Local News in Brief : Filipino Softens Criticism
Philippine Vice President Salvador Laurel, who quit his foreign minister’s post last month in a dispute with President Corazon Aquino, sought to downplay those differences Friday at a Los Angeles news conference, saying he is not trying to undermine the Aquino government.
“I worked hard . . . to bring this new government to power,” he said, “like the man who worked very hard to build a house. And when someone tries to put that house on fire, I will defend that house.”
Laurel said a program of “national reconciliation,” if implemented properly, could calm domestic politics in his homeland, which has been plagued recently by factional squabbling and failed military coups. He said that members of former President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration should be included in Aquino’s administration as part of the reconciliation.
Laurel arrived in the Southland to deliver a noon speech today in Carson to a Filipino group. He is scheduled to give talks in San Francisco and New York next week, as well.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
