President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today attended the installation of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Novaliches, Reverend Teodoro Bacani,, Jr. at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd at Fairview Park, Quezon City.

The more than three-hour rite of Liturgical Reception and Canonical Possession of Bishop Bacani commenced when Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila, presented the Bishop-designate of the Diocese of Novaliches to the Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Diocese.

Bishop Bacani was received at the doors of the church by Msgr. Anselmo Pamintuan who offered the new Bishop of Novaliches a crucifix to be kissed, then a sprinkler of holy water.

After the rite of installation and canonical possession, the entire Diocesian Clergy, the representative members of the faithful, and some religious men and women of the new Diocese of Novaliches approached Bishop Bacani to offer their obedience and reverence.

Representatives of civil authority led by President Macapagal-Arroyo greeted and paid homage to the first Bishop.

Also present during the rites were Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Franco, one of the concelebrating bishops during the rite of installation, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Congressman Chuck Mathay, and El Shaddai Spiritual Leader Mike Velarde.

Bishop Bacani was Auxiliary Bishop of Manila from 1984 until his appointment as the first bishop of the new diocese of Novaliches. He was also district bishop of the Kalookan and Novaliches Ecclesiastical Districts from 1996 to January 2003.

A recipient of the Catholic Author Award in 1990, Bishop Bacani was spiritual director of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of the Archdiocese of Manila, former chairman of the Public Affairs Committee, Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines, former member of the Theological Advisory Commission of the Federation of Asian Bishop’s Conference and chairman of the Commission on Religious Concerns – Second Plenary Council of the Philippines.

He was ordained priest on December 21, 1965 by Rufino Cardinal Santos, and was ordained bishop on April 12, 1984 by Archbishop Bruno Torpigliano at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, in Manila.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said notwithstanding her declaration that she not running for President in 2004, she is the "captain of the ship" up to 12 o’clock noon of June 30, 2004.

In her remarks during the inauguration of the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal at Pier 15, South Harbor, the President said she is going to focus like a laser beam on the economy for the next 18 months.

"I will continue to make the tough decisions and let the chips fall where they may. This is not the time to retreat, rather the time to forge ahead with reform," the President said.

She said that for too long, the Philippines has been dominated with the musical chairs of politics. "This must stop, too much is at stake," she said.

She said that in deciding not to run for president, her aim is to unify the nation on a steadfast path to reform and modernization.

"The economy and peace and order will be my focus; reform and unity my goal," she said.

The Chief Executive noted that the nation has much to be thankful for. She said the economy experienced growth in 2001 and 2002 notwithstanding global slowdown, "an economy with a very stable macroeconomic environment including low inflation, export figures that are strong in spite of the global slowdown, and a workforce that is one of the most competitive in the world."

But the President said the Philippines is also a nation that needs to unite if it wants to win the war against poverty and improve the quality of life of its citizens.

In inaugurating the largest inter-island passenger terminal in the country, the President said she is going to sign in a few days an executive order to provide the policy framework for private sector participation in the Roll-On, Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) Terminal System.

She said that among the most outstanding feature of this EO is the integration of the terminal system with the national road system and guarantee cost reduction from the rationalization of all rates.

The President also revealed that next month, she is going on an eight-hour motor trip on the Boracay-Batangas leg of this Roll-on, Roll-Off Ferry Highway.

She said a "nautical highway" would connect 48 roll-on, roll-off ports across the country funded from Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds with support from the private sector and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Aside from inaugurating the 2,878-square meter Eva Macapagal Super Terminal, which has a computerized ticket scan, the President also led officials in pouring the ceremonial champagne on the hull of Superferry 15 of the Aboitiz Transport Group (ATG).

The President earlier vowed to reduce transport costs and further reduce the prices of goods, particularly these shipped between Luzon and Mindanao.

The Eva Macapagal Super Terminal, a major component of the South Harbor modernization program, is the newest and biggest terminal in the country, serving inter-island shipping passengers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The terminal, designed by R.R. Payumo and Partners, will accommodate larger ships and is expected to create new opportunities for more efficient shipping operations and lower freight costs.

Its spacious and full air-conditioned lounge can seat 1,700. Fast-food outlets, drinking fountains, television sets, public telephone booths, clean restrooms, ticketing booths and a clinic are accessible in the terminal.

The last thing I would to do is to cross swords publicly with Senator Pimentel, whom I consider a gentleman.

The use of the word "circus" may have been inappropriate but nevertheless it is too minor an occurrence and I don’t understand why he was overreacting. Besides, all he has to do is to first listen to a few of his own colleagues who have used far more intemperate and inflammatory language while grandstanding at the expense of the administration.

To call me to a Senate hearing to explain the use of the word "circus" would then turn the matter into a "circus."

The sense that we wanted to convey was that the President would rather concentrate on more pressing matters such as her reform agenda, which she took up during the Ledac meeting, than watch the spectacle of a discredited former President.

But to put things in perspective, let me just cite how others perceived the Estrada testimony.

Referring to the hearing, no less than Senate President Frank Drilon described it as a forum used by Mr. Estrada "to sling mud at the Arroyo administration." But in trying to do so, the former President "dug his own grave." He further described it as attended by a lot of "hullabaloo." Senator Arroyo for his part described the discussion as "overblown" and attended by "confusion." In her regular radio program this morning, Ms. Winnie Monsod called the proceedings a "circus," a term repeated by Mr. Emil Jurado in his column today. The Inquirer in its editorial today called it "a burlesque."

We are not sure if Senator Pimentel himself, or it was somebody else, who broached the idea of summoning me to the Senate to explain why I used the word "circus." If summoned, I will attend but I will do so with serious reservations knowing that we will only be wasting taxpayers’ money and precious legislative and executive time on trifles.

Malacanang today said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has not change her position on the issue of charter change or "cha-cha."

He said the President also wants to do her best to create more jobs for the Filipino people and will devote her time to making sure that "the government is free of corruption and red tape."

"Also, the President said she would like a healing of the nation," Bunye said.

The Presidential Spokesman also said there would be preparations for the holding of orderly and honest elections.

Asked if Congress should heed the majority of the people who said they don’t want charter changes at this time, Bunye said: "They are mature legislators. They know what the people want. It’s up to them to respond to the clamor of the people."

Bunye added that the President has done her part in reminding the legislators how she feels about ‘cha-cha’."

He added that there are findings based on the surveys of the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia that majority of the people are not inclined at this point to support charter changes.