Press Release
September 9, 2012

'WE MUST WORK HARD TO REGAIN TRUST
OF PEOPLE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT'

Senator Edgardo J. Angara recently met with His Excellency Nikom Wairatpanij, Senate President of the Kingdom of Thailand, together with four other Senators at the Conrad Hotel in Bangkok to drum up support for the upcoming 2013 Manila Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC).

With the theme, "Good laws. Good leaders. Good Citizens," the Conference is expected to gather about 350 to 400 parliamentarians from 90 member countries from January 30 to February 2 in Manila, Philippines.

"The choice of bringing this important Global Conference to the Philippines and to Asia is a strong vote of confidence in our commitment to stamp out corruption and bring about better governance--in the entire region," explained Angara.

"Corruption is not unique to Thailand, the Philippines, or even Asia, but is a perennial problem in any country in the world," he continued. "By hosting and bringing the Conference to our region, we hope to showcase our efforts in stamping it out from our system and in renewing trust in our governments."

The event is considered one of the largest and most important anti-corruption events in the world. World-renowned leaders including current and former heads of states, members of the civil society, cabinet members, members of the judiciary and the academe are expected to attend the summit.

"I hope that the Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand will be one with us in this event, actively participating and hosting the Conference with the rest of Asia," said Angara. "It is time that we work together to regain the trust of our people in their leaders and in their government."

Responding positively, Senate President Nikom Wairatpanij agreed that corruption must indeed be combated, expressing its significance particularly at the local level in Thailand, as was his experience as then Governor of Bangkok. Wairatpanij likewise expressed his full support to the Conference and committed that their Senate will come in full force to the event in Manila.

Other Senators in attendance were former Senate President, Gen. Teeradej Meepien, Hon. Bancha Phongaryukul, Hon. Sutham Phanthusak, Hon. Wanchai Sornsiri, and Mrs. Norarut Pimsen, Secretary General of the Senate.

Angara is the driving force behind the establishment of the South East Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), which leads regional anti-corruption efforts on a coordinated and institutional basis through parliamentarian-members in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

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