Philippine Consulate General

Los Angeles, California

NEWS RELEASE

21 January 2008

PGMA leaves for Switzerland; First order of business is keynote speech before Swiss Chamber of Commerce

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leaves for Switzerland where her first order of business will be her keynote speech before the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Zurich.

Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Davos Forum Backgrounder

Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye on Media Freedom

PGMA reports 83% drop in political and journalist killings in less than a year

PGMA remains hopeful on Senate okay of JPEPA

RP economy on path of sustained growth - PGMA

Gov't to pursue strong foreign policy of global engagement - PGMA

PGMA leaves for Switzerland; First order of business is keynote speech before Swiss Chamber of Commerce

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leaves for Switzerland where her first order of business will be her keynote speech before the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Zurich.

The President and her delegation are scheduled to take the 12:30 p.m. flight from Manila and are expected to land at the Zurich International Airport about 18 hours later (Wednesday morning, Manila
time).

The President's latest working trip overseas will have her attending the International Board of Advisors' Meeting in Zurich, and the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2008 in Davos.

The President is scheduled to have 11 other events in Zurich, including dinner with Dr. Henry Kissinger of the United States; and eight other events in Davos, including a meeting with Netherlands
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye, who will be joining the President in her European working trip, said the Davos Forum is an "excellent opportunity for the President to discuss
with world leaders the Philippines' point of view and approach in addressing issues."

Such issues include the "global economy and world trade, the role and prospects of Asia within this framework, the impact of the sub-prime crisis and the subsequent credit crunch, and the likely consequences of climate change and measures to limit its effects," said Bunye.

"At a time when we must all collaborate more closely, any time that she (President Arroyo) has to meet new leaders and thinkers is time well spent for her and for the nation," stressed Bunye, who added that
Davos is a "great place to share experiences outside the home country environment."

The Press Secretary added that the President's attendance in the annual World Economic Forum is "an opportunity to showcase how the Philippine economy has turned around and continues to gain ground,
although we still are a generation away from First World status."

Also to be showcased in the Davos event is "our deep commitment to investing not just in growth at any price, but healthy growth that reflects our national values of concern for our island nation and all
its wonders," Bunye said.

Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Davos Forum Backgrounder

The Davos Forum is an excellent opportunity for the President to discuss with world leaders the Philippines' point of view and approach in addressing issues, such as the global economy and world trade, the role and prospects of Asia within this framework, the impact of the sub-prime crisis and the subsequent credit crunch, and the likely consequences of climate change and measures to limit its effects.

Davos is a great place to share experiences outside the home country environment. At a time when we must all collaborate more closely, any time that she has to meet new leaders and thinkers is time well spent for her and for the nation.

It is an opportunity to showcase how the Philippine economy has turned around and continues to gain ground, although we still are a generation from first world status, and of our deep commitment to
investing not just in growth at any price, but healthy growth that reflects our national values of concern for our island nation and all its wonders.

Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye on Media Freedom

We respect the right of media to bring their complaint before the courts as it is the proper forum for settling this issue.

By the same token, we expect the police to try to convince the court that the actions taken during the Manila Peninsula standoff were well within accepted rules of engagement.

The outcome of this exercise should be a win-win for all, as it will help us in defining gray areas of media coverage in this country where, ideally, media freedom should be exercised with responsibility.

PGMA reports 83% drop in political and journalist killings in less than a year

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today government efforts to put a stop to the legacy of political violence achieved significant progress last year after the creation of the Melo Commission.

"Closer to home, significant progress has been made in our fight against political violence," the President said during the traditional Vin D' Honneur held in Malacanang this morning and attended by the
diplomatic community led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Papal Nuncio Joseph Edward Adams.

"In less than a year since we authorized the Melo Commission and followed up on its recommendations, we have seen an 83 percent drop in violence against political activists and journalists," the President said.

A report released Sunday by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that the Philippine National Police listed only seven such killings last year, compared with 41 in 2006.

The department said this "underlines the Arroyo government's strong commitment to human rights and its firm resolve to put an end to these unexplained killings."

In spite of the achievements, the President stressed that "we will not be satisfied until every last incidence of violence has stopped and every criminal prosecuted and put behind bars."

"We must stop the legacy of violence and start a new era of political harmony," she added.

The Melo Commission, a five-man team chaired by retired Justice Jose Melo, was created in August 2006 with the primary task of investigating extrajudicial killings.

PGMA remains hopeful on Senate okay of JPEPA

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed hope anew today that the Senate would ratify the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) without further delay.

"We had hope by now to have a trade agreement signed, sealed and delivered with Japan. We remain optimistic that our Senate will see the wisdom of approving this vital agreement," the President said in
her message during the traditional Vin D' Honneur in Malacanang this morning.

The Senate has yet to ratify the trade agreement which would pave the way for Philippine agricultural products to gain access to the Japanese market, among other important concessions to be gained from
the accord.

The JPEPA was signed by the President and former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the sidelines of the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Helsinki, Finland in Sept. 2006.

The agreement seeks to strengthen the economic cooperation between the two countries through increased cross-border flow of goods, people, investments and services.

Citing the importance of the proposed accord, the President had pointed out that the JPEPA transcend mere market access as it "includes human resource development, financial services, information
and technology, energy and environment, science and technology, transportation and infrastructure."

Under the agreement, Japan would also open up its healthcare services market to Filipino nurses and caregivers.

It also provides protection for intellectual property rights, sets controls on anti-competitive activities, and improvements of business environment.

The other salient points of the JPEPA include the following:

• Almost 95 percent of Philippine exports will face zero duties;
• Both countries shall eliminate tariffs on almost all industrial goods within 10 years from the date the agreement takes effect;
• Access to the Japanese market of Philippine service providers will be enhanced and non-discriminatory treatment, with limited exceptions, will be guaranteed;
• A formal arrangement for the acceptance of Philippine nurses and caregivers into Japan will be established.

RP economy on path of sustained growth - PGMA

Thanks to the tough choices made by the government to enhance revenue, raise tax collections, and tight management of the budget, the Philippines is now on a path of sustained economic growth, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today.

Another key factor in the transformation of the Philippine economy was the support of the country's allies and development partners, she told the diplomatic community during the traditional Vin D' Honneur held
this morning in Malacanang.

"We are grateful for the support of our allies and development partners for our reforms and investments, which has enabled the Philippines to join the ranks of fast-growing Asian economies with
strong finances, infrastructure and social programs," the President said.

She said substantial gains have been made in the country's economy in 2007, the "year the Philippine economy turned around."

She said tax revenue collections are high, unemployment is at its lowest, investments increased, millions of new jobs have been created, the peso continues to be very strong and the target to balance the
budget this year is almost becoming a reality.

The President said these achievements were made possible through the implementation of tough fiscal and economic reforms.

"We have been setting our sights on a modern Philippines, ready to join the ranks of First World nations," the President said, adding that she would spare no effort to sustain those gains.

With the economy on the upswing, the government's anti-poverty program would be accelerated by 2015 in keeping with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of which the Philippines is a signatory.

"The eradication of poverty has always been the overriding goal of my presidency," the President said.

Gov't to pursue strong foreign policy of global engagement - PGMA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today her administration will continue to pursue its strong policy of global engagement in 2008 asshe thanked Philippine allies and development partners whose support
has catapulted the country to the ranks of fast-growing Asian economies with strong finances, infrastructure and social programs.

"Welcome to a peaceful and successful year in 2008," the President greeted members of the diplomatic community, led by Papal Nuncio Joseph Edward Adams, dean of the diplomatic corps, during the
traditional Vin D' Honneur held this morning at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.

Also in attendance were members of Congress and the Cabinet.

"We look forward to this year, as we are brimming with confidence in the resilience of our economy, hopeful for peace and security for our people here at home, and determined to continue to pursue a strong foreign policy abroad," she said.

"Please join me in a toast for a year of deeper international friendships and stronger hope for peace and progress in the Philippines and the whole world. Mabuhay!" the President said.

She pointed out that for the Philippines to succeed, "we must aggressively engage the world."

"We need the world and we like to think that the world needs us; our hardworking people, our ideal geographic location and our reliability, as a friend and ally," the President said.

Among the countries she visited last year were the United States, China, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, India, Australia, Spain, the Vatican, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Kuwait and Africa.

She said she visited these countries to forge security alliances and encouraged them to invest in the country.

"We will continue it in 2008," she stressed.

In returning her toast, Papal Nuncio Adams said: "Kindly bless this country. May 2008 bring you and the people prosperity, happiness and peace."

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