08 July 2005 – The diplomatic community in the country is batting for a constitutional process in resolving the political crisis besetting the country, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Briefing reporters following a special Cabinet meeting in Malacañang this noon, Romulo said he has been receiving calls from the members of foreign diplomatic community expressing their full support to the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He also lauded the statement of Chargé d’Affaires Joseph Mussomeli of the United States Embassy reiterating Washington’s support for the President and the constitutional process.

The Chinese government has also expressed its support to the President through its former ambassadors to the Philippines who made a courtesy call on the Chief Executive shortly after noon today.

Similar expressions of support for the President have come from leaders of the European Union, Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Yemen, Japan and Libya.

Among those present during the media briefing conducted by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita were Romulo, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales Jr., Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes, Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban, Economic Secretary Romulo Neri, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro; Presidential Management Staff head Secretary Rigoberto Tiglao, Communications Director Secretary Silvestre Afable Jr., National Security Adviser Secretary Norberto Gonzales, outgoing Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Legislative and Liaison Secretary Gabriel Claudio, Secretary to the Cabinet Ricardo Saludo, and Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) Chairman Jesus Dureza.  END