President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today thanked the 179 members of the United Nations that supported the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC), saying that this was a source of national pride for the Filipino people.

In a statement, the President said that our seat in the UN Security Council and our earlier designation as a major non-NATO ally by the United States, puts our country in a vantage position to contribute to world peace and achieve enduring peace in our shores.

"It is a source of national pride that 179 out of 181 countries voted for the Philippines and this shows the support, respect and prestige we have gained in the international community," the President said.

She said that this respect and prestige in the international community that the Philippines has gained were the results of the "Filipino’s courage and sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and poverty and our willingness to work with other nations in promulgating international consensus, multilateral peacekeeping and the rule of law.

The President said that the Philippines will continue to stand by these principles "as we strive to keep every Filipino home and family safe from harm and closer to economic prosperity."

In a separate video message, the President also said that the Philippines is "honored and privileged to serve the UN in a most sensitive and meaningful capacity in this century of crisis, challenge and opportunity."

The President said that the election of the Philippines to the Security Council caps the country’s engagement in the collective security of mankind over several decades past, in Africa, Korea, Cambodia, East Timor, and in Iraq where the Philippines supported the United States-led "coalition of the willing" and where it is now helping enforce the peace in the embattled country.

In a voting that was held at 10:00 pm last night (10:00 am, New York time) the UN General Assembly elected the Philippines, along with Algeria, Benin, Brazil, and Romania, to non-permanent seats in the Security Council.

Reports from the UN said that the five countries ran unopposed for two-year terms in the 15-member Security Council that begin on January 2004. They will replace five other countries whose terms are expiring, namely Bulgaria, Cameroon, Guinea, Mexico and Syria.

This is the fourth time that the Philippines will be seating in the Security Council; the first was in l957, the second in l963, and the third, for its first two-year term, from l980-1981.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Lauro Baja will represent the Philippines in the Security Council. However, in the event of a very crucial meeting, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople, would head the Philippine delegation to the Security Council.

The Security Council has 10 seats reserved for rotating members in addition to permanent members, namely the United States, United Kingdom, China, France and the Russian Federation.

Under the UN charter, all member countries agreed to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. While other organs of the UN only make recommendations to governments, the Security Council alone has the power to take decisions which member states are obligated, under the charter, to carry out.

The President’s video message follows in full:

"In behalf of the Filipino people, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the 179 UN members, and most especially to the 52-nation Asian bloc, that supported our bid for a seat in the United Nations Security Council.

"The Philippines is honored and privileged to serve the UN in a most sensitive and meaningful capacity in this century of crisis, challenge and opportunity.

"The Council may investigate any dispute or situation that might lead to international friction, and may recommend methods for resolving such disputes or terms for their settlement.

"While other organs of the UN make recommendations to governments, the Security Council alone has the power to take decisions that member states are obligated under the charter to carry out.

"We shall perform our role with a high sense of responsibility to promote international consensus, multilateral peacekeeping and the rule of law.

"This event caps our engagement in the collective security of mankind over several decades past—in Africa, in Korea, in Cambodia, East Timor, and in Iraq—where we have fought for freedom and helped enforce the peace.

"It is also a recognition of the Philippines’ firm stand against terrorism as a threat to global peace and security. International cooperation against terrorism is vital because terrorism knows no boundaries and terrorist networks operate far and wide.

"We welcome the Council’s adoption of Resolution 1511, which resolves that the UN should strengthen its vital role in Iraq by providing humanitarian relief and promoting economic reconstruction for sustainable development. Our own peacekeeping and humanitarian team is already deeply involved in this effort.

"As a member of the Security Council, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of democracy and freedom, human dignity and universal peace.

"May God bless us all,

"Mabuhay ang United Nations!

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has urged the people not to panic over "bad" news to prevent any market jitters that would affect the economy and the peso, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said today.

Bunye was referring to threats from terrorist groups, particularly from the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), in a radio interview this morning

The terrorist threats that give rise to market jitters are already under control, Bunye said.

He cited the death of Indonesian terrorist Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, the arrest of others who escaped, and the capture of the number two man of the Jemaah Islamiyah in Asia as proofs that our counter-terrorist operations are successful.

There was also the announcement yesterday of the arrest of the suspected bagman of the Jemaah Islamiyah, Taufek Refke, in Cotabato.

Refke, who had allegedly been trained by Al-Ghozi, was captured on October 2 by operatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Immigration.

"I think we should have more confidence in our economy, our economic fundamentals are basically sound," Bunye stressed.

We should not panic when we hear some bad news because the market reacts and this affects the stability of the peso which should not be the case, Bunye added.

"I know the markets are heavily driven by perception but let us stop scaring ourselves and move forward more rationally. Our economic fundamentals are sound and each day comes with a new hope and opportunity," the President said in a separate statement.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today allayed fears that there will be a constitutional crisis in the country if the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide would prosper in the Senate.

In a statement, the President said that she would like to douse "wild speculations" that the Philippines is in the midst of a constitutional crisis as an aftermath of the impeachment complaint filed against Davide by the House of Representatives.

"The rule of law is being followed here and there is a constitutional process being applied," the President said.

She, however, stressed that the Executive Department "stands down" from the controversy, the judiciary being a co-equal branch of government.

The President wished that the impeachment process would be speedy and insulated from heavy partisan or personal undertones. "Let’s demonstrate institutional strength and stability and the will to uphold democracy, justice and fair play," she added.

In a separate radio interview this morning, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that the filing of the impeachment complaint is a prerogative of the House of Representatives and as independent body, the President will not interfere with it.

"She’s maintaining the same stance not to interfere in the privilege which exclusively belongs to an independent and separate body," Bunye said.

He explained that an impeachment complaint is filed with the House of Representatives but is heard by the Senate.

It needs only one-third of the total membership of the House for an impeachment complaint to be given due course and forwarded to the Senate. In the Senate, two-third, or 16 votes, is needed to convict or remove the person on trial.

Malacaņang today said that a report accusing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of diverting tens of millions of pesos allocated for contraceptives to natural planning is "baseless."

In an interview with the Radio ng Bayan this morning, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that the funding for population control program of the government is based on the policy of "respect for life, and freedom of choice in family planning methods."

Bunye clarified that the expenditure for any population control program is disbursed according to the present administration’s population control policy.

Last year, in a provincial sortie in Dumaguete City, the President said that her government was pushing for an "aggressive natural population plan" in an effort to address the growing population in the country.

She said that her target was to bring up the use of the natural method by 20 percent through an aggressive education plan for couples under the auspices of the Department of Health.

Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit underscored the importance of getting in touch with couples and educating them "so that they may know essentially what might be good for them."

Dayrit said that the contraceptive prevalence rate in the country today is 49 percent, where 30 percent uses modern artificial methods that include condom, pills, intra-uterine devices (IUDs) and injectables,

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has urged all government offices to observe National Consciousness Week for Punctuality and Civility from November 16 to 21 with appropriate programs to emphasize the need for the two much desired virtues.

There is a need for a new breed of Filipinos who make the most of his time and respects the equal rights of his fellowmen to his time and freedom, thus ensuring a responsible citizenry, the President emphasized in Proclamation No. 475 declaring the National Consciousness Week for Punctuality and Civility or Linggo ng Pagpahalaga sa Oras at sa Karapatan ng Kapuwa.

For the past seven years, the Organized Response for Advancement of Society, Inc., a non-government, non-profit and non-stock organization composed of leaders from all sectors of society, has effectively campaigned for the transformation of the habit of Filipinos with respect to the value of time and respect for the right of others.

In her call for punctuality, the President also included all public schools with the hope that students would develop these qualities in them so that they become better, more conscientious citizens.

Punctuality (respect for the value of time) and civility (respect for the right of others) are necessary if the country is to achieve a peaceful, prosperous and society, the President said.

She noted there are more than two million civil servants in national and local government offices making them the most important factor in the nation’s progress.

Domestic and international confidence in the government could come about when these civil servants are imbued with the virtues of punctuality and civility, she said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes as anti-kidnapping czar, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said today.

According to Bunye, who accompanied the President at the luncheon hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City, the executive order installing Reyes as the new anti-kidnapping chief is already underway.

Bunye said that the new role would give Reyes supervisory authority over the Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (AKTAF) and the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER).

Bunye noted that many businessmen are asking for such initiative because of rising kidnap-for-ransom incidents.

Last September 26, the President appointed Reyes as an anti-terrorism czar, with the official title of "Ambassador-at-Large for Counter-Terrorism" with a Cabinet rank.

Reyes resigned as defense secretary last August 29 to forestall what he described as a well-organized campaign to bring down the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has assured the 1,517 families, victims of a fire in Malibay, Pasay City, that the national government would speed up the processing of their necessary documents for their transfer to the relocation site in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite.

The President made the assurance during her surprise visit and informal interaction Thursday afternoon with the families in one of the temporary holding areas for the fire victims at BLTB Bus Terminal located along EDSA in Malibay.

"I am going to Molino to personally inspect your relocation site and we will see to it that you can transfer immediately to your permanent residence," the President said.

Merquiades Ordiales, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pasay City, reported to the President that the residents in the three barangays affected by the fire on October 20 are scheduled to be transferred to the Molino relocation site in January 2004.

But because of the immediate needs of the residents, the President ordered DSWD and local officials of Pasay to coordinate with the concerned agencies and fast-track the transfer of the residents.

The President explained that she wants to spend money for the relocation site of the victims in Molino and not for the temporary shelters to be built in the affected barangays.

"Kasi kung gagastos tayo para magpatayo ng bahay dito (Malibay) mas mabuting doon na tayo sa Molino gumastos para sa permanente nilang tirahan (It would be better if we spend the money for their permanent residence in Molino)," the President said.

Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao "Pewee" Trinidad and other officials from affected Barangays 143, 144 and 137 accompanied the President in her interaction with the victims.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said she wants the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to stand clear of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) elements as government and the secessionist group are now readying for another round of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur.

"I want the MILF, specifically, to stand clear of the JI because we have special teams on the trail of the JI fugitives and we don’t want this manhunt to get in the way of the peace talks," the President said at the luncheon hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) at Dusit Hotel in Makati City.

The President also noted that the government peace panel has just finished setting the detailed guidelines for closer coordination with the MILF in going after lawless elements.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said the authorities are readying a list of wanted persons and, "I expect them to cooperate in arresting these wanted elements."

She said that the peace process with the MILF will continue to isolate the JI and that government is moving effectively to check terror in concert with Philippine’s neighbors.

"Our ongoing constriction measures are cutting up their room for maneuver. Our determined moves against poverty will drain their recruitment bases," the President said.

The President also said that the government is entering into a more focused campaign against the JI with a new order of battle, and a new order of targets for transnational intelligence in concert with allies.

In noting the importance of the new round of peace talks in Malaysia, the President thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for his "abiding support" for the peace process. Mahathir is retiring as prime minister on October 31.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today awarded the Order of Sikatuna to two outgoing foreign diplomats in simple ceremonies in Malacanang.

The Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of "Datu," was given to Ambassador Ek Sereywath of the Kingdom of Cambodia while Ambassador Jorge Chavez Soto of Peru was given the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of "Lakan."

The Presidential citations were given to the two foreign dignitaries for their "worthy and able representation" during their tour of duties in the country, particularly in promoting friendly and warm relations in the field of economic, political and cultural cooperation.

Ambassador Sereywath was cited for his active encouragement of mutual trade and efforts in propagating dynamic bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Cambodia.

Taking stock of the visit last Saturday of United States President George W. Bush, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the Philippines got more than what it bargained for when it received a windfall of benefits that served as a big boost to political and economic security in the region.

Speaking at the annual luncheon of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) at the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City, the President said that the Bush state visit marked another milestone in the development of a modern, mature relationship between friends and equals.

"In the run-up to the visit, Convergy’s, the vast customer service company in the world, committed to make the Philippines a center of operations. Ford put in an additional $50 million to launch the Philippines as an export hub to the world. Mirant opened a power plant in the Visayas and put more of its resources to contribute to our barangay electrification program. Intel applied for a P300 million expansion. And just a few days ago, Texas Instruments announced a $70 million expansion," the President said at the FOCAP gathering.

She said President Bush acknowledged the gains the country had made in all fronts, including poverty alleviation and combating corruption.

"We appreciate his words for our country and government," the President said.

She revealed that in keeping with the agreement made during her state visit to the US in May this year, to conduct a comprehensive security assessment, she and Bush reviewed and endorsed the findings of the 2003 Joint Defense Assessment (JDA) of both countries’ armed forces capabilities and requirement.

"The purpose of the JDA is to assist our government in developing a defense program that will improve the ability of the Philippine military to respond to threats of our security," she told the foreign correspondents.

The President also welcomed the new US initiative to strengthen education in the poorest and conflict-torn areas of the country, particularly in Mindanao. The new program, according to her, compliments government efforts to uplift the communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and expand their access to education and training.

The Chief Executive said the country was cited by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation as one of the fastest growing economies in the region.

Of the 21 member economies, she said, the Philippines ranks No. 6 in terms of GDP growth this year.

The less personal attack one throws against political opponents, the less you need to apologize when it is time to reconcile.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo revealed this during the annual luncheon hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) in Makati City as her philosophy, especially when election time comes and mudslinging becomes the order of the day.

The President noted that she has not been hostile to the opposition despite the treatment she gets from them.

"I am not hostile to them. I guess I can give an example, when I ran for vice president, Senator (Edgardo) Angara used to hit me a lot. Senator (Francisco) Tatad hit me a lot. I never hit them back," the President said.

"I always talked about issues. In this country, I don’t think its true that if you talk about issues, you won’t get anywhere because I got 13 million votes talking about issues rather than mud at my opponents," the President said, referring to the 1998 elections when she won as vice president.

"Because the less personal attacks, the less you need to apologize for when it’s time to reconcile," she added.

During the luncheon, the President also noted that her government continues to institute reforms in the bureaucracy.

She said one of the lessons she learned from her two-and-a-half years in the presidency is that one must institute reforms in an atmosphere of reconciliation.

Citing the reforms instituted in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the President noted that one does not achieve much success, "if you appear to be trying to be a hero at the expense of others."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked Uwe Doerken, the chief executive officer of DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service and logistics company, for his offer to help the government improve the Philippines’ trade facilitation in line with the programs laid out in the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Bangkok.

Doerken, during a courtesy call in Malacanang, said DHL Express is not only committed to doing business in the Philippines, they will also help modernize the customs services, especially in the transport of goods.

"Philippine companies not only have the advantage of a highly-skilled and industrious workforce but also the drive to strengthen their global competitiveness through the strategic use of sophisticated global logistics management systems," Doerke said.

He noted that the Philippine government has been enthusiastic in promoting the adoption of these systems in an effort to streamline the flow of goods.

"That’s what we want," the President said, saying it will form part of her policy of good governance. "We want Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to be a showcase of improved transparency and good standards."

Doerken is also here to tour the local facilities of DHL to see for himself the results of the $32 million fund infused in the Philippines. This was utilized mainly to enhance and expand DHL’s Philippine network over the last two years.

These included enhanced service centers and a newly upgraded Philippine domestic hub as well as other infrastructure development projects.

Doerken will also examine the development situation of the expenses logistics industry in the Philippines and the market potential for these services in the country.