Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (
KMT legislative candidates vowed to follow the sunshine laws, including the Political Party Law (政黨法), the Lobby Law (遊說法) and the Political Donation Law (政治獻金法), and establish a legislative reform team to handle bills more effectively and evaluate cross-party negotiation mechanisms if elected.
Led by KMT caucus whip Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權), a total of 19 candidates also pledged to prioritize reviewing bills on promoting public livelihood instead of focusing on the issue of independence or unification; ratifying laws that would prevent the government from defying the legislature and grant the legislative speaker and commission heads the right to request police protection; and set up a research team to push for constitutional reform in two years.
PHOTO: CNA
Speaking at the ceremony at KMT headquarters, Ma said that as the largest opposition party, the KMT should take responsibility for improving the reputation of the legislature and overseeing the government's performance on behalf of the public.
"With the number of legislative seats being cut in half, the new legislators will carry heavier responsibilities. I think it is quite meaningful for legislators to make this kind of vow before the elections," Ma said.
He said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) should be responsible for promoting administrative transparency and integrity, while urging legislative candidates to pursue clean government if elected.
Asked to comment on the KMT's decision to boycott its own anti-corruption referendum bid, Ma said that the party would continue to fight corruption despite the boycott.
"We will continue to fight against corruption because we still have a corrupt government ... holding a referendum is not the only way to fight against corruption," Ma said.
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) also voiced his support for laws that would prevent government officials from belittling the legislature and grant the legislative speaker and commission heads the right to request police protection.
Wang also condemned DPP legislators for resorting to violence to boycott bills.
"Giving the speaker the power to request police protection is not only a good mechanism but also necessary," he said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS