DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
P R E S S  S T A T E M E N T
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                         Tel. No. 834-4000                                                                                   www.dfa.gov.ph
SFA-AGR-PS032-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        24 February 2006

STATEMENT OF THE
HONORABLE ALBERTO G. ROMULO
SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

ON THE DECLARATION
BY PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
OF A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY

Department of Foreign Affairs
24 February 2006


Pursuant to instructions of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, I briefed this afternoon the members of the Diplomatic Corps on the Declaration by the President of a State of National Emergency under Proclamation No. 1017.  I furnished the Diplomatic Corps with copies of the Presidential Proclamation to form part of the report to their respective Capitals.

I emphasized to the Diplomatic Corps that President Arroyo invoked the powers vested on her under Section 18, Article 7 of the Constitution, which states that:

“The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.”

Pursuant to this Constitutional provision, President Arroyo, in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief, has commanded the Armed Forces of the Philippines to maintain law and order throughout the country.

I further emphasized to the Diplomatic Corps that President Arroyo took these decisive actions pursuant to Article 2, Section 4, of the Constitution that states that:

“The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people.”

The members of the Diplomatic Corps appreciated this briefing and have strongly indicated their support for President Arroyo and the democratic institutions of the Republic of the Philippines.

In the meantime, the officers and staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs – both in the Home Office and in the Philippine Embassies, Consulates and Missions abroad – remain committed to their oaths of office to support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines and to follow the laws of the country and the lawful orders and directives from the duly constituted authorities of the Republic.

The Department and its Foreign Posts continue to work for the interest of the Filipino people.  Public services continue to be rendered in line with the Philippine Foreign Policy of preserving and enhancing national security, promote and attain economic security, and protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas. END
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

/epa