9 September 2004 – In response to queries from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the issue of the constitutionality of deployment of the  Philippine Humanitarian Contingent to Iraq, Secretary Alberto G. Romulo issued the following statement:

“I appreciate and welcome the concerns that some members of the Senate have shown on our foreign policy regarding the issue of Iraq. We fully intend to address their concerns and we hope to show, in particular, that all our actions and decisions are consistent with our Constitution, our laws, and our treaty obligations, including our obligations as a member of the United Nations.

Our policy on Iraq was and is based on our overwhelming desire to see a stable and safe Middle East, which means a safer Middle East for our 1.5 million Filipinos there. A democratic and free Iraq, at peace with itself and its neighbors, will be an important pillar of a stable Middle East”. END