KUWAIT -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Monday personally extended her condolences to the Kuwaiti royal family, conveying the Philippines' deep sadness over the death of Sheikha Sheikha Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

The President offered her condolences during a visit at a separate court in the Bayan Palace to Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Sheikha is the Crown Prince's daughter. She died of cancer.

During the brief call, the President personally conveyed her condolences to the Crown Prince.

She also conveyed to the Kuwaiti royalty the country's deepest gratitude for their hospitality "in having me and my delegation as official guests."

The President said the Emir and the Kuwaiti government have always been a gracious host to OFWs, "and I thank them for their concern for the safety and welfare of our Filipino community."

The President visited Kuwait primarily to check the conditions of the overseas Filipino workers in Iraq and see the developments of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee, headed by Ambassador Roy Cimatu.

The White House said Monday (Tuesday in Manila) that United States President George W. Bush is pleased to announced that he will host President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for a state visit on April 2.

In a statement issued in Washington, DC, Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said:

"President Bush looks forward to discussing (with President Macapagal-Arroyo) how the United States and the Philippines can further strengthen bilateral relations, including cooperation in the war against terror."

The White House statement said President Bush also "looks forward to discussing how the United States can best support President Macapagal-Arroyo's efforts to strengthen the rule of law, advance economic reform, and alleviate poverty in the Philippines."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived today from a "mission of peace and journey of hope" in Kuwait, bringing home assurances over the safety of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East – the same message contained in the hundreds of letters from OFWs that she personally hand-carried for delivery to their families and friends in the Philippines.

The President arrived at Villamor Air Base around 7:45 this morning and was immediately driven to the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City where she was welcomed by the families and friends of the OFWs.

"Hiniling nila na sabihin ko sa inyo na huwag kayong mag-alala dahil sila ay nakikipag-ugnay sa ating embahada, pati na rin sa kanilang mga employer, para manatiling ligtas kung sakaling may anumang emerhensiya (They asked me to tell all of you not to worry about their safety because they are in close coordination with our embassies, even with their employers, to ensure their safety in case of emergency)," the President told the hundreds of OFWs’ relatives and friends who gathered to welcome her back from her brief visit to Kuwait.

In her speech, the President told the OFWs’ families and friends that the Filipino workers in the Middle East are relaxed and safe.

She said the OFWs are really satisfied with the preparations and contingency measures that have all been placed in readiness by the Philippine government and the OFWs’ host countries in case a war breaks out between the United States and Iraq.

"Sila ang nag-aalala sa inyo dahil sa balitang malapit na ang giyera na parating nasa media. Habang parati tayong nagbabantay sa mga pangyayari, tayo’y nagdarasal sa Panginoon para sa kapayapaan (They are the ones concerned about you, about your apprehensions because of media report on the Middle East conflict. While we are watching for any developments, let us pray to the Lord for the peaceful solution of this conflict)," President said.

Among those who welcomed the President back at the airport were Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson, and Deputy Administrator Delmer Cruz of the Overseas Workers and Welfare and Administration (OWWA).

The President brought her brief visit to Kuwait to a close Monday, satisfied with government preparations to ensure the safety of OFWs in case the US-Iraq conflict escalates.

The President boarded a Shandong Airlines Rainbow jet at around 2 p.m. (7 p.m. in Manila) at the Kuwait International Airport.

In brief remarks before her departure, the President said she is very glad that there is a very strong partnership among Filipino organizations, their employers, the Philippine Embassy and the Kuwaiti government in working closely to assure the safety of Filipinos.

"I have met with our citizens. I have met with our team responsible for ensuring their safety and I have met with the host government of Kuwait," the President said in her departure statement at the Kuwaiti International Airport.

She noted that Filipino citizens in Kuwait are strong, resilient and proud.

"I reassured them that if conflict should occur and we pray that it will not occur, our two nations will do anything in its power to insure their safety and well-being," she said.

The President noted that in the days ahead, "we must seek the guidance of God and the call of our conscience as we pray for peace in the Middle East. "

"Our nation and I will reflect on the best course of action that will protect our overseas workers, the integrity of our nation and our obligation to future generations to live in a world free from terror and oppression," she said.

In her meeting with the local Filipino community Sunday (Monday in Manila), the President said the security and welfare of OFWs all over the world occupies the highest priority in her administration.

"Our foremost concern is keeping you safe and out of harm's way in the event of a war or terrorist attack," she said.

The President said the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee aims that no single OFW will get hurt, none will get dislocated from employment, and that the friendly ties with the host government and maintained and the image of the country as a preferred source of professional quality workers is sustained.

The President also noted that she is happy to see that OFWs in Kuwait are not alarmed but even relaxed.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that as a result of her talks with Kuwaiti officials, 20 Filipinos who have imprisoned in Kuwait jails for various offenses have been pardoned.

In her speech at Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City shortly after her arrival from a two-day visit to Kuwait, the President said the pardon of the 20 Filipino prisoners was a gift from Kuwaiti officials.

She said the cases of the other Filipino detainees in Kuwaiti jails are now being reviewed.

On top of this, the President said, the Kuwaiti government has also allowed the return to the Philippines of some 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who ran away from their employers during the past several months or even years.

The Kuwaiti government, the President said, has not only allowed their return to the Philippines but also agreed to shoulder their plane fares.

According to the President, she has instructed Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas to arrange for the departure from Kuwait of the first batch of these 200 OFWs scheduled for today.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that a relocation site for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait is being readied in the event that the conflict in Iraq would spill over to Kuwait and there is a need for an evacuation.

In a speech before relatives of OFWs gathered at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City shortly after her arrival from her two-day visit to Kuwait, the President said that she had instructed Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and Ambassador Roy Cimatu, head of the Middle East Preparedness Team (MEPT), to inspect the relocation center which is located some 100 kilometers from Kuwait City.

The President said that the relocation center, which is in the border of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is complete with all amenities and facilities, including tents, where the OFWs can be relocated in case their lives would be endangered in Kuwait City.

According to the President the setting up of the relocation center is part of the government’s contingency plan in the event of a war in the Gulf.

She likened the measures undertaken by the government in the Middle East to the preparations of the National Disaster Coordinating Council and its provincial and municipal chapters in case of disasters like typhoons, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The President said that what the government is doing in the Philippines is now being replicated in other countries, especially in the Middle East, to protect and safeguard the lives of OFWs.

"Talagang bahagi ng pamahalaan ang may preparedness plan (Having a preparedness plan is a basic job of the government)," the President said.

President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo today expressed her profound thanks to the Emir of Kuwait and other members of the royal family for the warm hospitality extended to her and her official delegation during her two-day trip to Kuwait to personally look into the situation of Filipino workers there.

In a speech before relatives and friends of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) gathered at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City this morning, the President said she was very grateful to Kuwait’s ruling family for upgrading her working visit to official.

She said that after learning of her trip, the Emir of Kuwait upgraded the visit to official and instead of staying in a hotel, she and her delegation were billeted at the Emir’s palace.

The President said that during her brief stay in Kuwait, she stayed at the palace where she met with OFWs. She also presided over a command conference attended by Philippine ambassadors and heads of government agencies based in the Middle East at the Emir’s palace.

She said the Kuwaiti government even provided buses to transport about a thousand OFWs to the palace during a gathering last Sunday.

In her meeting Monday with Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kuwait, the President personally conveyed her gratitude to the royal family and the Kuwaiti government for their concern for the safety and welfare of some 60,000 Filipino workers in Kuwait.

The President said the Kuwait government has always been a gracious host to OFWs.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came home today from a brief visit to Kuwait with bundles of letters from overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the Middle East for their families and friends in the Philippines.

Shortly after her arrival at the Villamor Airbase, the President motored to the Philippine Trade and Training Center on Roxas Blvd. in Pasay City where a huge crowd of OFW relatives and friends welcomed her.

She told the welcomers that the OFWs in Kuwait and other countries in the Middle East asked her to deliver to them the message that they are safe and relaxed in their places of work and for them not to worry over their safety.

"Ang ating mga OFWs sa Kuwait ay nagpadala sa akin ng mga mensahe para dalhin dito sa atin (Our OFWs in Kuwait asked me to bring home letters and messages for delivery to you here at home)," the President told the relatives and friends of the overseas workers.

She said OFW Ana del Carpio asked her to call her son Francis and friend Cory Ramos to tell them that she is safe and working at the Mubarak Hospital.

"Kaya sa kaniyang anak, Francis, at Cory: kung naririnig ninyo ito, o natawagan ko na kayo (So to her son Francis, and to Cory: if you are listening, I am now calling on you and giving you the message from Ana)," said the President.

The President also said OFW Mercy Palmenco asked her to bring home a letter to her "Ate" Bella Garcia Palmenco.

The President apologized for reading the letter, saying it was not sealed, and told the crowd of welcomers that Mercy asked her "Ate" to give her regards to her whole family, her siblings, cousins and other relatives.

"At lalung-lalo na si Inay. Huwag kamo siyang mag-alala sa akin. Okay naman ako rito sa bansang Kuwait (And most especially to Mother. Tell her not to worry about me. I’m okay here in Kuwait)," the President quoted from the letter of Mercy Plamenco.

The President said another letter handed to her by Ereen Zulueta asked her to invite the OFW’s mother, Zeny, to the meeting the Chief Executive was having with the overseas workers’ relatives upon her arrival in Manila.

"I hope Zeny is here," said the President during the PTTC meeting.

The President assured that she will have all the letters delivered to the OFWs’ relatives and friends as soon as she returns to Malacaņang.

"Hiniling nila na sabihin ko sa inyo: huwag kayong mag-alala dahil sila ay nakikipag-ugnay sa ating embahada, pati na rin sa kanilang mga employer para manatiling ligtas kung sakali may anumang emerhensiya (They asked me to tell all of you not to worry about their safety because they are in close coordination with our embassies, even with their employers, to ensure their safety in case of emergency)," the President said.

"We want to inform all of you that we care for your loved ones. And we are prepared to extend all the help they need to keep them safe," she said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who arrived only this morning from a "mission of peace and journey of hope" in Kuwait, immediately buckled down to work and convened at noon today the 66^th Cabinet and the 14^th National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) meetings at the state Dining Room in Malacanang.

After an opening prayer led by Executive Director Carmen Monfort of the Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls, the President discussed the funding of the computerization of elections in 2004 with Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos and Guillermo Luz of the National Movement for Free Elections.

She also worked on issues on the 2003 national budget presented by Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin. The budget is expected to be approved soon by Congress.

Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho submitted to the NEDA Board for approval 11 ICC projects, mostly on infrastructure development, with a total cost of P22.8 billion.

The Philippines is disappointed at the response that the Iraqi regime has so far given in complying with U.N. Resolution 1441. By its actions, it is rapidly losing the opportunity to resolve this matter by peaceful means. If it is not resolved by peaceful means, the responsibility will fall fully upon the Iraqi leadership.

As a responsible member of the international community of nations, it is our responsibility to keep international stability and act against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear and biological weapons, particularly by those who have demonstrated irresponsibility in possessing such awesome power of destruction. We are also mindful of the danger of these weapons falling into the hands of terrorists whether wittingly or unwittingly.

This is a fight against terrorism, which has bloodied our own nation in recent years, from Metro Manila bombings to the depredations of the Abu Sayyaf. It has ravaged even countries that have tried to maintain some modicum of neutrality, like Indonesia and its Bali tragedy.

I urge the Iraqi leadership to heed the call of their people and of the world and do what is right. They have one last opportunity to put the world on notice that the Iraqi leadership aspires not to conflict and suffering but for compassion and humanity for its people. Putting innocent civilians in harm’s way is tragic and selfish.

Commission on Election (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos today reported to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the electoral body has issued an invitation to bid for the supply of automated machines that would ensure accurate counting and tallying of votes in the 2004 elections.

In a presentation of the Comelec program for the modernization of the electoral system during the 66^th Cabinet Meeting in Malacanang, Abalos said the use of automated machines would eliminate errors "wittingly or unwittingly committed due to human interventions."

To avoid the substitution of election returns and other forms of poll cheating resulting in post-election tensions, Abalos underscored the seriousness of having the electronic transmission of precinct results.

"Accordingly, efforts are being taken to automate the consolidation process," Abalos said.

He said that the Comelec has targeted the completion of the advanced tabulation of nationwide poll results in 48 hours, at the "utmost," after the election day.

Abalos also sought an additional funding of P1 billion on top of the P2.5 billion the President announced was available for the computerization of the elections in 2004.

During the meeting, the President agreed to the proposal of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Avelino Cruz, Jr. to give priority to the procurement of automated counting machines worth some P1.8 billion.