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Friday, January 13, 2006
Arroyo, Ramos iron out differences
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former president Fidel Ramos had finally settled their differences on certain contentious issues and even came up with a "win-win solution" on how it should be addressed.
Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said the "simple approach," which aims to settle possible misunderstanding and differences on views on the proposed Charter amendments, including the scrapping of elections in 2007 and the cutting short of Arroyo's term, will be presented during the meeting of the Lakas National Directorate Saturday.
Claudio said he could not reveal what the "simple approach" is but it was reached during the meeting between Arroyo and Ramos that was held at the Macapagal residence in Forbes Park in Makati from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Claudio said the meeting focused on the agenda and list of those who would be invited and should attend the Lakas meeting and the convening of the Council of State on Jan. 24.
He said the Charter change issue, particularly the 2007 elections and term cut "took no more than 10 minutes" to be discussed.
He said Arroyo and Ramos did not even have to discuss the former president's recent calls for President Arroyo to step down in 2007 and his opposition to the scrapping of elections next year.
Asked how it happened, he said a proposal on how to handle the issue had been presented by Ramos to which the group agreed.
The approach reportedly includes waiting for Congress actions on the recommendations submitted by the Consultative Commission after it conducted consultations and studies on the amendments to be introduced in the 1987 Constitution.
"There was virtual unanimity on the approach on how to deal with the contentious issues such as the 'no-el' (no elections) and the President's term," said Claudio.
"We are confident of having a harmonious and delightful meeting on Saturday," he said.
After that, we are confident that the party will come out more united," he added.
The meeting last Wednesday night was part of three meetings that Ramos recommended on Dec. 27 when he met with Claudio and Ermita.
The other two are the convening of the Lakas directorate and the Council of State.
Claudio said the meeting between Arroyo and Ramos was set not because they had anticipated Ramos' recent anti-Arroyo comments but because they had been meeting regularly to discuss issues affecting the country.
He said they just felt that Wednesday was a good time to have that regular consultation meeting especially with preparations for the meetings tomorrow and on Jan. 24 and the convening of the Global Interfaith Dialog from Jan. 27 to 29 organized by the Lakas CMD.
Claudio said Ramos mentioned his meeting with Senate President Franklin Drilon and former senator Vicente Sotto III and reiterated that he remains supportive of the Arroyo administration.
He also reiterated he has no intention of joining the opposition.
He said discussions also include the reintegration of former active members of Lakas to the party and issues ranging from the Visiting Forces Agreement and recent trips of Ramos abroad to energy, tourism, aquaculture and infrastructure.
Malacañang even prepared a slide presentation composed of 12 pictures taken during the "dinner-meeting" with the five officials in a light and happy mood.
One photograph, with Ramos and Arroyo flanked by Claudio, de Vencia and Ermita, was taken in front of the portrait of former president Diosdado Macapagal where the five were all smiling and sporting the thumbs up sign of Ramos.
Claudio said the opposition was not in their mind when they conducted the meeting and released the photographs but they did want to convey that the administration remains united.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said as far as the Lakas party is concerned they are behind a full term for the President a sit is provided for in the 1987 Constitution.
"But it is best for this issue to be discussed within the comprehensive framework of Charter change. We leave the final decision and mandate to Congress and to the people. We must stress that it is not the term of the President that is the prime issue in Charter change, but the future of the whole nation and the welfare of the people," said Bunye, who is also presidential spokesman.
Ed Malay, Ramos' spokesman, said the Lakas national directorate meeting tomorrow should be a forum for the party members to ventilate their views on issues confronting the country, not to take sides or express loyalty for either Arroyo or Ramos.
"Members should rise above partisan politics to arrive at a common ground in looking for solutions to the problems plaguing the nation. At the same time, the 2007 elections must proceed to give the people a chance to elect leaders who they believe will serve the interest of the people and to remove those who bled the country dry," he added. (JMR/Sunnex)
(January 13, 2006 issue)
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