Roxas, LP leaders to meet with Chinese Communist Party leaders

Amid the raging controversy over the National Broadband Network deal and the joint seismic exploration of the Spratlys, Senator Mar Roxas and several leaders from the Liberal Party will meet with a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), upon request of the latter tomorrow, Tuesday in Manila.

“China is bound to be the biggest economy in the world and is a historic friend of the Filipinos. The LP intends to explore with the CPC how to strengthen RP-China ties on the basis of mutual respect, and move forward along shared principles of good governance, fair economic cooperation and our respective people's interests,” he said.

“Ang Tsina ngayon ay kinikilala bilang higante sa mundo pagdating sa ekonomiya at geo-politics. Nasa interes ng Pilipinas na patibayin ang relasyon nito sa Tsina, nang hindi isinasantabi ang pambansang interes,” he said.

Roxas said he will stress the importance of greater transparency in bilateral agreements not only with China but also with other allies. “Diplomacy and transparency in government should not be in conflict with each other,” he stressed.

“This strengthening of diplomatic and economic relations must always be founded on the national interest and the welfare of Filipinos. We will explore with them how to ensure accountability and transparency in all our joint undertakings,” he said.

Roxas said he will also discuss serious concerns on the NBN deal, and discuss ways to cooperate on running after those involved and on ensuring transparency in future deals. “The prime interest of the LP is truth and accountability,” he stressed.

“Lilinawin ko sa kanila na ang LP ay para sa pagbunyag ng katotohanan sa likod ng kontratang ZTE-NBN, at tatalakayin sa kanila ang posibilidad ng kooperasyon para habulin ang mga may pananagutan,” he said.

“As a long-term cooperative effort, we will dialogue on how to ensure transparency and accountability in all foreign loans and agreements that both countries will undertake in the future. This is in line with our party’s agenda to reform the procurement system,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the Spratlys territorial conflict, Roxas said that dialogue and consultations between and among the claimants should be done in the tradition of friendship and cooperation, while at the same time, heeding the people’s calls for greater transparency. “I believe this matter will be resolved in the spirit of mutual respect and fair principles,” he said.

Joining Roxas as part of the LP delegation are LP Secretary-General Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya, LP Director-General Camilo Miguel Montesa, National Institute for Policy Studies President Mario Taguiwalo and former 1987 Constitutional Commissioner Florangel Braid.

The CPC delegation will be led by Vice Minister Liu Hongcai of the International Department, Central Committee; Asian Bureau of the International Department Director-General Ail Ping and directors Zhang Xuyi, Rao Huihua; among others.