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MANILA, Philippines -- Citing the ?volatile political situation? in Lebanon, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has extended anew the life of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PEMPC) for another three months.
The term of the PEMPC, headed by former Armed Forces Chief Roy Cimatu, should have expired on Dec. 31, 2007. But the President extended its operations to March 31, 2008 as contained in her Executive Order 692 dated Dec. 28, 2007.
?In view of the volatile political situation in Lebanon, the duration of the operations of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee will be extended to March 31, 2008 or unless otherwise directed by the President,? the EO said.
The committee was also given an allocation of P3 million, which will be sourced from the Office of the President, for its administrative and operational expenses.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it was the second time that the President extended the life of the PEMPC, whose term should have ended in June 2007.
