TAGBILARAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope Tuesday that the Provincial Anti-Drug Council of Bohol would be the best in the country after rallying local government officials and multi-sectoral groups to help clear the streets of illegal drugs.

The President’s launching of the Anti-Drug Council coincided with the commemoration of the 107th birth anniversary of the late President Carlos P. Garcia, a native of Bohol, at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex here. More than 10,000 people attended the commemorative program.

The Chief Executive reiterated her warning that nobody, including the military and police, would be spared in her administration’s campaign to rid the country of the drug menace.

"We will not stop until all our communities, barangays and streets are free from illegal drugs. Walang arbor-arbor. Walang prote-proteksyon. The police, military and politicians involved or protecting the illegal drugs business will be made answerable," she said.

President Macapagal-Arroyo said that the success of the Anti-Drug Council would not be far-fetched as Bohol has already a string of accomplishments in many fields. Bohol has won the Best Tourism Destination of the Year, while the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council has been adjudged the Best Tourism Council of the Year.

Upon activation of Bohol’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group on June 16, 2003, 29 "seriously affected" barangays were targeted for clearing of drug pushers and users.

The latest report by the Bohol Provincial Police Office indicated that seven pushers, two users, and 58 other personalities not in the police watchlist, were arrested. A total of 41 drug cases had been filed in court.

Chief Justice Hilario Davide finds it acceptable, Speaker Jose de Venecia still has to consult the Lower House, Malacanang said today on the draft covenant proposed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to settle the conflict on the impeachment of Davide.

However, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a radio interview this morning he has not seen a copy of the President’s draft. Only Davide, de Venecia and Senate President Franklin Drilon were given copies and they are "very restricted documents," he explained.

Bunye also said the President never ordered de Venecia to block the impeachment, referring to the banner headline of a Manila broadsheet.

The President is simply an arbiter, Bunye emphasized. She wants a solution because if the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court are left to themselves, their prides may prevail.

The President said, in unveiling her draft covenant Tuesday, "I have acted with nothing more in mind than national unity and reconciliation."

That is the real intent of the President, Bunye said. If you remember, the President said she should be neutral in this case but it has reached a point where she has to step in for the welfare of our countrymen and nation.

In a separate interview broadcast through all 51 radio stations of RMN throughout the country, the President said she forwarded copies of the draft to Davide, de Venecia and Drilon for them to study well.

The President said is ready to sign the document with the Chief Justice and the Speaker to reiterate the commitment of the three branches of government to the principles and methods to solve the impasse with the Senate President as witness.

She would not give details of the draft but repeated the five principles behind the draft of the covenant which she bared Monday.

These are respect for the supreme welfare of the people; an affirmation of co-equality, independence, but indispensable cooperation and harmony among the three branches of government; the principles of checks and balances as an instrument of national unity and stability and not of partisanship; the executive, legislative and judicial authorities must come together as trustees of the public interest and find a resolution to the controversy within the rule of law; and, democratic governance must be based on mutual trust, respect, civility, responsibility and transparency among leaders.

Initially, the Chief Justice said the draft looks okay and is acceptable to the Supreme Court, according to Bunye.

He said de Venecia asked that he be given a chance to consult with members of Congress.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured the people today that elections will be held in May, 2004 despite the threat of a constitutional crisis arising from the controversial impeachment complaint in Congress against Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr.

In an interview broadcast by 51 stations of the RMN Radio Network, President Macapagal-Arroyo, who was visiting Tagbilaran City, said, "Tuloy po ang eleksiyon (The elections will go on)," even if the impeachment case were to be transmitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate for hearing and decision.

"Tuloy naman ang mga proseso ng ating mga iba’t ibang institusyon (Our various institutions continue to function)," she added.

President Macapagal-Arroyo stressed the need for "a strong Republic," pointing out that rumors of destabilization circulate every time a political controversy crops up. But, she said that there is no reason for alarm, because the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are prepared to defend the people and protect public interest.

"Mayroon tayong red alert na pro-active move. At dahil nga proactive kumikilos tayo bago pa man mangyari ang problema o hindi pa man nangyayari ang problem. Ang ibig saihin nito under control ang situation kaya’t dapat sana magiging kalmante ang taongbayan at hindi hysterical (We have red alert, a pro-active move. Being pro-active, we move before the problem comes up or even if it doesn’t happen. The people should be calm and not hysterical)," she said.

The President reiterated that she submitted a draft covenant to the principal protagonists in the Davide impeachment case – Chief Justice Davide, House Speaker Jose de Venecia and Senate President Franklin Drilon -- for their earnest consideration in resolving the impasse.

But, she declined to provide details of the draft covenant while the Supreme Court and the House are still consulting on it. It is known, however, that the covenant incorporates the President’s proposed five principles which, among others, recognize public interest as supreme and respect for the co-equality of the three branches of government.

She pledged that she will continue to take initiative to advance the nation’s interest. "Ang aking focus ay mabuting pamamahala at serbisyo at ito ay walang tigil at tutuloy ako na magiging unifier sa ilalaim ng rule of law (My focus will be good governance and service and I will pursue my role as unifier under the rule of law)," she added.

President Macapagal-Arroyo said that as guest speaker at the 107^th birth anniversary of the late President Carlos P. Garcia, a native of Bohol, she reminded the people of the legacy of his presidency, including his defense of democracy and his Filipino First policy.

WHEREAS, consistent with the democratic ideals and of republicanism, the Constitution allocates the primary functions of government to the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial Departments thereof and recognizes the equality between, independence of, and coordination among these Departments in order to achieve the blessings of a strong and stable democratic society;

WHEREAS, the Constitution is the primary source of the principles of good governance and grants and limits the powers of government in general and of the Departments in particular. These powers do not adhere to persons but are held in trust by public servants who are duly elected or appointed to their positions of responsibility and are bound to place the welfare of the country and the people above all other purposes or considerations;

WHEREAS, in a democratic setting, differences are unavoidable among human institutions that are independent but must work within a system of checks and balances, but such differences are, and can be, resolved within the constitutional framework;

WHEREAS, it is important, especially in times of political stress, to assure our people that the institutions of democracy can be trusted to function properly and remain totally dedicated to their welfare and security;

WHEREAS, the filing on 23 October, 2003 of another impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. with the House of Representatives has created a crisis whose escalation could cause or result in a grave threat or danger to our democratic institutions; it has divided our people;

WHEREAS, the urgent call of the hour is to prevent the worsening of the crisis; rescue our country from the brink of disaster; and to strengthen our democratic institutions;

WHEREAS, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo must lead forthwith in responding to the call.

NOW, THEREFORE, we President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Speaker Jose De Venecia and Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. do hereby agree on and sign this

STRENGTHEN THE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS

in order to arrive at a just and proper solution of the crisis at hand and to fully realize the will of the people, promote national unity and faithfully observe the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution.

BY THIS COVENANT, we recognize and reaffirm the following:

Article 1

The Philippine Constitution is the source of all governmental powers. Its provisions describing the ideals and aspirations of the people must be carried out strictly in accordance with the means and procedures described therein.

Article 2

Public officers hold their office in trust, and only for the benefit and welfare of the people. The aspirations of the people to attain the blessings of democracy can only be achieved when public servants are themselves the embodiment and example of adherence to the rule of law, of mutual trust, respect, and civility to one another, and of utmost responsibility and transparency in resolving issues related to the exercise of their delegated powers and functions.

Article 3

The three Departments of government, the Constitutional Commissions, and other offices of the government, together with civil society and the media, must, at all times, perform their duties and functions with responsibility, integrity and efficiency, and regardless of the level and volume of democratic discourse. They must guard against any undue arrogation of government power by any person or institution. They must be vigilant against the exploitation of perceived impasses in the resolution of issues by those who would subvert the Constitution and destabilize the government for their own purpose or abuse the constitutional processes of redress for the ascendancy of selfish political ends.

Article 4

Each Department must be able to perform its duties and functions provided under the Constitution without undue interference from the other. In like manner, the independence and competence of the Constitutional Commissions must also be respected for them to perform their indispensable constitutional functions.

Article 5

The exercise by any Department of its extraordinary powers, in accordance with the system of checks and balances, shall be done with abiding faithfulness, wisdom, and judicious restraint borne of the utmost respect to the other Departments, and in the context of other remedies available within the framework of the Constitution and appropriate statutes.

In particular, we recognize that:

Article 1

The House of Representatives, together with the Senate, has the power to legislate, subject only to the direct power of the people through initiative and referendum, the power to conduct investigations in aid of legislation, and the power of the purse. Its oversight functions must be exercised within the parameters as established by jurisprudence.

The House of Representatives has the exclusive power of impeachment; and the Senate has the exclusive power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.

Article 2

The Executive Department has the power to execute the laws, and to administer the Ship of State.

Article 3

The Judicial Department has the power to adjudicate cases and determine, with finality, the interpretation of the Constitution and all other questions of law. It has the duty to determine whether any branch or instrumentality of government has acted without or in excess of its jurisdiction amounting to lack of jurisdiction, or has acted beyond its constitutional powers. Its independence must never be impaired.

These powers and duties must and shall be exercised with impartiality regardless of the personalities of the parties.

Article 4

With respect to the expenditures of public funds, the Commission on Audit has the authority and competence to audit the books of accounts of all government offices in accordance with law and accounting principles and practices. It submits its findings and recommendations to the Congress and the appropriate government offices.

ACCORDINGLY, we hereby agree, subject to the approval, where applicable, of each Department in accordance with the Constitution and its own Rules of Procedure:

Article 1

The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives shall:

1. Withdraw the Impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Davide in relation to the management of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), without prejudice to the House of Representatives taking whatever action it deems appropriate after its Committee on Justice has completed its work and submitted its report to the House; and

2. Direct the Committee on Justice to continue its investigation in aid of legislation of the management of the Judiciary Development Fund, for which purpose the House may ask the Commission on Audit (COA) to explain its Special Audit Report dated 05 September 2003 and to provide whatever information and analysis the Committee needs to complete its work.

Article 2

The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court shall continue to fully cooperate with the Commission on Audit in respect to the JDF and, in accordance with the Court's powers and prerogatives, including its fiscal autonomy, and acting on the recommendations of the COA and appropriate referrals of Congress regarding the concerns of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court shall take such steps it deems appropriate to achieve optimum employee benefits from the JDF and from other sources that Congress may appropriate.

Article 3

The Executive

The Executive recognizes, with unswerving neutrality, the independence of the Legislative and Judicial Departments of Government in the exercise of their respective powers and prerogatives.

PART IV

FINAL PLEA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s draft Covenant proposes that the House of Representatives withdraw the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide and direct the House committee on justice to investigate, in aid of legislation, on the management of the Judicial Development Fund (JDF), Malacaņang announced today.

The withdrawal of the complaint, however, shall be without prejudice to the House taking whatever action it deems appropriate after its committee on justice has completed its work and submitted its report to the House, according to the Covenant.

The Covenant also authorizes the House to ask the Commission on Audit (COA) for an explanation of its Special Audit Report of September 5, 2003, and provide whatever information and analysis the committee needs to complete its work.

On the part of the Supreme Court, the Covenant says that it shall fully cooperate with the COA in respect to the JDF as well as take steps it deems appropriate to achieve optimum employee benefits from the fund.

The Covenant affirms that the Executive Branch "recognizes, with unswerving neutrality, the independence of the legislative and judicial departments of government in the exercise of their respective powers and prerogatives.

The Palace released the full text of the Covenant which, it said, is designed to "ensure principled adherence to constitutional processes and to strengthen the democratic institutions."

Aside from the Preamble, which underscores, among others, the principle of co-equality of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, the Covenant is divided into four parts – General Provisions on Good Governance, Specific Provisions, Agreement and Final Plea.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that she will receive Jerry Yan, a popular member of the Taiwanese boyband F4, in Malacaņang Thursday (November 6) as a gesture of hospitality for which the Filipino people are known.

In a radio interview, the President denied an opposition charge that she agreed to Yan’s courtesy call so that she could use it for political propaganda, particularly in gaining the sympathy of the masses.

LEGAZPI CITY - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today led local officials of Bicol in the launching of "Kalsada Natin, Alagaan Natin", a program that encourages all barangays to protect and maintain national roads in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The President returned here taking the presidential chopper from her speaking engagements in Tabaco City, Libon, and Polangui, all in Albay province, and Iriga City in Camarines Sur, where she addressed the multi-sectoral assembly held at the University of North Eastern Philippines.

From Legazpi City Airport, the President motored to F. Aguende Drive and walked from the railroad crossing to Albay Astrodome. Along the way she switched on the button of the billboard signaling the start of Phase II of the Kalsada Natin, Alagaan Natin project that starts from Unisan in Quezon to Matnog in Sorsogon.

Right after the launching, the President proceeded to the Albay Astrodome for the multi-sectoral assembly where she awarded National Housing Authority (NHA) certificates of land ownership acquisition (CLOAs).

The beneficiaries of the NHA CLOAs are families displaced due to the construction of Pantao Port in Libon, and urban poor families residing in danger areas, like in the national roads, and those affected by government infrastructure projects.

The funds to be used in the Kalsada Natin, Alagaan Natin program came from the collected registration fees from Republic Act 8794, known as Motor Vehicle Users Charge, which the Land Transportation Office (LTO) started collecting in 2001.

The program aims to provide employment opportunities in barangays and to ensure that somebody would take charge in protecting sidewalks in national roads and to strengthen the bayanihan spirit in every barangay.