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Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Arroyo cancels NBN deal
MANILA -- Hounded by allegations of irregularities and bribery President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo decided to cancel the national broadband network (NBN) project with China’s ZTE Corp. during her visit in China Tuesday.
Arroyo left for China early Tuesday morning onboard PAL chartered flight PR 001. Her delegation included Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
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Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the President clearly presented her decision to Chinese President Hu Jintao who understood and accepted the judgment of the Chief Executive during the 30-minute bilateral talks with President Arroyo at the Xi Jiao Guesthouse here.
"The President explained the difficult decision not to continue with the NBN contract and the President counted on the good relations between our two countries for understanding. We are gratified that President Hu offered understanding when he said that our relationship is in very good shape and the Philippines has been a great ally," Bunye said.
Bunye said Arroyo ably presented the large picture of the NBN issue much to the satisfaction of Hu.
President Hu's understanding substantiated the earlier pronouncement of Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez that the NBN broadband issue is not a concern at all here and Chinese businessmen are still upbeat on investing in the Philippines.
During their bilateral talks, Bunye said Hu also thanked the Arroyo for accepting he invitation to attend the opening of the Special Olympics here for the intellectually disadvantaged children.
According to Bunye, Arroyo described China as the fastest-growing country in the region and in the world and the Philippines sees China's rise as a significant opportunity for the Philippines.
"At this point, the President reiterated the strict adherence of the Philippines to the One-China Policy and this was very much appreciated by President Hu," Bunye said.
China is currently the Philippines’ third largest trading partner with whom it has had a substantial trade surplus since 2002.
Arroyo also attended the Philippine Business and Investment Forum, organized by the Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
She will also address the Global Policy Summit on the Well-being of People with Intellectual Disabilities, a gathering of leaders from government, the academe, health care, disability; business, philantrophy, and sports, to discuss challenges and opportunities for the full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
She said she will also go on a state visit to India where she will meet with President Pratibha Patil, the first female President of India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, their party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other Indian political leaders.
She said India, the pioneer in business process outsourcing, currently supplies the Philippines’ huge demand for half-priced medicine.(OPS/JMR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (October 3, 2007 issue)
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