APPU meet opens • Lawmakers seek housecleaning to cut back on spending

Obviously hit by bitter reality brought about by the shaky economic prospects of the region, lawmakers from the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union began work yesterday on its internal organization in hopes to reduce its spending and ensure its viability.

Rep. Carlos M. Padilla, head of the Philippine delegation to the 65th Council Meeting held here, said the group would deliberate on “housekeeping” issues, including the application of Mongolia as member and elimination of steering committees formed within the organization.

They are also expected to tackle a proposal to close down APPU’s central secretariat in Tokyo, Japan to cut expenditures which will eventually lower the contributions paid by members countries each year.

Close to 100 legislators from 23 countries in the Asia Pacific are attending the three-day meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan to discuss various regional issues, but mostly on internal matters.

This is the second time the organization is conducting its annual council meeting in the CNMI since 1982.

Established in 1965, the former Asian Parliamentarians Union accepted members from Pacific island nations in 1975, reflecting close relations between these two regions and strengthening solidarity and the force of freedom among their peoples.

During his keynote address yesterday, Padilla, who was chair of the 64th Council Meeting Steering Committee in Manila last year, said the present economic conditions of the region is still a major concern among lawmakers.

“In the milieu of uncertainty and instability, we are forced to further seek strength in institutions that promote peace, ensure cooperation and guarantee mutual support,” he told the meeting attended by APPU delegates as well as CNMI officials.

“Greater emphasis is thus brought to bear on the fact of our presence here, where, together we can explore the approaches and paradigms which will help our nations chart their individual courses within the greater setting of regional peace and stability,” Padilla said.

More than 55 lawmakers have arrived on Saipan since Sunday to attend the conference, including delegates from Kiribati, Taiwan R.O.C., Nauru, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Palau, Tuvalu, Malaysia, Marshalls and FSM, the Philippines, Guam, Fiji, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Laos, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

In his remarks to welcome delegates, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio called for stronger cooperation to deal with the regional financial crisis. “We need to assist each other to survive…That’s why this meeting is so important, as it involves the movers and shakers of the various governments around Asia and the Pacific region.”

Housekeeping matters: In an interview with reporters, Padilla, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, said the APPU meeting has prioritized issues that affect internal operations of the group.

The entry of Mongolia as a member is expected to be “emotional discussion” as its Japan-sponsored application has been pending in the last two years.

Taiwan has opposed APPU’s acceptance of Mongolia, but a delegate from the Republic of China stressed that it’s “okay” with them if the group forges ahead with the plan.

“We can’t say that we are going to approve their application,” explained David C. Chen, Taiwan’s chief delegate to APPU, in a separate interview, “but we are not taking any action against the move.”

The proposal to amend the APPU charter may also spark debate during the meeting as changes will include reduction of expenditures as a body and individual members, according to Padilla.

Among the plans are to merge its annual council meeting and general assembly in one event each year as well as to abolish APPU headquarters in Tokyo and transfer the secretariat functions to members hosting the conference.

“It is a sign of time,” Padilla said, “but even without the economic crisis, there is a need for us to reduce our expenditures.”

Contributions by each members range from $1,200 to $3,900 each year, depending on the composition of their legislature. Japan also donates additional $100,000 annually to assist in APPU operations.

Japan’s delegation may oppose the move to close the Tokyo headquarters, but this step is necessary to cut spending by 23 million yen each year (about $191,670) — the APPU’s budget for its secretariat.

Beyond the internal operations, Padilla said the Philippines may raise the issue of the conflict on Spratlys during the conference in a bid to drum up support from other leaders in the region.

But Chen, when asked whether APPU would also tackle the regional flashpoint, evaded the question, saying they only work towards “greater cooperation” in the region in the field of economy and diplomacy.

Spratlys, a chain of oil-rich reefs, islets and rock formation, has been a thorny issue among Asia Pacific nations as it is being claimed wholly or partly by the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.

Except for China, all five countries are members of APPU.