The umbrella organization of all the military retirees’ organizations, the Federation of Retired, Commissioned and Enlisted Officers (FORCES), has pledged its unqualified allegiance and unwavering support for the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying it will do its "utmost best" to help in the attainment of a sustainable political, economic and military stability in the country.

Composed of retired soldiers, from the rank of general down to sergeant, FORCES has among its member organizations the Association of Retired Master Sergeants and the Last Watering Hole Association, Inc. that has as its members retired officers from the different services in the military.

It also boasts of individual members from the military organizations that have as members both active and retired military officers such as the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO).

"Rest assured that FORCES shall go hand in hand with the Arroyo administration in its endeavors to bring prosperity, unity and lasting peace and order in our beloved nation," the group said in its manifesto to the President.

In separate manifestos, the AGFO and the Last Watering Hole Association also expressed unequivocal support for President Macapagal-Arroyo.

The AGFO, in a board resolution, called upon the government and the people "to restrain unscrupulous politicians and/or groups from exploiting the situation for their own ulterior motives to the grave prejudice of national interest."

It also asked that the Senate investigation on the Jose Pidal case be concluded "so that the senators can attend to their constitutional duty of legislation."

The Last Watering Hole Association, also in a manifesto, reiterated its unending loyalty and support to the President’s continuing efforts to build a strong Republic.

In a related development, the officers and members of the Zonta Club of Pasig Foundation Inc. also sent a message of admiration and congratulations to the President for her resolution of the mutiny in Makati by misguided officers and men of the Armed Forces.

"Her wisdom and courage reflect an admirably worthy leadership; her decisions and resolution show astute understanding and awareness, and successfully resolved the crisis at no loss of life or property; her swift diffusion of the danger has minimized the extent of adverse national and international repercussions," the message said.

Meantime, noted businessman Amaury R. Gutierrez has dissociated himself from the Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA), saying he has resigned from the organization over a year ago because of "differences in our perception of COPA policy matters."

"Since then, I have not participated in COPA’s activities nor have I been consulted on any matter related to the organization’s policies," Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez made the clarification in view of numerous stories in media regarding destabilizing actions by COPA.

"I want you to know that I’m no longer a member of COPA," Gutierrez told the President in a personal letter handed to Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo.

In that letter she expressed full support for the administration of President Macapagal-Arroyo.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that the administration is committed to advancing the peace and development initiatives in Mindanao.

The President, who concluded today a two-day visit to Jolo, Sulu, and Zamboanga City, lauded the cooperation of Muslims, Christians and Lumads with the rest of the nation in working for the development of Mindanao.

In a press statement, President Macapagal-Arroyo said that she will "reinforce the support of other nations for our national goals" during her foreign travels to New York, Rome and Paris starting Wednesday (September 24).

Apart from addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York City, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo will also meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamad Mahathir on the peace process in Mindanao, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan.

Malaysia is brokering the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Bunye said that the President likewise hopes to meet with leaders of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on a Philippine request for observer status in meetings of the OIC.

"Mayroon ding mga binabalak na panayam ang ating Pangulo sa ating mga kababayan sa Amerika, particular doon sa New Jersey kung saan maraming mga Pilipino ang naninirahan (Our President plans to meet with the Filipino community, particularly in New Jersey)," Bunye said.

In Jolo Monday, President Macapagal-Arroyo participated in the celebration of the 613^th anniversary of the Sultanate of Sulu and in the Maligay festival. She also inaugurated several livelihood and development projects, including the electrification of some 200 houses in Barangay Kapual in Luuk, Sulu.

In Zamboanga City, she visited soldiers wounded in battles with outlaws and dissidents, who were confined in a military hospital. She also conferred with senior military officers led by Gen. Narciso Abaya, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Asked if the President’s visit to Mindanao had something to do with efforts to recapture Indonesian terrorist leader Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, Bunye said the President and the military leaders have discussed the continued hunt for the escaped terrorist.

Strengthening macro-economic fundamentals coupled with prudent economic policies of the government will ensure the country’s economic growth for the second half of the year.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said during radio interview that the Philippines’ economic fundamentals remain strong and that the country’s economic performance continues to be better than those of our Asian neighbors.

The government is certain that it will be able to meet its full-year growth target. The robust growth of the domestic demand will offset the weakness in the agriculture output brought about by the El Nino weather phenomenon, Bunye said.

"We are on the right track as far as development is concerned. Our economic managers expect the agriculture sector to post substantial growth, in terms of employment and production, once favorable weather prevails, " Bunye said.

The expected strong output in the agriculture sector during the second half of the year will help strengthen the export sector. The strong economic growth for the second half of the year will enable the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 4.5 percent for the second half of 2003, from 3.9 percent from January to July.

The government expects the economy to bounce back sharply in the second half this year on the back of higher exports to the United States and Japan, which are the Philippines’ top trading partners.

Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said that the government has already laid the groundwork for growth inducing sectoral policies that would allow the Philippines to take advantage of the opportunities presented by higher demand from the United States and Japan.

Although the President will leave late Wednesday evening, her working trip officially starts Thursday, September 25, when she and her official delegation arrive at the Newark International Airport in New Jersey. From the airport, the President and her party will motor to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

In a formal statement, the President said she will reinforce the support of other nations for the country’s national goals during the New York and Paris leg of her trip.

In New York, the President will address the 58^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and in Paris, she will speak at the 32^nd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The President’s first official engagement on Thursday is a 30-minute meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the UN Building. The outgoing Malaysian leader would also address the 58^th session of the UNGA.

She would then call on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the latter’s office at the UN headquarters.

On September 29, she would deliver her address before the 32^nd General Conference of the UNESCO in Paris.

IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today unwrapped a package of incentives for the officers and men of the armed forces, particularly those fighting in the battlefields of Mindanao.

Speaking at the 4^th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, the President disclosed several benefits that include education, housing and medical aid to soldiers wounded in firefight against secessionist rebels in Mindanao.

Despite the heavy downpour upon her arrival in Tungawan, the President was warmly received and cheered by the big crowd composed of public school teachers, local government officials and employees and residents of neighboring municipalities.

The President said soldiers who were wounded and awarded medals and citations will be given priority to housing and educational benefits.

"Kasama iyon sa inyong bala, sa inyong kabayanihan (It’s part of your bullet, of your heroism)," the President said.

Under her administration, the President said she had proclaimed land sites that can accommodate housing for at least 30,000 up to 60,000 soldiers.

The President urged the soldiers to take advantage of the benefits provided under the Pag-IBIG plan of the government.

During her visit at the 4^th Infantry Battalion headquarters, the President also donated some P50,000 worth of assorted foodstuffs and medicines.

The donated items were handed to Col. Joselito Bernardo, commanding officer of the 4^th IB under the supervision of the 102^nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Emmanuel Cayton.

The President said these medicines were intended for the soldiers everytime they get sick and wounded in the battlefield.

The President expressed pity for the soldiers, particularly those in the battlefield, who could not avail of immediate medical attention, particularly when military physicians are not available.

She said she wanted AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Narciso Abaya to look into their problems and to possibly enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Department of Health to assign at least one military physician in all government hospitals.

The President said with this arrangement, soldiers getting sick or wounded in the battlefield need not go far to get treatment but can only proceed to the nearest hospital where a military physician is assigned.

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A stable peace and order situation, livelihood and education are the priorities set by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the province of Sulu.

Speaking during the celebration Monday of the 613^th anniversary of Local Government and Public Administration of Sulu, the President assured Filipino-Muslim constituents of Sulu that her government will continue to bring progress and development to Southern Philippines, particularly to the province of Sulu.

The President was received by enthusiastic Jolojanos who took every inch of opportunity just to take a glance and have a handshake with the Chief Executive.

The President said that upon her return to Manila, she will study the student-classroom ratio of every public school in Sulu so that the government can provide the necessary upgrading of the education system in the province.

She said that after evaluating the situation of education in Sulu, she will release appropriate funds to the Department of Education to construct additional classrooms in the different public schools all over Sulu to accommodate a greater number of students.

At present, the classroom-student ratio of the province is one room for a hundred students packed like sardines in almost all public schools.

In areas where there is unstable peace and order situation, the President said she will initiate the distance learning process of education by adopting the program, "Education by Television."

The Chief Executive also assured Sulu constituents that the government will immediately start the rehabilitation of two public hospitals in the province and the delivery of necessary medical equipment and services to the people.

She will refer to the Department of Health the allocation of necessary funds to fix Sulu Provincial Hospital and Pangutaran Hospital, even the deployment of health personnel to far-flung areas, specially those who are presently affected by tuberculosis and malaria.

Other presidential actions for Sulu include the rehabilitation of Patikul and Talipao water systems, construction of a cold storage for the Provincial Agriculturist Office so that farmers and fisherfolk could store their harvests before selling them to traveling merchants.

The President also encouraged residents living in the mountains who own vast tracks of land to plant cassava because root-crops will sell not only locally but also in the international market with the help of the government.

She said that she already directed the DPWH to complete the on-going construction of Sulu Circumferential Road to make travel for farmers easier.

"We can develop Sulu not by the rule of the gun, but by peaceful means. Together let us fight rebellion in Sulu," the President stressed.

The President made the first-ever awarding of six Rajah Baguinda Most Outstanding Tausugs. The awardees were Dr. Cabile Asian, former Senator Santanina Rasul, Dr. Jaman Imian, Prof. Nurulaji Misuari, Dr. Abraham Sakili and Justice Jainal Rasul.

An inter-department meeting presided by Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong was aimed at enhancing the speedy dispensation of justice and not focused on a particular case, like the controversial Kuratong Baleleng multiple murder case.

Datumanong issued the clarification to dismiss insinuations that the council that met Monday was designed to prepare for the expected Supreme Court decision on on the Kuratong Baleleng case.

"No. It’s not about Kuratong Baleleng case," Datumanong said. "It was about the cooperation and coordination of various agencies in the gathering of evidence and testimonies which we can present to the court so that we can have a speedy dispensation of justice."

Meeting at the headquarters of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the group, called the Council for the Criminal Justice System, is composed of representatives from the DOJ, the Philippine National Police, Department of Interior and Local Government, NBI and the courts.

Datumanong said it was the first meeting since three weeks ago when they agreed to form the council.

Datumanong said that while the celebrated Kuratong Baleleng case was mentioned during the meeting, discussions were centered on law enforcement and prosecution.

"It’s all about how the law enforcement agencies of the government and the prosecution arm will be able to enforce the law and apply the rule of law," Datumanong said.

Datumanong stressed that he has no information about the status of the case with the Supreme Court. "We don’t know whatever the decision of the high tribunal on the case but we are prepared because it’s part of our mandate," he added.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today designated Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. as caretaker during her five-day working visit to New York, Rome and Paris, from September 25-30.

In her letter, the President asked the Vice President "to act for and in my behalf during my absence."

The President is scheduled to leave late tomorrow for New York, the first leg of her trip, to address the 58^th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In a statement, the President said that during her visit to New York and Paris, she would advance the country’s peace and development initiatives, particularly in Mindanao.

While in the United Nations, the President will also meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and the foreign ministers and ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).