EdAngara.com - The Official Website of Senator Edgardo J. Angara

During a press briefing earlier today, Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that welcomed any changes to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 that will be enforced by the Supreme Court as it hears the final arguments today.

As the primary author of the measure, Angara said explained that this kind of contention is to be expected when dealing with new, landmark pieces of legislation.

Two of the country’s most prominent public servants in the justice sector, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, are among the roster of distinguished local and international speakers to grace the 5th Global Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) to be held in Manila later this month.

A powerhouse cast of anti-corruption experts are coming to Manila to discuss best practices in institutionalizing good governance during the 5th Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption meeting.

Ms. Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International (TI), the Berlin-based anti-corruption coalition best known for publishing the annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), is coming to Manila later this month for the 5th Global Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC).

In the latest CPI released in December 2012, the Philippines ranked 105th least corrupt out of 176 countries. TI gave the country an overall score of 34 in perceived corruption, with 100 being “very clean.”

Manila is poised to welcome almost 500 delegates from 78 countries across the globe as it hosts one of the largest and most significant events in the worldwide movement against corruption.

The 5th Global Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) will be held in the Philippine International Convention Center from January 30 to February 2, 2013. The Philippine Senate and GOPAC’s regional arm, the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), are co-hosting the event.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on January 6, 2013, Manila Bulletin


The information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry is still one of the fastest-growing sectors in our economy today, generating an average of 600,000 jobs and almost 9 billion dollars each year. With the ASEAN Economic Integration (AEC) set to transform the region by 2015, the industry is expected to generate as many as 4.5 million jobs in three years’ time—a golden opportunity for our economy and our people that we cannot take for granted.

by Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Published on January 1, 2013, Business Mirror

The year opened with a courtroom drama that marked a milestone. Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona was the first highest judge convicted in an impeachment court.

The trial proved to be a catharsis. It was a symbolic moment that highlights public accountability and transparency, and served as a reminder that no public official, no matter how mighty, is above the law.

Our nation faced a great many obstacles this past year. Natural calamities claimed numerous lives and destroyed property. Territorial disputes raised regional and even geopolitical tensions. Political intrigue rocked not just one, but all the intertwined branches of our government.

On the other hand, this year also strengthened us as a people. Our economy is becoming stronger, securing further its place in the global market. On different occasions, our countrymen were recognized for their successes in the global stage.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Close to 300 parliamentarians from six continents worldwide will troop to Manila next month to attend the 5th Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). They will be joined by 144 Philippine lawmakers, the largest contingent to the conference.
Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Vice Chair of GOPAC Executive Committee and the Charter President of the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), said the Manila hosting of GOPAC 2013, a historic first, is a vote of confidence on the Aquino administration's anti-corruption efforts.

This Christmas feels like deja vu: we mourn once again for another thousand victims of a year-ender megastorm. For the 65 years that we have been recording our weather, Typhoon Pablo may be the second deadliest storm to date, after Typhoon Uring, which killed more than 5,000 people in 1991.