US congressman lauds ‘vibrant’ RP elections

An American congressman who made a recent visit to Manila has praised the Philippines for holding an "extremely vibrant" elections last May 10, but was careful not to show any political bias.

Republican Rep. James Leach of the second district of Iowa expressed yesterday utmost respect for all the candidates and political parties who participated in the recently concluded Philippine polls. Leach, who is on a mini-tour of Asia, left yesterday after arriving Friday.

"When you are a democracy speaking to another democracy, you don’t take sides," Leach, chairman of the House international relations sub-committee on Asia and the Pacific, told a press conference before his departure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City.

"Personally, I want to tip my hat to everybody for stepping forward and for the people for participating in such large numbers. This is a great reflection of a society that wants to control its own destiny," Leach said. "But it is not for a number of congressmen to tilt in any direction in terms of result or favoritism."

An 80 percent voter turnout was reported following the May 10 polls that included for the first time absentee voting by Filipinos abroad. However, allegations of electoral fraud persist as final official results have yet to become available.

"My sense is the Philippine people have conducted an extremely vibrant democratic process and the world awaits the results," said Leach, who left at 4:40 p.m. for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on board Malaysian Airlines Flight MH-705.

Leach was met by US Embassy representatives at the NAIA before his departure.

Before arriving in Manila last Friday, Leach passed by Taiwan to represent the US during the swearing in of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian. He also passed by Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia.

Leach said his purpose in visiting Manila is firstly to express appreciation for the long-term friendship the Philippines has shared with the US.

Secondly, to note respect for the vibrancy of Philippine democracy especially during the election season, he said. And the principal reason for the visit, Leach said, was to listen to the views of the Philippine government and their representatives on world events.

"There are a number of events (with) obvious remarkable dimensions," Leach said, noting that in this context," he has met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert, Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Purisima, as well as with Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Rep. Apolinario Lozada, chairman of the House foreign affairs committee.

"I found remarkable frankness and remarkable acuity in the judgments of all of the above," the Republican congressman said.

Asked to comment on reported plans of the Philippines to send more Filipinos to Iraq to help rebuild the war-torn nation, Leach said: "It is not for me to make a judgment."

He said the US is appreciative of countries participating in the process of rebuilding Iraq although the world is divided on issues concerning that.

The Philippines has been a strong ally of the US particularly in the war on terror. President Arroyo had backed the US-led invasion of Iraq last year amid popular opposition ahead of the May 10 presidential election.

"Whether every perfect decision is conveyed by the US, the fact of the matter is we are very grateful to the Philippine people," he said. "The unique aspects of this country, relative to perhaps any in the world, is the number of citizens that live and work in other societies."

"How we unite together is a very important challenge. So one of my reasons for being here is to get a judgment of your leaders on their views on the situation and their advise on how America should proceed from here," Leach said.

"I don’t want to go into any conferences. But not everyone is perfectly in agreement that we have done everything perfectly right. That is the type of advise that is very appropriate," he added.