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Monday, January 16, 2006
Ramos, Arroyo agree to maintain alliance
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos, and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. agreed to remain unified despite differences in opinion and political views, members of the administration party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) said.
"Collectively, and individually, the three leaders expressed their resolve not to allow current political differences to create any rift nor project any image or impression of disunity among them," said the party members in a statement they issued after the conclusion of Lakas-CMD's national directorate meeting Saturday which ended early Sunday morning.
Lakas-CMD approved a resolution supporting Arroyo's serving of her full term, which ends in 2010, and the tossing of other contentious issues related to the proposed amendments in the 1987 Constitution to Congress.
The party also agreed to support the call of Arroyo, Lakas-CMD chairperson, to focus on three goals: sustaining economic gains; fighting poverty to bring the people to a higher level of productivity, sustainability and dignity; and changing the Constitution.
Arroyo asked her party mates to support the three goals, including Charter change that should be in place by middle of the year. She said Lakas should use its "superior force" in carrying out key economic, social and constitutional reforms.
"Steeled by bruising battles, we don't need additional training to win over our political foes in every round. We are the superior force. Our opponents must either toe the line of the national interest for which we stand, and fiscalize responsibly with statesmanship, or be relegated to the wayside of irrelevance or ignominy," the President said.
Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said in a phone interview that after Saturday night's party meeting, they expect things to run smoothly. (JMR/DBP/Sunnex)
(January 16, 2006 issue)
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