‘Give Council of State a chance’

Malacañang appealed to the opposition yesterday to give the Council of State meeting on Jan. 24 a chance and set aside partisan politics for the good of the nation.

"This is the time for high statesmanship and patriotism. The people are looking up to the leaders of this nation to set aside partisanship and stand united to address vital concerns of the day — social, economic and political," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement.

"We have already set the tone and pace of our economic takeoff. The challenge posed to all of us is to join hands to make the fruits of economic growth reach the table of every Filipino family. Our people are tired of excessive politicking and it is our firm belief that the noble intention of the meeting would eventually heal the scars of the past and carry us to a brighter tomorrow," Bunye added.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it is not fair for the opposition to say they would only be used as "props" during the council meeting to help the President push her own agenda.

"I hope this new year they will give some importance to what we do and help us stabilize the country’s situation," Ermita said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he would not attend the meeting because it was just another "ploy" of President Arroyo to stay in power.

House Minority Leader Francis Escudero said yesterday he was still consulting with minority members while the camp of former President Joseph Estrada said he would turn down the invitation since he refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the Arroyo presidency.

There is no word yet from former President Corazon Aquino but Senate President Franklin Drilon said he was having second thoughts about attending the meeting.

Former President Fidel Ramos, who originally proposed the meeting, said he would attend.

Malacañang is still preparing the agenda and the final list of those who will be invited to the Jan. 24 meeting.

Ermita said he and Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio would finalize the list of invitees and this would be presented to the President for approval.

"We’re trying to draft a meaningful agenda for this meeting," he said.

The Council of State was created by Executive Order No. 305 on Sept. 9, 1987 to provide the President with reliable information and competent advice on pressing issues and problems.

On Jan. 16, 2003, Mrs. Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 168 modifying EO 305, citing the "need for a consultative body, bound by a common respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, which will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas, foster national cooperation, propose meaningful reforms in government, and advise the President on matters of public policy."

Under EO 168, the newly reconstituted and revitalized Council of State will be composed of the President as chairman with the following among its members: former presidents, the vice president, the Senate president, the House speaker, the Senate president pro tempore, the deputy speakers of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the Senate and House majority and minority leaders, the executive secretary and members of the Cabinet and other members of Congress designated by the President, the presidents of the League of Provinces, the League of Cities and the League of Municipalities, representatives from the private sector as appointed by the President, and such other persons as the President may appoint from time to time.

Religious leaders will also be invited along with representatives from academe and the business sector.

Evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva, however, will not attend the meeting if invited, his son Rep. Joel Villanueva of the party-list group Citizens Battle Against Corruption said.

"He will not go there even if he gets the invitation. He feels that by attending the meeting, Malacañang will just use him and opposition leaders to deodorize her beleaguered administration," he said.

But if his father is invited to confer with former president Ramos or leaders of the "legitimate" political opposition, he would most likely be obliged to attend.

Bro. Eddie ran but lost in the May 2004 presidential race. At the height of the "Hello, Garci" scandal, he and another defeated presidential candidate, opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson, teamed up to fight for what they described as "righteous leadership." — Aurea Calica, Jess Diaz