President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today expressed her heartfelt condolence to the family of Mayor Ma. Clara Lobregat of Zamboanga City, who passed away Friday midnight (January 2, 2004) at a Manila hospital.

The President told a radio interview this morning that the 82-year-old.mayor, whom she called "Tita Kaling Lobregat," was a courageous woman and a good leader that she highly respected and admired.

She said Mayor Lobregat was a symbol and model of peace and good leadership in Zamboanga City and Mindanao, noting her vigilance against terrorism and concern for the security of her constituency.

Mayor Lobregat was a great loss not only to local government units but also to the national government, the President said

In a separate radio interview, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, Jr., said: "Si Mayor Lobregat ay isang haligi ng Zamboanga City. Sa kanyang kapanahunan ay nagkaroon ng kaunlaran doon sa kanyang lugar at ‘ yan ay itinuturing na malaking kontribusyon niya sa lipunan. (Mayor Lobregat was a pillar of Zamboanga City. She brought progress to the city and that is considered her major contribution to society)."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officially launches tomorrow her quest for a full six-year term on a high note among her political lieutenants and avid supporters who expressed confidence that the ruling coalition has a superior ticket.

The President, along with her runningmate, Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro and senatorial bets, is set to file her certificate of candidacy tomorrow morning, becoming the first incumbent leader to run for the highest government position in the land in the post martial law era.

Housing Secretary Michael Defensor said Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo, who prefers to use the sobriquet "President Gloria" during the hustings, clearly outshines her opponents in terms of industry and accomplishments.

"None of them can contest the kind of work ethics (the President has)," Defensor said.

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., president of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, said President Macapagal-Arroyo has the upper hand because she still "occupies the high moral and political ground."

Referring to the popularity of actor Fernando Poe Jr. as a presidential aspirant, De Venecia said "Popularity is OK, but later on, when they (people) search their soul, and when they go to the poll, they will go for performance, achievement and experience."

Defensor said the official launching of the President’s candidacy would be preceded by a four-hour prayer vigil at 3:30 A.M., to be followed by a 7:30 a.m. Mass at the Manila Cathedral and a short program at Plaza Roma where her senatorial candidates would be formally introduced to the public.

From Plaza Roma, the entire administration ticket would walk to the nearby Commission on Elections’ main headquarters to file their respective certificates of candidacy. A press conference follows at the Tamayo’s Restaurant.

Presidential Adviser on Media and Religious Affairs Conrado Limcaoco said the President herself decided to have the prayer vigil. "She is the one who wants it. For every major event in her life, she has always faced it with prayers," Limcaoco said.

Defensor also predicted that tomorrow’s affair would be attended by a throng of her staunch supporters "who like to see her again serve in the next six years."

"These are the people who benefited under the (Macapagal-Arroyo) administration, under the mass housing program, land distribution, education and proper health care," Defensor said.

Secretary Gabriel Claudio, chief of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, revealed earlier than Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo would wage her campaign under a new party replacing the People Power Coalition (PPC) which he said was "no longer applicable."

"There will definitely be a new majority coalition, a new character, a new acronym which we will announce on Monday," Claudio said.

Limcaoco said earlier the President’s campaign managers would popularize her chosen hand symbol of two thumbs up signifying continuity "and more."