Malacaņang today said the overwhelming majority of Filipinos are in favor of the visit of US President George W. Bush and in pursuing our strategic relationship with the United States.

In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the few who have been airing protests against the Bush visit comes from a very small minority.

Bunye’s comment this morning came as a reiteration of a statement issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday.

"Our strategic partnership with the United States in fighting terrorism and poverty has the overwhelming support of our people," the President said.

"President Bush is highly respected by Filipinos in our country and in the United States. We have forged a genuinely mutual relationship that transcends the colonial ties of the past," she said.

Bunye said many will benefit from this strategic relationship, the cooperation of the two countries in the fight against terrorism, the pursuit of security and the creation of economic opportunities in the country.

"It’s more of a long term strategic and mutually beneficial relationship for the attainment of peace, security and development not only in our country but also in the region," Bunye said.

Bush will arrive in the country on October 18 for an eight-hour visit.

Bush has expressed his desire to help in the development of Mindanao once the government has worked out a final peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The US President initially wanted the US to participate in the RP-MILF negotiations brokered by Malaysia but later opted just to take a "post conflict" role after a peace agreement is secured.

Malacaņang today stressed the need for raising the level of awareness among government officials and employees on what should be the acceptable standard of behavior for them.

In a radio interview with Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye was asked to comment on the Macapagal-Arroyo administration’s broadening campaign on morality in government, with state personnel, particularly policemen, being discouraged from patronizing night clubs and bars.

Bunye said, "Ang nais ng ating Pangulo ay bawat ahensiya ay itaas iyong level of awareness ng mga naglilingkod sa pamahalaan, kung ano ang acceptable and what is not acceptable behavior (It is the President’s desire to raise the level of awareness of government personnel on what is acceptable or unacceptable standard of behavior)."

While there is a code of conduct for government employees, Bunye said, it is only appropriate that each agency of the government undertakes its own morality awareness drive.

He said that the department or agency heads should explain to their employees, for example, the proper procedures for dealing with complaints on acts of immorality.

In what could be the biggest show of support by any group in the wake of recent destabilization attempts against the government, retired and active generals came in full force to Malacaņang this morning to express their confidence in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and their unwavering stand for constitutional authority and the Armed Forces chain of command.

The meeting, long scheduled before a spate of controversies rocked the government in recent weeks, was termed providential by no less than the President for finally pushing through at a time when "rumors and headlines somehow imply a rift between retired generals and the government."

"Despite the intrigues in the media I never believed that any retired general worth his salt would ever support an extra-constitutional bid for power," the President said in response amidst published reports that several former generals of the military are plotting to install a new government.

Among the groups that expressed their continued support for the President were The Last Watering Hole Association (TLWHA) led by Ret. Col. Florentino Buenaventura Jr.; Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) headed by Ret. Brig. Gen. Ernesto Gidaya; Association of Brigadier Generals/Chief Superintendents/Commodore Pensioners of the Philippines (ABCOPOP) headed by Ret. Superintendent Juan Gallardo Abuan Jr.; and Federation of Retired Commissioned and Enlisted Officers (FORCES) led by Ret. Brig. Gen. Angel Okol.

In their respective manifestos, the various groups pledged their respect for authority and vowed to maintain the chain of command which they said should always be respected.

In her response, the President praised the leadership of the retired generals, saying they show the way of sacrifice and service to the younger officers and a long line of loyalty to the flag and the Constitution.

"The Armed Forces must learn to live in the longevity of ideals, not quick fix solutions founded on fleeting adventurism," she said. "Our retired generals provide the example of daring in war and constructive unification in peace. You are indispensable allies in the reform, transformation and modernization of the Armed Forces."

She said destabilization plots are now consigned to the rumor mill, fueled by partisan quarters that either wish to usurp Constitutional power or escape the rule of law and justice.

"It is now time to realign our sights upon the crucial tasks of pushing our country forward – creating more jobs, getting investments on track, fighting crime and terrorism, and consolidating all our efforts along the vision of one nation and one people," the President said.

She said that even before the Oakwood mutiny, her administration has long been instituting reforms and increasing premium for military service.

"Today, we are moving more logistics, funds and financial autonomy to the field, and enforcing policy control, sound management of resources and untrammeled command efficiency," the President said.

She then asked the retired generals to help her address the most vital concerns of the Armed Forces, saying their experience is indispensable in the service of "our flag and people."

Re Lacson allegations

This shows his penchant for making wild, unsubstantiated charges as part of his smokescreen to take away the attention of the people from the accusations he himself is facing.

Take note that he has yet to submit a single solid, admissible evidence in connection with the Senate probe.

The administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has undertaken programs and projects to make farmers, workers and enterprises more competitive as the country opens up to global competition. Rather than just safety nets to help people displaced by foreign competition, the President has pushed programs to enable Filipinos to keep their jobs and business, find new work, set up new enterprises, and hold their own against the world.

Foremost among these programs for competitiveness is the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act. The AFMA languished for years until the President, one of its authors when she was a senator, allocated at least P20 billion a year for its implementation starting 2001. In the past two years, over P48 billion has been spent on various AFMA programs, with another P33 billion allocated this year.

Among the initiatives it has funded to make farmers more competitive are new or rehabilitated irrigation covering close to half a million hectares; nearly P40 billion in credit to more than 1 million farmers and fisherfolk; and the hybrid rice program generating income of as much P90,000 a hectare. The Department of Agriculture also has programs to boost production and investment in corn, sugar, coffee and tilapia.

The Strong Republic Nautical Highway, popularly known as the RO-RO system, is reducing the cost of shipping products, especially agricultural goods, from Mindanao to Luzon and the Visayas. This is helping make Mindanao produce more competitive against imports in Metro Manila. Thanks to RO-RO, transport cost is down by one-fourth to one-third for cargo, and travel time is slashed by between 17% and 44%, depending on the route.

Early in her administration, President Macapagal-Arroyo launched a food assistance program for coconut farmers hit by collapsed copra prices. Over 3,100 stores were set up, subsidized with P440 million and serving some 230,000 families of coconut farmers. In April, the government raised vegetable duties to 20%-25% (from 7%) and cracked down on vegetable smuggling to assists farmers. In addition, they were given P5,000-P10,000 direct assistance, plus cold storage and transport facilities for Cordillera farmers.

Credit for micro, small and medium enterprises is another major competitiveness program of the President. The SULONG initiative (for SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth) administered by the Department of Trade and Industry aims to provide funds at a low standard 9% interest for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and grow from micro to small or from small to medium scale.

Over P12 billion has been lent out from January to July this year alone, with another P10 billion expected to be lent out till December. (Over P600 million was advanced the President’s Social Fund to LGUs). In addition, the microcredit program has lent some P2 billion to nearly a quarter of a million women borrowers since the President announced the program in her July 2001 State of the Nation Address.

The supposed plotters to install a new government turned into supporters of the duly constituted authority as they opted to express their admiration and loyalty to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and their unwavering support for the chain of command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (AFP).

In this latest game of the generals, the battle-scarred retired generals tried to outdo each other in crafting the best manifesto in support of the present administration.

And President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was just too glad to hear this outpouring of support.

The Association of Retired Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), composed of 603 members, reiterated the support that they extended to the President when she assumed office more than two years ago.

In the wake of recent destabilization attempts against the government, AGFO, headed by Ret. Brig. Gen. Ernesto Gidaya, vowed adherence to the Constitution and urged the people to "support the President in the inexorable and daunting task ahead of rebuilding our devastated country."

"We urge those who dared defy the powers that be and all the people to likewise harness once again their love of country they had so admirably displayed in the unfolding days of the great saga of EDSA People Power II," the AGFO manifesto said.

The Association of Brigadier Generals/Chief Superintendents/Commodore Pensioners of the Philippines (ABCOPOP), boasting of 46 members, volunteered to be the defender and preserver of the chain of command, citing the recent coup attempt and the disrespect shown by the leader of the group to the President.

"It is imperative for all AFP and PNP officers, cadets and personnel to respect the authority, maintain the integrity, loyalty and strengthen the time-honored tradition of the chain of command which is headed by no less Commander in Chief of the AFP and the PNP," said the ABCOPOP manifesto read by its chairman and president, Ret. Supt. Juan Gallardo Abuan Jr.

The Last Watering Hole Association composed of more than 700 officers headed by Col. Florentino Buenaventura meanwhile assured President Macapagal-Arroyo of their loyalty, support and esteem.

"We categorically reiterate the unending loyalty and support of the members of the association for her continuing efforts to build a strong Republic," the LWHA said.

The Federation of Retired, Commissioned and Enlisted Officers (FORCES), the umbrella organization of all military retirees’ organizations, for their part, pledged allegiance to the present administration individually and collectively.

"We shall do our utmost best to help the Arroyo administration attain a sustainable political, socio-economic and military stability," said its vice president, Brig. Gen. Angel Okol.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today led in the annual recognition of what the Filipino youth can do and achieve in the fields of leadership, social responsibility and academic and professional excellence.

In simple ceremonies at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang, the President awarded trophies and P20,000 cash prizes each to the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP), describing them as the admirable young achievers of 2003.

The TOSP awardees this year, chosen from 30 finalists selected from the ten fields of specialization, are the following:

1. Stephanie Sunshine Sy, BS Accountancy and Applied Economics graduate from De La Salle University;
2. Ma. Concepcion Hernandez, BS Computer Science from De La Salle University, Lipa;
3. Julius Cesar Laban, BS Biology, major in Genetics, UP-Los Banos;
4. Mark Anthony Sandoval, Doctor of Medicine, University of the Philippines;
5. Carlo Angelo Licuanan, BS Accountancy and Applied Economics; De La Salle University;
6. Corrine Alphen Cordero, BA Economics, University of San Carlos-Cebu;
7. Ivan Bandal, Bachelor of Mass Communication, Siliman University-Dumaguete;
8. Joel Panugayan, BS Electronics and Communications Engineer, De La Salle University;
9. Marc Louie Del Rosario, Doctor of Medicine, University of the Philippines-Manila; and
10. Genesis Tan, BS Electrical Engineering, University of Santo Tomas.

The TOSP awards date back to 1961 when businessman Jose Concepcion, Jr., then the publisher of Student Life Magazine, envisioned an annual recognition of the country’s outstanding students.

The TOSP was launched on June 19, 1961 on the 100^th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal. It was held annually until martial law was declared in 1972.

The TOSP is a project of RFM Foundation, the Commission on Higher Education, and RFM Corporation, in cooperation with National Bookstore and the Rotary Club of Makati Central.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is not a "cash cow" but rather a source of amelioration and relief funds that have benefited millions of poor Filipinos.

"The financial state of PAGCOR is open to the public. I wish to dispel any impressions that this institution is a so-called cash cow that is unaccountable to the people and can be milked at will by those in power," the President said.

"PAGCOR is the source of social amelioration and relief for millions of poor Filipinos. There is nothing furtive about its finances and these are bound by the rules of transparency and accountability," the President added.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the financial records of PAGCOR can be opened to the public. The President wanted PAGCOR and other government agencies to be transparent in their operations, he said.

"But the President wishes to point out that PAGCOR has been the source of amelioration for quite a number of our countrymen and at this stage the President believes the agency is not the cash cow that it is portrayed to be but it is a source of genuine social amelioration," Bunye said.

Bunye said PAGCOR has come up with significant revenues including the record-breaking P1.3 billion in gross revenues in February 2001, a month after the President assumed office.