GMA’s wish list: Win over terror, Cha-cha

BAGUIO CITY — Aside from working on her temper, President Arroyo has five wishes which she wants her government to focus on in 2006.

A government victory in the war on terror, taking up efforts to revise the Constitution, streamlining frontline services of the government, a review of environmental policies, and advancing peace talks with rebel groups are particularly on her mind.

"We will concentrate on these next year," the President stressed as she hosted a dinner for journalists at the Mansion House here Tuesday.

Mrs. Arroyo did not explain her plans for fighting militants or furthering peace talks but said there would be a review of government policies on the environment as floods have become more prevalent.

She said the government’s policy on land use and forests, as well as resource management will be studied to mitigate disasters such as flashfloods and landslides.

Looking relaxed and recharged after her mixed "work and play" time during her holiday visit here, the President declined to divulge her personal wishes for 2006.

She also sidestepped controversial issues during the "no-cameras" dinner she hosted with First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

When asked to comment on the likely filing of charges against four US marines for the alleged rape of a 22-year-old Filipina in Subic, Olongapo, the President simply said, "I will issue an official statement when appropriate."

Instead, Mrs. Arroyo stuck to business, discussing the government’s plans for the energy sector while chatting with journalists and Baguio City Mayor Braulio Yaranon both in fluent Iluko and Filipino and English about issues in the province and the rest of the Cordillera region, which she called her "second home."

The Philippines is an ally in the US-led war on terror and has struggled for years with bomb attacks and mass kidnappings carried out by local Muslim militants with alleged ties to the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah networks.

The government is also pressing to seal a formal peace accord with Muslim separatist rebels in the south. However, peace talks with communist guerrillas have been stalled with the communists vowing to step up their attacks.

The President is also pushing for a plan to revise the 1987 Constitution to change the form of government from its US-style presidential system to parliamentary system. However, critics say this is just a ploy to entrench herself in power. — Artemio Dumlao, AFP