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Statement of Conference Objectives GOPAC-SEAPAC Philippine Chapter Workshop 16 March 2012, 8am Traders Hotel Senator Edgardo J. Angara Vice Chair, Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) President, South East Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC)

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It is my pleasure to welcome our distinguished parliamentarians to the GOPAC-SEAPAC Philippine Chapter Workshop.

We extend a special welcome to our Guest of Honor, H.E. Gen. Teeradej Meepien, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand, as well as Vice President of the National Assembly, who join us at the luncheon to deliver his message.

Other members of the Thai Senate will also join us laterMr. Bancha Phongaryukul, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives; Mr. Anan Ariyachaipanich, Chairman of the Committee on Public Health; and Mr. Sutham Phanthusak, Vice-President of the Thailand-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship Group.

My colleague from the GOPAC Board, Roy Cullen, came all the way from Canada to be with us. Welcome to Manila.

We are especially glad to host this workshop in the lead up to the next biennial GOPAC global conference Manila is also hosting from January 31 to February 2, 2013.

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This affirms our commitment to uphold GOPACs objectives to stamp out corruption, and make good governance and accountability the mantra by which governments live.

Let me reiterate that no less than President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has expressed his administrations unreserved support for the 2013 Global Conference in Manila.

Similarly, the Philippine Senate, House of Representatives and Judiciary stand ready to provide unequivocal support to ensure the success of the 2013 Global Conference.

We want to demonstrate to the entire world that we are intent on changing the perceptions of graft and corruption which taint our countrys reputationand that we will succeed in ridding our government of these.

OBJECTIVES

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GOPAC is helping parliamentarians worldwide find and forge concrete measures to achieve good governance in their home nations through capacity-building workshops such as this.

Our Global Task Forces focus on five critical areas of the campaign against corruption, including Parliamentary Oversight, Parliamentary Ethics and Conduct, and Participation of Society.

For this workshop, we shall highlight what I believe are the two game-changers: Anti-Money Laundering and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

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Well-known speakers from the Philippine government will apprise us of the progress made in so far as complying with international standards on AntiMoney Laundering and preventing other economic crimes are concerned.

Prominent experts from the government, private sector and civil society will show us how stakeholders are essential in the effective implementation of the UNCAC.

The UNCAC is the first legally binding international instrument for anti-corruption. We have every intention of making true our commitment to this landmark covenant. I believe GOPAC and SEAPAC will be instrumental in this regard.

Of course, we will have the honor of listening to the message of H.E. Gen. Teeradej Meepien.

And Roy Cullen will introduce us all to what GOPAC is all about, describe its action plan on antimoney laundering and what parliamentarians, in particular, can do to strengthen the anti-money laundering campaign.

ASIAS RISE

Asia is on the cusp of profound change.

In about four decades, 3 billion Asians will enjoy the living standards of Europe. Our per capita income will expand sixfold to $39,000 (in purchasing power parity terms).

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We will be the powerhouse of global production by 2025, surpassing Europes share in global domestic product.

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By 2050, Asia will come to account for 51 percent of the global economy, in addition to possibly transcending the scientific and technological supremacy of the United States and Europe.

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But wealth will come at a price. Social and economic inequities could worsen unless we are able to ensure that the benefits of progress trickle down to the entire population, not remain concentrated in the hands of the powerful few.

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The economy we build must be equitable, just and fair if we are to realize our individual and collective potential. It must be able to control and rectify the

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threats, natural and man-made, fueled by greed and neglect.

Otherwise, we risk socioeconomic upheavals that could create enormous dissension in our society. We cannot afford to do nothing. We cannot allow the chasm of mistrust, the gulf of suspicion widen between the government and the people it serves. Sustainably stamping out corruption requires an evolutionary approach, rather than revolutionary one. It is a painfully long process of cleansing institutions, changing attitudes, reshaping perceptions and initiating

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better ways of doing things. It is as much cultural, psychological and institutional as it is political. This is Asias centuryAsias time. Good governance will be the bedrock of that future.
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And in an era where economies and societies are increasingly interconnected by information and communication technologies, the problem of one nation is the challenge of all.

Let us take pride in the fact that this year, GOPAC celebrates its 10th founding anniversary. I strongly believe that our young organization will be increasingly indispensable in good governance reforms from here on.

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I hope we attract more bright, committed and upstanding parliamentarians to build on GOPACs achievements and ensure that our legacy of good governance, accountability and transparency in public service will endure.

I wish everyone an enlightening and productive conference. Thank you very much!

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