the post.

Last month, then incoming Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piol said he wanted to have control of the four
agencies that were transferred to the Office of the President from the Agriculture department.

When asked what he thought was the wisdom behind the placing of NFA and PCA under the Secretary to the
Cabinet, Abella said: Im just saying it has been placed together, it has been clustered such and Ill bring it up.

Presidential events cluster

EO No. 1 was not limited to agencies dealing with poverty and development but also covered those formed to
manage the presidents activities.

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP), the Office of the Appointments Secretary and the
Presidential Management Staff (PMS) were placed under the oversight of Go.

The order also created the Office of the President - Events Management Cluster to ensure collaboration
among the offices and/or units involved in the preparations for (the) management of presidential engagements.

The cluster will consist of the PMS, the Presidential Security Group, the Office of the Chief Presidential
Protocol, the Media Accreditation and Relations Office and the Radio-Television Malacaang. The OSAP will
lead the cluster.

Error
Meanwhile, an error marred Dutertes first EO as the document cited a wrong provision of the Constitution
when it noted that the president has control of the executive branch of the government.

The EO said control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices by the president is provided under
Section VII of the 1987 Constitution. The provision, however, is actually contained in Article VII, section 17 of
the charter.

When the media pointed out the error, Abella said: Noted. We will act on that.
EXECUTIVE POWER

Duterte signs EO creating

Overseas Filipino Bank
The plan is for the Overseas Filipino Bank to be a 'policy bank dedicated to provide
financial products and services tailored to the requirement of overseas Filipinos'

Rappler.com
Published 4:33 PM, October 09, 2017

Updated 4:41 PM, October 09, 2017

MANILA, Philippines Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed an executive

order (EO) approving the acquisition of the Philippine Postal Savings Bank (PPSB),
which the government planned to convert into a bank for overseas Filipino workers
(OFWs).

Signed on September 28 but released to the press on Monday, October 9, EO 44

ordered the Philippine Postal Corporation and the Bureau of the Treasury to transfer
their PSPB shares to the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) at zero value.

According to the EO, PPSB will be converted into the "Overseas Filipino Bank which is
a policy bank dedicated to provide financial products and services tailored to the
requirement of overseas Filipinos" and will focus on delivering "quality and efficient
foreign remittance services.

EO No.44 by Rappler on Scribd

The LBP was also ordered to infuse capital and implement a reorganization plan for the
new bank.

The OFW bank will be headed by a Board of Directors consisting of the following
members:

LBP President as Chairperson

LBP-designated OFW President as Vice Chairperson
4 LBP-designated directors or officers as members
A member representing the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
 A member representing the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA)
A private sector member representing overseas Filipinos

PPSB officers who might be affected by the acquisition were also offered an early
retirement incentive plan.

The OFB was first announced by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III in December
2016 who said that it would be partly owned by OFWs. Rappler.com
OTHER POWERS

Duterte calls for special

session on martial law
extension
RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 17 2017 08:44 PM | Updated as of Jul 18 2017 03:37 AM

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - President Rodrigo Duterte has called for a special
joint session of Congress to consider the extension of martial law in
Mindanao.
Martial law in Mindanao lapses on Saturday, the 60th day after it was
declared.
House Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas made the announcement in a Viber
message to congressional reporters. "NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS: The
President will call the Congress to a Special Session on Saturday, Jul 22,
2017, at 9am, to consider the extension of Martial Law. See you, please!
Thank you!!"
Asked if this will be a joint session, Farinas said, "Of course, it will be a joint
session as required by the Constitution for the Congress to consider the
initiative of the President to extend Martial Law."
Senator Tito Sotto confirmed this in the President's meeting with lawmakers
Monday night to receive the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) from the
executive.
Asked for the length of the extension, Farias said: "He mentioned the period
but let's wait for his formal letter to Congress. In fact, he only informed us at
his table about his request for extension."
Among those who first learned of Duterte's request for extension were Senate
President Koko Pimentel, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Sotto, Executive
Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter
Cayetano.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said there is a need for Duterte's
call for a special session.
"The President's call for a special session is necessitated by the exigency to
deliberate on the possible extension of the period of effectivity of Proclamation
216, which will end next week," he said.
"Congress has to discuss and consider the actual parameters to extend
martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus," Abella added.
Earlier Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will seek an
extension of martial law, but will leave the duration to Congress.
Martial law critics criticized the decision.
Makabayan bloc Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said in a statement,
"Anakpawis will consistently register our opposition if ever the Pres. requests
congress for the extension of ML [martial law]."
Opposition lawmaker Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, for his part, wants more
debates on the matter and that it be limited to Marawi City or Lanao del Sur
province.
Baguilat said, "[The] session should be earlier. There should be time for us to
be apprised by the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] or Malacanang of
the situation in Marawi and the entire island of Mindanao before we even
consider an extension. Sana magkaroon ng sapat na talakayan. At hindi yung
ipipilit na ipasa agad sa araw na iyon. Kung mapatunayan ng AFP na
nakatulong ang Martial Law ngunit di pa nila controlled ang situation at
kailangan ng maikling extension, then baka pumayag pa ako. Pero sa Marawi
o Lanao lang sana."
Asked how long the extension should be, Baguilat said, "As I understand, it
cannot be more than 60 days. It can't be indefinite. But that's why
kinakailangan sana ng pag-uulat ng AFP at talakayan para alamin kung ano
sana ang recommendations nila."
Last Saturday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had
already submitted to Malacaang his recommendation on the extension of
martial law, which included inputs from the AFP and the PNP.
Duterte declared martial law for the entire Mindanao island on May 23,
following clashes between government troops and Maute terrorists in Marawi
City.
As of July 9, the death toll in the Marawi crisis had reached at least 500, with
at least 379 terrorists, 89 soldiers, and 39 civilians killed. - with a report from
Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN New