Adnan Khashoggi saves Citi Group:
"Through Representative Dodo Mandanas, Arroyo said controversial Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi and the Abu Dhabi Investment Corp. committed to entering into $500-million worth of build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects for the economic zones in the Port of Batangas and Lipa Airport."
"Yesterday, Wednesday, Nov. 28, The Abu Dhabi Investment Corp. firmed plans to spend $7.5 billion and become the largest single share holder in Citigroup."
64.233.169.104.
globalnation.inquirer.net
(UPDATE) OFWs did not support hotel siege--Arroyo By Jerome Aning Inquirer Last updated 11:32am (Mla time) 12/11/2007
_Most Read_ (javascript:toggleLayer('mostreadlist');)
Other Most Read Stories _x_ (javascript:toggleLayer('mostreadlist');) Global Nation * _(UPDATE) OFWs did not support hotel siege--Arroyo_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=106114) * _Arroyo hopes life term brings 'small comfort' to Ranario kin_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=1060 08) * _Hope springs for kin of another OFW on Kuwait death row_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id= 106044)
* _UAE seeks standardized contracts for foreign workers’_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=105918)
* _New cop, dead hero_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view_article.php?article_id=106159) * _Bohol seahorse sanctuary the best in Philippines_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view_article.php?article_id=105928) * _Arroyo extends stay in Kuwait on Emir invitation_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=105893)
* _Arroyo says strong peso not bad for OFW families_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view_article.php?article_id=106157) * _Grapes and Alzheimer’s disease_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view_article.php?article_id=105968) * _Manila Ocean Park to open in December_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=95071) * _Pirates demand huge ransom or kill Japanese tanker crew--UN_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=105916)
* _Certainly more deceptive_ (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view_article.php?article_id=105970) _Global Nation Most Read RSS_ (http://services.inquirer.net/rss/mostread_Global_Nation.xml) _Close this_ (javascript:toggleLayer('mostreadlist');)
MANILA, Philippines -- The shortlived takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last month by a “desperate” and “misguided” group had no support from Filipinos abroad, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Tuesday after arriving from a weeklong trip to three countries. “About the adventurism of some people, it is clear even among our foreign friends that the actions of these few desperate men reveal just how out of touch
they are with the hopes and dreams of the average Filipino, even the Filipinos abroad,” Arroyo said in her arrival statement. “Filipinos both here and abroad want political stability, a bright economic future and social justice. The actions of these misguided men undermine each and every one of the genuine aspirations of real Filipinos. Instead of working to bring the nation together within our democratic process, their actions merely are fuel for selfish motives for personal gain,” she said. She stressed that “the transgressor will not hold our nation hostage with impunity,” that they will be “punished with the full force of the law,” an d that “justice will be served and the interests of the people upheld.” Arroyo arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 around 1:15 a.m. after visiting Spain, the United Kingdom, and Kuwait. She was welcomed by a crowd of about 200 people, mostly airport employees and government officials led by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Press Secretary Ignacio
Bunye. She was greeted by applause when she recounted her trip to Kuwait, where Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah granted her appeal to commute the death sentence
of domestic helper Marilou Ranario, who has been convicted of murdering her employer. “I'm thankful for the compassion and understanding of the Emir, who, because of our request -- and this [is] the first time this happened in the history of the emirate -- promised not to proceed with the execution of Marilou Ranario,” Arroyo said. Arroyo said the Emir assured her that at the “right time” he would look into
the possibility of reducing Ranario's prison term. Arroyo also relayed the results of her meetings with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, Spanish premier Jose Luis Zapatero, and Queen Elizabeth of
the United Kingdom. She said she was able to refresh the Philippines' security, economic and diplomatic ties with what she regarded as “our allies.” She said she recounted to the Spanish leaders her plan to return the teaching of the Spanish language in the Philippines, saying these will improve Filipino workers' competitiveness in a world that has seen the continuing rise in the use of the Spanish tongue. In the UK, the President recounted her meeting with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was involved in the Northern Ireland peace process and was now helping in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. “[We] exchanged views on world events and on the possibility that we might learn something from him that we can apply in our peace process in Mindanao,”
she said. In her visits to Spain, UK and Kuwait, Arroyo said she encountered Filipino workers that have contributed to the economy of their host countries. She said she thanked the Spanish and British monarchs for the good treatment given to OFWs. The President also said she and the other members of her delegation were able to convince many businessmen to invest in the Philippines, thus create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, particularly in the provinces. Through Albay Governor Joey Salceda, Arroyo said the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria approved a possible 800 million euros in investment and suppliers' credit for the Philippines, covering projects on renewable energy, modern ports and other infrastructure. Through Representative Dodo Mandanas, Arroyo said controversial Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi and the Abu Dhabi Investment Corp. committed to entering into $500-million worth of build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects for the economic zones in the Port of Batangas and Lipa Airport. Indra, a Spanish firm, would be expanding their information technology operations in the Philippines and join biddings for the improvement of the country's air traffic control system, while Bionor Transformacion signed an agreement with the Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corp. to develop at least 100,00-hectares of Jatropha plantations in Palawan. In London, Arroyo said the Mittal group reiterated its plan to put up a $1.6-billion integrated steel mill in Iligan City while the Anglo American conglomerate, relayed its continuing efforts to investing in the Philippine mining industry. As of posting time, Arroyo is presiding over a meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Council on proposed key legislations. At noon, the President will preside over a meeting of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, and at 2 p.m. she will attend a “stakeholders’ meeting” with representatives of the education sector. She is also scheduled to meet with Ranario’s family. At 7 p.m., the President will attend the 100th anniversary of the Philippine Columbian Association in Manila.With a report from Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, INQUIRER.net; Originally posted at 2:26am |