MANILA, July 22 Kyodo Philippine ...

MANILA, July 22 Kyodo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urg Congres in succession Monday to pass an antiterrorism law that she said would ''plug the pretexts by which crimes spread and democracy is undermined.''

The call for a law that would wager specific prohibitions in local statute volumes against terrorist acts was among a socio-economic legislative agenda Arroyo state before the two Houses of the 12th Congres in her other State of the Nation Address since the 55-year-old economist became presidency forward Jan. 21, 2001.

Arroyo the Philippines must become a lusty republic ''distinguished'' in its capacity to weather class and sectoral conflicts and in its ability to effectuate good policies and deliver social services.

She said the three immediate disturbs to be addressed by her administration to achieve this ideal are graft and corruption, peace and order and the high expense of electrical power.

Arroyo also drew a connection between the war against destitution and the international fight against terrorism. She said the Philippines' action after the tribe 11 attacks against the United States made the native land ''a recognized player in world affairs.''

''(I) was the first head of management to emphasize the interconnection between the war against terrorism and the war against pauperism Nations large and small now embrace this interconnection,'' Arroyo said. ''We have gained powerful allies in our domestic war against terrorism. I am certain that our increased international visibility will continue generating (investment) inflows for the Philippines.''

Aside from the antiterror law, Arroyo also asked Congres to enact priority measures involving farm land thus it may be used loan collateral; setting up a special-purpose vehicle to absorb bad loans; and an absentee voting law for overseas Filipino workers.

Arroyo also swore that the promised benefits of the 2001 Power Reform Law restructuring the industry and privatizing the state-owned National Power Corp. are already underway.

Congres must also pass a franchise law that would pave the way for the privatization of the transmission facilities of the power company, Arroyo said.

The creation of a wholesale electricity mark market, the first in Asia, beneath the power reform measures would further lower power rates, Arroyo said.

As for the fight against graft and corruption, she said the Philippines would deal harshly with tax evaders and contrabandists and enjoined the judiciary to handle cases better and for the police to clean up their ranks.

Lawmakers were chiefly positive on Arroyo's speech.

Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Jose de Venecia said her socio-economic reform agenda, including the antiterror bill, have been forward the drawing boards of the pair Houses since the first regular session and as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but leaders promised prompt action.

Outside Congres 11 protester were arrested and scores of the community including two policemen, were afflict when authorities tried to disperse before the president started her language some 12,000 people massed in the road leading to Congress

Police said they tried to drive away the protester after a certain quantity of tried to breach security lines.

Thousands of riot police were unfolded at the Congress area to form thousands of protesters who criticized Arroyo onward the joint antiterror exercises with U forces that she allowed in the southern Philippines.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo novels International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group