RP, Vatican agree to preserve old Philippine churches

THE Philippines and the Vatican has ratified an agreement that will help preserve old Catholic churches in the country.
The bilateral agreement was approved by both sovereign entities in a simple ceremony held at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in Pasay City last Thursday.
Pope Benedict XVI and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo both signed the accord.
Highlighting [...]

Arroyo puts off land conversion

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo suspended for two years the processing and approval of all conversion applications for rice lands to ensure continued rice sufficiency in the country.
This was contained in Administrative Order (AO) 226, which was signed by the President on May 16. AO 226 covers “all land conversion applications affecting rice lands, and lands mentioned [...]

Arroyo set to visit US for bilateral meet

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would visit Washington DC and New York City from June 23 to 29, 2008, which would be highlighted by a meeting with United States President George W. Bush.
Arroyo, while in the US, would also meet members of the US Congress, Filipino World War II veterans, the leaders and members of the Filipino-American [...]

Roperos: President’s call

By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics Also
WHAT seems to be happening to President Arroyo at the moment is that she has become like a fish roasted in a slow-burning fire of her own making. The fire is, of course, the rising cost of education.
Ms Arroyo, however, is aware of this problem. She knows it is compounding the [...]

Full text of Arroyo’s ‘Oplan Balik Eskwela 2008′ speech

PGMA’s Statement during the Department of Education Command Conference “Oplan Balik Eskwela 2008″ and simultaneous oath taking of the Professional Regulatory Commission’s (PRC) professional teachers
Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Dept. of Education complex
Meralco Ave., Pasig City
May 26, 2008

Thank you.
Before we go to the subject matter of the presentations, I just want to congratulate the teachers who already [...]

Arroyo orders refund of collected additional tuition

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday ordered all state universities and colleges (SUCs) that imposed and collected additional tuition and school fees for the current school semester to either refund or credit them as incremental payment for the next semester.
Arroyo, during the joint National Economic Development Authority-National Anti-Poverty Commission Cabinet [...]

RP, Swaziland vow to boost diplomatic, economic ties

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the King of Swaziland, His Majesty Mswati III, witness the signing of an agreement on economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation between the Philippines and the Kingdom represented by Foreign Minister Sen. Dr. Mathendele M. Delamini and Department Of Foreign Affairs Sec. Alberto Romulo, on Monday held at Reception Hall, Malacanang, [...]

Arroyo gives aid to typhoon victims in Zambales

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has provided assistance to about 1,200 families in Zambales during her visit to the town of Sta. Cruz in the province on May 23.
The President, who was accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and other Cabinet officials, awarded Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) worth P5,000 to 100 [...]

Arroyo stops college tuition hikes

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered Commission on Higher Education (Ched) Monday to stop all state colleges, universities, and private higher education institutions (HEIs) from increasing tuition for the current school year.
Arroyo made the order in light of the rising prices of oil, food and other commodities.
During the Department of Education (DepEd) command conference in [...]

Arroyo’s opening statement during the Command Conference with the DepEd officials, Pasig City, 26 May 2008