BALI, Indonesia—Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said here that the decision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to run in next year’s elections has been received "with great relief" in the international community, especially in the Asia and the Pacific region.

Ople, who heads the Philippine delegation to the senior officials meeting that preceded the 9^th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which opens today, said that the prospect of the election of the President in 2004 with a fresh mandate will enhance the continuity and stability of Philippine government policies for the next six years.

Ople said he expects to see "a good fight for the presidency" in the 2004 elections. "She will be running on a good record and an inspiring vision of the future," Ople said, although he added that the strength of the opposition could not be under-rated.

The foreign secretary, once a stalwart of the opposition ng Laban ng Demokrating Pilipino (LDP), said the defections of Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda are a matter of deep regret but this will not impoverish the party because it can count on a deep bench of committed leaders.

"There will be no exodus. On the other hand, we have the prospect of being overwhelmed by new members who believe in President Macapagal-Arroyo’s leadership and vision," Ople added.

Ople, a former senator and Senate President, said he will consult with political leaders in his home province of Bulacan, on the Lakas-CMD offer for him to head the ruling party’s policy advisory council.

He said his acceptance would imply his formal resignation as a ranking leader of the LDP, being chairman of its Central Luzon chapter. "I’ll be making a civilized farewell to my colleagues in the opposition," Ople said.

"I have already informally crossed party lines when I accepted the kind invitation of President Macapagal-Arroyo to join her Cabinet, but this has not yet been formalized," Ople said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left today for Bali, Indonesia to attend the 9^th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the informal meeting of the heads of state or government of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area) and the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

The President’s plane, a chartered PAL jet (PR001), left Villamor Airbase at 7:45 a.m. and was expected to touch down at the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali after a four-hour plight.

During her absence, the President designated Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. as government caretaker "to act for and on my behalf."

In her letter to Guingona, the President said that the Executive Secretary and all concerned government departments and agencies will assist him in the discharge of his functions.

"I am confident that as always this arrangement will ensure national stability and delivery of basic services and that you will always uphold the interest of the nation," the President said.

Aside from Guingona, those who sent off the President included Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) General Manager Edgar Manda, Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia, and other military and civilian officials.

A hectic schedule awaits the President during her three-day stay in Bali.

BALI, Indonesia (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived here around 12:30 noon today for a three-day working visit to address the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, and to attend the 9th ASEAN Summit and the informal meeting of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area).

Upon her arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, the President will take a short rest at Hotel Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua.

At exactly 1:00 p.m., the President will go to the Grand Ballroom of the Bali Hilton Hotel to address the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

After her speech, the President and a small group of delegates would proceed to the Hibiscus Room of the Bali International Convention Center to attend the BIMP-EAGA leaders meeting to be participated by the president of the Asian Development Bank and ASEAN secretary general. In the evening, the President will have a working dinner with the ASEAN heads of state.

On day two (Tuesday), the President will participate in the 9th ASEAN Summit. During the conference the declaration ASEAN CONCORD II is expected to be signed. She also has a working lunch for the ASEAN+3 heads of state at Nusantra Room of the Bali International Convention Center.

The President also has bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of India and Premier Wen Jiabao of the People’s Republic of China. Some agreements are expected to be signed.

In the evening, the President will attend the working dinner hosted by Her Excellency President Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Republic of Indonesia.

On day-three (Wednesday), the President will have a hectic schedule. She will attend the ASEAN + 3 China Summit, signing of China’s Accession to the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation and the joint declaration of the Heads of State/Government of the People’s Republic of China and the members of the ASEAN on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.

She also has a meeting with the heads of states of ASEAN and Japan, where the ASEAN-Japan Framework for Comprehensive Economic Partnership is expected to be signed.

The President and the ASEAN leaders will also meet with the heads of state of India and Korea. After that is the signing of the India’s Accession to the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation of Southeast Asia (TAC) and the Framework Agreement for Comprehensive Economic Partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of India.

NUSA DUA, Bali, Indonesia – The Philippines is hoping to benefit from its participation in the three-day First ASEAN Business and Investment Summit which reels off today here.

Government officials attending the summit have expressed optimism that the summit will further boost the existing trade cooperation by which Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member economies are already reaping benefits, especially from the liberalized intra-trade and investment flows into the region.

The summit was called so that ASEAN member countries, including the Philippines, can keep up with the pace of growth of China, South Korea and Australia, main trading partners of ASEAN, whose economic growths are among the fastest in the region.

They believe that the summit will establish strong interaction among countries within the ASEAN region, as evidenced by the strong rapid growth in intra-trades and cooperation at the government level.

It is also meant to create a common economic and trade platform to break down bureaucracies and red tape that affect trade by looking at respective rules and regulations to liberalize them and redound to the benefit of each member economy.

One of the key programs that is being taken in stride is the possibility of formalizing the ASEAN Free Trade Area which was established in 1992, where certain tariffs of goods will be reduced to zero percent. According to them, it is likely that intra-regional trade, investment and rapid economic development will be increased.

Among others, these platforms are expected to narrow the economic gaps among member economies through trade creating policies, improved resource allocation, and greater employment opportunities.

These will be complemented by: a) fostering an exchange of views and perceptions within the private sector and government within ASEAN; b) facilitate trade and transactions between businessmen within the ASEAN region; and c) explore joint and intra-ASEAN business and investment opportunities.

Among the potential industry priorities up for discussion during the three-day summit are agriculture, plantations, food and food processing, fisheries, timber and wood products.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has stressed the need for reforms, even charter change, if necessary, to accelerate the country’s economic development and to build a strong Republic.

Speaking at the 25^th anniversary of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church at Manila’s Rizal Park Sunday night, the President said, "Ang mga problema ng ating bansa ay nanggaling sa sistema ng ating pulitika at sistema ng ating ekonomiya. Mahina pa tuloy ang ating Republika (Our problems stem from our economic and political systems. Our Republic is still weak)."

To hasten economic development and strengthen the Republic, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said that "kailangan … na palitan ang ating sistema at kung kailangan palitan maging ang ating konstitusyon (we must revamp our (economic and political) systems) and, if necessary, amend the Constitution)."

She echoed the call of JIL Brother-Bishop Eddie Villanueva for unity and reconciliation of all Filipinos. She also urged JIL members to pray and support her, just like what they did during the EDSA people power, part 2, in 2000 and have since continued to do.

The President concluded her speech with a prayer that Lord Jesus "touch the hearts of those who would have become tools of violence and dissension and those who propagate disunity and divisiveness so that they may realize the evil efforts of their deeds.."

BALI, Indonesia—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today thanked the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries in the Asia Pacific region for supporting the bid of the Philippines for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

In her speech at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit held at the Grand Ballroom of the Bali Hilton here, the President said that at the UN Security Council, the Philippines will carry on "our common banner of collective security, multilateral peace keeping and the rule of law."

The President also specially thanked the Malaysian government for facilitating the upcoming resumption of formal peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

She recalled that it was Indonesia, the host of the 9^th ASEAN Summit, and one of the founding members of the regional grouping, that facilitated the peace negotiations with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which led to the signing later on of a peace agreement with the MNLF.

"Our summit meeting here in Bali is also linked to the determined drive for peace and development in Mindanao, which along with Palawan, is the portion of the Philippines that belongs to the BIMP-EAGA," the President said.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area.

The President also lauded the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the United States Institute for Peace for their commitment to fully support the peace process in Mindanao.

According to the President, a multi-donor fund for Mindanao is now being worked out by the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The President arrived here shortly before noon from Manila aboard a charted Philippine Airlines plane, PR 001.

First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo returns home Wednesday night with 23 Filipino seamen who were imprisoned in Dubai for the past three years for non-payment of debt.

After weeks of negotiations with officials of the United Arab Emirates, the First Gentleman was able to successfully gain the release of the Filipinos who were charged with estafa.

He announced the good news about the 23 seamen in an interview with radio station DZBB this morning.

The 23 freed overseas Filipino workers and the First Gentleman are expected to arrive Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) where they will be welcomed by their relatives.

Atty. Arroyo said he is certain that the relatives and families of the 23 Filipino seamen would have a very happy reunion, especially since the Christmas season is already on the air.

It was a tearful occasion when the Filipinos finally stepped out of their prison cell, the First Gentleman said. "Kung nandoon ka lang naku palagay ko umiiyak ka rin. Masayang masaya sila (Had you been there, you would surely be touched," he told DZBB’s Rene Sta. Cruz.

Moved by the plight of the jailed Filipinos, the First Gentleman said he went to Dubai to seek the assistance of the Royal Family and government officials there.

The First Gentleman said it was not only a "charity" mission but was also a "personal diplomacy" he conducted with officials and the Royal Family in Dubai, in coordination with Ambassador Amable Aguiluz V.

The 23 Filipinos were jailed in Dubai after they asked for a loan amounting to about P28 million from their employer.

But Atty. Arroyo said the Filipinos did not get the actual amount and they were only given little sum, which they acknowledged when they signed documents

"Kumuha kasi sila ng pera. Konting konti lang. Binigyan sila ng boss nila (They received small amount given by their boss)," Atty. Arroyo said.

He pointed out that in Dubai even if the amount loaned is insignificant, they should repay it and will have to stay in jail until they could pay it in full.

It was not immediately known how the settlement with the OFWs creditor was arranged.

The First Gentleman just said that the Filipinos were just very happy that they were released. "Noon panaginip lang ito (Before, it was only a dream," Arroyo said.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that the creditor wanted the equivalent of P18 million as a settlement of debt but this was reduced to half, with the First Gentleman shouldering P7.5 million with funds from the Golf Foundation, and the balance of P1.5 million donated by Ambassador Aguiliuz, V.

Atty. Arroyo said he was hoping to complete the negotiation for the release of the Filipino seamen before the weekend but was delayed forcing him to miss the special occasion last Saturday in Clark Field, Pampanga, where President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared her plans to run in next year’s presidential elections.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), responding to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s firm commitment for more infrastructure projects, today announced the rehabilitation of outmoded bridge structures in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

DPWH Secretary Florante Soriquez said three old bridges in Metro Manila will be immediately rehabilitated in line with the bridge program of the President.

The President had expressed her desire to fast-track economic development in the country through the building of major infrastructure projects like road network and bridges.

In a report submitted by the National Capital Region engineering office, the three bridges set for complete rehabilitation are Sevilla in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City; Don Galo-La Huerta in Quirino Avenue, Paranaque City; and Tullahan, located between Malabon and Valenzuela City.

According to Soriquez, the rehabilitation work is part of the DPWH’s commitment to relentlessly pursue the bridge program of the President.

BALI, Indonesia—President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today urged member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to support the Philippine’s appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for agricultural reforms and removal of the subsidies extended by developed countries to their farmers.

The President issued the call in a speech before the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit here where heads of state from the ten ASEAN countries are meeting for three days.

"ASEAN should unite in support of this alliance to push for our collective interest in the WTO and ensure a just and fair global trading system," the President said.

The President said the collapse of the WTO trade talks in Cancun, Mexico revealed the big difference in perception between developed and undeveloped countries on how international trade should be conducted.

"While the WTO promised much in helping bridge the economic divide through a liberalized trading environment, it has only managed to tarry so painfully on delivery," the President said.

She described the failed WTO trade talks as a "wake up call" for all nations to refocus on the stark relationship between world poverty and world trade.

"These recent developments also underscore the need for greater cooperation among us to keep our vision of an integrated, prosperous and competitive ASEAN by 2020 on track," the President said.

She asked the ASEAN leaders to promote regional complementation and make the region more globally competitive.

The President cited the intra-regional growth areas of providing an appropriate environment to gain a relevant understanding of the dynamic developments in the region as a whole.

She likewise noted that sub-regional growth areas such as the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) "accelerate the realization of an ASEAN economic community and maximize their own full potential through integrative enhancement of capacities among neighboring provinces and states, and by enhancing the traditional trading relations in the growth area that have existed for centuries."

Since its inception in 1994, the Philippines has enthusiastically supported the BIMP-EAGA initiative.

The President said that today there are so many brilliant opportunities in the BIMP-EAGA such as in agro-industry, fisheries, forestry, energy, tourism, telecommunications, air and sea linkages, retail, financial services, construction, among others.

Aside from economic matters, the BIMP-EAGA is also deeply concerned on security issue, which is being addressed vigorously.

The President said the Philippines is currently prepared to conduct meetings with Malaysia and Indonesia to address border crossing issues, covering customs, immigration, quarantine and security.

She also revealed that the Philippines would soon host the first BIMP-EAGA security officials’ conference "to strengthen direct contacts among law enforcers within the sub-regional growth.

"We shall forge a stronger collective push against terrorism and transnational crimes," the President said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, Presidential Management Staff head Silvestre Afable, and a delegation of Philippine business leaders were present at the business and investment summit.

The ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok by the five original member countries, namely; Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on January 8, 1984, Vietnam on July 28, 1995, India and Myanmar on July 23, 1997, and Cambodia on April 30, 1999.

The ASEAN region has a population of about 500 million, a total area of 4.5 million square kilometers, a combined gross domestic product of US$737 billion, and a total trade amounting to US$720 billion.

Under the ASEAN declaration, the objective of the regional grouping is to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation in a prosperous and peaceful community.