NOLI:
LET’S SUPPORT GMA’s UN TRIP
Stable oil prices and more
investments are important to RP
13 September 2005
Vice President Noli ‘Kabayan’ De Castro
led government officials last night in sending off President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as she embarks on a historic journey to New York City
to represent the entire Filipino nation in a meeting of world leaders
to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN).
The trip of President Arroyo
is doubly historic as she will likewise represent the Philippines in
presiding over the UN Security
Council, the highest and most powerful organ of the international
organization. The UN Security
Council is poised to take up significant matters such as rising oil
prices and terrorism. The President will also seek
to encourage business leaders to prop up investments and jobs in the
Philippines.
“I wish the President all
the best and I encourage all Filipinos to support her as she represents
our country and each one of us in this gathering of world leaders. At
this time when the world’s spotlight will shine on the Philippines as
we preside over the powerful UN
Security Council, it would be to the best interest of the country
if we transcend our differences and present a united front to the
entire world,” the Vice President remarked.
“With the technological
advances we have seen lately, it is indeed very possible for the
President to still handle the reins of government even if she is
half-way around the globe,” De Castro pointed out.
Nonetheless, President Arroyo has designated Vice President de Castro as caretaker
of the government. The President will not be back until September 17.
“The President has
designated me as caretaker and I will do just that. I will take good
and proper care of the country while the President is away. That
includes ensuring that the bureaucracy is running properly, the laws
are faithfully executed, peace and order is maintained throughout the
country and the democratic rights and freedom of everyone is
respected,” the Vice President
said.
“Hindi naman ito ang unang
biyahe ni Pangulong Arroyo at hindi
rin ito ang unang pagkakataon na ako ay kanyang itinalaga bilang
“caretaker”. I will work closely with the President’s senior advisers
headed by Executive Secretary Ermita in making sure that the
President’s day-to-day programs are not disrupted simply because she is
away on a very important travel,” the Vice President added.
Ref. No. VPMEDIA 05-121