NOY'S 3 'HEADACHES' MAY BE AXED - LACIERDA / NOY CONDOLES W/ FVR & FAMILY
MANILA, JUNE 30, 2011 (STAR) By Delon Porcalla - Three Cabinet members whom President Aquino said have been giving him headaches may get the ax, not for being harbingers of bad news but for incompetence.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda yesterday said being bearers of bad news could not be a basis for terminating the services of a member of the official family.
"Incompetence would be one, but certainly not a bearer of bad news. He is not allergic to bad news. It's part and parcel of his work to receive all news, whether good or bad," he said, referring to the President.
Lacierda, however, refused to identify the three Cabinet secretaries, adding that nobody asked the President about it because their meetings are focused on issues, such as last week's storm "Falcon," which caused massive flooding in Metro Manila.
"In the first place, I don't know who the President is referring to. So I would be presuming too much if I would be naming them," he said. "These meetings happen on a regular basis. So far nobody among us has asked him who are these three Cabinet secretaries."
The President, during the 113th anniversary celebration of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday, said he dreaded seeing two or three members of his Cabinet who have been giving him bad news.
Lacierda belied speculations that the President only wanted good news to be highlighted in mass media.
"That's not true. He will not be doing this country a service if he only wanted to hear all the good news. It is actually a way of life that our country also has its share of bad news," he said.
"We also have a share of bad news that the country receives, and the President, being the Chief Executive of the land, you have to know all these. So it's not true that he is allergic to bad news," Lacierda stressed.
He said the President only wanted his official family to be always ready with possible solutions to the problems they will be presenting to him.
"It's really important for Cabinet secretaries to provide recommendations as well. We discuss the problems and we discuss the recommendations. It makes the meeting fast and with a proposed solution, the discussion becomes more fruitful," he said.
"You don't focus only on the problems but you're already focused on the resolution," Lacierda added. "It's a slew of problems and a slew of recommendations, so all Cabinet secretaries do perform their work."
Lacierda said Filipinos should also be accustomed to the President's sense of humor.
"If you notice, the President's humor is dry. It's something that we Filipinos are not very used to," he said, when asked about Aquino's statement that being tagged as the exact opposite of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the best compliment he ever received.
"Ang humor kasi ng Filipino iba and if you notice, if you have been following the President he has a dry humor," he said.
He said Filipinos should also understand that the President is just a "jovial guy." He said Palace reporters know Aquino's demeanor, citing how he cracks jokes during gatherings with them.
Jo Ramos' lung cancer won't make Noy quit smoking By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) Updated June 29, 2011 12:00 AM
[President Aquino condoles with former President Fidel Ramos and his wife Amelita at the wake of their daughter Josephine at the Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque last Monday.]
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino won't quit smoking despite the lessons learned from Josephine "Jo" Martinez Ramos, second daughter of former President Fidel Ramos and wife Ming, who succumbed to lung cancer last Monday.
"Not at this time. Not yet," Aquino said in an interview when asked about the ex-president's advice to smokers to kick the habit.
Aquino remained unfazed about the ill effects of smoking even after visiting Jo's wake last Monday night at the Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque.
Aquino said he is not keen on kicking the habit even after Ramos attributed his daughter's cancer to her heavy smoking for the past 25 years.
Jo was 54 when she died after battling lung cancer for about eight months.
At 51 years old, Aquino is also a heavy smoker.
Aquino was evasive when asked if Ramos was right in his assertion about the bad effects of smoking.
However, Aquino wondered if the disease can be "induced" by other factors such as stress, considering that the Ramoses and Aquinos occupied the presidency.
"Are there other (types of) stress that can induce (the disease)?" he asked.
In Aquino's case, his family had experienced being in Malacañang when his mother Corazon Aquino was installed president after the 1986 people power uprising.
"I don't feel right to comment on what Jo had to undergo," he said. "I don't want to cast judgment."
Aquino asked if those who occupy Malacañang suffer the same amount of stress compared to their previous occupants.
Asked further if the Jo Ramos experience had an impact on his smoking, Aquino replied in the negative.
"Alam mo lahat naman may tadhana tayo (We each have our own destiny)," he said.
As far as his smoking is concerned, Aquino said he tries not to influence anybody with his habit and not to smoke in public "as much as possible."
Samartino worries for son
Actor Lloyd Samartino is sad and shocked over the death of his former wife, Jo Ramos.
In an interview with GMA News, Samartino also expressed concerns about their 17-year-old son, Sergio, who has been living with his mom since his parents separated.
"I was very, very sad for my son because Jo and I have been apart for quite a long time already, and my son grew up practically with her and this happened very prematurely," he said.
He would be giving Sergio the freedom to choose whether to remain with his mother's or father's side of the family, Samartino said.
Former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. relayed yesterday to Ramos and his wife Ming these comforting words: "The pain will never go away but take comfort in the knowledge that Jo is in heaven."
De Venecia and his wife Gina lost their 16-year-old daughter, Kristina Cassandra or KC in a fire that razed their residence in Makati City in 2004.
De Venecia said up to now, they still feel the pain and have "attacks of grief" every once in a while.
"I know FVR and Ming are going through a very, very difficult time," he said.
"The normal course of change is that the children lose their parents, but this is different. The pain for the parents is indescribable in this situation and it never goes away.
"But this is fate. All of us have to go sometime or the other. But I know FVR and Ming as a very strong couple and they will take comfort in prayers and their knowledge that their beloved Jo is in heaven.
"Those of us who live an upright life and are truly generous to our fellow human beings are assured of a place in heaven."
Jo Ramos died at the Medical City in Pasig City where she had been undergoing treatment for the last several months.
Her remains lie in state at the Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque. Interment will take place on Friday at noon.
Ramos and Ming have four other daughters —Angela, Carolina, Cristine, and Margie. Carolina, nicknamed Chula, had an accident several years ago and she is still undergoing therapy.
De Venecia said she has known Jo as "a very fine lady, who is a natural when it comes to music."
He said he could empathize with the grief of the former first lady as his wife was inconsolable when KC died.
"Sometimes it (grief) hits you when you least expect it and you shed tears by your lonesome," he said.
De Venecia said they often visit the tomb of KC to alleviate their pain.
One thing the Ramos family could do is to continue Jo's passion for music and the arts to keep her memory alive as what they did for KC, De Venecia said.
The De Venecias put up the INA Foundation for parents who have lost their children. The foundation has also partnered with the Haven, a center for abused women and children they had previously set up.
He also raised funds for firefighters for the acquisition of equipment.
Among the early visitors to the wake were President Aquino, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief Bayani Fernando, former interior secretary Rafael Alunan, Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, and former national security adviser Jose Almonte.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to visit the wake today.
Early Monday, Jo succumbed to lung cancer, an illness which she had been diagnosed with for eight months but had kept secret from her family until about five weeks ago.
'Take cue from Jo's death'
Anti-tobacco advocates, including former health secretary Esperanza Cabral, asked yesterday the administration to take a cue from the death of Jo Ramos and take a strong stand against smoking.
In a text message, Cabral said the death of Jo should push the leaders in all the three branches of government and the Filipino people to take quick action to warn the public about the evils of tobacco and to control its sale and use.
"We extend sincere condolences to the family of Jo Ramos and appreciate very much the effort of President Ramos to draw something good from this tragedy by using it as a means to warn the public of the hazards of smoking. Tobacco is indeed harmful to our health," she said.
Cabral had sought the implementation of a Department of Health (DOH) administrative order requiring tobacco companies to print "graphic warnings" or pictures depicting the ill-effects of smoking on cigarette packs.
"I also call on the DOH to step up its campaign against smoking," she said.
Cabral also pushed for an increase in tobacco taxes.
Cabral said Health Secretary Enrique Ona should implement the rules and regulations of the law transferring tobacco regulation to the Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Maricar Limpin, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines executive director, said Jo's death underscores the need for effective tobacco control measures
"We need a stronger and firmer DOH ready to fulfill its mandate in protecting the right of Filipinos to health and our right to the highest standards of health as stipulated in our Constitution as well as in the convention of human rights," she said
Evita Ricafort of non-governmental organization Health Justice, said graphic warnings have been proven effective to discourage people from smoking.
"Studies show a great decline in tobacco use in Brazil, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, among others," she said.
"The United States also recently announced that they will also be implementing picture warnings. We should not wait any longer." —With Paolo Romero, Sheila Crisostomo
FROM ABS-CBN NEWS
Jo Ramos a smoker for 25 years: FVR
MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - Former President Fidel V. Ramos said his daughter Josephine 'Jo' Martinez Ramos was a smoker for 25 years, and this may have caused her lung cancer and eventual death on Monday.
He disclosed that his daughter had kept her ailment a secret from them, and that the Ramos family found out about it only 5 weeks before she passed away.
"Yan pa ang nakakalungkot, matagal niyang inilihim yan. Para bang isang konting asthma o influenza lang," Ramos said, adding that his daughter suffered from the disease for 8 months.
"Paalala sa atin siguro na smoking is bad for the health...Si Jo was a victim of very vicious lung cancer na hindi naagapan ng modern medicine," the 83-year-old health buff said.
Ramos, the Philippines' 12th president, said his daughter was a "very caring and sharing" and "modest" person.
President Benigno Aquino III went to Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque on Monday night to condole with the Ramos family.
Former Cabinet members and friends of Ramos paid their respects, including National Security Adviser Jose Almonte, Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, Senator Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, Senator Bong Revilla, and Senator Ernesto Maceda.
Ramos, 54, was a musical artist and athlete.
Her interment will be on July 1 at 12 noon.
Jo used to be a back-up singer for the Powerplay Band of Gary Valenciano and Mon Faustino, and performed in several concerts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with composers Maritess Salientes and Louie Ocampo, and international pianist Rowena Arrieta. Jo Ramos, daughter of former president Fidel Ramos, in an interview in Arlegui, Malacañang in 1993. Photo: ABS-CBN Archives
On top of these, Jo was a champion water skiier and was a member of the Philippine Ladies National Water Skiing Team, which won medals at the South East Asian Games in the 70s.
Lung cancer is caused mainly by smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke.
Last year, the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology said the disease is the deadliest cancer not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. -- Report from Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News
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