|
Malacañang clarified that it is not supporting the Baseline bill
proposed by Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco and wants to convene a special
Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting
to tackle the issue.
On Thursday, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said
Malacañang sent a letter to the House Representatives early this
month asking them to shelve Cuenco’s bill and revisit the
government’s previous stand on the baseline issue. He added that
the matter was not tabled during the recent council meeting.
“The executive branch wants it revisited
although the House has
already approved Cuenco’s bill on second
reading. The Palace conveyed its position on the worries about the
loss of sobriety on the contested islands,” Bunye said.
“A consensus is needed between Congress and
the executive branch. Let’s let LEDAC discuss this sensitive issue
in a closed door meeting.”
President Gloria Arroyo wants the bill to be
reverted to the committee level at the House to introduce amendments
that would put the disputed islands outside Philippine boundaries.
At Congress, opposition Senator Aquilino
Pimentel Jr. said the Senate and House of Representatives should not
to succumb to Malacañang’s pressure to water down the bill.
Pimentel said the Palace’s position to treat
the Kalayaan Islands and Scarborough Shoal as a “regime of
islands” would weaken the country’s claim to those islands over
which it already exercises effective sovereign control. Cuenco’s
bill includes the said islands in Philippine territory.
-- Angelo S. Samonte
|
