Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today said that the Philippines welcomes the announcements of Myanmar’s recently-appointed prime minister says he will resume the drafting a of new constitution as a step toward "free and fair elections" but that any such exercise should have the full and free participation of all parties involved, particularly that of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

“In every opportunity that I had, I implored the leaders of Myanmar to begin sincere work on a new constitution,” Secretary Ople said.  The Secretary was a member of the Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.  “I have offered the constitutional expertise of the Filipino people as well as documents and records of our own exercise in drafting and adopting our constitution.  I am glad that the new Prime Minister of Myanmar has announced that they will be drafting a new constitution and we hope that the process will be open, transparent and democratic,” Secretary Ople said.

“However, we would like to reiterate our call for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her followers so that they can freely participate in Myanmar’s political life.  We are particularly concerned because there has been no indication of whether imprisoned democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi or her party will be involved in drafting the new constitution,” Secretary Ople added.

Burma's new prime minister, General Khin Nyunt, on Saturday announced a seven-point "road map" that would eventually lead to parliamentary elections. However, Khin Nyunt, who is also the military intelligence chief, gave no timetable for the process, except to say that it will take place "as soon as possible."

“It may be important for Myanmar to set a timetable for drafting its constitution.  But more importantly, it should be an inclusive process, meaning that even those in the opposition should be heard,” the Secretary said.  The Secretary recalled that he was appointed a member of the 1987 Constitutional Commission as a representative of the opposition. END.