One hundred thousand to 600,000 hectares planted to new high-yielding hybrid rice from China.

That is the vision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as part of her agriculture program that will increase rice production and make the Philippines self-sufficient or even an exporter of the staple.

"Just to compare, the average production of rice in the Philippines is three tons per hectare planted to palay per season. For those who have joined the hybrid rice program, there is 6.6 tons per hectare under the program," the President said after the initial harvests from the hybrid in 2003.

"And for the most productive of them, they have up to 10 tons under the program, even 11.1 tons in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro," she added.

The yield realized in Mindoro is the highest in the world of the hybrid rice, she emphasized.

"If this was done in Mindoro, what more in Nueva Ecija which is No. 1 in rice production in the country," the President said in one of her trips to the countryside to lead in the distribution of certified seeds of hybrid rice.

She said the introduction of the hybrid rice is part of her administration’s program of increasing the farmers’ yield, earnings and improving their lives, coupled with the spirited implementation of the agricultural modernization.

This is the reason why her administration has been spending over P20 billion a year for the construction of farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems and other facilities, she said.

"Our hybrid rice program is a vital component of Philippine food security," the President has emphasized time and again.

"Even when I was not yet President, I had said my ambition was to provide food on every table," the President said late last year in addressing the Farmers Forum on Agrarian Reform in Lucena city where she announced her target of having 600,000 hectares planted with the hybrid in the next two years.

In 2002, after a visit to China, the President issued an executive order making the development of hybrid rice a flagship project of the modernization program for Philippine agriculture.

The Chinese hybrid was developed by Chinese professor Yuan Long Ping, an achievement that won for him the Ramon Magsaysay Award two years ago.

The Chinese rice expert developed the hybrid for China but has been since adapted to Philippine conditions with the help of local agriculture expert Leo Sebastian.

The hybrid was introduced into the Philippines in 2002, thanks to Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji. He then offered it to the President as part of a technological assistance and technology transfer package.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has inaugurated another water project that will provide clean and affordable potable water supply to more than 2,880 families or 17,000 persons in one of the poor communities in Pasig City.

"I know that you have been waiting for direct water connection for a long time, but today the water is finally here," the President said as she officially opened the latest water project in Sitio Nagpayong, Barangay Pinagbuhatan, in Pasig City, under her Proyektong Patubig para sa Barangay ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The President, who had just arrived from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, motored here around 5:30 P.M. Monday to personally inaugurate the newly installed water connection.

The President was welcomed by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, Pasig City Mayor Soledad Eusebio, Vice Mayor Lorna Bernardo and other city and barangay officials, along with local residents.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) community relations chief Ram Agoncillo and Manila Water president Antonio Aquino briefed the President on the Patubig project upon her arrival here.

Manila Water, the Ayala-led water concessionaire, is working closely with the Office of the President and various local agencies on various projects in key areas of the East Zone to ensure residents have access to safe and affordable water supply.

"We are happy to be part of the President’s efforts to supply water in the area. Manila Water has laid additional pipelines and replaced the old ones to make sure that the water pressure in the system is well managed so water can be delivered equitably in the entire distribution area," Aquino said.

Aquino informed the President that the Manila Water has allotted a big portion of its capital expenditure to replace obsolete asbestos concrete and cast iron pipes, including corroded service connections.

Messages of healing and love resounded today at the commemoration of the third anniversary of EDSA People Power 2 which catapulted then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Malacaņang, at the Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace along EDSA in Mandaluyong City.

President Macapagal-Arroyo led government officials and key participants in EDSA 2 at the thanksgiving mass, which was officiated by Msgr. Socrates Villegas, and the flag-raising ceremony.

After hoisting the Philippine flag, officials and guests at the simple celebration joined President Macapagal-Arroyo in singing a prayer to the Lord "to heal our broken land."

While no speech was scheduled on the anniversary program, the President gave a brief press interview in which she said her administration’s efforts to improve the peace and order situation in the country constituted a form of love for the masses.

"Nakalikha tayo ng tatlong milyong trabaho. Nakamana naman tayo ng mahigit na apat na milyong walang trabaho noong ako’y unang umupo. Pagamamahal ito sa mga naghahanap na trabaho (We created three million jobs, although we inherited over four million unemployed when we assumed power. This is love for the jobless)," Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said.

"Pagmamahal din kung gusto nating magkaroon ng mas maraming trabaho dapat hindi natatakot ang mga namumuhunan dahil sa kidnapping. Kaya ito’y kilos din ng pagmamahal para doon sa mga pangkaraniwang mamamayan na naghahahanap ng trabaho. (It’s love if we want to have more jobs by seeing to it that investors are not afraid of kidnapping. This is also love for the ordinary people who are looking for jobs)," she added.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who was among the guests at the EDSA 2 anniversary, stressed the need for unity among the Filipinos, if they are to overcome challenges to peace and progress.

In a radio interview, Ramos said, "Kahit ano man ang kahirapan, hamon o krisis na hinaharap ng Pinoy, kung tayo’y magsasama-sama, kung tayo’y magtutulung-tulong at kung tayo’y magkakaisa, kaya natin ito at tayo’y magtatagumpay (Whatever difficulty, challenge or crisis facing the Filipino, if we will work together and unite, we will succeed)."

Also present at the EDSA 2 anniversary were Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert, Press Secretary Milton Alingod, Energy Secretary Vince Perez, Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Environment Secretary Elisea Gozun, Public Works Secretary Florante Soriquez, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Presidential Adviser and National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) Chief Angelo Reyes, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Chairman Camilo Sabio, and Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo.

EDSA 2 was an offshoot of the impeachment proceedings against former President Joseph Estrada on charges of corruption. He was ousted and replaced by then Vice President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ramos said that it is not the size of the crowd but the quality of the event that counts. EDSA 2 led to the ouster of a "non-performing, abusive and corrupt government," he said, adding that "the people are now enjoying the fruit of that."

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued rules and regulations on the conduct of mandatory drug testing of candidates for public office in the May 10 synchronized national and local elections in Resolution No. 6486 promulgated December 23, 2003.

The mandatory drug test for all candidates for public office both in the national and local government is provided for by R.A. 9165 in line with the 1987 Constitution so that people will know the quality of candidates they are electing and they will be assured that only those who can serve with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency would be elected to hold public office.

The mandatory drug tests shall be conducted by government forensic laboratories or any drug testing laboratories monitored and accredited by the Department of Health.

Drug test certificates are to be submitted to the Comelec not later than February 8 for candidates for national positions and not later than March 24 for local positions, including nominees of party or sectoral organizations participating in the party list system.

Before the start of the campaign period, the Comelec shall publish two lists of candidates – those who complied with the drug test and those who did not.

No person elected to any public office shall assume his duties until he has undergone the mandatory drug test and has submitted the required drug test certificate which shall be valid for one year from date of issue.

In what is seen as the one big step in efforts to find lasting peace in Mindanao, Malaysia and the Philippines today agreed to hold a new round of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur by the second week of February to resolve outstanding issues and advance the overall climate of peace in the South.

In a joint press conference highlighting the two-day official visit here of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that she is both honored and happy that the Malaysian Premier is committed to help the Philippines achieve that goal.

"The Filipino people are grateful for Malaysia’s unwavering support, especially in providing the indispensable bridge of understanding between our government and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front)," the President said, adding that Badawi enjoys the trust and confidence of the domestic and global community.

In her statement to media at the Rizal Hall of Malacaņang, the President welcomed Badawi "not only because he is an old friend who has known the Philippines for more than 30years," but also because of the essential role that Malaysia plays in efforts "to find a just, and lasting solution to the search for peace in Southern Philippines."

She said the Philippines is also looking forward to the deepening of relations between the two countries in many ways.

"We are together not only as partners in the search for peace. We are also partners in the search for prosperity in our part of the world," the President said.

The President took the occasion to announce the joint venture agreement between Petronas, the national oil company of Malaysia, and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to explore and drill for oil in offshore Mindoro to the tune of P825 million.

The joint exploration, the President said, will help increase the government’s energy self-sufficiency program, which under her administration has already reached 53 percent.

"This will be another fruit of our efforts to develop our indigenous energy resources," the President said.

In his response, Badawi said he is just too delighted to visit the Philippines anew and expand bilateral relations with a country they share so many things with.

"We are only too willing to help in the peace process to improve the situation in Southern Philippines," Badawi said.

The Department of Labor and Employment clarified today that employees who will report for work on Thursday (January 22) which has been declared as a "special working holiday" by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the observance of the Chinese Lunar New Year will get only their basic pay.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas issued the clarification amid mounting calls from employees, mostly from the private sector, asking whether or not they are entitled to additional pay if they report for work on Thursday.

President Macapagal-Arroyo issued last January 16 Proclamation No. 532 declaring January 22 a special working holiday throughout the country in deference to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

"For work performed on special working holidays, the employees are entitled only to their basic rate. No premium pay is required since work performed on said day is considered work on ordinary working days," Sto. Tomas stated in an advisory released this morning.

She said the presidential declaration "is a recognition of the importance of the Chinese New Year not only to the Filipino-Chinese community, but also to the entire country."

Former President Fidel V. Ramos reassured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today that he and his whole family are fully supportive of her bid for a six-year term in the May 10, 2004 elections.

In a radio interview after the observance of the third anniversary of People Power 2 at the EDSA Shrine, Ramos said that even as a private citizen he is helping President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo not just as president but also as a candidate in the coming polls.

"Dito na man sa atin e siyempre tumutulong ako upang magkaisa ang mga Pinoy, mga botante natin sa likod ng Pangulong Arroyo bilang isang kandidato, bilang pangulo (Here, of course, we have to help to unite the Filipinos, and the voters behind President Arroyo, as a candidate, and as president)," Ramos said.

Ramos also said that the reported candidacy for senator of his daughter, Cristy Ramos-Jalasco, under an opposition ticket, was "pure propaganda."

"Hindi siya tatakbo, walang hatian, walang distraction sa aming Ramos family (She won’t run, there is no division, there is no distraction in the Ramos family)," he said, adding that Cristy’s latest advice to the family was last Sunday.

He said that Cristy Ramos-Jalasco joined the senatorial slate of presidential aspirant Raul Roco without going through a process, nomination or selection, but just through photo opportunity.

The former Chief Executive said that, during his meeting with President Macapagal-Arroyo in her residence at Forbes Park, Makati City, they discussed politics and his multifarious role as a former President.

"I’m the self-appointed ambassador abroad to show the Philippines is a good destination for investment, trade, tourism, etc.," he said. "At home, I always help promote unity among the Filipinos, and rally voters behind the candidacy of President Macapagal-Arroyo."

On his sister former Senator Leticia R. Shahani’s support for opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe, Jr., Ramos pointed out that she is the head of another family.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today hailed visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi as a "new leader of a great nation" and described him as a true friend of the Filipino people for his invaluable support to the success of the peace process in Mindanao.

"The ASEAN community is immensely enriched by his leadership," the President intoned prior to the state luncheon she hosted for the visiting Malaysian leader at Aguinaldo Hall of Malacanang.

The President said that Badawi has a profound responsibility as the new leader of a great nation. "We support him in his vision for his people, his vision for the Malay people, including his vision for the Filipino people. And he can count on our fullest possible cooperation," she said.

In welcoming a dear friend who has had countless visits to the Philippines the last 30 years, Malacanang chose to host a more intimate rather than an ostentatious luncheon.

Unlike the state dinner for United States President George Bush and Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev which were held at the spacious Rizal Hall (formely Ceremonial Hall), only eight tables adorned with colorful roses were prepared for the guests who warmly mingled with their counterparts from the Philippines that included Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr.

Also present to welcome Badawi and his official delegation were members of the House of Representatives, officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo. The Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps were also there.

Garbed in white kimono, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo feted the Malaysian Prime Minister, who is here for the first time as head of state, saying the latter has the trust and confidence not only of his people but also of the entire region.

The President described Philippine-Malaysian relations as strong and vibrant, having a strategic partnership across the seas for political and economic security.

"Prime Minister Abdullah and I believe in the solidarity of the ASEAN and in BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Area) as the tool for greater social equity spread across boarders," the President said

On behalf of the Filipino people, the President thanked Malaysia for its role in the government’s dream of a just and durable peace in Southern Philippines.

"Your Excellency, your acceptance of the difficult role of a facilitator of the peace talks between my government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front truly welds our ties in heart and history," she said. "We find common cause in the values articulated in the Organization of the Islamic Conference which is chaired by Malaysia."

The Chief Executive also expressed appreciation for the hospitality that Malaysia provides for the 700,000 Filipino workers in Malaysia, saying the visit marks the start of an enduring chapter of the two nations’ fight for common peace and prosperity.

In his response, Badawi also extolled President Macapagal-Arroyo, saying she has a vision for the future of the Philippines, which can be great under her leadership.

Malacaņang today announced the appointment of businessman Paul A. Aquino as the acting president of state-owned Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. (PNOC-EDC).

Aquino takes his new seat as acting president and CEO starting today, replacing Sergio A. F. Apostol, who will take a leave of absence to pursue his political career in Leyte province in the coming May 10 elections.

Aquino was a member of the PNOC-EDC board prior to his new assignment.

He held several positions in the private sector, as consultant at Goodwill Trading Co. Inc. and Sycip Gorres Velayo, Inc.; as board director of the Solid Mills, Inc., and as president of the Computer Shoppe, Inc.

PNOC-EDC is the geothermal arm of the government operating four geothermal power projects in Leyte, Luzon, Negros and Mindanao with a total installed capacity of 1.148 MW. PNOC-EDC at present accounts for approximately 60 percent of the total installed geothermal energy capacity in the Philippines.

PNOC-EDC is also actively pursing new power projects such as the construction of the 40 MW Northern Negros geothermal project, expansion of the Palinpinon II, Mindanao and Bacon-Manito geothermal facilities and the construction of a 40-MW wind farm in Northern Luzon to provide additional electricity to meet the increasing power demand.

Malacaņang rolled out today the red carpet for Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who is in Manila for a two-day official visit.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in white terno welcomed the Malaysian official at the Palace Grounds where he was accorded full military honors, including a 21-gun salute.

The national anthem of both countries were played during the welcome ceremonies.

The two leaders later trooped the line, with Mr. Badawi acknowledging the cheers of flag-waving schoolchildren who were allowed into the Malacaņang premises to welcome him.

After the Malaysian official signed the Palace official Guest Book, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo then escorted him to the Ramos Room of the Palace for their brief one-on-one meeting.

They were joined later by senior officials of both governments to discuss issues of mutual concern.

During their talks, the President and the Malaysian Prime Minister explored new ways of strengthening bilateral ties.

Badawi arrived in Manila Monday night to become the first foreign leader to visit the country this year.

His visit was largely perceived as crucial to the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Malaysia being a major supporter of the peace process in Mindanao.

I shall not comment on the merits of this issue but I would like our people to treat the matter with calm, prudence and sobriety.

It is time to stand behind the norms of civility and the rule of law.

I shall see to it that the legal processes are firmly protected and observed.

I expect all our political leaders of whatever partisan or ideological persuasion to do the same.

We should consider this issue objectively and acknowledge that the weakness of the peso is fundamentally tied to the strengthening of the American economy.

The reflex of blaming vagaries in the economy on politics should be resisted.

Election-related issues are among the minor factors affecting the peso performance and this is a transient influence.

The media play on the Pope is grossly unfair and disrespectful, as the Holy Father has never commented on this particular case.

Let us not make this a show of contrivances or political projections.

This is a routine reassignment of officers recommended by the Chief of Staff for purely professional reasons and in the interest of the service.

It has long been proposed by the AFP leadership and there is no point in painting politics to it.

The report that Malacaņang is conducting a loyalty check at the Department of Education is even more preposterous.

There was no such thing and we uphold the professionalism of teachers and all civil servants.

Moreover, we will see to it that our teachers are protected and properly compensated for electoral duties.

Government efforts to attain self-sufficiency in energy received a big boost today when Malaysia and the Philippines agreed to jointly explore and drill for oil in offshore Mindoro in a project estimated to cost nearly a billion pesos in investments.

In the bilateral meeting highlighting the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today, the two countries agreed to sign a new seven-year service contract between Malaysia’s Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn and the Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) through the Department of Energy.

PNOC-EC is the country’s petroleum exploration arm while Petronas Carigali is the overseas exploration and production organization of Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil company.

Petronas’ entry into the PNOC-EC project was a culmination of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to Malaysia in November 2001 and the result of the bilateral talks between the two heads of state during the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit held in Tokyo in December last year.

The President said the new petroleum service contract is expected to further spur renewed interest in the country’s petroleum exploration industry.

"This will be another fruit of our efforts to develop our indigenous energy resources," she said. "We are now, under my administration, able to achieve 53 percent self-sufficiency in energy. This project will help us increase that self-sufficiency further."

The Macapagal-Arroyo administration has long pushed for strong efforts to revive the country’s upstream petroleum industry, develop indigenous resources and thus increase energy self-sufficiency.

The Chief Executive said it is a testament to the growing investor confidence not only in the petroleum industry but also more importantly in the Philippines as a worthwhile investment location.

During the bilateral meeting, Malaysia agreed to support the Philippines advance the peace process in the south through the holding of an exploratory talks scheduled second week of February in Kuala Lumpur.

It also agreed to support the capacity-building program in Southern Philippines particularly the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area).

"If the program would push through, especially human resource development, that would be able to help in many ways the people of Southern Philippines so that they can later on be more active, there will be more economic activities, and they will be joining the mainstream of national economy and development of the Philippines," Badawi said.

The Malaysian Prime Minister offered training opportunities through its chemical-economic cooperation program for interested Filipinos as part of the capacity building efforts.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed Justice Undersecretary Jose C. Calida as the Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) under the Office of the President.

In a press briefing in Malacaņang, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that Calida is replacing former DDB Executive Director Efren Fernandez who resigned to run in the May 10 elections.

Calida, who was DOJ undersecretary since March 12, 2001, was in charge of the National Bureau of Investigation, Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program, DOJ National Task Force on Anti-Terrorism and National Security Cases, DOJ Task Force on Financial Fraud and Money Laundering and the DOJ Task Force on Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response cases.

Calida was also head of the DOJ Action Center and an ex-officio Commissioner of the Housing Land Use and Regulatory Board.

Malacaņang said today the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has nothing to do with the publication of a paid advertisement detailing the alleged faked birth certificate of actor Fernando Poe, Jr. who is running for president in this year’s elections.

"We have nothing to do with that and if there is anything coming out about any issues in the coming elections, I think the people have the right to know and to be informed about but definitely we have nothing to do with that," Presidential Campaign Spokesperson Michael Defensor said.

Defensor made the denial after a paid advertisement came out in newspapers denouncing and scrutinizing the alleged fake birth certificate and marriage contract of presidential aspirant Fernando Poe, Jr.

Defensor said that in the publication of a paid advertisement, the usual process is that people who wanted to publish a certain statement or advertisement, go to the respective newspaper in order to post their advertisement.