Palace says it backs Esperon vs call to replace him

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday said that presidential adviser on the peace process Hermogenes Esperon Jr. continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of President Arroyo even as it rejected the call of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to replace him. The rejection of the demand was made by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who pointedly said that the rebel group was not in any position to demand anything. The remark was made after Sen. Maria Anna Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal and the rebel group met to discuss the revival of the peace talks. However, Ermita issued a reminder, saying that government is not bound by any agreement reached between "The President has confidence on Secretary Esperon as the presidential adviser on the peace process," Ermita said. The remark came after the rebel group called for the revival of the JASIG that is issued to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF who may be directly or indirectly involve in the negotiations. Ermita said the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG) is "very crucial in the consideration for the resumption of talks." He added that the government had to suspend it following the practice of some members of the CPP-NPA-NDF members that are covered by the JASIG to violate its conditions. The CPP-NPA-NDF called for the replacement of Esperon and the removal of the JASIG during their meeting with Madrigal. Ermita, meanwhile, defended the meeting between Madrigal and the communist group saying that it is within her mandate as a senator and chairman of a Senate committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation. He, however, stressed that any possible agreements or arrangement that she reached with the CPP-NPA-NDF does not bind or force the Philippine government to accept or agree. "Someone in her position definitely has all the rights to try to do for herself that she thinks she must do, but it should not bind the executive branch because the matter of negotiation with groups fighting government is a function of the executive branch, but nothing would prevent those in the legislature to take their own steps," he said. He added that what Madrigal could do is share what she has discussed with the CPP-NPA-NDF with the executive branch for its eventual use and decision makings. Ermita said the talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF has remained suspended though there had been back-channeling efforts between the communist group and the government panel chaired by Ma. Nieves Confessor in the past. - GMANews.TV