VIBRANT PRESS FREEDOM: RP PERVASIVE MEDIA REPORTS ON CORRUPTION LAUDED
MANILA, APRIL 16, 2008 (STAR) The pervasive media reports on corruption in the Philippines reflect a vibrant freedom of expression and do not denigrate the country’s eligibility for development assistance, according to Ambassador John Danilovich, chief executive officer of the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC).“To have a completely silent media would be more troubling,” Danilovich said in response to questions at a roundtable discussion at the Philippine Consulate General in New York if reports of massive corruption could threaten the country’s bid for MCC assistance.
The Philippine Consulate General New York, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy Washington D.C., hosted a roundtable discussion with MCC to discuss the Philippines’ eligibility to apply for an MCC poverty-reduction grant or compact assistance. Consul General Cecilia Rebong moderated the discussion.
A compact is a multi-year agreement between the MCC and an eligible country for funding assistance for specific anti-poverty programs.
In his presentation, Danilovich explained the MCC’s eligibility process, which involves consultations with key stakeholders. A country seeking eligibility should meet certain criteria like good governance.
In 2007, the MCC gave the Philippines a positive grade and cited the country’s accomplishments in fighting corruption, which involve strengthening the Office of the Ombudsman as well as improving revenue administration, among others.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves leads the country in its effort to secure a compact with the MCC.
As an eligible country, the Philippines is now beginning the process of applying for a large-scale grant.
“In any case, the Philippines passed on 14 of 17 indicators used, which included security and corruption, and now can look forward to the next step of the program,” Danilovich said.
Danilovich stressed it is the Philippine government which should submit the grant proposal, following a consultative process involving key sectors. – Pia Lee-Brago
RP lauded for championing workers’ rights Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Philippines was lauded by the international community for its efforts in promoting the rights of migrant workers during the recent review conducted by the United Nations on the human rights situation in the country.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who headed the Philippine delegation to Geneva, Switzerland for the Universal Periodic Review conducted by the UN Human Rights Council, said in a statement that they made a good account of the Philippine government as a protector of the rights of migrant workers during their presentation of the report on the human rights situation.
Ermita said the Philippine government called for more countries to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
“During this interactive dialogue, aimed at improving human rights protection and promotion on the ground, the government of President Arroyo urged more countries to accede to the International Convention On The Protection Of The Rights Of All Migrant Workers And Members Of Their Families,” said Ermita, who is also chairman of the Presidential Human Rights Committee.
He said the Convention is “a core human rights instrument crucial to the development of a comprehensive international human rights legal system.”
It was noted that many developed countries, which place great emphasis on issues such as disappearances and torture, have not signed or ratified the Convention despite the fact that their countries employ millions of foreign workers.
Ermita noted that several countries joined the call of the Philippines, including developing nations such as Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt and Guatemala that also send a lot of workers overseas. – Marvin Sy
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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