She talked on how the Philippines fared against the global hike in the prices of fuel and food, and stressed the importance of having a "strong" UN and "rigorous" cooperation among the nations in light of the global economic crisis.
The President also stressed the Philippines' commitment to peace and resuming talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
However, she said this would only happen after the situation in southern Philippines has become stable and the Muslim group has had control over the rogue commanders that led attacks on civilians.
Arroyo likewise shared the new policy of her government in talking with the communities and focusing on disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration.
Aside from meeting UN secretary general Bai Ki-Moon where they discussed the Philippines' compliance with the Millennium Development Goals, Arroyo also tackled with Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary general Elmeddin Ihsanoghu the stalled talks with the MILF.
Arroyo also held bilateral talks with "small" nations that include St. Vincent and Grenadines, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Andorra, San Marino, Comoros, Cyprus, Senegal, and Antigua and Barbuda at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
"It is a very, very successful trip, I can say that, because tinaas nanaman ng ating Pangulo ang bandera ng ating bansa. It's a proud moment for the entire Filipino nation and the entire Filipino race," Golez said over Radyo ng Bayan before the Philippine delegation boarded an aircraft in San Francisco that would take them back to Manila.
Golez said they are expected to arrive in Manila between 5 and 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Their arrival is in time for the turnover of command in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director for Administration Jesus Versoza will replace Director General Avelino Razon Jr. as PNP chief.
The appointment of Versoza to the PNP chief post meanwhile sparked reassignments of top police officials, including National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Geary Barias.
Razon, during Friday’s press briefing, confirmed that Verzosa’s soon-to-be vacated post will be going to Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, the PNP deputy chief for operations.
Carta’s post will go to Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, the outgoing PNP chief directorial staff. It will be Barias who is succeeding Rafanan’s assignment, said Razon.
Meanwhile, PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Director Jefferson Soriano will replace Barias.
Soriano’s successor at the DIDM will be Chief Superintendent Raul Bacalso, the chief of the PNP Headquarters and Support Unit, which in turn will be headed by Senior Superintendent Franklin Alpabeto. (JMR/VR/Sunnex)
