Defense Secretary-designate Eduardo Ermita said that he will fast-track reforms initiated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to further strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and respond to grievances aired by some sectors in the military.

The President named Ermita, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, as defense secretary Tuesday (September 23) while he was on an official mission in the Middle East.

A three-term congressman of the 1^st district of Batangas, Ermita will assume the DND post on September 30 upon his return with the President from trips to New York, Rome and Paris. Ermita is an official member of the presidential entourage in the five-day foreign trip.

In an interview with Radyo ng Bayan, Ermita noted that President Macapagal-Arroyo, while serving concurrently as defense secretary in the past three weeks, introduced AFP reforms, like speeding up delivery of adequate logistics to soldiers in the battlefield, releasing P100 million for soldiers’ boots, ponchos and battle wear, and providing housing for some military families.

Under DND Order 165 issued by the President in her capacity as concurrent defense secretary, the maximum amount allowed for contract approvals by AFP officers was raised from their outdated 1996 levels. These measures are expected to reduce the practice of splitting contracts and so-called conversion to make urgently needed purchases.

"Ating itutulak upang mapabilis ang reporma, lalo na ‘yong mga bagay na naging sanhi ng mga ginawang kaguluhan ng mga sundalo o opisyal noong July 27. Makakasiguro tayo na mabibilis ang mga pagpapatupad ng mga reporma na inutos ni Presidente… (I’ll push for fast implementation of reforms, especially those in response to the causes of the July 27 military mutiny. I can assure you that the President’s reforms will be implemented immediately)," he said.

Ermita said that the President may have plans for appointing a new adviser on the peace process. In the meantime, however, he will continue that function as peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are forthcoming.

He noted that President Macapagal-Arroyo will have a meeting in New York City with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad whose regime is brokering a peace parley between the Philippine government and the MILF.

Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. today said he "humbly values" the decision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo designating him ‘to act for and on my behalf "as head of the government caretaker committee during her five-day working visit to New York, Paris and Rome.

Guingona’s spokesperson, Danilo Venida, said the Vice President "humbly values the gesture and will work closely with the officials and people in government in discharging this duty."

"Vice President Guingona joins our countrymen in wishing the President Godspeed and a safe, successful journey," Venida said.

Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo sent the President’s letter designating the Vice President as government caretaker by fax to the Office of the Vice President at 9:32 a.m. today.

"I am confident that as always this arrangement will ensure national stability and delivery of basic services and that you will always uphold the interest of the nation," the President said in her letter to Guingona dated Sept. 24, 2003.

The Vice President is expected to join members of the Cabinet and other top government officials at the send-off ceremonies for the President at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11:00 p.m. tonight.

It is the fifth time this year that the President has designated Guingona as caretaker in her absence.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has no final plan yet on whether to run in the 2004 elections or not.

"As far as the President is concerned, there is no final decision yet on this matter," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said, reacting to reports that the President’s candidacy next year is a "done deal."

"Ang bagay na ito ay pinagiisipan pa (This matter is being studied). But let’s be patient. Let’s wait for the President to make her decision," Bunye said.

Bunye said whatever will be the decision of the President "it’s a matter of conscience, destiny and divine guidance."

Presidential Political Liaison Officer Joey Rufino also clarified reports indicating that the President is definitely going to be picked as the administration’s candidate in next year’s presidential elections.

In a separate radio interview over Radyo ng Bayan, Rufino said the standard bearer of the ruling Lakas-NUCD party has yet to be discussed in a meeting on October 7 to be attended by Cabinet members, officials of government agencies, elected senators, congressmen, governors and city mayors.

While the presidential candidate would be one of the topics to be discussed in the Lakas Party national directorate meeting, Rufino said other items in the agenda include party matters and policies.

The country’s economic growth that is being stymied by the too much politicking and a destabilization attempt by mutinous soldiers last July is expected to bounce back, Malacanang said today.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said a better quality of life for Filipinos is expected soon because of the social and welfare program of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo also shared the view in an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) in reference to the latest Pulse Asia survey which affected the President’s approval rating.

"I think it’s important to note one aspect of the Pulse Asia survey indicating that great many of our people anticipate better quality of life next year," Bunye said in a news briefing in Malacanang.

"So, this could be indicative of a possible upswing in the ratings of the President in the future survey," he added.

Saludo also noted that during the first semester of this year, the country’s economy suffered a major setback as a result of the Iraq War and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus which dampened tourism and investment.

He also blamed too much politics and the foiled attempt by mutinous soldiers to grab power last July 27 have contributed in pulling down the President’s rating.

"The survey was done at the height of the controversy when Senator (Panfilo) Lacson was making all the charges. But eventually you will note that he has failed to support his charges with hard and documented evidence," Bunye said.

"We have seen the Oakwood incident, we have seen the effect on the peso, we have seen the effect on unemployment and all the work factors," Bunye said, in reference to the possible causes of the downtrend in the President’s rating.

What the President will do in the coming months, Bunye said, is "to concentrate on doing what she has been doing and that’s improving the economy, and with the improve perception of the economy, improve perception of the quality of life. I think things will be better next time around," Bunye said.

Saludo also expressed optimism for a significant economic rebound.

"We feel this is bottoming out that we’re seeing. We’re probably seeing the worst of this. And we’re hoping that the economy starts to grow again, all of that will eventually redound to an economic pickup in the Philippines," Saludo said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leaves tonight for New York, the first leg of her five-day working visit to the United States, Italy and France, in the pursuit of the country’s foreign policy anchored on peace, progress and commitment to the global fight against terrorism.

During her speaking engagements and talks with foreign dignitaries, the President will also advance the country’s peace and development initiatives, particularly in Mindanao.

The President has designated Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. as government caretaker while she is on her official mission abroad.

She said that she is confident in the Vice President’s "full capacity and resolve to uphold and implement Constitutional governance and he will have the full support of the Executive Branch."

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.