GMA to convene Council of State

Smarting from a political bruising that left her nearly crippled in 2005, President Arroyo will convene the Council of State next month in an effort to seek dialogue and cooperation with her political enemies.

Malacañang said Mrs. Arroyo has scheduled the meeting of the Council of State in January to "pursue avenues for greater dialogue, understanding and cooperation between the executive branch and the legislature, including the opposition."

The President is hoping that the Council of State, the highest advisory body of the government, could elicit support from various sectors to have vital measures passed and to push for proposed changes in the 1987 Constitution.

Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said the Council of State would provide a broader forum for consultations and forging cooperation and consensus among the various sectors of society.

Under Executive Order No. 168, the members of the Council of State will include former presidents, the vice president, the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives and their counterparts in the opposition as well as chosen members of the Cabinet led by the Executive Secretary.

Also expected to attend are local officials represented by leaders of various local government federations and some from the private sector who are appointed by the President as members of the Council.

The Council of State will be convened at a time when the Senate remains critical of Mrs. Arroyo, whom some senators said still has many tough political challenges ahead of her.

The President, in issuing EO 168, cited the need to reconstitute and revitalize the Council of State.

She said the Council would serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas, foster national cooperation, propose meaningful reforms in government, and advise on matters of public policy.

Aside from this, Claudio explained the President would also convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) more frequently, beginning in January "to promote harmony once again between Congress and the Legislative branch."

"There will also be more meetings of the Ledac as early as Congress resumes to strengthen coordination in the passage of important legislative measures, especially the anti-terror bill and the budget as well as to gather momentum for a realistic program towards national reconciliation," Claudio said.

"We have to set a common legislative agenda and foster harmony between the two branches of government," he said.

Claudio said the issue of Charter change, aside from the pending priority measures of the Arroyo government, would be tackled in the Council meeting since the House already passed a resolution calling on Congress to convene as a constituent assembly to introduce constitutional amendments.

"I think that can’t be helped anymore. A free and open discussion on Charter change is probably in order and necessary," Claudio said.

Claudio took exception to claims by some senators that Mrs. Arroyo would face rough times ahead.

He said a majority of the people would like to put the political controversies of 2005 behind them.

Claudio said most people look forward to a national environment of unity among the nation’s leaders to ensure economic stability.

Claudio noted lack of cooperation between the Senate and the Executive branch has resulted in the delay of vital measures like the 2006 national budget and the anti-terror bill.

He said the Council would be the best venue to clear up the differences between the nation’s political leaders on pressing issues.

Claudio noted the debate on possible amendments to the Constitution is heating up, with former President Fidel Ramos warning the President against postponing the 2007 elections or else risk losing support from various sectors.

Presidential consultative commission chairman Jose Abueva admitted their proposal to postpone the 2007 midterm elections was aimed at buying the support of lawmakers and local officials for Charter change.

But Malacañang officials clarified President Arroyo has not yet taken any position on the recommendation to scrap the 2007 elections since she would like the debate to continue to gain more input before making a public stand.