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
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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 |
