President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left on a three-nation working trip late Wednesday night with a message of "new hope" for Filipinos in the urban centers and countryside.

In a departure statement, read before boarding Philippine Airlines Flight 001 at the new Centennial Airport in Pasay City, President Arroyo said, "Ang mga pangamba dulot ng giyera sa Iraq, ng banta ng SARS, El Nino at destabilizasyon ay tuluyan nang napawi, at napalitan ng bagong pag-asa sa mga lunsod at kanayunan (Our fears caused by the Iraq war, the threat of SARS, El Nino and destabilization have now vanished and are replaced by new hope in the cities and villages."

The President asked her countrymen to join her in prayers while she embarks on a mission to improve the lives of the Filipino people and seeks unity and peace for the nation.

"Samahan ninyo akong magdasal habang ipinakikilala natin ang Pilipinas sa mundo at itinatakda ang malaking pagbabago sa ating pambansang pamumuhay – pagkakaisa mula sa pagkawatak-watak, kapayapaan mula sa kaguluhan, at katiyakan mula sa pag-aalinlangan," she said

The President boarded a commercial flight for New York City and left at 10:40 P.M. She was expected to arrive in New York before 6 A..M. (US time) after a one-hour stopover in Vancouver, Canada.

Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who acts as caretaker of the government while the Chief Executive is abroad, led Cabinet officials, together with senior military and police officers, in seeing off President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Among the Cabinet members at the airport were Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman, Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro, Agrarian Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, and Press Secretary Milton Alingod. Also at hand was Deputy House Speaker Raul Gonzales.

The President said she is going to the United States, Italy and France in connection with the foreign policy of her administration based on peace, progress and its campaign against terrorism.

Mrs. Arroyo also said that she has designated Vice President Teofisto Guingona as government caretaker to dismiss efforts by some sectors to sow intrigues about policy differences with the vice president.

"But these are not pertinent to his designation. I am confident in his full capacity and resolve to uphold and implement constitutional governance and he will have the full support of the Executive branch," she pointed out.

The President also called on the armed forces, the Defense department and the public "to lend their full support for Secretary Eduardo Ermita" when he assumes the position of Defense chief.

The President stressed the three priorities to be undertaken by Defense Secretary Ermita. These are, according to the President, to "sustain the momentum of reforms in the military organization, bring the peace process into the mainstream of defense doctrine and push forward the AFP modernization program."

While in New York, the President said she will meet Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Her speech at the United Nations General Assembly will convey the message of peace and security, she said.

The President will have an audience with John Paul II at the Vatican where she will ask the Holy Father to bless each and every Filipino family and home. From the Vatican, she will proceed to Paris to personally express her gratitude to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) for supporting peace and economic growth programs that extend even to the remotest barangays of the country.

NEW YORK (via PLDT) -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople today said members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) have reiterated their support for the government's efforts to bring peace and development in Mindanao.

Ople, accompanied by newly-appointed Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita who was outgoing Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, held separate meetings with Libyan Foreign Minister Abdulrahman Mohamed Shalgham and OIC Secretary General Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz at the sidelines of the current 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

"We discussed our peace process in Mindanao. Both Minister Shalgham and Secretary General Belkeziz reiterated their commitment to fully support our government's efforts to bring peace and progress in Mindanao," Ople said in a press statement.

Ople said the two Arab officials believed that the Philippines has fully complied with the 1996 peace agreement that the government had signed with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

He said that the Committee of Eight, a panel tasked by the OIC to oversee implementation of the 1996 peace agreement, would soon complete its work.

Aside from the peace process, Ople said that they also discussed world developments that deeply affect the interests of the Islamic countries.

"We shared our views on these issues and discussed how we hope to address these issues as close friends and allies for peace. Our engagement with the Islamic world is now no longer limited to our peace process, our overseas workers and our supply of oil, although these issues remain at the core of our relations," he said.

Ople said that, according to both officials, it is this heightened engagement that qualifies the Philippines as an important partner of the OIC.

"Both officials continue to be supportive of our bid for observer status in the OIC. We hope that we will soon be admitted as an observer in the OIC," he said.

He said there is a possibility that the Philippine observer status could be taken up at the OIC summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next month.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has named Teresita Quintos Deles as Presidential Adviser on Peace Process to replace Eduardo Ermita who has been appointed Secretary of National Defense.

The President bared the appointment of Deles last night in her departure speech just before leaving for New York, the first leg of a five-day working trip that includes a visit to Rome and Paris.

The President said Deles will assume the post to be vacated by Ermita after the latter formally takes over his new job at the Department of National Defense.

Deles is the Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) but the President did not say whether she would keep this post in a concurrent capacity.

As her primary task, Deles would take over from Ermita the government’s peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the resumption of which Malaysia has offered to host.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared October every year as "National Anti-Video Piracy Month."

The yearly observance will be led by the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB), which is spearheading a nationwide campaign against illegal production and sale of video materials.

In declaring the observance of "National Anti-Video Piracy Month" through Proclamation No. 448, the President noted the rampant and indiscriminate piracy of videograms that has also resulted in the loss of government revenue amounting to no less than P1 billion a year.

Video piracy can only be effectively addressed with the full support and cooperation of the public, the President said, adding "it is essential to elevate awareness of the public regarding video piracy and its adverse effects in the entire economy."

UNITED NATIONS, New York—Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople said here today that the Philippines welcomes the emphasis placed by US President George W. Bush on the need for a global approach to fight human trafficking and on the continued fight against terrorism.

Ople said that human trafficking is one problem that cannot be solved unless all countries would cooperate. "This is a serious problem for all countries, including the Philippines," the Secretary said.

The Secretary made this comment after listening to the US President’s address at the 58^th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Wednesday.

Ople said that there is a need "to throw into this fight all our political, legal and material resources, if we are to win the war against human traffickers."

The Secretary also said that Bush’s continued emphasis on the fight against terrorism is important as it helps to refocus world attention on the complex issues and the actions that must be taken in fighting this menace. "This emphasis ensures that terrorism remains high on the agenda of the UN," the Secretary said.

Ople recalled that President Macapagal-Arroyo was among the first world leaders who expressed support for the US-led coalition against global terrorism in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the US.

He also said that the Philippines supports the US-proposed Security Council resolution that would define a more important role for the UN in the reconstruction of Iraq.

This resolution is intended to provide a gradual process for giving the UN a greater role in Iraq, with a view towards eventually giving the Iraqi people more control of their country’s destiny.

"We will strongly support efforts to adopt this resolution and we welcome early signals from other countries who are critical of the US action in Iraq that they will support or not block this new resolution," Ople said.

Ople said that a Philippine humanitarian contingent is now in Iraq as part of our commitment to help in rebuilding the war-town country.

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite – Top executives of Intel Philippines here assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that their company will continue to help her administration in developing and improving the country’s economy by expanding its operations in the Philippines.

Robert Martin, site general manager of the Intel Philippines, made the assurance to the President Wednesday night when he and other top executives gave a briefing for the President during the firm’s celebration of its 29^th year in the Philippines.

Despite the President’s tight schedule, she took time to visit the firm’s main assembly plant inside the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in Barangay Biclatan here.

"We are here to stay, Madam President. We are here to continue to expand our operations and help your administration to develop and improve the Philippine economy," Martin said.

The President visited Intel at around 7:00 p.m., just a few hours before her departure for New York, the first leg of her 5-day working visit to the United States and Europe.

Martin informed the President that Intel Philippines started its modest operations in Makati in 1974 and has since transferred its main assembly plant here two years ago. The firm now employs some 5,000 workers.

He told the President that aside from the Philippines, Intel has plants in Arizona in the US, Costa Rica in Latin America, Shanghai in China and Malaysia.

Martin also told the President that their present problem is the traffic congestion along the Coastal Road and the Aguinaldo Highway, causing its employees to travel more than two hours before they can reach General Trias.

In response, the President assured Martin that her administration is now seriously working to remove the "bottleneck" along Coastal Road and other national highways not only in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) growth corridor but also in other industrial areas in Central and Northern Luzon.

The first thing Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., did upon assuming as government caretaker was to confer with the heads of the military and police forces.

In a television interview, Guingona said he has to find out from military and police officials if "everything is normal."

"The order of the day was to call up the chief of staff General (Narciso) Abaya and (PNP Director) General Hermogenes Ebdane to check whether everything is normal. And if there is anything extraordinary or unusual, just take the appropriate measures to inform us, and I will act accordingly," Guingona said.

Guingona also denied that he was against the declaration of red alert status within the military establishment, saying that it was the prerogative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who left Wednesday night for a five- day working visit to US, France and Italy.

"Having a red alert (status) is her decision because the President may know things that we do not, and therefore, it’s her privilege to decide on red alert," Guingona said.

On the political activities of the ruling Lakas Party of which he is the president, Guingona said that the standard bearer of the party would be known only after the party’s National Executive Committee recommends its presidential and vice presidential candidates by October 7.

He added that senatorial candidates will be determined by the party’s National Directorate. Guingona, however, refused to name the potential candidates.

NEW YORK CITY (PLDT) -- Filipinos, being the largest group of foreign nationals serving in the United Nations (UN) system, provide critical technical support for the UN's humanitarian mission all over the world.

Many of them have been deployed in conflict areas in many parts of the world including Israel, Iraq, Somalia where other people would chose not to be stationed in.

But on Friday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo takes the time to recognize their contribution to the global humanitarian efforts of the UN as she meets with them after delivering her statement at the 58^th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the Plenary Hall of the UN Headquarters here.

At the Headquarters alone, the Philippine mission to the UN estimates that there are over 650 Filipinos, excluding those holding positions in UN funds and programs with offices in New York such as the United Nations Development Fund or the United Nation's Children's Fund, or those stationed in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi and the headquarters of other funds and programs based in other cities around the world.

These Filipinos hold critical positions and are well respected by superiors and peers, the Philippine mission said.

Data from the Philippine mission to the UN showed that over 50 Filipinos are employed at the director and professional categories, including those serving as heads and chiefs of units, executives or administrative officers, finance or budget officers, procurement officers, statisticians, system analysts, public information officers and librarians.

Currently, the highest ranking Filipino in the UN system is Dr. Jessie Rose Mabutas, who holds the Assistant Secretary General position in the World Food Program based in Rome, although she is currently on loan as special adviser to the Undersecretary General for Management at the UN Headquarters here.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to adopt a new procurement and fund distribution system to eliminate graft practices within the military.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Defense Undersecretary Constancia P. De Guzman said that the Presidential Task Force to Study and Reform the AFP Procurement and Fund Disbursement Process is giving priority to the new system in accordance with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s directive to reform the AFP.

De Guzman said the task force has completed a "modified" management audit of the AFP to determine the efficiency of its procurement and fund disbursement systems and to recommend improvements to ensure timely delivery of services for logistical requirements with right quality and quantity.

The President formed the task force on August 12, 2003 to institutionalize the judicious use of resources in the AFP and prevent anomalous transactions within the military.

The task force is composed of Assistant Commissioner Arcadio B. Cuenco Jr., from Commission On Audit (COA); Assistant Executive Secretary Alberto A. Bernardo, Internal Audit Service, Office of the President; Brigadier General Antonio L. Romero, AFP; Director Virginia G. Garriel, Department of Budget and Management; and Professor Victor S. Limlingan, from the Asian Institute of Management.

The scope of the task force’s study included the procurement process for centrally managed items like petroleum, oil and lubricant, ammunition, combat clothing, and individual equipment.

The task force has recommended, among others, the creation of a single Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in the AFP, de Guzman said.

"There are presently 119 BACs in the AFP as a consequence of several procuring offices in the organization, and each of which adopted separate bidding procedures which has resulted to different steps and time frames being observed by different offices," De Guzman said.

The task force had likewise conducted a series of meetings with the COA and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to facilitate immediate policy reforms in the AFP’s procurement and fund disbursement systems.

"We need to continue this coordination with these government agencies to ensure that we are faithfully implementing the much-needed reforms right on schedule," De Guzman said.

NEW YORK (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo arrived here 5:30 p.m. (Manila time) accompanied by a lean official delegation for the first stop of her five-day working visit to the United States, Italy and France.

From Manila, the plane of the President flew in to Vancouver for a one-hour technical stop before proceeding to Newark International Airport in New Jersey.

At the airport, the President was welcomed by Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja and Philippine ambassador to the United States Albert del Rosario.

The President's schedule on the first day of her US visit is her meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad for 30 minutes where they are expected to discuss critical issues of common concern.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the United Nation's Building here right after Mahathir's speech before the UN General Assembly.

After her meeting with Mahathir, the President will attend a luncheon with officials of the United States Institute of Peace at the Presidential Suite at Waldorf Astoria Hotel, also in this city.

She will also have a roundtable discussion with the US-based media, after the luncheon. Later in the day, the President will meet with officers of Lucent Technology, after which she will have coffee with the Manila-based journalists as well as with the New York-based media covering her visit.

Capping her first day here is the live interview with the morning news magazine shows of the top two TV stations in the Philippines, ABS-CBN Channel 2 and GMA Channel 7.

On her second day in New York, the President will address the 58th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the highlight of her New York visit. She will speak for 15 minutes, the time allotted by the UNGA for heads of state.

Immediately after her UNGA address, the President will call on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the latter’s office at the UN headquarters.

The President is expected to have a breakfast meeting with the Asia Society and Council on Foreign Relations.

After her speech at the UN, the President will meet with the Filipino staff at the UN Room 3 of the UN Building.

Taking advantage of every minute of her stay here, the President shall again be working even during lunch, when she is set to meet with the foreign ministers and ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

The OIC has been instrumental in promoting peace initiatives with Muslim rebels in Mindanao, including the forging of the peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and in pushing for the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Later, the President will interact with the International Board of Advisors at the Carnegie Suite in Waldorf Astoria Hotel.