Malacanang welcomed today the results of a survey, conducted nationwide March 27-April 4, 2004 by Pulse Asia, giving President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a significant 3 percent lead over her closest rival, opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., in the May 10 elections.

In separate radio interviews this morning, both Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye and Presidential Campaign Spokesman Michael Defensor expressed elation over the favorable survey outcome.

Bunye said that the President’s 34 percent rating to Poe’s 31 percent shows that the people appreciate the President’s focus on governance, particularly in providing them services in health and education, and livelihood projects.

"Nakikita na ng ating mga kababayan kung gaano kasinsero ang ating Pangulo sa kanyang paglilingkod (The people now see how sincere the President is serving them)," Bunye said.

Bunye noted that even in Metro Manila, which has been considered a traditional opposition bailiwick, the President’s rating increased by an impressive 6 percent while that of Poe declined by 5 percent.

He said that the President has emphasized the provision of basic services to the people of Metro Manila, like health, education and clean water, and that she has made herself "visible" through frequent visits to urban centers.

"We are very pleased with this development," he said, adding that President Macapagal-Arroyo will continue to bring the government closer to the people and articulate on her program of governance.

Taufik said that Malaysia remains committed to hosting the formal peace talks, although no date has yet been fixed.

Aside from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are also seeking entry into the ASEM summit meeting.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed today the Department of Foreign Affairs to check the status of the Philippine humanitarian contingent in Iraq and verify whether there was indeed a Filipino among those foreign civilians hostaged by Iraqi vigilantes.

In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the President’s instruction was for the DFA officials to assure the safety of the Filipinos helping in the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq and in strengthening the democracy of the war-torn nation.

Newspaper reports said that the Filipino civilian hostage was later released by his captors.

Bunye said volunteers who have finished their tour of duty and have not renewed their contracts are back in the country while those who opted to stay are doing so on their own volition.

The Presidential Spokesman cited the importance of the country’s role as member of the international community against terrorism, saying the government is ready to cooperate with them anytime.

He urged the citizenry to continue to be vigilant to protect the gains that the country has achieved.

"We should always be alert," he said. "We have to be eternally vigilant to protect our democracy. But we don’t need to be hysterical. We have to go about our normal ways but we should always be on the alert."

In an earlier statement, Bunye said the country has been involved in the fight against terror even before 9-11, noting how it took a stand with the global community, entailing great sacrifices and formidable responsibilities.

Reforms in government spending, investment incentives and reduced corruption under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo resulted in a healthy 4.5 percent growth in the Philippine economy despite efforts by various sectors to destroy the economic competitiveness of the country.

This was contained in a report on the Philippines by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which also warned that sustained economic growth could be put at risk by a change in government leadership.

"The economic outlook for the Philippines is likely to remain subject to considerable uncertainty in the period ahead, particularly the uncertain political environment ahead of the elections, which could bring downside risk to the bright outlook," the IMF said in the diplomatic language of its report.

The IMF said that growth under the Arroyo administration was better than expected despite the impact of the war in Iraq, a military mutiny, legal cases against the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the attempt to impeach the Chief Justice and the resignation of the Finance secretary.

The IMF said that efforts to destroy the economic competitiveness of the Philippines were the causes of the depreciation of the peso against the dollars. This belied efforts by opposition politicians to blame the President for the deterioration of the peso-dollar exchange rate.

The IMF pointed out that under President Arroyo’s policies, gross reserves rose to $16.9 billion by the end of the year, ‘well above short-term debt." Her tight control over spending and improved tax collection resulted in reducing deficit in 2003 to 4.9 percent of GDP, an improvement over the 5.5 percent levels of 2002.

Inflation stayed at an average of three percent in 2003, well below a 4.5 to 5.5 percent target for the year. This means that consumer prices stayed at a manageable range, well within reach of ordinary wage earners.

The President directed government spending heavily on infrastructure and human resources development, even as she strengthened governance by fighting corruption, reduced deficit and debt. These steps would insure sustained growth in the future, the IMF reported.

The IMF noted that President Macapagal-Arroyo is investing considerable resources in human resource development. This includes increased spending in education as a continuing foundation of a sustained economic growth in the future.

The IMF also noted that the President has strictly strengthened transparency in government, pursued efforts against corruption, including life style checks and reduced excessive regulations. These efforts, the IMF said, have improved the climate for investments in the country.

The IMF said that full implementation of the anti-money laundering law will remove threats of international sanctions against the Philippines. This would mean that international banks would be more inclined to support government efforts to finance infrastructure projects and remove barriers for overseas workers channeling remittances through the banks.

The country’s economic growth was also supported by rising agricultural production and remittances by overseas Filipinos.

A total of 33 congressmen from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), led by Isabela Congressman Faustino Dy III, NPC chairman, today formalized their pledge of support for the bid of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for a full six-year term in the May 10 elections.

In a call in Malacanang, the NPC congressmen assured the President that they would actively campaign for her election among their constituents.

Only 28 of the NPC congressmen joined the call in Malacanang but the remaining five expressed their solidarity with the group in supporting the President’s candidacy.

Earlier, Dy has assured the President that majority of the ranking NPC members would back her candidacy.

Tarlac Congressman Gilberto Teodoro, a nephew of businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, NPC founder and chairman emeritus, has earlier assured the President that he would exert all efforts so that she would win "overwhelmingly" in Tarlac.

Among those who called on the President were Congressmen Felix Fuentebella of Camarines Sur, Conrado Estrella III of Pangasinan, Benasing Macarambong of Lanao del Sur, Marcelino Libanan of Eastern Samar, Vincent Garcia of Davao City, Eduardo Veloso of Leyte, Rodolfo Albano of Isabela, Roseller Barinaga of Zamboanga del Norte, Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur, Joseph Ace Durano of Cebu, Generoso Tulagan of Pangasinan, Tomas Dumpit of La Union;

Gerry Espina of Biliran, Francisco Nepumoceno of Pampanga, Jeslie Lapus of Tarlac, Simeon Kintanar of Cebu, Jurdin Romualdo of Camiguin, Juan Bondoc of Pampanga, Nerissa Soon-Ruiz of Cebu, Agapito Badelles of Lanao del Norte, Jesnar Falcon of Surigao del Sur.

Earlier on, local political bigwigs have been hopping into the ruling Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4) bandwagon as the President, vice presidential bet Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, and her senatorial team barnstormed major cities and provinces across the country.

The bandwagon syndrome had already resulted in the clinching of the Bicol Region and the vote-rich provinces of Tarlac and Laguna, and of late, Mountain Province in Northern Luzon which the President visited on Easter Sunday. The President has also received bipartisan support from leaders of vote-rich Cebu and Pangasinan provinces, as well as in most parts of Mindanao.

The President and the K-4 coalition have also welcomed into the K-4 fold a team of top local officials from the camp of presidential candidate Raul Roco. The group was led by former Alyansa ng Pag-asa Eastern Visayas regional coordinator Emil Ong.

Ong’s departure from the Roco camp is seen as ominous of the impending collapse of Roco’s political machinery in Eastern Visayas.

A week before Ong’s defection, President Macapagal-Arroyo also received an overwhelming declaration of support from Bicolandia leaders led by Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Villafuerte, his Vice Governor Imelda Papin, Camarines Norte Gov. Jesus Typoco, Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara, Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee and Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho.

Labor leaders today called on the country’s workforce to rally behind the candidacy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "to sustain the momentum of the country’s economic growth."

"Only President Arroyo can propel a sustained economic growth generated by more domestic and foreign investments," Nelson Ramirez of the United Filipino Seafarers said in an interview.

Noel Josue, president of the Kaibigan ng OCWs (overseas contract workers), also called on his colleagues to support Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo’s bid for a full six-year term.

"Without Gloria (Macapagal-Arroyo) at the helm of government, we can expect capital and investments to leave the country. This means that there will be more jobs lost as plants will have to close," Josue said.

Ramirez is also chairman of the party list group Pinoy Overseas Party (POP), with Josue sitting as secretary general of the party,

"What this country needs is more investments so that Filipino skills and talents could be harnessed to build the nation instead of the educated class seeking work overseas," Ramirez said.

The two labor leaders pointed out that investors would only put their money in a country whose leaders have proven ability to ensure economic stability and business viability.

"Only President Macapagal-Arroyo has shown the ability to manage the economy and has a clear program for economic growth," Josue noted.

Both men also cited results of a research conducted by the CitiGroup Inc., an investment bank, which suggested to foreign investments a stay in their investment plans in the Philippines until President Macapagal-Arroyo obtains another mandate in the May 10 elections.

"The signs are clear. Investors are not certain that (opposition presidential candidate Fernando) Poe would be able to make the right decision on the economy. He might have good economic advisers, but investors doubt he can make an economic decision," Ramirez stressed.

He said they still have to hear Poe personally articulate on his economic program for the country, and not merely echo his advisers’ opinions. "He should be able to face public scrutiny of his program."

Josue said Poe should "get out from behind the skirts of his spokespersons."

"If he cannot explain his own position by himself, then he is not fit to serve as president. The last thing this country needs is a dummy being manipulated by vested interest. As far as can be seen, Poe is nothing more than a dummy," Josue added.

The two labor leaders also pointed out that investments reached P56.74 billion last year under the Arroyo administration, representing a growth of P55 billion over the 2002 figure. In addition, there was a P33.27-billion new capital from foreign investors, plus $675.8 million investments in the local stock market.

Business expansions generated by the new investments created over three million jobs across the country. "All of these jobs would be lost if the investors leave the country," the labor leaders warned.

CAVITE CITY—Given the chance, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to have clean potable water in all waterless barangays in the country.

."This is part of our platform in the government. We’ll build on the strong start. At kung bibigyan po ako ng susunod na anim na taon lahat ng barangay ng Pilipinas ay magkakaroon ng dumadaloy na malinis na tubig (If I will be given the chance to serve six more years, I want all barangays in the Philippines to have clean water)," the President said after inspecting the ongoing "Patubig ni Gloria" project at Barangay 62-M here.

The President revealed her plans when she visited this city for the second time in a span of only two days. The President went here last Sunday (April 11) to inspect the Patubig project in Barangay 10-M.

Local and barangay officials from six barangays led by Barangay Captain Benjamin Enriquez of Barangay 62-M warmly received the President upon her arrival here at exactly 3:00 in the afternoon.

In her remarks, the President informed the residents that the bidding for the construction of new deep wells in barangays 62-M, 62-A, 62-B, 61-A, 53-A and 53-B has been completed.

The contractor who won the award in the public bidding, she said, would start drilling for the construction of the new deep well in the area on Friday.

"Sa Biyernes ay magsisimula na ang drilling sa bagong deep well ng sa ganoon pagkatapos ng drilling ay magtuloy-tuloy na ang pagdaloy ng malinis na tubig sa inyong mga gripo (On Friday, drilling for the new deep well will start so that clean water could now flow freely from your faucets)," the President said.