We are confident that any legal barriers on the implementation of the national I.D. system can be overcome.

As the local governments take the initiative on this score, we can test the operational parameters of such a plan in curbing crime and checking terror.

We welcome the assurances of our political leaders that the expanded VAT will be out of the legislative mill by March 18 this year.

The Executive and Congress are fully aware that the more the implementation of our tax reform measures are delayed, the more we stretch the risks to our fiscal stability, which is inimical to the national interest.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally welcomed at 10:15 a.m. today in Malacanang visiting Myanmar Prime Minister, Lt. Gen. Soe Win who is on a two-day official visit to the Philippines.

The visiting dignitary was accorded full military honors befitting a head of state at the Malacanang grounds by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Honors Battalion under the command of Major Erwin Bernard Neri.

After the military honors, the President and Prime Minister Soe Win had a ceremonial walk to the Palace stairway landing where the Myanmar leader signed the Presidential Guest Book.

Students of the Geronimo Santiago Elementary School in San Miguel, Quiapo then greeted the Prime Minister.

"Mabuhay (Long live) Prime Minister Soe Win," the students echoed while waving Philippine and Myanmar flags.

The President then guided the visitor inside the Palace for their bilateral talks.

Among the Cabinet officials in the official reception party for the visiting Myanmar leader were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Secretaries Alberto Romulo of Foreign Affairs, Michael Defensor of Environment and Natural Resources and Arthur Yap of Agriculture.

The President has consistently expressed concern about the situation of Aung Sang Suu Kyi and she reiterated this today in their meeting.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated Myanmar Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Soe Win today for embarking on a program to visit his fellow leaders in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and conduct constructive bilateral dialogues.

In an official lunch she tendered in honor of the visiting Myanmar leader, the President said the Prime Minister’s initiative reflects his "recognition that engagement in the regional and international communities carries with it profound responsibilities."

"You have our fervent prayers that Myanmar and ASEAN will be equal to these responsibilities and to the great challenges of the times for the benefit of our peoples, the region and the global community," the President said.

In her statement, the President noted that Myanmar is one of the four new members of the ASEAN. The three others are Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

The Chief Executive also recalled that former President Fidel V. Ramos, who was also present at the luncheon, visited Myanmar in 1997, the year when it joined ASEAN.

For his part, the visiting Myanmar Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation to the Philippine government and Filipino people for the gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

He said Myanmar and the Philippines may be separated by oceans but both countries are bound by similarities and traditions.

"Our relationship has blossomed since Myanmar joined the ASEAN family of nations in 1997," Lt. Gen. Soe Win said.

Others who attended the luncheon were Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee; several members of the House of Representatives, members of the Cabinet, ambassadors of the other members of ASEAN, and members of the Myanmar delegation.

Malacanang today said instead of sanctions, engagement with Myanmar in economic matters would encourage the Myanmar government to deal effectively with human rights issues within the ambit of the fundamental principles and goals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"The Philippines does not agree with those who propose sanctions against Myanmar," the Palace said in a statement on the official visit here of Myanmar Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Soe Win.

It said strengthened economic relations between the two countries "can help encourage Myanmar to deal effectively with the expectations of the rest of the world."

The Myanmar leader arrived yesterday for a two-day working visit as part of the traditional tour of ASEAN member countries by a new ASEAN leader.

The government has expressed sympathy over the "situation of Myanmar and would like very much to help find a way to reconcile Myanmar’s situation with the rest of the world."

Following its entry into ASEAN in 1997, Myanmar became a member of the regional grouping’s Senior Officials on Drugs (ASOD). A signatory of the Joint Declaration for a Drug-Free ASEAN, Myanmar has participated in several drug-related trainings, including the ASEAN Training Course for Drug Rehabilitation.

The Philippine has pushed hard for ways to address drug-related problems in the region within the ASEAN framework.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Myanmar Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Soe Win expect stronger economic ties between their two countries following their bilateral meeting this morning in Malacaņang.

"We would like to become closer to you on economic cooperation," the President said during their meeting at the Malacaņang Music Room.

The Philippines, according to the President, wishes to engage Myanmar in economic matters with the hope of transforming the economic engagement into a relationship that can help encourage Myanmar to deal effectively with the expectations of the rest of the world.

The President said the country would like to expand trade with Myanmar, particularly on the importation of wood and semi-precious stones.

The Myanmar leader expressed his gratitude for the support his young government is getting from neighboring ASEAN countries, particularly the Philippines.

Malacanang today lauded government anti-kidnapping operatives for the arrest of former movie actor-turned Quezon City Congressman Dennis Roldan and six others for their alleged involvement in kidnapping for ransom a three-year-old boy last February 9.

In a phone patch interview this afternoon, Secretary Silvestre Afable, chief of the Office of the Communication Director (OCD), said the arrest of the former lawmaker was enough proof that there are no sacred cows under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Afable stressed it is the President’s policy to make sure that everyone would be answerable for the crimes he or she is involved in, regardless of his or her political position.

The OCD Chief noted that government operations are now directed against organized crime syndicates, particularly big-time kidnap-for ransom groups.

The Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) arrested Roldan’s group, which allegedly kidnapped Ken Sy Yu, who was rescued from his abductors from the group’s safe house in Cubao, Quezon City by a team of the elite unit last Saturday evening.

Yu was abducted while he was on his way to a nearby nursery school, just several blocks away from his residence at the AIC Gold Tower in Pasig City.