Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has told visiting Burmese prime minister, Lieutenant-General Soe Win, that she is concerned by the continued house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
After a trade discussion in Manila Monday, a spokesman said Ms. Arroyo's statement signals her hopes for democratic reform in Burma.
The spokesman also said Burma could get more development assistance from the Philippines if it speeds up its democratization process.
The spokesman said Soe Win assured Ms. Arroyo Burma is implementing its seven-step "roadmap to democratization."
Meanwhile, some Philippine senators called on Soe Win to give up the 2006 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations unless Burma improves its human rights record.
Protesters in the Philippines have been denouncing Soe Win's visit and calling for reform.
Information for this report is provided by AP.