• PRRD: No relocation, no demolition
• Palace statement on illegal solicitations


• Andanar, Alvarez: SONA preparations underway
• PRRD sends off team PH to Rio Olympics, vows more support for athletes

“During my time there will be no demolition pag walang relocation, ‘di ako papayag,” the President said in a speech in Malacanang on Sunday during the fellowship dinner of San Beda College of Law alumni batches 1971 and 1972.

“Kasi kung walang mapuntahan, sirain mo ang bahay… ano parang aso? Eh saan pupunta yung mga tao?” he asked.

The President said he would be very generous especially to the poor as he vowed to raise funds to ensure their welfare.

“Yung lahat na gusto nating gamitin, we will look for a suitable relocation and that is what itong mga bagong papasok, you have to build new industries,” he said.

PRRD said his administration needs a lot of funds that could be used for anti-poverty programs and reforms.

He revealed that he has instructed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar Dulay to be strict in collecting taxes.

The President also told BIR officials to strictly enforce laws on tax-free importation of goods by rich businessmen who have evaded the regulations by not paying correct taxes.

He also made a warning to those who are engaged in destructive businesses such as logging operations, which have destroyed large tracks of forest lands especially in Mindanao. PND

introduced to the Malacanan Press Corps (MPC) a member of the SONA committee, incoming Department of Finance (DOF) spokesperson Atty. Paola Alvarez, who also served as spokesperson of the PDP-Laban party.

During the briefing, Alvarez discussed plans for the SONA on July 25. Of particular interest to members of the MPC was the change in the manner by which the SONA will be conducted starting with the dress code.

Alvarez said attendees and invited guests are discouraged from making the SONA a red carpet event. “We will downplay the event. It will not be a fashion show. So we want to center on what the President’s message is to our people, especially it’s his first State of the Nation Address,” she said.

Guests will be requested to wear business attire and the ladies should refrain from wearing long gowns, she stressed.

President Duterte’s first SONA will be handled by internationally-acclaimed film director, Brilliante Mendoza, who is rendering his services pro bono. Alvarez said it is the director’s task to oversee the flow of the program and choose the right camera angles during the President’s speech.

Militant groups will be allowed to air their grievances but are encouraged to do this in a calm and peaceful manner that would not disrupt the proceedings. Even during his inauguration on June 30, PRRD showed empathy for militant groups by inviting them into the Palace. For the SONA, however, it will be up to the Presidential Security Group to decide if rallies would be allowed.

According to Alvarez, the tone of the President’s speech will be consistent with his personality. “I think based on his personality, he is one who takes charge and he is accountable for his actions all throughout. So I think it will be the same tone and there won’t be any blaming game.” Alvarez said.

The President will be delivering his 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and detailed plans on what he promised during his campaign. He will also push for federalism and amendments to the Constitution.

Alvarez said that although there is a proposal to lower the age of juvenile liability, children will not be included in the death penalty. Tax reforms will also be part of the SONA agenda. PND

“Just try your best, and the conscious mind would always be in the direction of love of country,” the President told the members of Team Philippines, adding that “of the 100 million Filipinos plus, few are given the opportunity to be a part of a team or to be working for government and it’s not given to everybody.”

The President vowed that he will exert efforts to source funds for the athletes by instituting reforms in government agencies and using public funds for the good of all Filipinos.

Six of the 12 Rio Olympians were present during the momentous event, namely: long jumper Maristela Torres, golfer Miguel Tabuena, taekwondo jin Kirstie Elaine Alora, weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia, and table tennis player Ian Lariba. The other six athletes are training abroad.

During the send-off, President Duterte also increased the individual allowance of the delegates to the quadrennial games, which he hopes would boost the morale of the Rio-bound athletes.

Leading the country’s sports officials during the ceremony at Malacanan Palace were Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, and Jose “Joey” Romasanta, POC first vice president who is also the Chef-de-Mission for the Philippine delegation.

To date, the highest honor garnered by the country from the Olympics were two silver medals, both in boxing. Anthony Villanueva gave the Philippines its first silver medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and 32 years later, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco captured the silver during the 1996 Atlanta Games. PND