Rainy Phl Independence Day expected

MANILA, Philippines - Participants and revelers in today’s Independence Day celebration are advised to bring umbrellas or raincoats as rain triggered by the southwest monsoon is expected throughout the day in most parts of the country.

Robert Sawi, weather division chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the western section of Luzon and the Visayas and the whole of Mindanao would have mostly cloudy skies with light rains in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon due to the southwest monsoon.

The nation celebrates today its 114th year of independence from more than 300 years of Spanish rule.

Sawi also said a tropical cyclone over the Pacific Ocean is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility later this week.

He said the cyclone was forecast to enter east of Bicol by tomorrow evening or Thursday morning. He said the cyclone is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon late Thursday.

The tropical cyclone was spotted at 2,200 kilometers east of Northern Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour. Once it enters Philippine territory, it will assume the local name “Butchoy.”

Ready for Independence Day

Rain or shine, it’s all systems go for the Independence Day rites as far as the Philippine National Police (PNP) is concerned.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said they have tightened security in and around various venues for the Independence Day anniversary celebration, particularly the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan and the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

At Camp Olivas in Pampanga, Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao, Police Regional Office director, said at least 500 policemen as well as bomb-sniffing K9 dogs will secure Barasaoin Church where President Aquino is scheduled to lead flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies.  

He said traffic will be rerouted and there will be car parks for guests and residents who will join the celebration.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado said this would be the first time that a president would lead Independence Day rites in the province.

Bartolome also said the PNP will participate in the “Sandigan ng Kalayaan” concert at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila.

“A PNP booth will be placed to showcase the frontline services, accomplishments, plans and programs of the PNP leadership,” Bartolome added.

Independence Day ceremonies will also be held at the Gen. Emilio Agunaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Mauseleo de los Veterenos dela Revolucion, Manila North Cemetery; Andres Bonifacio Monument, Caloocan City; Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, San Juan City; and Pamintuan Mansion, Angeles City.

Also today, commuters will be treated to free rides on the Light Rail Transit 1 and 2 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Emerson Benitez, LRTA officer-in-charge, said it was the National Historical Commission which had requested the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to offer free rides as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

During last year’s celebration, around 121,000 passengers availed of free rides. The LRTA, however, will continue to observe the “No inspection, No entry” policy.

Tellers manning toll booths at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) would be in Filipiniana dress today as part of the Traffic Management Corp.’s observance of the 114th Independence Day.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), for its part, has also lined up “music and laughter” activities from morning to midnight at the Rizal Park.

Part of the celebration would be dedicated to commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution enacted during the administration of the late former President Corazon Aquino.

A concert organized by Rock Ed Philippines will be held in the evening. It will feature popular bands like Sandwich, Pupil, Kamikazee, The Dawn, Radioactive Sago Project, Itchyworms and Pedicab, along with Paolo Santos, Gloc-9 and Rico Blanco.

‘Philosophical speech’

At Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President’s speech would dwell on the “philosophy” of his advocacies and his campaign for good governance.

“It will be a philosophical speech, I believe. Something that lays down the philosophy of what he’s fighting for. So that’s just a broad stroke, but let’s listen to the speech,” Lacierda said. He declined to give other details.

“Please allow myself to be embargoed on that point. So I cannot speak on the details of the speech. I will be stealing the thunder from the President if I do so,” he said.

Aquino’s speech is expected to delve on the achievements of his administration vis-à-vis the misdeeds of the previous Arroyo administration.

He is also expected to talk about the impeachment of former chief justice Renato Corona. He considers Corona’s impeachment a major boost in his administration’s fight against corruption.

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, for his part, said Corona’s impeachment shows that the country’s democracy is vibrant and that it provides a fitting backdrop to today’s Independence Day commemoration.

He said the impeachment process “has shown that the mechanisms of our democracy are working well.”

“This victory has led to a renewed spirit and atmosphere of transparency and accountability in public service and governance. I believe all these were part of the vision for an independent Philippines which our heroes and forebears fought and died for,” Guingona said.

For Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, the country’s independence can never be complete without the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill.

“Independence is not complete if we do not have Freedom of Information placed within government to ensure accountability and transparency among public officials,” Tañada, principal author of the FOI Bill, said.

“At this day and age, oppressors come in many forms. Most prevalent though are the various forms of corruption, which further worsens the conditions of our impoverished brothers and sisters. It’s about time that we fully actualize and realize the freedom that we want by enacting FOI into law,” he pointed out.

“True freedom nowadays cannot be just confined in a physical space. Giving people knowledge of what goes on inside a system managed by mandated public servants should now qualify as part of those which make us genuinely free,” the lawmaker added.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House committee on public information, said the House of Representatives has run out of time to tackle the controversial measure and would work on it in its next and last regular session beginning on July 23.

“I’m trying to come up with an acceptable formula on the conflicting provisions of the FOI and the right of reply bills without compromising the right of the people to information,” Evardone said. “I am confident that an acceptable formula will have been finalized after the SONA.”

Meanwhile, Labor and Employment Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte said workers who report for work today will receive double their daily basic pay.

“The employees who would report for work are entitled to 200 percent of their basic pay in the first eight hours of work and additional 30 percent for work in excess of eight hours,” Trasmonte noted.

According to Trasmonte, June 12 has been declared a regular holiday nationwide.

Workers who are supposed to take their day off but have been asked by their employers to work shall receive 230 percent for the first eight hours of work and another 30 percent for work in excess of eight hours, Trasmonte added.

She reminded the country’s employers to comply with the lawful holiday pay rules.

“Applicable pay rules for workers shall be applied by the employers,” she said.

In line with the Independence Day celebration, DOLE is mounting a job fair where at least 43,000 local and overseas jobs would be up for grabs.

“Jobseekers who missed the job fair last May can visit the Luneta Park today and search for a suitable job,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

For the month of June, DOLE is holding 66 job fairs in various areas nationwide. With Delon Porcalla, Paolo Romero, Dino Balabo, Mayen Jaymalin, Christina Mendez, Evelyn Macairan, Rainier Allan Ronda, Ric Sapnu, Cecille Suerte Felipe