Stressing that "justice is a bedrock of democracy," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has vowed that, if elected to a full six-year term in the May 10 polls, she will sweep clean the judiciary and use her influence to provide equal justice to all Filipinos, whether they be rich or poor.

Speaking before the Philippine Bar Association (PBA), which observed its 113^th foundation at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City Friday night, the President said that, under her new administration, she "will clean up the judiciary, the courts and people working like termites in and out of the judicial system."

The Chief Executive warned violators of the law that they will be pursued, arrested and jailed.

"Lilipulin nating iyong mga sinasabi ng ating mga kasapi ng Diplomatic Corps at tinatawag nilang hoodlums in robes, na sila ang nagiging sagabal sa investments na pumupunta rito (We will eradicate what members of the Diplomatic Corps call hoodlums in robes, who are obstacles to the flow of investments here)."

President Macapagal-Arroyo also stressed that, under her new administration, there would be "a government of true national unity."

She invited the opposition to forget politics and to send their brightest representatives to the government where positions of responsibility would await them.

"Ang aking pamahalaan ay magiging isang tunay na pamilya ng lahi. Kasama rito ang mga kintawan ng kabataan, kababaihan, cultural communities, senior citizens, partido ng oposisyon (My government will be a family of the race. It will bring together representatives of the youth, women, cultural communities, senior citizens and the opposition)," the President said.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo envisioned her new government like a mirror that once raised up, it will reflect the overall picture of the country.

After calling for detoxification of the country’s political system, she said, "it is time we employ the blessings of civility to heal a wounded society. Civility is the glue that will bind Filipinos together.

The President appealed to all Filipinos for help so that, together, they can build the force of "new unity."

"Mabubuhay muli ang puwersa, ang disiplina sa batas kung mangingibabaw ang pambansang interes sa sariling kapakanan (The force of discipline under the law will prevail once national interest overcomes selfish motives)," she said.

I look forward to the unification of the opposition because this will limit the contest to two camps and sharpen the contrast between the two protagonists: an administration that has engaged in a civilized, decent and platform-based campaign, and an opposition that has largely spewed negativism, mudslinging, harangues and threats.

I also aim to unify the nation and the opposition as part of my plan.

There are some bright lights in the opposition but they have not been allowed to shine.

They are welcome to the national unification effort that will consolidate the nation behind the fight for change for the average Filipino.

The PNP must conduct a close watch over armed groups and preempt poll related violence.

I condemn all forms of attacks against political candidates as an attack against the democratic process.

We respect the Sandiganbayan’s decision and it will be done.

The remarkable increase in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s public satisfaction ratings from –3 percent in November 2003 to 30 percent in March 2004, based on a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), bolsters her chances in the May 10 elections.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye made that statement in a radio interview with RMN Network this morning. "Iyan ay very welcome development at talagang iyan ay magpapalakas lalo ng chance ng ating Pangulo (That’s a very welcome development and that will really enhance the President’s chances)," he said.

Bunye said that the people now appreciate the value of the basic services being rendered to them by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo, he said, has made herself highly visible by going to places only a few presidents before her had ever visited.

"Ito siguro ang (ilan) sa mga dahilan kung bakit ang kanyang approval rating ay tumaas from –3 percent to 30 percent at malaking jump ito. (These are among the reasons why the President’s ratings have jumped from –3 percent to 30 percent). This is a big jump," he said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on the opposition anew today to join her in the quest for unity in her next administration.

"There are some bright lights in the opposition but they have not been allowed to shine. They are welcome to the national unification effort that will consolidate the nation behind the fight for change for the average Filipino," the President said in a statement.

Part of the President’s plan is to unify the nation and the opposition to bring about a "government of true national unity" under her new administration.

The President also said she welcomes the efforts of the opposition to unify, saying the "unification of the opposition will limit the contest to two camps and sharpen the contrast between the two protagonists."

But the President also said that the campaign is about unifying the whole nation and not simply about unifying the opposition or administration.

In addressing the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) Friday night during its 113^th foundation program at the Manila Peninsula, the President also asked the opposition to forget politics and send their brightest representatives to the government where positions of responsibility would await them in her full six-year term.

She also said it is time then to employ the blessings of civility to heal a wounded society as civility is the glue that will bind Filipinos together.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today lauded the Iglesia Filipina Independiente for helping the poor and working for peace that have, in part, been the source of inspiration for her pro-poor agenda.

The President spoke before the First National Congress of Laymen of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, held this morning at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Theme of the meeting was "Keep Alert, Stand Firm in Your Faith, Be Courageous, Be Strong."

Before the meeting opened, 18 laymen of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente coming from different provinces, cities and municipalities presented to the President a manifesto expressing their full support for her bid for a full six-year term in the coming elections. The laymen were led by Pepito M. Pico as national president.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said that Iglesia Filipina Independiente has been known in Philippine history as a symbol of love of God and country. She noted the church’s work for the poor, particularly the laborers.

"Kayong mga miyembro ng Iglesia Filipina ay nangunguna sa serbisyo sa mga mahihirap, kayo’y nangunguna sa paghahanap ng kapayapaan, kaya kasama ninyo ako (Members of Iglesia Filipina lead in serving the poor, you also lead in the search for peace; so, I am with you," the President said.

"Kayo ay bahagi ng inspirasyon para sa akin ding sariling pro-poor agenda (You are part of the inspiration of my pro-poor agenda," she told some 2,000 Iglesia Filipina Independiente members who attended the meeting.

The President reiterated her six promises, if given a mandate by the people in the May 10 elections, that would uplift the living standards as well as promoting peace and unity among the Filipino people.

She said that the first goal of her new administration is to create one million jobs annually in the next six years. She has already gained experience in creating 1.1 million jobs during the short period of her presidency.

She said that she would triple the loans for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In 2003 alone, her administration lent P21 billion to SMEs entrepreneurs.

She said that all barangays throughout the country would be provided with clean water. As of now, the administration has been supplying clean water to four million people in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

She said that 1,500 barangays would be energized each year. In the brief period of her presidency, her administration has brought electricity to some 2,000 barangays per year. The target number of barangays is reduced to 1,500, because this aspect of the electrification program will be spread out for six years.

She said that her administration would build 3,000 schoolhouses each year and would supply a computer to each school in the country. It would also provide one academic or vocational scholarship to every poor family.

Travel allowances of government personnel regardless of rank and destination anywhere in the country have been increased to P800 per day to cover hotel and lodging, meals and incidental expenses.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved the new rate through Executive Order 298 which prescribes rules and regulations and new rates of allowances for official local and foreign travels of government personnel.

In case officials and employees who travel abroad are not provided transport money by the host country or sponsoring organization or agency, they will be entitled to the Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) provided under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Index which can be secured from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

When the country of destination is not listed in the Index, the DSA for the nearest country shall be adopted.

Unless otherwise stated in the UNDP Index, the DSA shall be apportioned as follows: a) fifty percent for hotel/lodging; b) thirty percent for meals; and c) 20 percent for incidental expenses.

Local travel allowances will also be apportioned in this manner.

Payment of expenses for travel that are less than 30 days will have to be approved by the head of office/bureau or equivalent. Travels that will last for 30 days or more and payment of travel expenses therefore shall be approved by the department secretary or his equivalent.

In approving the new EO, the President cited the need to rationalize the travel allowances in view of the increasing cost of goods and services.

The new rates were based on the recommendation of the Travel Rates Committee.

The new EO states that claims for reimbursement of actual travel expenses in excess of the travel expenses authorized may be allowed upon certification by the head of agency concerned as absolutely necessary in the performance of an assignment and presentation of bills and receipts.

CEBU CITY—The 1.2 million strong Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) pledged here this afternoon its unqualified support to the candidacy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is seeking a fresh six-year mandate in the May 10 elections.

The expression of support was conveyed to the President by lawyer Cecilio Seno, national executive vice president of the union, to highlight the observance of the 50^th founding anniversary of the Association of Labor Union –TUCP at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug this city.

In rallying behind Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo, the organization cited her "genuine concern for the welfare of workers and their families."

The union leaders, who came from all over the country for their convention here, also expressed their confidence "that a continuation of the policies of the (Macapagal-Arroyo) administration is imperative in preserving the current investment climate, business confidence and, subsequently the job security of the millions of workers."

"Therefore, (the ALU-TUCP) give their support squarely behind the candidacy of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her bid for a full six-year term," the manifesto stated.

The document, entitled "Manifesto of Solidarity with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," also cited their concern about the "great challenges the country is facing and the need for steady, experienced and credible leadership," as well as their aspiration for an honest, orderly and peaceful national elections.

The labor leaders also manifested their gratitude to the President who, they said, continuously consulted with them about her major labor policy decisions even as she was still a senator and a vice president of the country.

For his part, TUCP president Democrito Mendoza urged their members to show to the country that there is such a thing as labor vote.

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched here today three project for the farmers in line with her administration’s Hunger-Free Philippines program.

The projects, are the National Rice Festival under the Unlad-Ani Program of the Department of Agriculture, the Hunger Free Philippines Program under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Abot Kaya Feeds Program also of the DA.

In a speech at the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex Gym here, the President said the Hunger-Free Philippines is part of her administration’s program where the Philippines and the President won the CZeres award as an outstanding female leader in the fight against poverty and hunger.

"This is just like an Oscar award, and it a great honor that the Philippines and I was given this award," the President said.

She said that farmers of the nation were instrumental in planting and fishing, and reaping the food for every table of each Filipino, the reason why she was given the award.

Under the Unlad Ani Program, the President awarded representatives of provinces and towns which have achieved high level of productivity in hybrid rice (Gloria Rice) production.

The President, assisted by Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, Jr., awarded P500,000 worth of rice-related agricultural projects per province and P150,000 per municipality.

The President noted that before, one hectare of riceland yields only 80 cavans of palay. The harvest of those who are using hybrid rice, she said, has doubled. The topnotcher in this field of competition, she said, harvested 270 cavans a hectare.

The President disclosed that the Department of Agriculture is preparing for the wet season by providing seed support for 200,000 has. of hybrid rice and 350,000 has. for certified seeds. Next year, she claimed, the country will be self-sufficient in rice, there will be no more importation if she remains President.

"If I am no more President, we do not know the programs of others who want to be President," she said.

The President stressed that because of the government’s support for the rice farmers, the National Food Administration is buying hybrid rice at P10 pesos per kilo.

On farmers who use the hybrid rice seeds for planting, the President displayed a "discount card" which farmers can use for their planting needs.

"Those farmers who avail of this discount card will have P1,200 for hybrid rice seeds and P345.00 for certified seeds," the President said.

The President revealed that she was able to irrigate 600,000 hectares of the two million irrigable hectares in the country in her short term as President. "In the next six years, we can easily irrigate the 1.4 million hectares," she said.

On fish and pork which the ordinary Filipino usually eats, the President said that he government is propagating "tilapia" which is more nutritious than the "galunggong" as the national fish of the country.

On pork, the President that she will have subsidy on the propagation of "biik" or piglets to increase the supply of pork in the market.

The President reiterated her six-point program in the next six years as follows: