Students Heckle Aquino

University students on Monday, last week stole the show from President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III as they demanded for a higher education budget.

Aquino was in the middle of a townhall-syle meeting for his First 100 days report when students interrupted the program and held a lightning rally inside La Consolacion College, Mendiola Manila.

"Isang daang araw pa lang malinaw ang kanyang tunguhin. Kakaltasan niya ang budget sa kolehiyo at unibersidad hindi maka-kapag-aral ang mga mahihirap na estudyante," one student said, even pointing fingers at the President.

Three other students held coupon bond-sized placards demanding for education budget increase.

Aquino merely smiled and listened to the protester as program emcee Mari Oquinena tried to downplay the protest by lauding the act and even describing it as "freedom of expression."

Aquino responded to the students and said the government has increased the budget allocation for education in next year’s General Appropriations Act. He also referred the students to Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

The student heckler, later identified as Cesarie Ann Santos, Chairperson of the University of the Philippines-Manila Student Council, and three others were later escorted out by members of the Presidential Security Group.

Communications group Secretary Ricky Carandang said the hecklers were invited along with the UP Manila Chancellor.

Presidential Security Group Chief, Ramon Dizon explained there was actually no breach of security because the hecklers were listed as invited guests.

"They were invited, they had tickets. It’s a free country," Dizon told Yahoo! Southeast Asia in a phone interview.

Dizon said although there was concern how they were able to stage a protest, the students posted no threat to the President.

"They’re not a threat to the President. Nobody was hurt, that’s more important," said Dizon.

Dizon said although they can file charges, Malacanang opted not to sue the students.
In a related development, Communications Group Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma said the UP Manila Chancellor apologized for the students.

"They were expressing their apology and was even offering to relay their apologies to the President," said Coloma in a phone interview.

"But the President took it very well and we did not view negativity," Coloma added.

Aklan DPWH Follows P-Noy’s Policy

BORACAY ISLAND, - The Aklan Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is actively following the general policy of President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III. It sees to it they eliminates the culture of corruption in their district.

DPWH Aklan District Engineer Roberto Cabigas said that "Aklan province currently has around P185-million worth of government projects of which the implementation is ongoing now.

"Of the said budget, only P1 million was taken due to the budget recall by the national office but the rest are now being allocated in accordance to its purpose," said Cabigas.

The DPWH Central Office has recently ordered a budget recall in the country to finance the deficit of the present administration.

Of the remaining available funds, P100 million is being used for dredging projects in Kalibo brought about by typhoon Frank, P80 million is allocated for the on-going construction of the Boracay Circumferential Road while the remaining P4 million is being used for the construction of roads in the different towns of Aklan.

"The P1 million amount affected by the budget recall is supposedly to be used to fund the construction of Buruanga-Malay road. We hope that the said project although canceled will be resumed by next year," said Cabigas.

All the major infrastructure projects are being used to boost the tourism and agricultural capability of this province. (PNA)/MP