People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) yesterday reaffirmed that he would assume a legislator-at-large seat if President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was willing to debate national policy in the legislature.
Speaking at a press conference, Soong called on Chen not to make a state-of-the-nation report to the legislature, but take part in a debate instead. If that were to happen, Soong said he would become a legislator-at-large and join the debate.
Soong's comments came one day after Chen said he was willing to present a report on national affairs to the Legislative Yuan in the interest of resolving policy conflicts between party caucuses.
On Sept. 17, Soong called for Chen to enter into talks with the legislature and said that he would take on a legislator-at-large seat should his proposal be accepted.
"I commend Chen for responding to my offer, even though he had no choice but to eventually answer to the public," he said yesterday.
Urging Chen to consider a debate, Soong said Chen should "accept the people's questions" to demonstrate his sincerity and allow the legislature to perform its function of supervising the executive.
Soong rejected claims from the Democratic Progressive Party that the Constitution does not allow for the president to be questioned in the legislature. As there was nothing expressively forbidding the president from debating the legislature, Chen should not hide behind excuses, Soong said.
He said that a number of PFP legislators-at-large had offered to forfeit their seats so that he could become a legislator. He hinted that Legislator Lee Tung-hao (李桐豪) would most likely be the one to give up his seat.
Soong said that he would regret any legislator resigning, but that he had to "pursue justice without turning back."
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
RSS