Peace Adviser Hermogenes Esperon bared in his recent visit to Davao City said his office is serious in overcoming the Temporary Restraining Order on the Ancestral Domain Memorandum of Agreement.

"We will appear before the Supreme Court justices for the oral arguments," he said.

Esperon pointed out that the forum is the proper venue to explain that the MOA is just one part of the negotiations and is also just a document that still need enabling laws passed by the Congress before it gets implemented.

Nevertheless, this MOA is considered by both panels from the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a very important building block in the Mindanao peace process.

Esperon is against the suggestion of some politicians calling for a re-negotiation as this would only mean prolonging the peace process and that would bring back the country to where it first started many years ago.

The GRP and MILF panels agreed for the wealth-sharing formula believing that it is but fair enough to grant the entitlement to the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) as it has long been left behind economically.

Esperon said that the income will also go a long way in their developmental efforts.

He dispelled the misconceptions which insinuated that the government is giving-in to the difficult demands of the MILF.

However, it was explained that the long delayed peace talks would only show the government's careful deliberation on some of the MILF demands and some were not even approved as they are seen inimical to the national interest. But when the MILF agreed to the conduct of a plebiscite in the determination of the BJE, that brought in a positive sign for the peace talks.

"We fought for a plebiscite because this is the highest form of consultation in our democracy," Esperon said.

Despite the supreme court temporary restraining order, the peace adviser still believes that the country is just a few strides away from attaining a lasting peace. # # #

* * * * *

Philippine Relations with International Community at All-time High

San Fernando City, La Union -- Facing grave challenges unprecedented in history, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been working hard in forging understanding and cooperation with the international community.

That the President is exerting extra efforts in bringing the country back on its feet on the heels of the heightened global concern regarding soaring oil and food prices that resulted to a global economic slowdown.

While in China, Ms. Arroyo held series of meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese businessmen on possible investments in the Philippines and witnessed the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A separate meeting with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was also held with favorable results from Rudd assuring Australia's support to the candidacy of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a judicial body of the United Nations (UN).

Returning from a four-day working visit in China last Sunday, President Arroyo received in Malacanang visiting Switzerland President Pascal Couchepin and the following day welcomed East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta who also made an official visit to the country.

The Swiss President's visit strengthened further the 52-year old diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Swiss Confederation.

Ms. Arroyo and President Couchepin agreed to strengthen cooperation on Federalism and Multiculuralism during their bilateral talks. The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (East Timor) signed three agreements with the Philippines on education, marine and fisheries, and diplomat training and development.

Referred to as "old friends from way back", Ms. Arroyo engaged the two leaders in separate "friendly discussion" and pledged their countries' support for each other in different undertakings.

President Arroyo's successful diplomatic engagement is a clear indication for continued and sustained strong ties between the Philippines and the international community. (PIA Region 1)  # # #

* * * * *

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Speech during a Luncheon with the Filipino Olympians and the Filipino Community in Beijing

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Grand Ballroom, Asia Hotel, Beijing, China

Employment

“But like what Sonia said, we also work for the rise of our economy everyday so there would be no need for a Filipino to go overseas for employment; that the day can come when overseas work is just a career option and not the only choice you have for a good job.”

Governance

“We work untiringly to face these challenges from the global economic slowdown together with the increases in the prices of oil and food. We work vigorously to ensure the sufficient supply of food in our country and that food is served on every table.”

“Not only that, the price of rice in the Philippines is lower than the prices in our neighboring countries. We also create measures to lessen the impact of these high prices of oil and food in the world to our people.

“Nevertheless, whatever action we are doing, these problems on food and oil are global problems. We need to work together to resolve these issues if we want to see the full recovery of the global economy.”

Social Services

“We also teach Nutrition Education or proper feeding which is not very costly. Included in this is the exercise of breast-feeding so we need not import milk from abroad.”

Sports

“And this Olympics gives every country all over the world the chance to set aside factors that separate us and make us come together to celebrate the human spirit. We are proud of our athletes who qualified for the Beijing Olympics.”

“Here in the Olympics, the Philippine delegate represents all Filipinos.”

Foreign Relations

"So, I particularly remember the warm reception I received from the leaders of China, who manifested China's wish to build our relations.

"Today, Philippines-China relations are at an all time high."

OFW

 We continue to deepen our different endeavors. And one important thing included is the important contribution of our Overseas Filipinos here in China.”

“So in your honorable jobs and positions here in China, you are of great help in strengthening the relations between China and the Philippines.”

PGMA’s speech could be downloaded from http://www.op.gov.ph/speeches.asp # # #

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