President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said the government is mulling over the temporary suspension of the Oil Deregulation Law if the increase in the price of oil could seriously affect the prices of basic commodities.

In back-to-back radio interviews this morning, the President said that if it is found that oil companies are taking advantage of the crisis in the Middle East by jacking up the prices of their products, then the government might impose price control on oil.

When asked if she would be amenable to the temporary suspension of the law that deregulates the oil industry, the President said, "Kung kailangan, kung masyadong nakakaapekto sa presyo ng bilihin (If necessary, if it [oil price hike would greatly affect the prices of essential commodities)."

The President also said that in the case of Petron, one of the three major players in the oil industry, the government would not sell its 40 percent stake in the company but would ask the Petron management to be a price leader.

She explained that being a price leader, Petron should be the last to increase its prices. "At kung maiiwasan, dapat iwasan pa nga (And if they can avoid it, they should)," the President added.

As a price leader, Petron should also be the first to reduce its prices if the price of crude oil abroad goes down, the President said.

The President also asked the Filipino people to be patient as she explained that the price of crude oil usually goes up if there is a crisis in the Middle East because of what she described as "the spirit of suspense, the spirit of speculation."

But the President stressed that if the war is short-lived and there is a sure victor, the price of crude oil will also immediately go down as what happened during the first Gulf War.

The Philippines imports most of its crude oil requirements from the Middle East.

The President said the government is doing all it can to mitigate the effects of the oil price increase, especially on the prices of basic goods and transport fares.

She said that in the transport industry, the government has initiated several measures, including the setting up in strategic areas of fuel terminals with discounted rates for diesel fuel.

The President also called on the people not to engage in panic buying, hoarding or speculating, so as not to aggravate the situation.

The government is finding ways, no matter how complicated, to ease the burden on the consumers of the impending hike in Power Purchase Adjustment (PPA).

This was revealed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today as she assured the citizenry that her administration would leave no stone unturned to alleviate the plight of the consuming public with regard to power usage and rates.

In back-to-back radio interviews, the President said the government would try to renegotiate with Malampaya to lower its charges and absorb some losses so that the National Power Corporation which buys gas from Malampaya would be able to transfer the benefits to the public through lower unit cost.

According to her, Napocor, in return, will try to purchase more from Malampaya even if it means closing down several of its power plants.

The President, however, asked the public to be patient, saying finding ways and implementing them cannot be achieved overnight.

"Lahat nang ito ay sinisikap nating gawin, ginagamit natin ang lahat ng ating kaalaman at karanasan para sa ganoon ay makahanap tayo ng kahit kaunting ginhawa (We are trying to do all of these using every available resources and experience so that we could find ways to offer relief for all of us)," she said. "Pero hindi yan ibig sabihin ‘sinasabi natin ngayon, mai-implement yan bukas’ (But it doesn’t mean we could implement all these by tomorrow)."

She added that the Supreme Court ruling on the PPA, if finally realized, could also help offset whatever increases there might be in the PPA rates.

During the same interview, the President explained that there has not been any increase in basic consumption rates since 1994. It has in fact gone down by 30 centavos when the power law took into effect.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today reassured the nation that she is definitely not running in next year’s elections as she brushed off speculations that she is going to change her mind because of the so-called media blitz that she had undertaken lately.

In a radio interview this morning, the President said she has decided to be available to the media during the last few days because of the many uncertainties that the country is facing, among them the crisis in the Middle East and the renewed fighting in Mindanao.

The President said that if she would not talk to the people themselves through the media about what the government is doing, there would be a lot of speculations.

"At pag maraming ispekulasyon, humihina yong confidence at mas lalong nagpapanic ang taong bayan (And if there are a lot of speculations, there would be a loss of confidence and the people would panic," the President said.

That is the reason why, the President said, that she decided to be available to the media, adding that just one or two weeks ago, she has banned even ambush interviews in Malacaņang.

She said that if the situation normalizes, she would lessen her exposure to the media so that she can concentrate on attending to her official functions and meeting with government officials.

"Pero sa ngayon, ang pinakakailangang ipulong din ay ang taong bayan mismo. At magagawa ito sa pamamagitan ng media (But now the must urgent thing to do is also to meet with our countrymen and this can only be done through the media," the President said.

Chances are the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will return to the negotiating table and talk peace and development in Mindanao.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today disclosed that MILF leaders have even facilitated contacts and started talking with the government’s back channel officials.

In back-to-back radio interviews, the President noted that the MILF has even called for meetings, "kaya inaasahan ko na mayroon pang pagkakataon (which is why I expect the best out of the talks)."

Besides this, the Philippine government has the support of Malaysia, which had hosted previous Government-MILF peace talks that led to the signing of several protocols.

Malaysia had promised to continue being the third-party facilitator so that the government and MILF peace panels could reach a final pact that would assure peace and socio-economic development in Mindanao.

"Ako ay nasisisyahan at handa na silang makipag-usap. Inaasahan nila at may mas kumpiyansa sila na hindi sila agrabiyado kung may third- party facilitator (I am glad that the MILF is ready to talk peace. They expect as they are confident that they will not be underdogs if there is a third-party facilitator)," the President earlier noted.

But she urged the MILF to shun terrorism and to surrender to authorities the criminals and terrorists they have been harboring in their lairs.

She stressed that while the government’s hands of peace are open to those who would renounce violence and terrorism, its hands of steel would continue to pursue those who wish the nation and its people ill.

She had earlier authorized local government executives to set up their own ground-level peace initiatives with the MILF.

The President likewise clarified that the conflict in Mindanao is not an all-out war, saying that the government is on an "active defense" mode in the region.

"Kung ang MILF ay hindi gagawa ng violence, hindi (aatake ang military); hindi sila magte-terorista ay hindi rin sila hahabulin ng sundalo (If the MILF will not sow violence, the military will not attack; if the MILF does not terrorize, soldiers will not go after them)," she stressed.

The President also shrugged off claims that the fighting in Mindanao provided justification to transfer the conduct of the Balikatan military exercises in Central Mindanao.

She said it was the local government of (North) Cotabato, under Governor Emmanuel Pinol, that volunteered and asked that the Balikatan be conducted in their area.

Even when the Balikatan was conducted in Basilan, Cotabato officials had been very vocal about having the exercise in the province, she added.

She noted that the provinces of Quezon, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga have also sought the conduct of the Balikatan in their areas.

The Chief Executive categorically said the Balikatan would no longer be conducted in Sulu, because Sulu officials and the people did not want it.

The decision on where to conduct the Balikatan would be decided on by the operational units of the Philippines and the US, she said.

She stressed that the Balikatan is a regular undertaking of Philippine and American soldiers, part of the military and civic help the United States had vowed to give the Philippines.

On another note, the President called on politicians to stop saying things that would not help resolve the Mindanao issue.

"This is not the time for political grandstanding," she said.

The government would always be for peace, but everyone would have to maintain alertness to protect the people against terrorism and criminality, she stressed.

"Ang gobyerno ay hindi titigil sa paghahanap ng kapayapaan. Ngunit hindi rin niya papayagan ang kahit na kaninong grupo na mang-istorbo sa kapayapaan at katiwasayan sa Mindanao (The government will leave no stone unturned in its search for peace. But it will not allow any group to mire the peace and growth obtaining in Mindanao)," she said.

The President earlier said the government has prepared a comprehensive plan for Mindanao.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said the "nautical highway" connecting Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon will not only lower the transportation cost of goods but will also spur private initiatives to open up new routes connecting the three main islands of the country.

In a radio interview, the President said the sea-road caravan she will be lead next month will showcase how fun and enjoyable traveling in the countryside can be using the ferry and road rides.

The President explained that the sea-road caravan will use Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte as the jumping point for a travel that would take the participants all the way to Manila.

The President said all the participants will ride in cars and will be transported by ferry boats from Dapitan City all the way to Dumaguete City.

"From Dumaguete City to Bacolod will travel by land. From Bacolod to Iloilo we will take a ferry boat. From Iloilo to Caticlan in Aklan, we will be on the road again. Then from Caticlan to Roxas in Oriental Mindoro it will be by boat again," the President said.

The President said that from Roxas to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, it will be by land. Then from Calapan to Batangas City, it will be by ferry boat again. "And, finally, from Batangas City to Manila, it will be by land all the way," the President said.

The President said that this "nautical highway" will be very helpful to merchants from Mindanao and the Visayas since once they load their cargo or goods from their point of origin to Luzon, they do not have to unload their produce or wares anymore.

"Masyadong mahal ang pasahe dahil sa loading and unloading sa mga barko sa mga pantalan. Ito, wala ng loading and unloading. Isang truck na lang ang magbibiyahe all the way from Mindanao up to Luzon (Transportation cost is high because of loading and unloading in wharfs. By using the ferry, there will be no more loading and unloading. One truck can travel all the way from Mindanao to Luzon without loading and unloading in every wharf)," the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today convened in Malacanang the Third Revenue Performance Command Conference and was satisfied with the results, confident that the government would be able to meet its revenue targets for this year.

The President listened to the performance reports of both Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs at the State Dining Room in Malacaņang precisely to make sure the agencies do not have any slippage in collections.

Particularly, the President was pleased with the performance of BOC as its revenue performance exceeded all targets by about P3.4 billion or 19 percent. All major ports (Manila, Batangas, Cebu and Ninoy Aquino International Airport) exceeded their targets.

The BIR, on the other hand, lost some ground in its January targets but was able to recover in February as it was able to meet its mark.

Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho said the government expects the slight shortfall in the BIR collection to be temporary. "On a combined basis, the overpeformance of Bureau of Customs has more than compensated for the underperfomance of the BIR in the month of January," Camacho said.

Camacho said that given all the measures that were presented to the President, "we’re very confident that we’ll be able to meet the revenue targets for this year both at the BIR and the BOC."

The BIR and the BOC are both undertaking a series of reforms in order to improve their collection performance.

The BIR reform agenda covers four major elements, namely, addressing of tax structure issues, streamlining of operations, addressing the people’s issues and improving enforcement.

Regarding tax structure issues, the government has several proposed bills pending in Congress, including the proposal for gross income taxation and the rationalization of excise tax. The other tax structure issues the government has been able to do by administrative measures include the continuing review of all tax rulings that have granted tax exemptions.

"We are doing this for all BIR rulings and to date, we have been successful in a number of measures. You may know that we have already revoked the tax exemptions of domestic airlines on their jet fuel consumption because the original basis of the grant of exemptions is no longer in place. This is the lack of availability of domestically refined jet fuel," Camacho said.

The finance chief also noted the prevention of waiver (or exemptions) of value-added tax (VAT) on professionals. He said the BIR has been very successful in implementing this law, by working with those covered and making it as easy and convenient as possible for them to file their VAT returns.

"You may know that the BIR has launched the BIR-on-wheels program, which has gone to not only hospitals but also studios. Some of you may have been able to register using the BIR-on-wheels concept," he added.

The government also continues to work on streamlining or making the BIR effective in its operations with the launching of the VAT relief system, computerization projects such as e-payments, e-filing, and now e-confirmation.

The third item is on people’s issues such as the proposed National Revenue Administration or Authority legislation.

"We are hoping that this will see passage in Congress. Internally, we are also implementing Executive Order 114, which will transform the BIR, in the meantime, to a more taxpayer-focused organization," Camacho said.

Camacho also noted that there is an ongoing review of performance of BIR officials and he expects certain movements, transfer and promotions of BIR personnel based on actual performance.

"This will now become the guiding principle of people decision within the BIR," Camacho said.

On enforcement, Camacho said the BIR has now a fifth deputy commissioner in charge of legal issues whose only job is enforcement of BIR rules and regulations.

With the Bureau of Customs, Camacho noted that the agency has been successful in fighting smuggling not only of rice but vegetables and meat products as well.

"We continue to have a 100 percent examination policy on all refrigerated vans and this has allowed us to reduce, if not totally eliminate, the influx or inflow of smuggled food and other agricultural products," Camacho said.

In back-to-back interviews with two radio stations this morning, the President said she has more peace of mind now and can make decisions and actions based on what is right and best for the greater majority.

"Noong araw, ginagawa ko rin iyon. Kahit hindi popular, gagawin ko. Pero siyempre malungkot ako, kasi nababawasan ako ng suporta. Pero ngayon, yong peace of mind naroroon. Dahil ang nalalabing criteria ay yong ano ba ang tama (I did the same thing before. No matter how unpopular my decision or action would be, I would take it. But now, I have peace of mind. Because the only criterion left is doing what is right)," she said.

The President added that with her decision not to run for election in 2004, she need not fear politicians and political parties shunning or abandoning her or not giving her their support.

The same goes for other groups who she hopes would understand her and continue to support her administration’s programs for the remainder of her term, the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said government efforts to fight corruption in the last two years have started paying off, as she revealed moves to rid some agencies of graft and corruption.

In a radio interview, the President cited the latest finding of the Hong Kong-based Political & Economic and Risk Consultancy (PERC) that showed that corruption in the Philippines had become "less serious."

"May ibang bansang nag-overtake na sa atin sa ranking ng corruption (Other nations have overtaken us in the corruption rankings)," she said.

She added that mechanisms are being put in place to further strengthen the campaign to rid the bureaucracy of corrupt people and corrupt practices.

She said the government would put up at least two units – one that would have wide-ranging tasks and the other, a smaller one – to carry out anti-corrupt practices programs.

"Sisimulan natin doon sa mga ahensiya na gusto nating maging showcase ng fight against graft and corruption (We will start with agencies we want to be showcases of our anti-corruption campaign)," she stressed, referring to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, among others.

Earlier, the PERC classified the Philippines as among the countries in Asia -- along with Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand --where "corruption is becoming less serious" as against countries that are "most corrupt."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said a number of government high-impact transport projects are expected to be completed soon, thus facilitating the speedy and cheaper movement of people and goods.

In a radio interview, the President said she was excited over the near launching of the nation’s "nautical highway" that is on its final stages and would subsequently introduce the creation of many sea routes between Luzon and Mindanao.

She said the government’s roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) program in the nautical highway is expected to lessen cargo costs, spawning lesser costs of agricultural and industrial goods being traded throughout the country.

A RO-RO caravan covering key ports in Mindanao and the Visayas would showcase the efficacy and efficiency of the nautical highway, she added.

The President also disclosed the near completion and opening of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) No. 2.

The rail system would run from Claro M. Recto in Manila to Santolan in Pasig City connecting through Aurora Blvd. and Marcos Highway.

"Yun ay isang malaking makakabigay ng ginhawa sa ating mga commuters (The rail system will greatly ease the burdens of our commuters)," she said.

"Kung maraming makakasakay duon, mababawasan yung kailangang magkotse. At mababawasan ang ating traffic (If many people take the LRT, the number of those who drive cars will decrease and it will help ease traffic)," she added.

The President likewise said that she has directed transport officials to prioritize the interconnection of existing and proposed mass rail transit and LRT lines to provide for one rail system in Metro Manila.

She disclosed plans to create a Mega Manila to include the areas of Clark and Subic to the north and the Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) area and Batangas Port to the south.

This entails the construction of separate rail systems to Clark and Subic and to the Calabarzon area. "Gusto nating simulan (We want to start)" the projects, she said.

The Chief Executive added that another big-ticket transport project in the works is the opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

She said there are positive developments on the legal issues surrounding the airport terminal.

Once the issues have been resolved, the airport terminal would be opened, she added.

Ambassador Roy Cimatu, head of the Middle East Preparedness Team (MEPT), today assured the nation that preparations to ensure the welfare and safety of the 1.4 million Filipinos in the Persian Gulf are in place, as telltale signs of a US-led attack on Iraq becomes clear.

At the same time, Cimatu said the government would still maintain diplomatic relations with all Middle East countries, including Iraq, hosting the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In a press briefing in Malacaņang, Cimatu said the Philippine ambassadors and charge d’affaires in 14 countries in the Middle East have reported daily and assured the President and the MEPT that "all their plans are in place."

"I join you and other Filipinos for prayers and a miracle for a last-minute diplomatic solution that should avert war. Nevertheless, if war happens in the next several days or so, the Philippine government assures the Filipino people that all our preparations in the Middle East for our 1.4 million Filipinos are in place," Cimatu said.

Cimatu said he is leaving for Kuwait Tuesday (March 18) to personally oversee the preparations and implementation of the plans "to put out of harm’s way all the 1.4 million Filipinos in the Middle East."

Cimatu would be flying to Riyadh and motor to the Kuwaiti border (at Nuwaiseeb) where the relocation site for Filipinos in Kuwait is located. From there, Cimatu said he would proceed further to Kuwait City.

"We just hope that nobody gets hurt and no unnecessary dislocation of their (OFWs) employment will take place and at the same time, we will still maintain all the diplomatic relations with all of those countries hosting these 1.4 million Filipinos," he said.

Cimatu admitted that such mission would not be easy as there are risks and uncertainties. "But I would like to assure you, as the chairman of the Committee, I will do my best and make a report to the Filipino people that we have done our best in putting out of harms, way all these 1.4 million Filipinos in the Middle East," he said.

Cimatu noted that the Philippine embassy officials in Baghdad have already moved out and that only four Filipino embassy caretakers have remained.

He noted that there are still at least seven Filipinas married to Iraqi nationals who opted to stay in the Iraqi capital.

Cimatu noted that Kuwait earlier pardoned nine OFWs as part of the 20 Filipino prisoners the Emir of Kuwait had pledged to pardon when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Kuwait last February.