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| 31 JULY 2005 | ||
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| 31 JULY 2005 | ||
| Press Statement of Secretary Nieves Confesor (Chief Negotiator with the National Democratic Front (NDF)) |
| On the NDF's Withdrawal from the Peace Talks 1. We regret the NDF's unilateral withdrawal from the talks. This decision unmasked NDF's real intention in the peace negotiations. We are not surprised, however, by the decision of the NDF. We have seen a lot of their double talk in the past. While they proclaim their desire for peace - they foment violence in our communities. We have known enough of their ambuscades and assassinations of civilians and non-combatants. 2. True to the NDF game plan, they will offer to the public various explanations for their withdrawal from the talks -- except the real story. Which is, that they withdrew from the negotiations because of their failure to have the CPP/NPA and Jose Sison delisted from the terrorist rolls of the United States and the European Community. 3. The NDF stands to lose much more by closing the door to the peace talks. Their withdrawal endangers the gains they have already made, specifically the political space provided under the The Hague Joint Declaration and other signed agreements. Moreover, their members and leaders will also lose the safety and immunity guarantees they currently enjoy under the JASIG, which is being enforced to allow peace negotiations to proceed. 4. Their withdrawal will not distract us from pursuing the government's peace agenda, which enjoys the full support of the people as can be seen from the popular clamor for active participate in the peace process by both parties. 5. Peace talks is just one of the components of our peace efforts. In line with this, the government shall vigorously support the peace initiatives of the local government units and communities in forging peace settlements with the communist rebels on the ground. |
| NDF withdrawal from peace negotiations will not stop gov't peace efforts - Confesor |
The unilateral withdrawal of the National Democratic Front (NDF) from the peace negotiations will not stop the government from pursuing its peace agenda, chief negotiator with the NDF Nieves Confesor said. In a statement released today by Malacaņang, Confesor lamented NDF’s unexpected decision, saying it unmasked NDF’s insincerity in ending its 36-year-old insurgency through peaceful means. But having "seen a lot of their double talk" in the past, Confesor said she was not surprised by NDF’s decision. "While they proclaim their desire for peace, they foment violence in our communities. We have known enough of their ambuscades and assassinations even of civilians and non-combatants," Confesor said. Leaders of the communist front organization living in self-exile in Utretch declared last week NDF’s unilateral withdrawal from the negotiations, saying it would wait for a new government before agreeing to resume the peace talks. But Confesor said the "real story" of NDF’s pullout from the talks was its "failure to have the CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army) delisted from the terrorist rolls of the United States and the European Community." Confesor pointed out that the NDF stood to loose more by closing the door to the peace talks. "Their withdrawal endangers the gains they have already made, specifically the political space provided under the Hague Joint Declaration and other signed agreements." "Moreover, their members and leaders will also lose the safety and immunity guarantees they currently enjoy under the JASIG, which is being enforced to allow peace negotiations to proceed," she added. The government’s chief peace negotiator said that with this setback in the peace talks with the NDF, the government will turn its focus on providing support for the peace initiatives of the local government units (LGUs) in their respective communities. "Peace talks is just one of the components of our peace efforts. In line with this, the government shall vigorously support the peace initiatives of the local government units and communities in forging peace settlements with communist rebels in the ground," Confesor said. The communist guerrillas have been waging a Marxist rebellion against the government since the 1970s and have been tagged by the US and European countries as terrorists. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye on Political Crisis |
We are over the worst of the political turmoil. The constitutional process is taking its course. Meantime, the President will push through with the task of governance and urgent political reforms. We believe what is important at this stage is to bring the debate to the people and that is what the President will do. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye on Charter Change |
We believe what is important at this stage is to bring the debate to the people and that is what the President will do. |
| Worst of political crisis over - Bunye |
| Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman
Ignacio R. Bunye said today that the worst of the political crisis that has gripped the
country over the last few weeks is over. In a statement, Bunye said the constitutional process is taking its course, and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is focused on governance and urgently needed political reforms. As opposition moves to topple the government shifted from the streets to the House of Representatives, congressmen busied themselves crafting the rules of impeachment filed against the President. Malacaņang said it welcome the filing of the impeachment case as the only constitutional process to determine the guilt or innocence of a president accused of any wrongdoing. The President has declined to comment on the impeachment case, but Bunye said she has not violated the Constitution. "Just the same, we welcome the filing of the impeachment complaint as the only way prescribed by the Constitution to address the allegations against the President." He said Mrs. Arroyo is prepared to answer all the allegations against her, as he dismissed speculations that her proposal for a Charter change was intended to pave the way for a graceful exit for the President. "We believe the President has done nothing wrong, and eventually truth will out, and she will be vindicated," Bunye said. |
| Cha-Cha worth the expense - Bunye |
Malacanang said today that in terms of the political reforms that it will bring about, changing the Constitution would be worth every centavo Cha-Cha will entail. In an interview aired over RMN radio this morning, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said Charter change should not be reckoned in terms of pesos and centavos, but on its benefits to the country. Bunye was reacting to statements coming from Cha-Cha opponents that funds intended for the proposed constitutional amendment should be spent instead on poverty alleviation and other pro-poor projects. "Political reform is important. And implementing political reforms entails spending funds. We should not look at the proposal for Charter change as a waste of money because the direct effect of expenses for political reforms would result in a stronger political system," Bunye said. He pointed out that with a parliamentary system of government, decision and lawmaking would be fast-tracked, thus paving the way for speedy implementation of urgent measures. The present political system is highly vulnerable to gridlock, he added. Bunye said the Philippines is the only country in Asia still using the presidential form of government. Malaysia and other Asian neighbors have shifted to parliamentary system, he said. He said if the Philippines and its leaders do not do something about the present political system, Filipinos will find themselves being left farther and farther behind in terms of economic progress. "The advantage of the parliamentary system of government allows one body to assume the task of both the executive and legislative branches of government thus decision-making is quicker, legislating laws faster and implementing legislations and laws are done more effectively," Bunye said. |
