Saturday, January 21, 2006

Malakanyang Still Confident On Council of State Meeting Despite Absence Of Cory, Erap

Malacañang on Saturday expressed confidence the Council of State meeting scheduled next week would be fruitful despite the decision of former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada and other opposition leaders not to attend the forum.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Malacañang believes the meeting on Tuesday would still turn out fruitful and meaningful, despite the absence of Aquino and Estrada.
"I believe there would be a good turnout, and based on the sectors which confirmed their attendance, we believe we would meet the goal of the meeting," Bunye said.
He noted that different sectors have its own views on issues about the country and based on the confirmed list of guests, there would be a variety of opinions and not just the administration’s sole perception on the current issues.
Bunye stressed that the meeting would go on as scheduled since this is sanctioned by law and created during the term of office of former President Aquino.
In an earlier statement, Bunye said "the Council of State meeting is not about personalities, but about the collective effort of national leaders committed to national transformation and renewal."
He added that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "welcomes those who will come, and respects the decision of those who have chosen not to attend the meeting."

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