The policy has been made very clear that while we will exercise maximum tolerance and respect in dealing with legitimate protest, those who cross the line, especially in an attempt to destabilize our political system, will be met with forceful preemption.

As part of her administration’s program of empowering the women sector, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today bared plans to make women, particularly those in depressed areas, as micro-entrepreneurs.

This was the statement relayed by the President to the representatives of the Associated Country Women of the World led by its president Hilda Stewart. Stewart was accompanied in her call on the President by Leonarda Camacho, chairperson of the Metro Manila Council of Women.

"We are very proud of our women leaders both on the local and international scene," the President told the women leaders.

The President said she hoped that Filipino women lawmakers would think and consider the filing of a bill that would further boost women empowerment.

"It would be helpful if our women legislators would file a bill to create a Department of Women," the President said.

She said that her administration’s program for women have two main components: one is protecting the human rights of women, and second is promoting their economic rights.

The President said that it is important to protect the rights of women especially those victims of rape and the prostitutes.

"My main program for empowering women is to make them micro-entrepreneurs, making them productive," she said.

She explained that providing micro-finance for women would help them improve their status in life

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said in a radio interview that the government will continue to find ways on how to bring about the extradition of Rod Strunk back to the Philippines despite the unfavorable ruling of a US court.

Saludo said that despite the denial of government’s petition for the extradition of Strunk, a prime suspect in the Nida Blanca murder case, the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will continue to explore all legal measures to bring Strunk back.

"The DoJ and the DFA have already been instructed to continue seeking ways to bring about the extradition of Strunk so he could face the charges against him before Philippine courts," Saludo said.

Saludo also said that the review of our extradition treaty with the US will be up to the Senate, in coordination with the DoJ and the DFA.

In a statement, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that the government would not rest until justice is obtained for veteran actress Nida Blanca.

She also said that any failings of concerned officials tasked on the Strunk extradition case would be looked into.

"The concerned officials should make a clear brief of their actions and acknowledge any failings. If serious lapses occurred, I shall demand accountability and ensure corrective action in the interest of justice," the President said.

The President said that Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong would be submitting a comprehensive report on the extradition case.

"Anyone who is charged with committing a crime in our country must face the justice of our courts, and government will not rest until justice is served," she said.

Saludo also said that there have been allegations that certain officials in the DoJ and the NBI were negligent in pursuing and providing documents for the extradition case.

Saludo said these agencies should account for their actions in this matter.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured today the Filipino people that the Philippines is firmly on the investment map of the region and holding out relatively well in terms of macro-economic stability and law and order.

The President made the assurance when she keynoted the opening ceremony of the 15^th International Convention and Exhibition of the Federation of Asia-Oceania Pest Managers Association (FAOPMA) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

FAOPMA is an organization of pest control associations in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.

Agriculture Undersecretary Cesar Drilon introduced the President.

In her speech, the Chief Executive thanked some 400 delegates from the 10 member countries for the confidence they have given in holding the convention in Manila and their full expression of support for her administration.

"At a time of continuing dynamism in our country, I thank you for the confidence you have shown. We are at the front of the political season and I suppose you have seen the usual run of controversies in the news media," she said.

"But we have been noted for this, for having the most free-wheeling democracy in Asia. But it works," the President said.

She told the delegates that in a recent survey of Japanese investors, the Philippines ranked third as their favorite place of investments in the region.

"Coming out of the summits of ASEAN and APEC last month, I bear enduring faith that our region would wake up one day to a future of shared aspirations and energies which is evident in your meeting here today," she said.

Food production in the country, according to her, has plenty of room for growth but higher yields can only be had with proper application of cost-effective and environment-friendly agricultural inputs.

"Anywhere in the world, there would be no food security without pesticides," she said. "But here is more to this that occupies people’s minds about pesticides. And it is that they must be understood not only in the light of the impact to food production but also on the environment and our health."

The President said the country is challenged by the deterioration of treasured heritage sites that are vulnerable to insidious attacks.

"If we don’t respond immediately, the Philippines stands to lose to termites more than a hundred 18^th and 19^th century Spanish style houses in Vigan and Northern Luzon," the President said.

She then urged the industry leaders to draft a bill that would push for an amendment to a National Building Code requiring all pest control treatments, whether structural or household, to be done by licensed operators.

BALAYAN, Batangas – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today warned those who would attempt to destabilize the present political system by taking advantage of legitimate protest actions that they would be dealt with "forceful preemption."

"The policy has been made very clear that we exercise maximum tolerance and respect in dealing with legitimate protests. But those who cross the line, especially in an attempt to destabilize our political system, would be met with forceful preemption,’ the President said during the presentation of 168 rebel returnees here.

The President said she regrets the fact ‘that the masterminds lurk in the background" while the poor bear the brunt of dispersal operations as in the recent Ayala incident in Makati City.

"The poor must be treated with respect and compassion," she said.

The President made her message during the presentation of 168 rebel returnees at the "Pagbabalik-Loob" program here who returned to the folds of the law courtesy of the joint operations made this year by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

She also thanked Brig. Gen. Efren Orbon, brigade commander of the CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), who spearheaded the operations and put up Barangayan Teams to win the hearts of the former rebels operating in Batangas province.

The President said the returnees are part of the more than 600 rebels who have taken their oath of allegiance to the government since the start of her administration.

She urge the public to work hand-in-hand with the government in its resolve to fight poverty which has mostly driven the poor to join the communist movement.

"Mag-reconcile na tayo. Magkasama na tayong muli. Magkasama tayong gumamit ng mapayapang istratehiya laban sa kahirapan (Let’s reconcile, unite and use peaceful means to combat poverty)," the President said.

She said the country must unite to fight poverty, crimes, terrorism, disunity, and against the destabilizers who impede the country’s march to progress.

"Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang kapayapan (Let’s give peace a chance)," she said.

During the event, the President also handed out P4,500 cash assistance to each of the rebel returnees aside from a sack of rice, bag of goods, assorted medicines and Philhealth cards.

Thanking Balayan Mayor Emmanuel Fronda, she also pledged P2.5 million for the establishment of the town’s health center.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, Ambassador Roy Cimatu and Gen. Pedro Ramboanga, head of the Philippine contingent in Iraq, have given assurances that Filipino peacekeepers and development staff working in Iraq are secure and in no immediate danger. All necessary measures for their safety are being taken, and there is no reason to contemplate any change in their deployment at this time.