We shall follow the solemn duty to uphold the decision of the high court and we shall enforce any directives issued by it. Let no one misunderstand or doubt our resolve to preserve and protect the Constitution. We did not come this far in our long history as nation to establish a Constitutional democracy just to tinker with its basic principles.

A national security installation was under threat and it is incumbent upon the authorities to immediately act to regain command and control of it by the most expeditious means, including the use of extreme force. This does not necessarily need an order from the President. We have basic rules of security and one of these is that critical installations or facilities must never be compromised, especially if this would pose a serious threat to public safety.

The threat to air safety was clear and present. There were no debatable scenarios and I convened a crisis committee simply to monitor developments and not to interfere with decisions on the ground. Transport and aviation authorities followed the correct security doctrine by immediately planning and executing an assault. There was no overkill. The assault team used the proper amount of force to obviate resistance and swiftly resolve the standoff.

It is time we stop this syndrome of the Philippines being a victim of opportunistic destabilization and terrorism. Let us show to the world that we are a people who take their security challenges seriously and we are not wafflers, fence sitters or faultfinders. National security should not put up for media play. I appeal to our journalists and opinion makers not to muddle the issue as if it were a matter of public drama, politics and propaganda.

I shall not speculate about the intentions of Col. Villaruel or impugn his memory. He may have had noble intentions but he crossed the line of the law and dearly paid for it. It would have happened to any friend or foe who crossed the line. There were no personal issues involved. I condole with his family.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today reiterated her vow to abide by whatever decision the Supreme Court would hand down on the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., saying that it is her solemn duty to enforce any ruling of the high tribunal.

"Let no one misunderstand or doubt our resolve to preserve and protect the Constitution," the President said in a statement.

The President said that the country has not come this far in its history to establish a constitutional democracy just to tinker with the basic principles of its Constitution.

In a radio interview this morning, the President, however, said that up to this stage, she is still hopeful that the covenant that she had forwarded to the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court aimed at resolving the issue would be accepted by both sides.

"Ako ay umaasa pa rin na magkaroon ng isang isip at pananampalataya na ang pinakamataas na pambansang interest ang mangibabaw (I am still hoping that both sides will act with a congruence and faith and with the highest national interest in mind)," the President said.

When asked on whether she believes that a confrontation or a constitutional crisis would ensue if the high tribunal would decide that the impeachment move in Congress is unconstitutional, the President assured the nation that this would not happen.

"Magkakaroon lang ng krisis kung hindi tayo susunod sa utos ng Korte Supreme (There will be crisis if we will ignore the order of the Supreme Court)," the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today denied any alleged collusion between her and Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco on the filing of an impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., purportedly for her to gain political support and for him to exact revenge.

The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), founded by Cojuangco, initiated the impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives, based on alleged misuse of the judicial development fund (JDF) under Davide’s watch.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that the coconut levy fund is public in character. Cojuangco has filed a motion for reconsideration on this ruling.

The coconut planters, the President observed, have generally received with satisfaction the coco levy ruling that provides them with many benefits.

The President also said that the first impeachment case filed against Davide had been decisively defeated by her party, Lakas CMD (Christian Muslim Democrats), and its allies in the House justice committee. The vote was 18 to 2 against impeaching Davide for his role in the EDSA people’s power, part 2.

She recalled that the second impeachment case, which did not pass through any House committee, had been dormant for a long time, but for some reason known only to pro-impeachment congressmen it was signed at one time by a large number of lawmakers.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today stressed that former Air Transportation Office (ATO) chief crossed the line of the law and paid dearly for taking over the air traffic control tower of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Centennial Terminal 2.

"It could have happened to any friend who crossed the line, there is nothing personal on this issue and I condole with his family," said the President, who is godmother of one of Villaruel’s children, in a radio interview this morning.

She will not speculate on the intentions of Captain Villaruel nor will she impugn his memory, the President said. "He may have had noble intentions but he crossed the line of the law and dearly paid for it," she added.

The President said Villaruel attended occasions in her honor recently and went to the Department of National Defense when she briefly acted as secretary, but he never aired any of his gripes to her.

It has been reported that Villaruel was driven to resort to the takeover of the NAIA control tower because the government did not recognize his inventions and as a protest for alleged anomalies in the government, all of which he meant to air.

In an earlier statement, the President explained the speedy action taken against Villaruel and his companion Lt. SG Ricardo Catchiller that resulted in their deaths inside the control tower.

"A national security installation was under threat and it is incumbent upon the authorities to immediately act to regain command and control of it by the most expeditious means, including the use of extreme force," she said.

There are basic rules of security, one being that critical installations or facilities must never be compromised, especially if this would pose a serious threat to public safety, she explained.

Under such conditions, orders from her are not even necessary, the President stressed.

Police Senior Superintendent Andres G. Caro II, head of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP ASG), denied reports the President ordered the assault on the ATO tower which he led.

"The PNP ASG was called to the scene at about 1:15 a.m. of November 8, 2003 and requested by DOTC/MIAA Incident Management Staff for police action/intervention when their negotiation with Capt. Panfilo Villaruel bogged down. We were given the task to resolve immediately the impasse which started at about 11:30 p.m. the day before, to avert a possible enormous aviation catastrophe, by regaining control of the very vital air control tower from the armed intruders," Caro explained in a statement.

Meanwhile, Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza bewailed that whenever politicians get into the picture, the police and soldiers are always at the receiving end.

Malacaņang today reiterated the assurance of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that government employees will receive the remaining 50 percent of this year-end bonus and cash gift starting on November 15, 2003.

In a press briefing in Malacaņang, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo quoted Budget and Management Secretary Emilia Boncodin’s statement that the amount of P8.5 billion is available in the 2003 budget for the purpose.

"We want to make sure that government workers will receive their Christmas bonus and cash gift to give them ample time to prepare for the coming holidays," Secretary Boncodin said.

Based on existing guidelines, entitled to the year-end benefits are officials and employees of all national government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financing institutions and local government units, regardless of the nature of their appointment whether permanent, temporary or emergency.

Also entitled to the year-end bonus and cash gifts are contractual employees who perform the functions of a regular employee.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said she is pushing for fundamental changes in the Constitution to enable the country to speed up its development.

The President made this statement during an exclusive interview with Finance Asia.Com editor in chief Jackie Horne in Malacaņang.

"My two basic changes that I think should be considered are changing to the parliamentary form of government and changing to the federal form of government," the President said.

The President noted that several reform legislations have been passed by the present Congress but she stressed that more reforms could be undertaken if the Constitution would allow "federalizing" the passage of laws.

The President said the Congress has come up with very important laws such as the Electric Power Industry Reform Law and the Anti-Money Laundering Law, which waited for years to be passed because these were so contentious.

"Perhaps, in the 21^st century, it would be faster if you do it in a parliamentary system and also the federal system," the President said.

The Chief Executive noted that the Philippines is such a big archipelago that if there is an anomaly in General Santos City, it’s very hard for it to be appreciated in Manila.

"There should really have more resources there (Gen. Santos City). If you have to build an important road, underpass, overpass in Davao City, for it to be decided on in Manila, it’s really quite time consuming and tedious, so we really need those two reforms, to federalize the government and also to make it parliamentary," she said.

The President said the important thing is that there must be fundamental change, adding that the details will have to be worked out in the debate within whatever body that will change the Constitution."

The President said that she is grateful that the ongoing debate on the fundamental changes in Congress has been more cerebral.

On proposals to enable a President to run for another six-year term, the President said she is not inclined to favor it.

"I believe they (presidents) should be there (presidency) for six years. I’ve not been there for six years. I’ve been there for only two-and-half years," she said. "We already tried the two terms. I think the six years without reelection was very good. It’s just that I only had two-and-a half years."

Meanwhile, among legislative reforms she said that should be carried out are the "corporatization of the revenue collection and adjustment of the so-called sin taxes," measures, she said, that would further improve revenue collection.

She noted that the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs have been able to meet and even surpass its targets and that she is expecting the same results at the end of the year.

She further noted measures against graft and corruption in the said government agencies as she mentioned the ongoing lifestyle checks and the improvement of bidding through the electronic "e-governance."

"The BIR is now able to meet and even surpass its targets because of tremendous administrative reforms that have improved the system of transparency, the effectiveness of tax collection," she said.

The President said expenses continue to exercise fiscal discipline as the government is still below the budget deficit ceiling for this year.

The Philippines’ growth rate in the first half of the year is the highest since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Its budget deficit is under control and inflation is below projection.

" I think I’ve set the macroeconomic basis to be able to move our country forward by bringing about fundamental reforms and also reconciliation. This is what I feel are needed in order to move our country forward and make sure in this aftermath of the Asian crisis," she said.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri earlier reported that with only two months remaining in the year, inflation is expected to remain stable and average at three percent, lower than the 4.5-5.5 percent target for 2003.

Meanwhile, Neri said the country’s gross domestic product is likely to reach 3.8 to 4.3 percent growth in the third quarter boosted by the recovery in palay production, an increase in government spending, and the strong growth in the manufacturing sector.

Delegates of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Wang Chungui, made a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today, after the CNOOC made known its intent to expand its energy exploration in the Philippines.

CNOOC Vice President Fu Chengyu said that CNOOC is seriously considering expanding its oil and gas exploration at the Spratly islands with the Philippine National Oil Corporation-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC).

President Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed CNOOC’s interest in working with the PNOC-EC.

"We are willing to have a long-term partnership with CNOOC since this will translate to long-term growth for both the Philippines and China," the President said.

Incorporated in Hong Kong in 1999, CNOOC is the dominant producer of crude oil and natural gas in China. It has also one of the largest independent crude oil and gas explorations in the world.

"We are here in Manila for talks on joint oil and gas exploration and production at the Spratly Islands with the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC)," Fu said

Fu said that the CNOOC is ready to immediately set up a working team to start testing possible oil and gas reservoirs in the country.

PNOC-EC has positively responded to CNOOC’s proposal and is ready to cooperate with China in this regard.

"We are looking forward to working with the CNOOC since this will fuel economic growth for the Philippines," PNOC-EC president Rufino Bumansag said.

Initial talks among the Department of Energy (DoE), PNOC-EC and CNOOC would center on the sovereignty issue over the Spratlys.

After scoring heavily in the renewed campaign against illegal drugs, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today challenged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to bring the fight to the barangays, saying the sale of prohibited drugs is still going on in the streets.

"I want to commend everybody for getting the big fish, big factories, big supplies in our renewed drive against drugs. But even if we’ve gotten the big fish and big factories and big seizures, there is still sales going on in the streets," the President told top police officials who attended this afternoon’s Command Conference on Illegal Drugs in Camp Crame.

"That’s why, in the second phase, we are bringing the fight to the barangays for while we have been working hard in the provinces, I think our big problem is here in Metro Manila. We should look at the barangay clearing operations in Metro Manila that’s why I called this annual conference," the President said.

The President, who launched the second phase of her administration’s major anti-drug campaign last October 28, expressed elation over the number of Barangay Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) that have been organized.

PNP Chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. briefed the President on the latest situation in several barangays listed by the PNP as "drug affected."

The PNP is waging a nationwide anti-drug campaign dubbed "Oplan Banat" which combines all law enforcement efforts on all fronts against drug trafficking and abuse.

Oplan Banat strikes at the grassroots of the drug problem in the country’s 42,000 barangays through aggressive operations against middle and street level drug traffickers in the communities.

While in Camp Crame, the President blessed the newly-acquired 100 motorcycles, 400 cellular phone units and 120,000 drug-testing kits of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF).

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented to the media today the real owner of the biggest and most modern shabu laboratory raided by the joint operatives of the Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last Aug. 19 in Carmona, Cavite.

The President identified the suspected drug trafficker as Chen Ziong Zia alias Erick Tan, a Chinese national and businessman.

Zia was presented during the PNP command conference at the Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. The suspect rented the abandoned El Neuchi Household Manufacturing Corporation at the Mountain View Industrial Estate in Barangay Bancal in Carmona.

"That’s the guy," the President said pointing to Chen Ziong Zia. She said he is the same Erick Tan who rented and owned the biggest and most modern shabu laboratory discovered in Carmona, Cavite.

Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Berroya, director of the PNP Civil Security Group, said that Zia or Erick Tan was arrested around 3:30 a.m. at Park Avenue in Pasay City through the tip of an intelligence asset.

Berroya said Zia, who uses many aliases, was positively identified by the security guards at the Mountain View Industrial Estate as among the five Chinese nationals who ran the abandoned company which turned out to be a modern shabu laboratory.

Zia’s companions who remain at large and subject of an intensive manhunt operation were identified as Tony Sy Go, Patrick Jao, Willie Dug Ay and Frederick Gao.

Berroya said Zia was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Executive Judge Eduardo Tanguanco of the Carmona Regional Trial Court.

He added that during the operation, they found P700 million worth of shabu inside the laboratory and another 369.5 kilos of semi-gold substance used for shabu manufacturing.

The Philippine government’s intent to purchase oil and coal from Kazakhstan will be finalized tomorrow when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Kazakhstan President Nurzultan Nazarbayev meet for a bilateral meeting in Malacanang.

President Macapagal-Arroyo will also discuss the Philippines’ interest in infrastructure projects in Kazakhstan in her meeting with Kazakh head of state who is making a three-day state visit to Manila (Nov. 10-12).

After the traditional arrival ceremonies on the Malacanang Palace grounds, President Nazarbayev will walk with the Filipino leader to the Palace for signing of the Guest Book.

They will then have a private meeting and an expanded bilateral meeting. The two Presidents will also witness the signing of three Agreements at the State Dining Room, namely:

• The protocol on bilateral political consultation;
• The visa waiver agreement; and
• Tourism cooperation agreement.

The visiting state leader will have a luncheon meeting with the Philippine business community at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati City.

Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. are also expected to call on the Kazakhstan President.

Malacanang today expressed "full and wholehearted" support to the decision of the Supreme Court in ruling that the impeachment move against Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. is unconstitutional.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo said the law has been clearly enunciated by the Supreme Court and "we have the solemn duty to uphold the decision of the high court and enforce any directives issued by it."

"Let no one misunderstand or doubt our resolve to preserve and protect the Constitution. We did not come this far in our long history as a nation to establish a Constitutional democracy just to tinker with its basic principles," Romulo said.

In a 111-page decision, the Supreme Court today voted unanimously to declare the move of several congressmen to impeach the chief justice as unconstitutional, saying it was the second attempt against Davide in a year.

The Constitution does not allow multiple complaints against the same official in the same year, the high tribunal said.

Davide has rejected allegations that he used state funds to buy cars, houses and office furnishings for himself and the other senior judges.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had stated earlier that Malacanang would abide by the decision in respect to the Constitution.

"We shall do this not because the presidency is taking sides with the court, but because the Constitution says so," the President said.

"The mere fact that the President said that we are behind the Supreme Court in upholding their decision is an important pronouncement to all government agencies that they must do within the powers that they have under the Constitution and the law to ensure that it is enforced," Romulo said.