Monday, August 15, 2005
Palace uses 'oil crisis' to get peace
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration on Sunday called on the opposition to set aside partisan politics in view of the looming oil crisis.
"We call on all political leaders, including the opposition, to take the high road of statesmanship, set partisanship aside, and join the people in seeking solutions," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, also the presidential spokesman, said in his weekly column.
Bunye said the Philippines must be galvanized to face the energy crisis of "unprecedented proportions".
"We cannot afford a divided nation amid this oil crisis. We have to unite to ensure and survive, and let not the people blame their leaders for not taking up the challenge," he said.
Arroyo has called on the public to take the possibility of an oil crisis seriously. She has also said the country may resort to rationing if world crude prices continue to soar and energy is not conserved.
Crude prices have breached the US$65 per barrel mark.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President is set to issue an executive order reminding government agencies of the energy conservation campaign.
Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla will go to Malacañang today to iron out the details with him, said Ermita.
He said the oil crisis is not likely to fuel the ouster call against Arroyo because the people know that she does not have control over it.
"The oil price is market-driven. There is nothing we can do about it," he said.
The executive secretary added that the Arroyo administration is seeking the implementation of austerity or energy conservation measures to prevent the crisis from getting out of hand. (JMR/Sunnex)
(August 15, 2005 issue)
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