The government expressed confidence today that the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume as scheduled in time for the arrival of the members of the international monitoring team (IMT) in Mindanao.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced during this morning’s "pulong bayan" she hosted with Vice President Noli de Castro in Barangay Sultan Esmael in Dasmarinas, Cavite that she is convinced the peace talks will go on as planned.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Teresita Deles, who also attended the "pulong bayan," said that she is confident that there will be no more hitch for the formal peace talks as the nine-man administrative group of the IMT from Kuala Lumpur will arrive on Friday, Sept. 10.

"By mid-October, all the members of the international monitoring team are expected to be in the country," Deles said.

The President is scheduled to talk with the 10 members of the IMT from Brunei when she visit the Sultanate tomorrow.

Among those who attended the "pulong bayan" held at the Cultural Center, Purok Sampaguita, in Barangay Sultan Esmael were Cavite Governor Ireneo Maliksi, Vice Governor Juanito Victor Remulla, Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza, Dasmarinas Mayor Elpidio Barsaga, Jr., Cavite Representatives Gilbert Cesar Remulla and Jesus Crispin Remulla, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. and Communications Director Silvestre Afable, Jr.