INTRODUCTION
This bill signing ceremony, which coincides with the opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial conference today, manifests to our guests and the world-at-large the high-quality unity and cooperation that operates among the Philippine national leadership not only in our hosting of this historic summit, but also in accelerating our country’s development.

The APEC conference will show the world that we are attractive, competitive, capable and can make contributions that are not insignificant in the Asia-Pacific region. The two bills that I sign into law today will ensure that we shall maintain and enhance the respect of other nations. One preserves our identity as Filipinos and the other accelerates our momentum in the pursuit of economic growth and social reform.

While APEC can make a grand slam for us, these two new laws will enable us to join the big league.
PROTECTION OF FILIPINOS ABROAD
Prior to today’s approval of the Philippine passport law (RA 8239), the issuance of travel documents to Filipinos going abroad had been governed by Executive Order No. 1 which was issued on July 4, 1946.

That the passport was the subject of the first presidential issuance on the very day the Philippines regained its independence attests to its importance as proof of our identity as a Filipino. The provisions of that executive order, however, could not have foreseen the many changes that would affect its issuance in the fifty years since.

This first-ever Philippine Passport Law, Republic Act No. 8239 is long overdue. For too long, tens of thousands of innocent Filipinos had been victims of passport fraud and other irregularities, as a result of exploitation by the unscrupulous, or as a consequence of their own innocence and ignorance of the laws.

This key piece of legislation removes the ambiguities previously connected with the proper handling of Philippine passports by all parties. It is a new and powerful component of our legal armory for protecting Philippine citizens wherever they may be in the world. I have directed all concerned government agencies to ensure its smooth, speedy and effective implementation, in order to preserve the integrity of the Philippine passport.

In addition, the Philippine Passport Law represents a high achievement in terms of legislative-executive cooperation. It shows that the rights and welfare of Filipinos, whether at home or abroad, are not a partisan political issue. It shows that the two branches of government can take unified, decisive action on behalf of our compatriots, as was also the case with the passage last year of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act (RA 8042).
The Philippines has taken a lead in promoting the growth and development of the Asia-Pacific through its chairmanship this year of APEC, where the leaders of the 18 member-economies share a vision of an emerging Asia-Pacific regional community. An essential element of this vision is a freer flow of commerce, ideas and peoples among the economies of the region.
A passport that is safe and secure will be an indispensable tool for all Filipinos who participate in our region’s dynamic economy, whether as business people, workers, students, professionals or tourists, and will protect its bearer from the vicissitudes of travel. And a passport that is respected will give every Filipino the dignity to which he or she is fully entitled as a national of the Republic of the Philippines.
AN ASSURANCE OF OUR ECONOMIC WELL-BEING
Republic Act No. 8240, the Excise Tax Reform Act, constitutes the most important — and the most controversial — component of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package (CTRP) which the Ramos administration considers top priority for our economic stability.

During the past four years, we have relentlessly pursued reforms that have led not only to a dramatic turnaround in our economy but also to our emergence as a tiger cub or young bull of Asia. But we need a larger volume and steadier flow of financial resources in order for us to attain economic well-being on a more self-reliant and sustainable basis.

The time has come for us to realize that we can no longer depend on others — such as through dole-outs from friendly countries or foreign borrowings — to support our own progress. We must finance our national and local needs out of the revenues we generate ourselves.

This is what the CTRP aims to achieve: to ensure that our growth will be maintained through a steady and buoyant stream of revenues that will adequately finance our development requirements.

Republic Act 8240 which provides for long-needed reform in the excise tax on cigarettes, beer and distilled spirits, can raise as much as p6 billion in additional revenues for the government annually. This will translate to thousands of new classrooms, housing units and hospital beds, and hundreds of kilometers of roads and bridges throughout the land. This can spell a big difference between the effective delivery of public services, or the lack thereof. It will mean a great deal in improving the quality of life of our people, particularly the poor.

I am heartened to know that the restructuring of the excise tax took into account equitably not only the needs of the government for revenues but also the interests of the industries, workers, and consumers concerned.

The imposition of specific tax rates will ensure the collection of uniform taxes from similarly priced beer, cigarettes, and distilled spirits, and takes away any advantage which, previously, may have been accorded to some quarters by ad valorem taxation.

Most important of all, it gave due consideration to the concerns of the consuming public and the farmers who may be affected by this legislation.
CLOSING
I take this opportunity to thank congress once again for their political will in enacting reform measures that transcend political affiliations and group pressures. These laws demonstrate that the interest of the Filipino people remains uppermost in our collective efforts and decisions affecting their well-being.

In the midst of our meetings with our friends and neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region, we Filipinos are convinced more than ever that through our unity, solidarity and teamwork, formidable challenges can be overcome, and with each successful endeavor, we vigorously move forward to a higher place of dignity and respect in the community of nations and ensure a higher quality of life for the Filipino people!!

Thank you and mabuhay!