First Philippine Congress Anniversary National Conference

THE Center for Bulacan Studies of the Bulacan State University (CBS BSU) with the Philippine Historical Association (PHA), National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and University of the Philippine Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (UP LIKAS) held the National Conference on the Anniversary of the First Philippine Congress with a theme “IMAHEnasyon: Ang Paghiraya sa Nasyon at Bayan ng Congreso Filipino 1898” last September 14, 2010 at the Bulacan State University Hostel and Function Hall, City of Malolos, Bulacan.

The theme concentrated on the imagined nation and state through the ideas and concepts of the front runners of the freedom and nationhood – from Bonifacio’s 1896 Katipunan to the Aguinaldo-inspired 1898 Congreso Filipino.

Six official papers were read on the conference: Nasyon at Bayan sa Congreso Filipino 1898: Pangkalahatang Perspektibo by Dr. Zeus A. Salazar, retired history professor and History Department chairman at the UP Diliman, and coordinator of the Bagong Kasaysayan, Inc. (BAKAS); Mga Aral ng 1898: Unang Republika, Diplomasya at Imperyalismo by Dr. Evelyn A. Songco, Assistant to the Rectorfor Student Affairs, University of Santo Tomas and president of PHA; Ang Congreso Filipino: Mula Kawit hanggang Tarlac by Dr. Lino L. Dizon, Director, Center for Tarlaqueño Studies, Tarlac State University , vice-president of the Kapisanan ng mga Bahay-saliksikan sa Bansa, Inc., and consultant of the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University; Mga Simbolismo: Halaga ng mga ito sa Pagbubuo ng Bansang Banwa at ang Kaso ng Kongreso ng Malolos by Ian Christopher B. Alfonso, researcher, Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Fellow of the BSU CBS, and secretary of the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan, Inc. (SAMPAKA); Saligang Batas sa Sinaunang Bayan: Ang Umalohokan at ang Kaloobang Bayan by Dr. Vicente C. Villan, History Department of UP Diliman, coordinator of BAKAS, Inc., and an active member of the Asosasyon ng mg Dalubhasa, may Hilig at Interes sa Kasaysayan (ADHIKA) ng Pilipinas, Inc.; Ang Kartilya at Kaloobang Bayan: Saligang Batas ng Katipunan at Tagapangunang Hiraya ng Saligang Batas ng Malolos by Michael Charleston B. Chua of the History Department of the De La Salle University and vice-president, Philippine Historical Association.

Also, a side lecture was delivered by Isagani B. Giron, president emeritus of SAMPAKA and consulant of the BSU CBS, Si Heneral Miong at ang mga taga-Malolos; as well as other topics by other reactors such as the legendary cat in the Barasoain Church seen in the ten-peso bill and the petition to bring back the Barasoain’s image in any monetary bill of the Republic.

“Among our regular activities and programs, this one is unique because for the first time we are given the chance to co-work with the PHA, NHCP and UP LIKAS which are considered authorities and experts in the Philippine historiography.” Dr. Agnes Crisostomo, director of BSU CBS said.

This national conference was made free to the public, but with limited reservations set to 200 only. It was endorsed by the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to all the schools and other academic institutions in the country and supported by the Provincial Government of Bulacan and the City Government of Malolos.

The activity was proudly part of the Province’s celebration of Singkaban Fiesta: Buwan ng Bulacan which started last August 15 until September 15.

For more information, contact Ian Christopher Alfonso at 0916-475-2140 or e-mail through ianalfonso7@gmail.com, and Roy Devesa II at 0906-579-6378 or e-mail through roy.carpio.devesa@gmail.com. Interested parties can also get in touch with the PHA Public Relations Office at (63906) 202-0274.

InfoSec Conference 2010

Digital Filipino Club and Posh Marketing Services brought out to Filipinos a forum that generally shared and educated protective ways on how to secure environment against the radioactive internet usage. This was entitled InfoSec Conference 2010 that gathered top practitioners who shared their best practices on Information and Technology security at the Intercontinental Hotel, Makati City last August 25, 2010.

Speakers from global enterprises, technology leaders, certified security professionals and law enforcers identified risks, threats and vulnerabilities some companies are facing today. They also provided preventions and solutions to protect businesses in the country.

Various speakers who graced the event were Mr. Tunde Fafunwa, and Mr. Wilson Chua and Mr. Fernando Martirez III of Bitstop Network Services on State of Internet Infrastructure and Security in the Philippines, Mr. Paul Hubbard and Mr. Jeff Arrienda of YesPayments on Managing E-Commerce Fraud, Mr. Jojo Colina, ePLDT on Technology Presentation: Justifying your Security Spend, Peter Scott of Global Competitiveness Consultancy and Training on How Applicable is Six Sigma and ISO Standards to the IT Sector (and its security concerns), Dr. Pierre Tagle of Mobiliance on Possibilities and Security Challenges in Cloud Computing, Atty. JJ Disini of Disini & Disini Law Office and Mr. Dustin Andaya of SureSeal on State of Cyber Crime in the Philippines, and Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino Club on Search Engine Hacking and Information Gathering.

For more information on the event, contact Posh Marketing Services at (632) 443-POSH(7674), 347-7322, 0920-9826837 or 0922-8583538, email info@poshmarketingservices.com or visit the website http://www.infosecphilippines.com/.

Philippine Investment and Governance Conference 2010

Transparency International Philippines in cooperation with the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEA-PAC), Grieg Shipping Group, and Business World presents the Philippine Investment and Governance Conference last July 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Transparency International Philippines is a non-profit, politically non-partisan, non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing government accountability and curbing both international and national corruption. TI-Philippine Chapter is one of the over 90 National Chapters of Transparency International with Main Office in Berlin (Germany).

The conference featured forum on reforms in governance and business covering a wide-range of topics which include Judicial and Legal Reform Perspective, Constitutional Landscape of Public Service, Political Overviews, Economic Situation, Land Registration Authority, Transportation and Communication, and Up-scaling Business Opportunities.

Keynote speaker Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales of the Supreme Court of the Philippines shared her expertise in these fields together with other speakers: Secretary Leila de Lima of the Department of Justice, Atty. Raul Pangalangan of the UP College of Law, Dr. Benjamin Diokno, UP School of Economics, and Atty. Cirilo Noel of SGV & Co.

For more information, contact the Transparency International - Manila at (632) 871-9752, fax (632) 527-0573, or visit http://www.transparencyintl.org/.

Trial Judges League Holds 16th National Convention

The Philippine Trial Judges League Inc. (PTJLI), an organization established to help the promotion of the professional growth of judges, held its 16th National Convention and Seminar at the Grand Ballroom of the Century Park Hotel, Manila last Nov. 26–28.

Headed by its National President Judge Kaudri L. Jainul, the convention carried the theme “Frontlining Judicial Independence and Moral Uprighteousness in the First Level Courts.”

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who is a law practitioner himself, graced the event and delivered the welcome remarks to formally open the three-day program.

Mayor Lim urged PTJLI members to help improve the justice system in the country. He also shared to the audience his hope that the convention may give judges the time to “re-live once more [your] idealism and dedication” as they took their oaths of office.

The conference was originally slated to be held in Baguio City, but was transferred to Manila due to unfavorable conditions.

Law Students Participated at ALSP National Convention

Hundreds of Law students from colleges and universities from all over the Philippines took part in the Association of Law Students of the Philippines, Inc., (ALSP) 20th National Convention held last May 28 – June 2, 2009 at the Xavier University College of Law in Cagayan de Oro City.

The theme for this year's national convention is “ALSP@20: Responding to Legal Challenges”. During the event, numerous panel discussions and seminars were spearheaded by law practitioners in the Philippines. Also, ALSP members elected its new set of officers for 2009-2010. The newly elected officers are:

• President – Mr. Patrick Borbon (Medina College of Law)
• Vice-President for Northern Luzon – Mr. Sherween Saquing (St. Mary's University)
• Vice-President for Southern Luzon – Mr. Giancarlo Capco (Far Eastern University)
• Vice-President for NCR - Ms. Calai Alcala (San Beda College)
• Vice-President for Visayas – Ms. Manilyn Mier (University of San Carlos),
• Vice-President for Mindanao - Ethelbert Deguit (Xavier University)
• Secretary General – Ms. Ethel Aurelio (Notre Dame University)
  
• Treasurer – Mr. Sherwin Pulayan (University of Santo Tomas)
• Public Relations Officer – Mr. Ryan Flores (Far Eastern University),
• Auditor - Mr. Francis Blanca (Philippine Christian University)
  

The convention concluded with the delegates heading out to the Cagayan de Oro River to experience the city's famous white water rafting.

The Association of Law Students of the Philippines, Inc, 20th National Convention is sponsored by Business Mirror, Pepsi, Tanduay, Dunkin Donuts, United Nations Development Programme, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philtown Hotel, Dela Serna and Associates Law Office, San Jose Law Office, Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, Atty. Dale Bryan Mordeno and Senator Manny Villar.

For more information about the ALSP 20th National Convention, contact the Association of Law Students of the Philippines, Inc, at (0917) 423-67501 (0923) 280-2317, email alsponline@yahoo.com or visit their website, www.aslp.co.nr

Philippine Lawyers Visited Bacolod City for the 12th IBP National Convention

Over 2,000 lawyers from all over the Philippines participated in this year's 12^th National Convention of Lawyers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) held last March 26-28,2009 at the Bacolod Pavilion Hotel and Resort in Bacolod City.

With the theme, “Upholding the Rule of Law: IBP’s Continuing Challenge”, the biannual event is the culminating activity of every term of IBP Board of Governors. The convention aims to find solutions for some of the issues that have affected the country involving the implementation of law and to participate in the continuing task of upholding the Rule of Law.

Several notable personalities graced this year’s convention. These include Senators Francis Escudero and Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II, Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Supreme Court Justices Magdangal de Leon and Zenaida Elepano, Professor Harry Roque, Jr., Department of Finance Secretary Margarito ‘Gary’ Tevez, Atty. Ma. Carolina T. Legarda, Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal, Deputy Court Administrator (DCA) Nimfa C. Vilches, and Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) Partylist Representative Edgar L. Valdez.

IBP National President Atty. Feliciano Bautista represented the IBP during the symbolic presentation of the key to the province of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, courtesy of Negros Occidental Governor Isidro P. Zayco and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, respectively.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines 12th National Convention is supported by Smart Communications, Inc., San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), St. Luke’s Medical Center, and UBIX Corporation.

For more information about the 12^th National Convention of Lawyers, contact the Integrated Bar of the Philippines at (632) 631-3018, 631-3014, 634-4697 or visit their website, http://www.ibp.org.ph/

Philippines Staged First Integrity and Human Rights Conference

The Philippines, through various government, private, and international organizations, staged the First Integrity and Human Rights Conference last January 27 – 28,2009 at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Malate, Manila.

Jointly organized by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Business for Integrity and Stability of Our Nation 2020 (BISYON 2020), Transparency International Philippines, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the event aims to help promote ethical and rights-based sustainable development nationwide and to impart to the public the proposition that there is close relationship between corruption and human-rights violations. Furthermore, it presents issues, best practices, and tools for enhancing compliance with integrity programs and human rights protection.

During the event, known advocates of human rights, government officials, members of international organizations, as a well as representatives of the media, were present during the two-day event. These include Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima, Former Senator Wigberto Tanada, UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer, Philippine Daily Inquirer publisher Isagani Yambot, Social Weather Station Founder and President Mahar Mangahas, and Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines Ambassador Alistair McDonald.

Among the topics discussed were governance, anti-corruption measures, human rights, integrity in peace and order, corporate governance and the banking sector's compliance standards.

In her speech, CHR Chairperson de Lima pointed out that graft, which in its sense, a violation of human rights, infects more than just the Philippine government because it infects nearly all aspects of the people’s lives. She added that what the Filipinos need now is not just another revolution. She said, “We need a revolution that upstages all previous revolutions, one that not only changes the configuration of political power, but one that changes the Filipino psyche.”

On the other hand, Justice Panganiban insisted on the strict enforcement of the Ethical Standards Law and to strenghten the country's democratic institutions by demanding from the country's officials the faithful performance of their constitutional and legal duties.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Alexander Yano, as read by Brigadier General Victor Felix, stressed that it is not the AFP's policy to condone, tolerate or engage in human rights violations and abuses. Furthermore, the AFP believes that the greatest human rights violation is the exploitation of poverty and ignorance for they see how these are often manipulated by the enemies of Philippine democracy.

The First Integrity and Human Rights Conference is sponsored by Philipine Daily Inquirer, Yehey.com, Alta Productions Group, Inc., ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Solar Entertainment Corporation, VideoSonic Corporate Communications, and Business Mirror.

For more information about the First Integrity and Human Rights Conference call (632) 415-0477, or email integrity.humanrights@gmail.com