The people of Zamboanga del Sur and the officers and men of the First Infantry "Tabak" Division of the Philippine Army has raised, in one voice, their unequivocal support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as they expressed their indignation over "harassments to our democracy."

In a letter to the President, Deputy Presidential Assistant for Western Mindanao Undersecretary Romeo Vera Cruz said their support was in "cognizance of our right to peace and stability."

Vera Cruz said they also desired to "aid a hurting economy and keep alive our democratic institutions."

He said the constituency of Zamboanga del Sur and the military based in the area hoped that "this latest assault to our freedom will be met with active and decisive resistance" from the people nationwide.

In a related development, the Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) also wrote the President extending similar support to her leadership.

PWWA president and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chief Lorenzo Jamora and other PWWA officers said they continued to stand by the President and the Constitution she represents.

Jamora and the others believed "in a democratic and peaceful process."

A Filipino family based in San Francisco, California has written President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressing their full support of her administration.

Filipino Nazario and Violeta Aledo, in a letter, said "we and our family jointly 100 percent support your administration."

The Aledos believed that the President "is honestly and diligently devoted to clean graft and corruption and all forms of illegal activities that had existed" prior to her administration.

They prodded the President to "go on with your investigation against political corruption."

They said the soldiers who staged the failed coup in Makati City "should be charged under the Articles of War and be punished by court martial and jail."

"Do not allow them to return to duty. They will be bad to the service and will not be loyal to the military," they added.

The Aledos cited the President for being "honest, sincere, straightforward, ethical and devoted to your country."

Glitz and glamor filled Malacanang Saturday night when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hosted cocktails and honored with Presidential Citations three Filipino-American Hollywood celebrities.

The President aptly described Lou Diamond Phillips and Tia Carrere as the exemplification of world-class Filipino artistic talent.

She said Phillips and Carrere are role models for Filipino-Americans who take pride in their Philippine ancestry and heritage.

They have been projecting a positive image of Filipinos abroad, she added.

In the citation, the President also lauded Phillips and Carrere for contributing unselfishly to the promotion of the welfare of Filipino World War II Veterans in the United States.

She likewise presented a similar citation to US film industry executive Fritz Friedman for his contribution to the Filipino film industry.

Phillips, Carrere and Friedman were noted for actively volunteering to engage in the promotion of the Philippines as a primary tourist destination and haven.

This has resulted in the creation of more jobs and livelihood opportunities for the Filipino people, the President said.

Phillips wore a Barong Tagalog and was accompanied by his Filipina mother, Luisita Aranas, when they arrived at Malacanang at exactly 7:15 p.m.

Carrere, in a red gown with plunging neckline, arrived with her American husband Simon Wakelin.

The President received the Hollywood stars in the Study Room where they had a private conversation, after which they were presented with the citations in rites hosted by Anthony Pangilinan.

Thereafter, music and dance filled the Ceremonial Hall as pop diva Bituin Escalante belted out Diana Ross’ hit "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" and Carrere crooned Linda Ronstadt’s "Blue Bayou."

Phillips sang his original version of "La Bamba" to which Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon joined in for a duet while the President gamely danced.

Several personalities from government, filmdom and the media had a glimpse of and posed for souvenir pictures with the Hollywood stars.