PHNO-HL; SONA 3: NOY URGED TO SKIP CHINA DISPUTE, TACKLE ECONOMY, POVERTY, POWER CRISIS

SONA 3: NOY URGED TO SKIP CHINA DISPUTE, TACKLE
ECONOMY, POVERTY, POWER CRISIS

MANILA, JULY 21, 2012 (TRIBUNE)
Written by Angie M. Rosales - President Aquino was warned yesterday to
skip any mention about the Scarborough Shoal conflict or any reference to the
territorial dispute with China in his State of the Nation Address (Sona)
scheduled on Monday.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said if he was
President Aquino, he will not make any mention of territorial disputes in the
Sona.

Enrile said he does not have any expectations on what should be
the content of Aquino's speech but he could only hope Aquino will touch on the
economic direction of his administration and the security problem of the
country.

"That's a sensitive national security problem. It's better not
to talk about it. Don't talk about a problem that your enemy has an interest
on," Enrile said.

Enrile added he would suggest to Malacañang not to deal
with the issue on the contested Scarborough or Panatag Shoal in the President's
speech before Congress on Monday, more important, even state or give a hint as
to the country's position on the matter.

It's like telegraphing one's
punches to his opponent, he added.

Enrile also cautioned Aquino from even
entertaining the idea of backchannel negotiations with China after the
Philippines failed to convince member-countries in the Association of Southeast
Asian Nation (Asean) to take a stand on the issue, saying such would be a
dangerous move.

"I will not advocate (resolving the row with China) by
back-channeling (the negotiations). That's dangerous. You know, backchanneling
with the giant is dangerous. What are you going to hold? His tail? You involve
your friends in order to hold the giant at bay," he said.

When asked if
he was referring to the Asean or similar organizations, the Senate chief who was
once a defense minister under the Marcos administration merely replied, "whoever
is your friend."

Discussing China's alleged repeated intrusions into the
country's territorial waters was a matter best delegated to the Department of
Foreign Affairs, he said, especially since it concerns foreign
policy.

And even if China continues to engage in bullying tactics,
there's really nothing that the Aquino government can do but try to intensify
the logistical support of the Armed Forces.

The recent Asean meeting
which proved unprecedented as it failed to come up with a joint communique, the
senator said there was nothing surprising about it considering that the host
country, Cambodia was a known Chinese ally.

"That's why we're bringing
the matter before the International Court of Justice for the law to prevail and
convince our allies join us in our cause," he said.

"I am hoping the
President will discuss his plans and policy on how to proceed with our relations
with China. He has to be clear on our stand and have concrete plans of action
that will address the impending problems involving trade, tourism and national
security. This will have a great impact not only on our national territory, but
also on our economy with China, it being our third largest trading partner," he
said.

"I also expect the Sona to touch on the power sector. A clear and
urgent program should be spelled out to address the country's energy needs. Our
existing energy infrastructure can no longer sustain our needs and several power
plants are near the point of break-down. The President should articulate a
concrete action plan, particularly for Mindanao, to avert a power crisis. We
still have time to avert this impending problem," Enrile added.

"Expected
to be in the text are priority legislations and I expect that the President will
be pushing for the approval of bills seeking to reform sin taxes, and the
Freedom of Information Act," he added.

"I believe that the Freedom of
Information Act will enhance the President's drive for greater transparency and
accountability," he said.

The Department of National Defense (DND), while
vowing it was ready to defend the country's 200 nautical miles exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) in the Kalayaan Islands Group (KIGs) or the Spratlys where a
fleet of Chinese fishing vessels were deployed outside the Philippines' EEZ, it
was mum with regard to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in Zambales where the Chinese
have been staying since April.

At a press briefing, DND spokesman Peter
Paul Galvez said that defense department will be using whatever capability it
has to protect the country's integrity in connection with territorial dispute,
particularly in the KIGs in the West Philippine Sea.
"As long as it's within
our capability, we will be enforcing what we could in support of course with our
Coast Guard," said Galvez.

"If it's within the 200-nautical mile EEZ, the
department, with its recent upgrading of its capabilities, will be, in whatever
capability it can muster, with the authorization of our foreign affairs and our
other leaders," added Galvez.

He maintained that any action from the DND
will be under the authority of the DFA and other higher authorities.
Galvez
noted that statement of military Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban
on Wednesday, stating that the 30 Chinese fishing vessels deployed in the
Spratlys were spotted at Fiery Cross Reef or Kagitingan Reef outside the
Philippines' EEZ.

On the other hand, Galvez distanced the DND from the
issue in Panatag Shoal, located approximately 124 nautical miles off Masinloc
town in Zambales and well within the country's EEZ.

"I am sorry at the
moment I cannot comment on the matter. I have nothing on that for the meantime,"
said Galvez.
"The DFA will be the appropriate agency to address the matter at
the moment," he added.

The Chinese have not left Panatag Shoal since
April when the standoff started between Philippine and Chinese ships.
Last
June 15, President Aquino ordered the pull out of Philippine ships from Panatag
Shoal but the Chinese remained in the area. As of last monitoring, there were at
least three Chinese government-controlled vessels – a fishery and law
enforcement command vessel and two surveillance ships.

Galvez maintained
that the DND still hopes that the dispute with China would be resolved
peacefully.

With no significant reforms to address the worsening
situation of the basic masses, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano yesterday said he
would link arms with basic sectors on Monday during street protests as Aquino
delivers his third Sona.
"We have very little to look forward to in the
President's upcoming Sona. As far as we are concerned, the past two years under
Aquino yielded no significant reforms and benefits for worker, farmers, fisher
folks and urban poor sectors," Mariano said.

"Two years is long enough
to know Aquino's brand of leadership – pro-foreign and anti-people."

"As
expected, President Aquino will use 'yellow magic' to paint illusions of growth,
development and good governance. But the people will not buy it. We know the
truth," Mariano said.

The solon said despite Malacañang's perceived
'inclusive growth' based on the 6.4-percent growth in gross domestic product is
in the first quarter, economic indicators and actual conditions prove that there
had been no significant improvement in the quality of life of
Filipinos.

Domestic jobs crisis continue under Aquino. The total number
of unemployed and underemployed Filipinos increased by 780,000 in the last two
years, from 10.9 million in April 2010 to 11.7 million in April 2012 based on
IBON estimates and National Statistics Office data. This is equivalent to 4.4
million unemployed and 7.3 million underemployed Filipinos under the Aquino
administration.

The quality of jobs created also deteriorated with 43% or
16.2 million of the jobs in the economy account for part-time or temporary work.
The number of full-time workers also dropped by 1.6 million since
2010.

Mariano said workers' wages are still pegged to the floor and far
from the required daily cost of living because of Aquino's rejection of the
legislated wage increase demand. "Despite the P30 wage hike in the National
Capital Region, the mandated minimum wage of Php446 in May 2012 is just 44
percent of the required P1,017 family living wage."

"While wages remain
low, workers and consumers endured unending price hikes under the Aquino
administration. Oil prices, power, water and toll rates have increased
tremendously in the past two years. The government did nothing to prevent the
spate of price hikes, inflation and rising cost of living. Constant price hikes
contributed to the worsening domestic hunger and poverty." Mario J. Mallari, Charlie V. Manalo


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved




PHILIPPINE
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