Declaring Dec. 1 to 5, 2008 as "Government Corporations and Office of the Government Corporate Counsel Week"

September 3, 2008

PROCLAMATION NO. 1613

DECLARING DECEMBER 1 TO 5, 2008 AND EVERY FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER THEREAFTER AS "GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS AND OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT CORPORATE COUNSEL WEEK" OR "GCs AND OGCC WEEK"

WHEREAS, government-owned and controlled corporations, government instrumentalities, government financial institutions, and government corporate entities and their subsidiaries (collectively referred to as Government Corporations) play a crucial and important role in the country's economic growth and development, being the primary vehicles for the conceptualization and implementation of vital government projects; EHSADa

WHEREAS, there is need to: (1) showcase achievements, projects and activities of Government Corporations, and highlight their contribution in national development; (ii) instill good corporate governance values and principles in Government Corporations, and update officials on policies, laws and trends; and (iii) assemble heads and representatives of Government Corporations;

WHEREAS, in the recent case of the Land Bank of the Philippines vs. Teresita Panlilio-Luciano, the Supreme Court underscored the fundamental role of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) as the principal law office of government corporations, and its pivotal and indispensable role to the development of Government Corporations as a long-standing part of public policy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the week of December 1 to 5, 2008 and every first week of December thereafter as "Government Corporations and Office of the Government Corporate Counsel Week" or "GCs and OGCC Week".

I call upon all government corporations, as well as all government departments and agencies, including private entities and individuals, to participate actively in the proper observance of the GCs and OGCC Week, and to give full publicity and recognition to the ever-growing importance of government corporations and the OGCC in nation-building.

I hereby direct the Government Corporate Counsel of the OGCC to spearhead the celebration of the GC and OGCC week and to plan and implement the following activities to be held during said week:

1. Assembly of all heads and representatives of all GCs;

2. "Gawad GC" or public recognition of projects and activities of Government Corporations;

3. Round-Table Discussions and forums on Public-Private Sector Partnerships and Collaborations, Corporate Governance, and other relevant topics;

4. Public recognition of policy and research papers prepared by lawyers of Government Corporations and the OGCC; and

5. Such other activities that may realize the objectives of the GCs and OGCC Week.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed hereto. CAHTIS

DONE in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.