The employment gain was driven by the services sector, which grew by 6.5 percent (+940,000), and the higher than expected 10.2 percent (+466,000) growth posted by the industry sector, which is a reversal from last year's job loss of 14,000 and is also the highest increment since 1999.

This is a matter of public interest and there is no politics behind the pull out of the Lopezes from Maynilad.

The new set-up is only aimed at ensuring that Maynilad’s services will not be affected, and facilitating the improvement of water service in Metro Manila.

ALCALA, Pangasinan – Towns of eastern Pangasinan will now be flood free.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened late Thursday afternoon the Hector Mendoza Bridge, which links the towns of Alcala, Bautista and Bayambang, and provides access to San Carlos City, a major commercial and educational center in Pangasinan.

"This is a flood control project and, therefore, no place here should be flooded, because of this new bridge," the President said at the inauguration ceremony.

She also directed the provincial director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit to her a plan for preventing the flooding of other towns and barangays.

Construction of the Hector Mendoza Bridge was undertaken to provide a permanent all-weather and less-time consuming means of land transportation between eastern Pangasinan and the rest of the province.

It also conformed to the regional and provincial development objective of providing complementary support for the Poponto Floodway, which is a component of the Agno River Flood Control Project.

The P726-million bridge whose construction was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), is expected to provide clear passage for regulated flood flows from Agno River to the Poponto Spillway.

It will also make travel to Bayambang from the town of Rosales easier and faster as well as open-up socio-economic opportunities within the area.

The bridge is 1,021 linear meters long and has a width of 9.20 linear meters. The project was finished 6 ½ months ahead of schedule.

SAN CARLOS CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked former President Fidel V. Ramos Thursday for spending his birthday day with her on the campaign trail and his provincemates in Pangasinan.

The former Chief Executive joined President Macapagal-Arroyo in Pangasinan where she inaugurated the Hector Mendoza Bridge in Alcala, attended a political rally here and had dinner at the house of former Agrarian Reform and Press Secretary Hernani Braganza, who is now running for mayor of Alaminos.

In her speech at a political rally here, the President asked for support in her bid for a full six-year term in the coming elections. "Kung walang karanasan ang Pangulo, sayang ang mga mangyayari (If we elect a President without experience, it would be a waste of time)," she said.

The President also asked that the people to vote for all candidates of the Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K-4).

The President recalled that it was former President Ramos who initiated the Agno River Floor Control Project. "But when President Ramos’ term of office ended, the project was immediately stopped," she said. "I was the one who continued the project, that’s why it was finished."

DUMAGUETE CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope today that the Central Visayas Polytechnic College (CVPC) here would turn out outstanding graduates capable of contributing to the greatness of Negros Oriental and the whole country.

The President, who arrived aboard a Learjet at Sibuyan Airport here at 10:00 A.M. today, was guest speaker at the commencement exercises of the state-owned CVPC. She was accompanied on the plane by House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. and his wife, Gina, and Press Secretary Milton Alingod.

President Macapagal-Arroyo was welcomed at the airport by Negros Oriental Governor George Arnaiz, Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices, Third District Congressman Herminio Teves, Presidential Adviser for the Visayas Felix Guanzon, 3rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Nestor Ochoa, Negros Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Amaron Morrok and other local government officials.

Her party then motored to the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex at the provincial capitol area, and then to the CVPC campus where faculty members, students, parents and other residents warmly welcomed her.

Dr. Henry A. Sojor, CVPC president, introduced the President during the commencement exercises.

The President, assisted by De Venecia and Sojar, handed out the diplomas to some 1,600 graduates. She also awarded medals and certificates to the honor students.

Malacañang remained confident today that the synchronized presidential and local elections on May 10 would be "clean, honest, and orderly."

In an interview with Radyo ng Bayan this morning, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued a strict order to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Thursday to disarm armed groups of warlords "before, during and after the elections."

Bunye said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was also directed to help the police, if necessary, in that task.

He said that the poll results would not be credible, if the elections would be marred by threats and acts of violence.

DAVAO CITY—North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol has said that all political indicators point to decisive victory by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the whole of Mindanao in the May 10 elections.

In an interview, Piñol said that his assessment was based on his interactions with local and congressional leaders in Mindanao, almost all of whom have committed or shifted their support to Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo.

Piñol, now seeking his third term as governor after serving as three term mayor of his hometown M’lang, said that there is no doubt that Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will deliver a runaway victory for the President in Davao City which is very reflective of the mindset of the people of Mindanao.

"The fact that Mrs. Arroyo and her K-4 ticket were allowed by the good mayor of Davao City to campaign during the 67^th Araw ng Dabaw celebration giving her an opportunity to deliver a message before the mammoth crowd who withstood the sweltering summer heat is very indicative of the outcome of the elections here," Piñol said.

"Governor Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Sur and Congressman Tony Boy Florendo are also working very hard for the victory of Mrs. Arroyo and I have no doubt that they will deliver the victory," Piñol said.

The North Cotabato chief executive also stressed that the shift of support of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano and former Rep. Antonio Cerilles, a close ally of former President Joseph Estrada, were also very crucial in ensuring the victory of the President and her K-4 ticket in Mindanao.

This, according to Piñol, wil validate the latest surveys of Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia which both showed the President leading over actor Fernando Poe, Jr. in Mindanao.

Piñol said that in his interactions with local officials and congressmen from Mindanao, they were unanimous in their declaration that "if we wanted to ensure our future, we have no other choice but to support the President, who has undoubtedly done for Mindanao more than any other President in the three years that she has been our leader."

Citing his own province, Piñol said: "Look what Mrs. Arroyo has done for us, she has given us P50 million to build an airport in M’lang, P20 million for livelihood of our Muslim brothers, and the MILF rebels are no longer in our province. What more can we ask?"

Validating Piñol’s assessment was the result of mock polls conducted by the Ateneo de Davao University for its faculty members and students last March 11 and 12, five days before the President barnstormed Davao City, Tagum City and Digos City.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s sincere effort and her success to a certain measure in stamping out corruption in government have gained recognition by the World Bank (WB), Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said today.

Bunye told a radio interview this morning that the World Bank will provide the Philippines a $700,000 grant for improving the government’s e-procurement program.

The grant is provided for in a memorandum of understanding signed by Finance Secretary Juanita Amatong and a WB representative, he said.

Bunye cited "two very important steps" – lifestyle check and e-procurement program -- taken by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration in its fight against corruption.

He said that lifestyle check has resulted in the dismissal and filing of charges against several high-ranking government officials whose expenses were found to far exceed their income.

The World Bank recognizes the effectiveness of e-procurement program, which, it believes, has reduced the opportunities for committing graft in the bidding for government contracts, Bunye said.

After Quezon and Leyte, the government will put up a coco-diesel plant in Mindanao to ensure a stable income for the copra farmers while decreasing the country’s dependency on imported petroleum.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in a radio interview this morning, said she had already instructed Energy Secretary Vince Perez to take the lead in preparing a strategic plan for the commercial marketing of coco-diesel.

She congratulated the Philippine Coconut Authority for popularizing the use of coco-diesel, particularly in Zamboanga which has been using the technology since 1996.

"Ito ay nakatulong doon sa ating coconut farmers, kaya isang dahilan yan kung bakit iyong presyo ng coconut, copra ay umakyat from P3 to P20 during my administration (This has helped our coconut farmers and one of the reasons why the price of copra went up from P3 to P20 during my administration)," the President said.

At least 80 integrated coconut oil mills have been projected to be established in different provinces, thus creating job opportunities in the countryside.

In Sulu and Tawi-tawi, which the President noted have been enjoying relative peace since the capture of known Abu Sayyaf leaders that included Commander Robot, the government will push for agriculture modernization in line with its peace and development efforts.

She mentioned one important industry – carageenan or seaweed – that will be given impetus by her administration to ensure livelihood for the people of Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

"We have irrigated 607 hectares in Sulu, 30 hectares in Tawi-tawi as part of this modernization program. In Jolo, we are rehabilitating 30 hectares and constructed fish landing areas. We built 35 farm-to-market roads in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-tawi," the President enumerated.

Aside from agriculture modernization, the President said the government has started the barangay electrification program to help develop the tourism potentials of the area.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today downplayed speculations over alleged plan of the government to facilitate the immediate release of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari in exchange for his so-called support for the President’s bid for a full six-year term in the May elections.

In a radio interview, the President stressed that while she is glad to know that Misuari is openly supporting her, his fate still lies in the decision of the court and that the rule of law would reign.

Meanwhile the President also expressed confidence on the success of the upcoming peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which is scheduled to reopen in Kuala Lumpur next month.

The President said the alleged arrest by the Malaysian government of six members of extremist group Jemaah Islamiya who were supposedly on their way back to their camp after having trained in the MILF Camp in Central Mindanao, would not affect the upcoming peace talks.

Malacañang rejected today a proposal by a security expert to allow a temporary basing agreement with the United States in a bid to strengthen national security against terrorism.

In a press briefing at the Palace this afternoon, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the proposed "temporary basing" of American troops in the Philippines would violate existing constitutional provisions and pertinent laws.

Bunye said the proposal raised by Professor Carolina Hernandez, chairperson of the Council for Security Operations in the Asia-Pacific, does not reflect the government’s position on the US basing issue.

"I think that is not provided for by current laws. We have the constitutional provisions to reckon with, and we have the Visiting Forces Agreement. Anything outside of those statutes, outside of those laws, I think will not be considered by the government," Bunye said.

Bunye pointed out that Hernandez was merely expressing her personal opinion on the issue.

"She is expressing a private opinion, but what we’re saying is based on a study of the matter. The proposal would seem to contravene existing constitutional and legal provisions," Bunye noted.

Malacanang has nothing to do with the removal of Director Ferdinand T. Rafanan as head of the Education and Information Division (EID) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said today.

Abalos stressed that the reason the Comelec decided to reassign Rafanan from the EID to Region 8 is primarily to ensure that the Eastern Visayas region would have a competent and expert regional director who would handle the region come election proper.

Abalos also stressed that it was not only he who decided to reassign Rafanan to Region 8 but the Comelec en banc.

He stressed that Rafanan’s candor in saying that President Macapagal-Arroyo committed some campaign violations is not the reason he has been removed from the EID.

Malacanang today lauded a Sandiganbayan decision allowing jailed former President Joseph Estrada to visit his 99-year-old ailing mother, Dona Mary Ejercito, who is currently confined at the San Juan Medical Center.

In his press briefing this afternoon, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the move was consistent with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s policy of extending humane treatment to her predecessor.

"We are happy that former President Estrada has been granted permission by the Sandiganbayan to visit his ailing mother and this would be consistent with the posture of the President to extend humane treatment to the former President," Bunye said.

"As you can very well see, it has no effect on the politics of the former President, and the idea is President Gloria (Macapagal-Arroyo) is just really interested in humane treatment of the former Chief Executive," Bunye added.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario, in her capacity as chairperson of the anti-graft court’s special division hearing the plunder case against Estrada, along with Associate Justices Edilberto Sandoval and Teresita Leonardo de Castro, granted Estrada’s petition for court permission to visit her mother at the hospital.

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan—Former President Fidel V. Ramos has branded as shallow and baseless the petition filed by two opposition senatorial bets with the Supreme Court asking to declare President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo resigned or on official leave.

In an interview late Thursday during his visit here, Ramos said the petition filed by Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) senatorial candidates Boots Anson-Roa and Amina Rasul-Bernardo would have no impact on the bid of Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo for a full six-year term.

"Para sa akin ay walang kuwenta ‘yan (case) eh dahil wala namang tunay na pinagbabasehan yung reklamo na ‘yun, napakababaw naman at minimal kung hindi zero ang epekto nito, (For me that’s nothing because it is baseless and shallow and will have no effect at all,)" Ramos said.

In a separate interview, on-leave Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer and K-4 Coalition campaign manager Gabriel Claudio said the two opposition candidates were "obviously using the President to land in the front pages."

Claudio said the opposition was also clearly using all means to distract Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo from campaigning and stop her from continuing her work in government.

The K-4 campaign manager said the administration camp was not surprised by "such political harassment" from the opposition. He added it was one of the things they anticipate as the opposition appears to be in panic now, because of the virtual lead of Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo in recent surveys.

I am sorry to hear about the shooting of Taiwan’s leaders while campaigning in Tainan City. I welcome the news that their injuries were not life-threatening and that they have been declared out of danger by attending medical practitioners.

VICTORIAS CITY, Negros Occidental – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed into law a measure strengthening the regulatory capability of the Department of Health and the Bureau of Quarantine Services on public health threats.

The new law, to be known as the "Public Health Threat and Quarantine Act," upgrades the penalties and powers on quarantine regulations.

The enactment rites,held at the city’s public library, was attended by principal authors Senator Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, Congressmen Monico Puentevella and Raul Gonzales, along with Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., and Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Maranon. The other author of the bill was Sen. Juan Flavier.

During a press conference that followed the enactment, the President cited the importance of the law and the institutionalization of the preventive measures in the fight against contagious diseases.

The new law empowers the President to declare the existence of a contagion or disease considered a threat to public health.

In this case, the health secretary, through the Bureau of Quarantine Services, could prevent the entry of persons, properties, vessels, from an infected country, or implement quarantine and other measures until such time the President declares the contagion or disease as no longer posing a threat to public health.

According to President Macapagal-Arroyo, the present quarantine laws were virtually toothless in containing contagious diseases.

The new law penalizes any person who violates any regulation, guideline, and condition of quarantine, or knowingly conceals or falsely provides material information on matters requiring full disclosure a fine of no less than P10,000 nor more than P100,000 or its equivalent in subsidiary imprisonment.

The law also provides that any vessel or aircraft violating quarantine procedures by failing to, or falsely submitting, requisite documents and clearances would be fined P100,000 but not more than P1 million without prejudice to the confiscation and/or destruction of the apprehended vessel or aircraft.

VICTORIAS CITY, Negros Occidental – The fact that former President Joseph Estrada spoke at the rally of movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. in Iligan City through a radio hookup shows that the deposed president is still with the opposition.

This was the reaction of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in answer to claims that she and the former president have made secret political deals as shown by her statements favoring a humane treatment for Estrada.

"I am very kind to him for humanitarian reasons and there’s no political deal with that. The fact that he spoke at the FPJ rally shows he’s still with the opposition. Maybe now I could answer those who says otherwise, look who’s talking?" the President said during a press conference at the city’s public library after signing the Quarantine Act.

Detention at an army camp in Tanay has not stopped Estrada, more popularly known as Erap, from campaigning for his friend and bosom buddy Poe, the standard bearer of the opposition.

At a rally in Iligan City, a live interview with Estrada over a radio station was piped in over the public address system where he endorsed the actor and political novice known by his initials FPJ.

Asked whether she was able to get the support of businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco in his bailiwick Negros Occidental, the President said: "I would like to expect support from everybody as much as possible."