Thank you for joining us today and I would like to start off by greeting all of you a Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.

I have a short statement that I would like to read, after which I would be glad to take a few questions.

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Leaders’ Summit

At the ASEAN Ministerial and Summit Meetings last week in Kuala Lumpur, we strengthened the foundations for the building an ASEAN Community and reaffirmed the growing significance and importance of the ASEAN in regional and global geopolitics.  We had frank and cordial discussions on the need for an ASEAN Charter, which will bring our 38-year old organization one step closer to integration.

We also laid the groundwork for a wider organization, the East Asian Community, which will have the 10 ASEAN member-nations at its core, and composed of China, Japan and Korea, as well as India, Australia, New Zealand, and, by next year, Russia.

At the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo advanced key Philippine concerns in ASEAN, ASEAN’s partners and the East Asian community.

The Leaders in the Kuala Lumpur Summits agreed with the President when she underscored the importance of cooperation in the fields of security, energy and emerging concerns such as possible outbreaks of diseases like the avian flu.  The President also received the strong support of the Leaders when she emphasized the need for intensified trade within ASEAN, while developing an outward-looking approach to trade with ASEAN partners.

At the East Asian Summit, the President and other leaders stressed the need for a more inclusive approach as our economies and our concerns become more integrated.  Russia’s entry to the EAS underscores our leaders’ vision, and we hope for continued broader participation in the EAS.

The ASEAN Summits and the EAS were very productive in all respects.  And as we prepare to host the 12th ASEAN Summit, and other related meetings, including the second EAS, and with the support of all our stakeholders, we hope to do our part in further strengthening regional cooperation, growth, progress and security.
 
Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit

Before going to Kuala Lumpur, I attended the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, upon the invitation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Saudi Government.

I met with OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and other key member-states of the OIC.  We received their support for the peace process in the southern Philippines and our Observer Status in the OIC.

UNSC membership

This month we conclude our membership in the United Nations Security Council.  We have been given the singular opportunity to advance the cause of peace throughout the world, directly benefiting the safety and security of our eight million overseas Filipinos.  Our term was marked by President Arroyo’s chairing of the Security Council Summit where two key resolutions on terrorism and conflict resolution were adopted.

It is fitting that we end our term at the UNSC during this Yuletide season with our message – and solid record – of securing peace for all the world’s peoples.

I would like to share with you that message of peace, as echoed in our statements and interventions during the 60th General Assembly of the UN.  This compilation of speeches includes my statement when I presided over the Security Council.

Iraq Parliamentary Elections

In the context also of the work that we have done in the Security Council on behalf of the people of Iraq, we welcome the successful parliamentary elections in Iraq. The Iraqi people have shown admirable courage and unparalleled determination to establish a truly democratic government in going to the polls in large numbers.

The elections were an important step towards Iraq’s full democratization and were made possible by the strong support of the international community.
The Philippines is glad to have played its part as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in helping generate broad international support on the need to support the efforts of the people of Iraq rebuild their country and establish democratic governance.

Iraq Travel Ban

Still, our Government policy banning deployment to Iraq remains.  The safety and security of our countrymen is of paramount importance.  That is why we are instituting measures to hold accountable those who prey upon the dire economic situation of our countrymen and push them in front of certain danger’s way in Iraq.

We are working with DOLE and law-enforcement agencies to arrest, prosecute and blacklist those who, with vile and self-serving intentions, profit unscrupulously from this patently illegal activity.

Human Trafficking

Along that line, I wish to inform everyone that our government has successfully convicted three human traffickers, which demonstrates our commitment to eradicating human trafficking and to give justice to the victims and their families.

Our success in convicting these criminals bolsters our efforts to be taken off the watchlist of Tier 2 of the human trafficking list.

We are determined to run after, prosecute and convict even more human traffickers.

Positive Economic Developments

I would like to end this statement on another positive note.  The government, through prudent management and sensible use of its resources, has realized a savings of 35 billion pesos.

The President has earmarked these funds for the further pump-priming of our economy.

These savings will be pumped into jobs, food, health and education support as we expand our infrastructure to drive investments and tourism.

We are resolved to bail out the nation from poverty and hunger on the back of a tough economic agenda and a penetrating social agenda—through good governance and political will.

The Department is determined to work with the other agencies in government to help create livelihood for our people and to protect them from high prices, particularly of that of oil.

Thank you and once again, Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year to all of you. END
 
 

/bjg