Binibining Pilipinas

Aung San Suu Kyi hopes to visit PH soon

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Myanmar pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi hopes to visit the Philippines soon

SOON. Myanmar pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi hopes to visit the Philippines soon. Photo by Malacanang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Myanmar opposition leader and pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi expressed her intention to visit the country “soon,” according to President Benigno Aquino III.

In his bilateral meeting with the Nobel Peace laureate in Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar on Friday, June 7, President Aquino confirmed Suu Kyi’s interest in visiting the country.

“After she was released, I think I had an opportunity to talk to her on (the phone). I asked ‘if you have the time and you are ready, may we invite you to the Philippines,'” Aquino said.

“She said hopefully soon,” the President added.

Aquino, however, clarified the visit may take a while due to Myanmar’s looming elections in 2015, more than 2 years away, and they will probably be Suu Kyi’s priority.

“Their elections are not that far off. Their focus will really be to deliver more before the next elections. That might, I assume, put a lot of burden on her time,” he said.

On Thursday, June 6, the pro-democracy icon declared her intention to run for president, calling for unity in her country to continue their hard-fought democracy.

However, the current military-drafted constitution in the Burmese country prevents a candidate with a spouse or child with a foreign citizenship. Suu Kyi’s late husbnad and two sons are British.

“I want to run for president and I’m quite frank about it. If I pretended that I didn’t want to be president, I wouldn’t be honest,” she added.

Aquino went to Myanmar early morning Friday to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2013 to improve and strengthen the country’s economic ties with other neighboring countries and highlight Manila’s stellar growth.

More than 900 people from 50 countries around the region attended the meetings.

PH willing to help

Aquino also said the country is willing to help Myanmar in crafting different anti-poverty programs.

“We talked about things that we may be able to help them out in terms of alleviating poverty, what are the programs,” the President said.

According to data from the Central Intelligence Agency in 2007, Myanmar’s poverty rate reached 32.7%. Population in Myanmar is estimated to reach 55 million in 2013.

Philippine poverty rate, on the other hand, has reached 22.3% in 2012. The Aquino government is trying to alleviate poverty in the country through various social programs including the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT).

Unity is key

In the bilateral meeting, Aquino also said they talked about the importance of unity and cooperation between different government groups to achieve their goals.

Aquino cited the fairness and alignment of political interest of the administration of President Thein Sein, Suu Kyi’s political party, National League for Democracy Party and members of legislation.

“Key to Myanmar’s prosperity is stability and the enhancement for the entire region needs a certain amount of cooperation between the factions,” he said.

“I got to talk to the speaker of the parliament and they have a very good working relationship. They are not relegated to a very small minority,” the President added. – Rappler.com

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