Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 11/07/96
Homepage: ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

FVR's "MAXIMUM TOLERANCE"
LABOR ISSUES ON THE RISE
APEC MEMBERS ON MORATORIUM
UPSET OVER MALAYSIA BAN
CONFLICT IN THE SOUTH WIDENS



Subject: FVR's "MAXIMUM TOLERANCE"
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/07/96

The APEC summit is something Malacañang wants to go as smoothly as possible. But because this country happens to be a democracy everyone is entitled to say whatever they feel about the summit whether good or bad.

The Ramos administration has defended its ban on Jose Ramos-Horta by saying the constitution only guarantees the freedom of expression of its citizens, and not of foreigners. President Ramos says he cannot curtail the right of Filipinos to protest against the APEC summit. But government makes it clear the policy of maximum tolerance does not necessarily extend to foreigners. The selective ban on foreign delegates to the numerous counter-APEC summits may not be enough to make sure the summit proceeds smoothly. The local NGOs are planning to protest out in the streets. They regard the summit as an attempt by the Ramos government to present a picture of progress in a country that's still very much poor.

The APEC summit is a major undertaking for the Ramos government. The least the president expects is for it to become a cause of embarassment.


Subject: LABOR ISSUES ON THE RISE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/07/96

It's not just business opportunities that the APEC summit has to offer, the summit also provides disgruntled hotel workers with a bargaining leverage. When foreign delegates arrive for APEC hotel workers will be at the forefront. Their motto: "Service with a smile." But whether or not they can remain pleasant by the time the APEC summit gets underway is now a big question. Aside from demanding higher pay they also want labor issues resolved. Workers say they may be forced to vent their grievances and soon.

The Labor Department says there's nothing to worry about. Secretary Leonardo Quisumbing has ordered the National Conciliation and Mediation Board to resolve the hotel disputes.

Sec. Mina Gabor "I personally talked to them and they said we just want to make sure that after APEC, management will sit down with us. We have the assurance of management."

But the hotel strike threat is not the only problem. Disputes at Philippine Airlines are again simmering. Flight attendants and cabin crews are getting restless. Negotiations are still on-going including that with the ground crews union that went on strike last week. So far, government says it isn't worried by the developments. But still, it's something it cannot afford right now.


Subject: APEC MEMBERS ON MORATORIUM
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/07/96

The APEC is divided on the matter of admitting new members. A 3-year moratorium on accepting new members ends on November 25. APEC senior officials are expected to make a recommendation on the matter in a meeting to be held 5 days before the summit. But Assistant Trade Secretary Edcel Custodio says the moratorium holds unless all members agree to either scrap or extend it. Russia, India, Vietnam, Peru and Mongolia are among 10 countries interested in joining APEC.


Subject: UPSET OVER MALAYSIA BAN
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/07/96

The Malaysian government banned a Filipino NGO leader from attending the second Asia Pacific Conference on East Timor to be held in Kuala Lumpur. It's not only the Philippines that's worried about harming relations with Indonesia which invaded East Timor some 20 years ago. RC Constantino spent 12 hours in detention at the airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian immigration put him on the first flight back to Manila.

The first APCET meeting was held in Manila last year but with the Ramos government banning key foreign delegates from attending it. The Malaysian government, short of banning it has advised organizers of APCET not to proceed with the conference. The region's leaders are sensitive to anything that may disturb the peace and cooperation between their countries.

During Lee Kuan Yew's visit a few years ago President Ramos resisted the exhortations of Singapore's Senior Statesman about the dangers of western style democracy. But neither is Ramos ready to teach the region's autocrats about democratic processes.


Subject: CONFLICT IN THE SOUTH WIDENS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/07/96

In Zambaonga del Norte an army lieutenant and four soldiers were killed in two days of fighting between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Army intelligence says the MILF is expanding the conflict to the Zamboanga peninsula to ease the pressure on rebel forces in Basilan. Authorities in Zamboanga are on double red alert. In Basilan the fighting is on its third week. 7 army soldiers wounded in clashes with the MILF in Tipo-tipo have died.

Go Back To News Service Index