The bombings are acts of desperation in view of our strong gains against terror. The Filipino people will not be cowed and our government shall step up the fight on all fronts.

President Arroyo expresses her sympathies to the families of the victims of these crimes and hope for the speedy healing of the wounded.

The authorities, with the support of the people, will leave no stone unturned in the conduct of the investigation and to bring to justice these agents of fear and terror.

CEBU CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to make a strong push for the establishment of a truly compassionate ASEAN in line with the theme, "One Caring, One Sharing Community," which she herself chose for the 12^th ASEAN Summit that formally starts here Saturday, Jan. 13.

The President, chairman of the Cebu Summits, will arrive here before noon Friday to begin a hectic schedule that will keep her "very busy" until Jan. 15, a presidential aide said.

At the Summit, the President will push for greater cooperation and networking among the 10 member states to achieve ASEAN’s goal of building a stronger and borderless regional community.

The President has underscored the need to push for greater trade and security among the ASEAN countries to eradicate poverty in the region.

"The Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit at a time that the whole region is taking stock of the present and planning ahead for the future," the President said in a statement Wednesday.

"Great stakes are involved in the continuing integration of the entire East Asia, which is driven by strong centripetal forces to close ranks for a safer and more secure community, more open and equitable trade, cooperation in all fronts of energy development, and the prosperity of it diverse people," she added.

This year’s summit theme was chosen by the President among the three pillars of ASEAN---ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

She said the meetings among the ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners from Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea and New Zealand will be another "golden opportunity" to discuss plans and strategies to develop new directions in intra-regional cooperation, including fighting poverty and promoting sciences and technology.

"We stand at a threshold of great challenges and opportunities, and timely decisions will enable ASEAN and East Asia to seize the moment and the momentum to achieve broader human security, peace and prosperity at the grassroots of every village and community," the President said.

Shortly after her arrival here Friday, the President will attend the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa at 2 p.m.

The BIMP-EAGA meeting is expected to discuss means to accelerate economic development in the region’s growth area through increased investments, the development of human resources, effective use of natural resources and strengthening security measures.

Later in the afternoon, the President will meet with former President Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippine representative to the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), before she proceeds to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) for the unveiling of the center’s commemorative marker.

At the CICC, the President will welcome the heads of state of the nine other ASEAN member countries and their dialogue partners to be followed by informal meetings among the visiting leaders.

The Chief Executive is also expected to meet with Timor Leste Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta on Friday night on the accession of the former Portuguese colony to ASEAN, the first step before becoming the youngest member of the grouping.

CEBU, Philippines—Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Wednesday the welfare of the Southeast Asian community will be the centerpiece agenda of the 12^th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which formally opens here Saturday, Jan. 13.

In a statement, Romulo said that the key values of the ASEAN community will be enshrined at the Cebu Declaration Towards a Caring and Sharing Community to be issued at the end of the three-day summit.

According to Romulo, the Cebu Declaration will reinforce ASEAN’S commitment to address the key common concerns of the people in the region that include poverty alleviation, improving social conditions, particularly for women and children; enhancing safety of migrants; mitigating disasters; managing potential pandemic diseases; and upgrading the quality of life through greater development with expanded education, science, technology, trade, investment and tourism.

"Adopting this Declaration will also emphasize our resolve to strengthen the peace in our region," Romulo said, adding that the Philippines will host next month a meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum of experts and eminent persons who will discuss the security situation in Northeast Asia.

Romulo said that at this meeting, the Philippines will offer, as ASEAN chair, to facilitate or host the six-party talks that seek to resolve the problem of the nuclearization of North Korea.

The Foreign secretary also said that cognizant of the indispensable contribution of migrant workers, the ASEAN community will pledge protection for them wherever they are.

Toward this end, Romulo said, the ASEAN leaders would also sign the Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

CEBU, Philippines--With concrete benefits already in the pipeline for Cebu and the Philippines as a result of the international attention and interest generated by Cebu’s hosting of the 12^th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo expressed confidence that even more tourists and investors will go to Cebu after the summit meetings.

Romulo said the hosting of the ASEAN Summit Meetings underscored "the strengths of key Philippine industries and generated keen interest in the application of Filipino ingenuity, creativity and skills, particularly in the information and communications technology sector."

"I have been told that as a result of the activities and attention given to Cebu because of the Summit, two Indian businessmen have already decided to invest in Cebu," Romulo said.

Cebu, with its educated and highly trainable manpower pool, has gained recognition as a business process outsourcing (BPO) center outside of Metro Manila.

"This presents a valuable opportunity to further highlight Cebu and the Philippines’ traditional and emerging strengths, in particular BPO, tourism, health care and diagnosis, furniture design and animation," Romulo pointed out.

Romulo explained the interest is due in large part, not only to the attention brought in by the summit, but also by the confidence of foreign investors in Philippine abilities and skills and the efforts of the private and public sectors in the region to improve continuously.

The Philippines’ ICT industry continues to carve a niche in the global industry with its highly-trained professionals and is touted as second only to India in BPO performance.

Cebu, on the other hand, leads the Philippines in sustained tourism industry development and contemporary furniture design. Hotel and hospitality industry officials here noted the strong performance and high occupancy rates at the beginning of the year, with the ASEAN Summit and related meetings held in advance of the traditional Sinulog festival.

Romulo said that Cebu’s MICE sector (Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibits) would also greatly benefit from the international attention generated by Cebu’s hosting of the summit meetings.

Romulo said that key Philippine officials have already received assurances of other investments, particularly in Cebu.

"I have been told by several knowledgeable people, including Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto, that solid contacts have been established and firm expressions of interest were received by Cebuano business leaders," the Secretary said. Benedicto is a former ambassador and a noted business and industry pillar based in Cebu.

CEBU, Philippines-- A day before the official start of the 12^th ASEAN Summit and other meetings, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said Wednesday that diplomats from the countries participating in the Cebu events are looking forward to returning to Cebu.

"Just last Monday night, at a diplomatic reception I attended, a number of diplomats told me that they, as well as their officials, ministers and leaders are glad, if not eager, to be going back to Cebu," Secretary Romulo said.

The Secretary said that the unique appeal of Cebu and the warmth and the hospitality of its people "are powerful and compelling forces that are drawing them back to this beautiful island."

He added that the significance of the work and the contributions and benefits to the entire region that would result from the Cebu Summits are also reasons that make the participants want to go back to Cebu.

CEBU, Philippines –Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will push for the resumption of the DOHA Round of the stalled World Trade Organization (WTO) talks.

In Wednesday’s first ASEAN senior economic officials’ meeting at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Director Jose Antonio Buencamino, special trade representative of the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said the senior economic officials came up with a draft statement calling for progress in the DOHA negotiations.

Buencamino said that in their meeting, the ASEAN senior economic officials made only minor revisions of the draft statement which was circulated earlier on Jan. 5. Agreement on the draft was reached on Jan. 8.

He said ASEAN leaders are keenly looking forward to the resumption of the DOHA Round to accelerate and ensure economic security and development in the region.

"The ASEAN is open to regional groupings and is very much anxious to restart and negotiate the DOHA Round and push it through. I think this is the clear message of the ASEAN in relation to the Doha Round," Buencamino said.

He said that while ASEAN leaders will make their own contribution to the trade negotiations, they expect the major players to assume a vital role in getting the negotiations back on track.

He added that the broad thrust of the draft statement is based on the instruction of the ASEAN leaders to their ministers, senior officials and their representations to Geneva to intensify engagements on the DOHA Round.

"I think this is a big breakthrough that we achieved Wednesday morning and this is one of the cornerstones of the chairmanship of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the 12th ASEAN Summit," according to Ambassador Victoriano Lecaros, spokesman for the 12th ASEAN summit.

CEBU, Philippines – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is determined to transform ASEAN into a regional community that is pro-active and responsive to an increasingly global environment by 2015.

This was disclosed Wednesday by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo who underscored the urgency of accelerating ASEAN’s emergence as a regional community.

"We are determined to hasten the realization of our community and it is for this reason that our leaders will sign the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of an Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015," Romulo said in a statement read by Ambassador Vic Lecaros during a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Romulo, who is also the chair of the ASEAN Standing Committee, stressed the need to move the regional community concept forward.

"In so doing, we will be worthy heirs of the visionaries who created ASEAN and we will be enhancing their legacy for generations to come," he added.

Romulo described the ASEAN community as one that will be able and willing to engage the rest of the world.

He cited the case of Timor Leste and European Union member France which are set to formalize their commitment to a peaceful and secure Southeast Asia with their accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

"Clearly, there is urgency in our efforts to accelerate and to deepen our regional community-building. Whatever successes we have had, we must now move even further forward," the Foreign Affairs Secretary pointed out.

CEBU, Philippines -- Led by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo as chairman, foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reviewed several key regional issues at a working dinner Wednesday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa. .

"We had a very comprehensive and frank discussion of current regional issues. We exchanged views as friends do, in a cordial and candid manner," Romulo said after the meeting.

Among the items discussed was the issue of democracy in Myanmar.

Romulo said that he reiterated the Philippine call for the return of democracy in Myanmar and invited Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Min to brief the other ASEAN foreign ministers on the issue.

Also discussed were the nuclear issue involving the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the importance of reviving the Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) talks.

On the DPRK issue, Romulo opened the discussion by recalling that as chairman of the ASEAN foreign ministers, he issued a statement on Oct. 12, 2006 protesting North Korea’s nuclear testing and called on Pyongyang to abide by the United Nations’ Resolution 1695.

The statement also underscored the need for Pyongyang to return to the Six-Party Talks to find a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula.

"While encouraging every diplomatic option remains a very high priority, I believe we should also be consistent in conveying to the North Koreans the expectations of the international community with respect to denuclearization, particularly in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1718," he said.

UNSC Resolution 1718, which was unanimously adopted by the world body, calls for specific actions to make it clear to the DPRK that it must start denuclearization, consistent with its commitment under the Sept. 19, 2005 Joint Statement.

"We should work together towards the full implementation of 1718, independent of the Six-Party Talks process," Romulo told his fellow ASEAN foreign ministers.

He also expressed the hope that the new UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, can help mobilize international support for diplomatic efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, adding that ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) were ready to assist end the impasse.

Romulo also proposed that a Track Two Six-Party Talks might help to move discussions forward, citing the meeting next month of Experts and Eminent Persons on Northeast Asian security to be hosted by the Philippines.

On the Doha Development Round, the Secretary told the ASEAN ministers that the ASEAN should touch on the important and timely subject of world trade in the context of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the WTO, and the Doha Development Round.

"The Philippines feels that APEC, ASEAN, and its dialogue mechanisms, can help revive Doha," he said.

CEBU, Philippines—The presence here of 16 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their dialogue partners in the 12^th ASEAN Summit is an equivocal statement of their confidence in the preparations undertaken by host Philippines to ensure their safety and that the summit would not be disrupted by security problems.

In a press conference at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., secretary general of the Summit National Organizing Committee (NOC), said that the attendance of the 16 leaders "is itself a statement" that the Cebu summits would move on as scheduled.

Paynor said that the reported travel advisory given by some governments is a sovereign decision and would not affect the meetings in Cebu.

For example, despite the second advisory issued by the Australian government for its nationals not to travel to Cebu because of alleged terrorist threats, Australian Prime Minister John Howard is arriving Sunday, Jan. 14, to represent his country in the Cebu summits, Paynor said.

Australia, along with China, Japan, India, South Korea and New Zealand, are ASEAN’s dialogue partners.

According to Paynor, four of the heads of state/government -- Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh of Laos, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam, and Prime Minister Gen. Soe Win of Myanmar – are arriving today.

He said that five other leaders will be arriving Friday, Jan. 12, while the rest of the summiteers will arrive on Saturday and Sunday.

Paynor earlier assured the public that neither the weather nor the so-called terrorist threats would prevent the holding of the ASEAN Summit and related summits over the weekend.

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippines renewed last night its call on Myanmar to advance its Roadmap to Democracy and free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said the "advancement of democracy in Myanmar remains a key issue for ASEAN member countries."

Romulo restated the Philippine position on Myanmar democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi during a working dinner of ASEAN foreign ministers.

He recalled that during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur last year, ASEAN urged Myanmar to advance its Roadmap to Democracy, release persons under detention and allow all individuals and parties to take part in its political process.

"This is of particular importance, now that Myanmar has released some political prisoners," Romulo said after the meeting.

He added that the Philippines supports the call made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 8 urging Myanmar authorities to go beyond this first step (roadmap) by releasing all other political prisoners in that country, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and by making further concrete progress on all of the issues raised in the context of his good offices.

Romulo, who hosted and chaired last night’s working dinner, also urged Myanmar to show verifiable progress in its democratization process.

"While it is to be noted that UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, has reported that the roadmap is on track and that the government is committed to its early completion, democratization in Myanmar remains a key ASEAN issue and a concern for the Philippines," the Secretary said.

Undersecretary-General Gambari, who visited Myanmar last month on a "good offices" mission and met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, said she seemed "reasonably well" but needs more regular medical attention.

The UN official’s visit came two months after the UN Security Council took the historic step of putting the country on its agenda in September, a move intended to bring greater UN scrutiny of Myanmar’s ruling junta.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed today her sympathies to the families of the victims of the bombings in two Cotabato provinces which claimed the lives of six innocent civilians and wounded several other persons yesterday.

"President Arroyo expresses her sympathies to the families of the victims of these crimes and hope for the speedy healing of the wounded," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said.

Initial reports said a powerful bomb exploded at the General Santos City public market early Wednesday evening, killing six persons and injuring more than 15 others.

Two other blasts were reported later in Cotabato City and Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

In a statement, Bunye described the bombings as dastardly and cowardly "acts of desperation" that would only strengthen the government's resolve to intensify its war against terrorism.

"The bombings are acts of desperation in view of our strong gains against terror. The Filipino people will not be cowed and our government shall step up the fight on all fronts," Bunye said.

With the support of the public, he said authorities are doing all they can in the investigation to put the perpetrators behind bars and bring justice to the victims.

CEBU, Philippines – The drawing up of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) charter will be left to a high-level task force which will take over from the Eminent Persons Group of the regional conclave.

This was disclosed today by 12^th ASEAN Summit spokesman Ambassador Vic Lecaros in a press conference at the Cebu International Convention Center ’s Main Briefing Room.

Although the charter would not be completed during the four-day Summit, Lecaros said the Philippines should be proud of the fact "that it all started here."

"There was no draft or framework a year ago," he explained. "The EPG was thus mandated to lay down the ground rules for the charter."

For 40 years, the ASEAN has existed through a consensus among the country leaders.

But when the membership grew to 10 and a consensus was harder to reach, the membership of the regional grouping decided to appoint the region’s elder statesmen to draw up the parameters.

"The charter seeks to address that particular concern," Lecaros said, referring to mechanisms on how to arrive at a resolution in case there is no consensus among the member countries.

The actual adoption of the charter, he said, will take place at a subsequent time.

CEBU, Philippines–Philippine officials downplayed today as "isolated" the three bomb explosions in southern Philippines Wednesday night, saying the blasts would in no way affect the holding of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit which opened today at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

"The show (summit) will go on," Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo told a press conference Wednesday night after the second explosion rocked Kidapawan, North Cotabato.

The explosions occurred 300 miles south of Cebu City, too far away to have any impact on the ASEAN Summit, officials said.

"I have been told by our security people that everything is safe and secure here in the ASEAN (summit), East Asia and the other summits," Romulo said.

Summit organizers stressed that the government would not be intimidated by the bombings, which the police and the military said could be the handiwork of the Indonesian-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf in retaliation for the ongoing military operations against terrorists in Mindanao.

ASEAN Summit National Organizing Committee secretary general Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. echoed Romulo’s statement, saying that all venues of the high-level meetings and other areas, including travel routes of the foreign dignitaries in Cebu, are safe and secure.

"These bombings are completely isolated incidents that do not relate to our summit meetings," he said in a separate press briefing today at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). "They relate to other events in other parts of the country and have no link to the summit meetings."

"It is precisely these acts, and other acts of senseless violence and terrorism that the (ASEAN) leaders will be addressing when they meet here," Paynor said.  

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the bombing incidents took place too far away to affect the ASEAN Summit.

Summit spokesman Ambassador Vic Lecaros also pointed out that there was nothing to suggest that that three separate blasts were related to the ASEAN Summit here, "although that is what the terrorists want us to believe."

CEBU, Philippines – The Indonesian government reiterated today its full support for the peace efforts in Mindanao and the Philippine bid for observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Indonesian Foreign Minister Nur Hassan Wirajuda reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the Philippines during a meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, shortly before the start of the ASEAN Summit meetings here.

"The Philippines would like to pursue, as an observer, its engagement with the OIC to further build on the gains of the 1996 GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement and we look forward to Indonesia’s even more active engagement and leadership in its capacity as Chair of the OIC’s Committee of the Eight (C8), which is monitoring the 1996 agreement," Romulo told his Indonesian counterpart.

The two foreign ministers discussed a host of issues, including cooperation on counterterrorism and border security.

Romulo thanked Wirajuda for Indonesia’s strong support for the Debt-for-MDG (Millennium Development Goals) Projects Initiative presented by the Philippines to the United Nations in 2005. Both countries are keen on attaining the MDG, but their external debt problem has prevented them from financing and implementing development priorities and programs on a sustained basis.

The Foreign Affairs secretary expressed the hope that "through the Philippine hosting of the RP-RI Joint Bilateral Consultation on Debt Conversion on 20-21 February 2007, our two countries would gain technical knowledge of the mechanics and nuances of negotiating debt conversions on the bilateral and multilateral level, and enhance cooperation on exploring ways to achieve the MDG targets."

CEBU, Philippines--Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo reemphasized the Philippine call for Myanmar to implement the Roadmap to Democracy when he met with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win Wednesday.

Romulo welcomed the reconvening of the National Convention last October, which is the first of seven steps in Myanmar’s Roadmap to Democracy.

Referring to the Joint Communique’ of the 39^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Romulo encouraged Myanmar to release all persons under detention, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Romulo also stressed the importance of the involvement of individuals and parties in Myanmar’s nation-building efforts.

It is in this context that Romulo also noted the recent release by Myanmar of 2,831 prisoners which included around 40 political prisoners.

"While we welcome the release of a number of political prisoners, we join the call of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the release of all political prisoners," Romulo said.

He also conveyed to his Myanmar counterpart the full support of the Philippine government for the political and diplomatic initiatives that may be taken by the new UN Secretary-General to help bring democratic reforms to Myanmar.

CEBU, Philippines--During today’s meeting between the foreign ministers of the ASEAN member countries and China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo expressed the Philippines’ renewed faith in the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC).

"The ASEAN – China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea remains at the heart of cooperation between ASEAN and China in terms of ensuring that an atmosphere of peace remain in the South China Sea in spite of the conflicting claims in the area," Romulo said after the meeting.

"For the Philippines, as a claimant and as a country determined to work for a peaceful solution to these conflicting claims, the DoC is an important document and is a significant part of maintaining peace and stability and in building confidence and cooperation in the South China Sea," Romulo added.

Romulo said that during the meeting, he welcomed in particular the progress relating to the ASEAN–China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

"The Joint Working Group (JWG) under the DoC has met twice and we will continue to work with China to implement cooperation within the DoC framework to ensure that our South China Sea endeavors will be at par with our excellent record of cooperation elsewhere," Romulo said.

According to Romulo, during the meeting, he expressed the hope that there will be progress in the work of the JWG. He also reiterated the firm commitment of the Philippines to make the DoC work.

On his part, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing welcomed the call of Secretary Romulo for more progress in the work of the JWG. Minister Li also thanked Romulo for the spirit of cooperation shown by the Philippines on the DoC.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said today the expansion of the Reformed Value Added Tax (RVAT) collections which hit P69.9 billion in January-November and exceeded the target by P1.2 billion was just one of the many "sterling results" of the tough economic reforms implemented by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to put the fiscal house in order and rev up the country’s economy.

Bunye noted that despite the initial criticisms and opposition to the RVAT and other economic measures, the President was steadfast and took the "bitter pill" to increase government revenues and bring the perennial budget shortfall under control.

"President Arroyo’s tough decisions for the interest of the people have yielded sterling results," Bunye said in a statement.

"It will be recalled that her critics were pounding the decision of President Arroyo on the VAT as anti-people, but it all turns out in the end that the people are taking a good harvest out of it," he added.

The Presidential spokesperson said that due to the economic gains, the government has more funds now to finance new pro-poor projects and the confidence of the international financial community is back as gleaned in more investments coming into the country.

The President commended the Filipino taxpayers for doing their share for nation building as well as the economic team "for helping put the country’s fiscal house in order, plugging the loopholes in the revenue system and streaming expenditure where they are needed most to generate confidence, investments and jobs," Bunye said.

"Collections are up and corruption is going down. The administration’s pro-poor projects are on a roll in an atmosphere of economic vibrance and political stability," he stressed.

CEBU, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the Philippines is privileged to take part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) quest for lasting peace and economic prosperity as it hosts the 12^th ASEAN Summit now underway in Cebu.

The President made the statement as she welcomed the leaders of the 10 member states of the ASEAN and its six dialogue partners: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, South Korea and India.

She said Filipinos should take pride in the country’s hosting of the Cebu Summit.

"The Philippines is proud to welcome the leaders of ASEAN and East Asia in Cebu. We believe in the collective power of the leaders and peoples of this region to make a difference in world security and economic prosperity and we are privileged to take part in this quest through our hosting of the Summits," the President said.

She said the ASEAN leaders will work on a framework for the future of the region, a "future that will bring stability and peace, comfort to the disaster- stricken and the sick, a safer environment, cheaper and more abundant energy, food for the poor and most of all, friendships among peoples that will endure into this century."

She said that the Philippines could be the crossroads of goodwill and change" as its lies "at an equidistant point from the capitals of East Asia."

She added that the Philippines is the center of excellence and democracy, with its competent and competitive workers exuding excellence in the region and the whole world and winning more friends.

The Chief Executive described the Cebu summits as the convergence of "all colors and creeds, peoples of diverse origins and social station" and the goal of the ASEAN leaders is to create a borderless community, a "One Caring, One Sharing Community," the theme of the 12^th ASEAN Summit.

ASEAN is composed of the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.

CEBU, Philippines—Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to sign an agreement that seeks to strengthen the promotion and protection on the rights of the migrant workers.

Ambassador Vic Lecaros, spokesman for the 12th ASEAN Summit, said that the articles of the agreement have already been ironed out except for few "sticking" points which the ministers of the 10 member countries are currently discussing in their own meetings.

"It is just a matter of arriving at the commonly acceptable language to put in words what they had agreed to in principle," Lecaros said in a press conference at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) here.

Lecaros has cited, for example, the definition of migrant workers, documented and undocumented workers, as one of the issues that the ASEAN ministers are trying to resolve.

"These are the features that the ASEAN ministers are working on. They are not really reviewing but refining and putting them into a language that will be acceptable and practicable to all concerned," Lecaros said.

Lecaros added that the ASEAN leaders are also seeking to reconcile differences among the ASEAN member countries on their adoption and interpretation of the different United Nations conventions on the rights of the migrant workers, women and children. 

"Not all the ASEAN countries subscribed to the same UN convention and there is a disparity in the level of commitment and relevance among member countries," he said.

CEBU, Philippines – The spirit of "One Caring and Sharing Community," the theme of the 12^th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was highlighted today when the foreign ministers of ASEAN expressed solidarity and support for the victims of typhoons Seniang, Reming and Milenyo that hit the country recently.

At their meeting chaired by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, the ASEAN senior officials expressed solidarity and support for the calamity victims.

They also expressed confidence in the resilience and courage of the Filipino people, and in their ability and determination to overcome the recent disasters and to rebuild their lives.

Secretary Romulo said that he was deeply moved by the kind gesture shown by the ASEAN ministers and their support for the Filipino calamity victims. "On behalf of the Filipino people and all those affected by the recent disasters, I conveyed our deep and profound gratitude to the ASEAN foreign ministers for their solidarity and support."

"This was an issue that was not on the agenda of our meeting, but one that I certainly welcome and acknowledge as the thoughtful, kind and unselfish gesture of our friends and neighbors in the community," he added.

"The sincere expressions of solidarity and support, as well as the many donations and offers of assistance from all over the region and the world for the victims of typhoons and the other recent natural disasters, highlight in a clear, categorical and meaningful manner our theme of ‘One Caring and Sharing Community’," the Secretary said when he emerged from the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

During the meeting, Romulo also joined the other ministers in expressing the solidarity and support for all the victims of natural disasters in the region.

CEBU, Philippines--Determined to ensure that the Cebu Summits will lead to concrete agreements and understandings that will benefit the countries and peoples of Southeast and East Asia, the Foreign Ministers from the 10 ASEAN member states finalized today the draft agendas for the Cebu Leaders’ Summits to be held later in the week.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Dr. Alberto G. Romulo, who chaired this morning’s meeting, said that the agendas that were adopted for the consideration of the Leaders Meetings in Cebu "reflect the common determination of ASEAN member countries to build a truly caring and sharing community."

The agendas that were finalized are for the 12^th ASEAN Summit, the 10^th ASEAN-Plus-Three Summit (ASEAN-Plus-China, Japan and the Republic of Korea), the 2^nd East Asian Summit, and individual summits between the Leaders of ASEAN and of the three Northeast Asian countries, India and Timor L’Este. The ASEAN Leaders are also slated to receive briefings or reports from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the ASEAN People’s Assembly, World Trade Organization and UNAIDS.

On the issue of the ASEAN Charter, during the meeting, the Secretary highlighted that in Cebu "we will consolidate the foundations for building a truly people-centered regional community, where development and other gaps can be gradually closed."

"This will meet the concerns of many of our citizens who want our integration to be inclusive and benefit all people and sectors," Romulo said at the meeting, adding "the blueprint on the ASEAN Charter is a major step in that direction. Our onward progress as a region calls for a modern institutional structure. The blueprint brings us forward and embodies the objectives and mandates of the other outcome documents."

The ministers also welcomed the fact that the ASEAN leaders will be adopting a statement on the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was an initiative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"The ASEAN Leaders Statement on the WTO reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to the Doha Round and to attaining an ambitious and balanced overall outcome. It further states that ASEAN members are prepared to make contributions to ensure an outcome to the negotiations that will allow our economies to develop and prosper," the Secretary told the meeting.

During the meeting, Secretary Romulo expressed appreciation for the collegial cooperation of his ASEAN counterparts and for their understanding and cooperation in rescheduling the Cebu meetings.

"We will ensure that the Cebu Summits will leave a lasting legacy for achieving an ASEAN Community and for deeper East Asian integration. All Filipinos, most especially the citizens of Cebu, can be justifiably proud of this effort," Romulo said after the meeting.

Philippine national priorities are embedded in the agendas approved by the ministers. The Philippines has advocated closer social and cultural linkages in order to strengthen ASEAN’s regional identity. The overall theme of the Summits is to make ASEAN a caring and sharing community. This major Philippine initiative will be at the heart of a declaration to be made by the ASEAN Leaders.

Following the leadership of President Macapagal-Arroyo on the subject of regional energy cooperation, the leaders of East Asia are scheduled to hold an East Asian energy security summit during their retreat.

Other major Philippine agenda items that the leaders will consider include the safety and welfare of migrant workers, counter-terrorism, the drafting of an ASEAN Charter, sustainable development, and promoting cooperation in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), which is of critical importance to Mindanao.