3 CO-EQUAL GOV'T BRANCHES FORGE ACCORD ON CLOSER COOPERATION, COORDINATION

    The executive, legislative and judicial branches of government forged today a historic agreement institutionalizing consultation, cooperation and coordination in pursuit of the rule of law and national development.
    The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) creating the Judiciary, Executive and Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELAC) was signed this morning in Malacanang by President Manuel Villar, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, and Supreme Court Chief Justive Reynaldo Puno.
    In her remarks, the President said that consultation and cooperation among members of the three co-equal, independent branches of government would advance shared priorities in the national interest and welfare of all Filipinos.  (+)

BELLO TO REPLACE SALUDO AS CABINET SECRETARY

    President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has tapped Atty. Silvestre Bello III as Cabinet secretary vice Atty. Ricardo Saludo who was earlier designated as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
    Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye aid Bello will assume his post upon the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA) of Saludo as CSC chair.
    Bello is Presidential Adviser on New Government Centers.
    He was chairman of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) panel holding talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army National Democratic Front ( CPP-NPA-NDF ) from 2001 to 2004.  (+)