CEBU CITY – Is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a firm believer in the power of "7"? Or is it just coincidental that the dates of her three visits her in 20 days had the number 7?

The President was here last April 17 and 27. This afternoon she is scheduled to stage the penultimate leg of her Caravan for Unity here in Metro Cebu.

No details of the caravan has been made available to the media, but local authorities said the presidential convoy would swing through the four cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay and Cebu.

Meanwhile, good luck already awaits the President here, with the GMA 2010 Movement declaring full support to her bid for a full six-year term.

"Even with three day’s left (in the campaign period) we would still campaign for her because she is the only qualified candidate to bring hope to the country," said Rey Martinez, regional manager of the movement.

The local newspaper Daily News said the movement has been hounded by fund shortage, prompting its founder and national chairman Samuel Eresando to dig deeper into his own pocket.

Another local newspaper, The Freeman, had for its banner story the Iglesia ni Cristo and El Shaddai endorsement of President Macapagal-Arroyo’s candidacy.

In another development, Presidential daughter Luli Arroyo arrived here Thursday afternoon to grace inaugural rites at the Lorega Barangay Complex.

Luli was in Maasim, Southern Leyte when Lorega Barangay Chairman Fortunato Parawan invited to the affair.

Three days before the elections on Monday, May 10, Malacaņang called on the people today to remain "calm and vigilant" and "not be swayed by politicians" out to derail the nation’s political exercise.

In an interview with Radyo ng Bayan this morning, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said, "We have come this far, so far so good, the incidence of violence has been lower compared to previous years."

"Sana ay mapanatili natin ang matahimik, maayos at in the end kapani-paniwakang eleksiyon (We hope that we can maintain the peaceful, orderly and, in the end, credible elections," he said.

Bunye said that the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security (COCIS) discussed last Wednesday an opposition plot, called Aklas Bayan, to undermine the integrity and credibility of the May 10 elections by means of black propaganda, sabotage and violence.

Aklas, said to involve coordinated protest action by civilians and military personnel against alleged massive cheating, was based on "very credible reports," he said.

Bunye lauded the timely exposure of the plot that did not only alert the people but also nip it in the bud.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye today reiterated President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s call on all presidential candidates for unity and reconciliation, especially after the May 10 elections to finally heal the wounds of deep division in the country.

In a radio interview, Bunye also said the nation would gain more stability if all candidates would pursue the same efforts towards clean, peaceful and credible elections.

"Ang sabi ng Pangulo, ang isa sa mga pangunahing nararapat isagawa pagkatapos ng eleksyon ay, iyong call for unity and reconciliation (What the President has said is that one of the most importants task after the elections is for all to heed the call for unity and reconciliation)," Bunye said.

The presidential spokesman noted the Filipino people have been divided on many issues in the past. "We have deep divisions in our society. We are divided, not only politically, not only economically but even in the way we treat one another," he said.

Bunye further noted that having honest, orderly and credible elections must be the goal of everyone, whether he is from the administration or the opposition, as this would bring stability in the country.

The President had earlier called on all presidential bets to cast their personal considerations aside and join her in a final call for statesmanship and public interest, saying "our unity behind these common ideals is so urgent and important to the future of our nation and people."’

TARLAC CITY—As the campaign enters the homestretch, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has stressed the need for people to discard political conflicts and instead unite and work together for clean, peaceful and credible elections on May 10.

The President made her call for unity and cooperation after a 45-minute meeting with El Shaddai servant-leader Bro. Mike Z. Velarde in his van, parked behind a stage at the Maria Cristina Park, Tarlac City, Thursday evening. Press Secretary Milton Alingod and Tarlac Governor Jose Yap accompanied the President to the meeting.

Initially, she had intended to attend the prayer rally on the occasion of the 8^th anniversary of the El Shaddai Tarlac chapter at the Ma. Cristina Park, but changed plans at the last minute for security reasons.

The President expressed elation over the outcome of her meeting with Bro. Mike. A statement read later on by El Shaddai spokesman, Mel Robles, confirmed the anointment of El Shaddai or the grant of the "Shepherd’s Blessing" for Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidential candidacy.

"I am very happy…kasi parati naman akong pumupunta hindi lang kung may okasyon dito sa El Shaddai, at saka naniniwala ako sa Divine Providence (I am very happy…I have been going to El Shaddai not only when there’s occasion, and I believe in Divine Providence)," the President said.

In the statement, the President and Bro. Mike Velarde expressed agreement on major issues, including support for the pro-life position of the Catholic Church. Both believed a comprehensive Responsible Parenthood Education Program, which adheres to Filipino religious beliefs, should immediately be undertaken.

On the issue of corruption in the civil service, the President made a commitment to go all out against those suspected of graft in all branches of government regardless of their relationship to her.

On the proposed Charter change, both leaders thought a Constitutional Convention rather than a Constitutional Assembly must be convened immediately after the May 10 polls.

Phase I, which will be inter-connected to North Rail, LRT lines 1 and 2 and MRT 3, will have the followings’16 stations;

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today extolled the nation's teachers as they prepared for electoral duties.

Describing the teachers as "the vanguards of democracy in both their roles in the classroom and in safeguarding democratic exercises", the President vowed that "their sacrifices will not go unnoticed and unrewarded."

With elections just three days ahead, another survey, this time conducted among Metro Manila consumers, showed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would handily win over her opponents in the presidential derby.

The survey, conducted from April 23-28 for the BusinessWorld by NOP World Asia Pacific (formerly RoperASW Asia Pacific), showed that the President was the top choice among Metro Manila consumers, getting almost three out of 10, or 29.7 percent, of the respondents.

Surprisingly, it was Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and not Fernando Poe, Jr., who trailed behind the President in the survey, with 21.3 percent. Poe, who came in third, got only 11.4 percent.

A hefty 52.1 percent of the respondents say the economy would improve in the next six months compared to 14.6 percent saying it would worsen. Those who did not know what would happen with the economy got 33.3 percent.

On the peso, 42.5 percent believed it would strengthen against the dollar in the next six months. Over 21 percent said it would lose ground while 35.7 percent felt it would stay about the same.

On the question whether they believe that the President has been doing a good job, majority, or 52.6 percent, answered in the affirmative while only 27.7 percent answered in the negative, and the remaining 19.7 percent did not have any opinion.

The survey also showed that most respondents, or 48.0 percent, believed on the sincerity of the President, while 27.2 did not believe that she is sincere and 24.8 percent refused to comment either way.

The consumer confidence index, covering 300 respondents of at least 18 years of age and residing in Metro Manila, measures consumers’ perception of their economic outlook over the next six months and their perception of present conditions.

Among foreign investors, there is a marked preference also for President Macapagal-Arroyo over Poe who has never had any experience in politics and has promised to help the nation’s poor without saying how.

"The worry of investors is that if Poe wins, you might have quite a lot of detrimental policies," said Desmond Soon, who manages $150 million of Asian bonds at Pacific Asset Management in Singapore.

The peso rose to its highest level in almost four months on May 5 after a survey showed President Macapagal-Arroyo pulling away from Poe. That was after it dropped to a record low in March 9 when Poe expressed his desire for foreign creditors to restructure the government’s P3.4 trillion ($61 billion) debt.

"The country has a clear choice between two candidates: to move forward with an experienced, hands-on leader who has a specific platform for change, or take a risk on an inexperienced actor," President Macapagal-Arroyo told business groups including the US and European chambers of commerce in a speech last month.

Her expected victory denotes continuity and eases the political uncertainties that have been troubling the country these past months, according to CSLA Philippines, Inc. head Alex D. Pomento. It has hiked Metro Manila’s expectations of economic prospects in the next six months, he said.

CEBU CITY— A private jet bearing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her party arrived at the Mactan’s Benito Ebuen Air Force Base in Lapu-Lapu City at 2:20 p.m. today.

On hand to meet the President were three rival candidates for Cebu governorship, who all vowed to support her bid for a full six-year term.

All of Cebu's congressmen, Cebu Governor Pablo Garcia and reelectionist Sen. John "Sonny" Osmeņa also met the President.

Upon arrival, the President and her convoy went to the Waterfront Hotel Mactan for a private meeting with local supporters.

The President then boarded a coaster for a caravan that passed through the Metro Cebu cities of LapuLapu, Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay.

This is President Arroyo's third sortie in the vote-rich province of Cebu in the past 20 days. She was here on April 17 and again on April 27.

The President arrived here riding on the crest of the endorsement of two powerful religious groups, the Iglesia ni Kristo and El Shaddai Charismatic Movement.

Political observers here noted the President's latest visit could be aimed at sealing off the Cebuanos' full support to her candidacy.

CEBU CITY–President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may yet make political history by canceling the traditional ‘miting de avance’ culminating her electoral campaign.

This was revealed today by Presidential Campaign Spokesman Michael Defensor in a talk with reporters at the posh Waterfront Hotel in Mactan City where the President made a brief stopover for a close door conference, details of which were not revealed to presidential aides.

Defensor told reporters that the decision to call off the ‘miting de avance’ was made in the light of security threats, adding that the President opted instead to make surprise visits to private forums, including local political rallies.

He said the decision not to hold a grand rally would not affect the outcome of the elections, saying the President has been piling up points over her opponents in the political race.

On opposition charges that the administration would resort to massive cheating to ensure the President’s victory, Defensor said the ruling party will not do it because it has a clear advantage as shown in the surveys.

He also dared the opposition to present solid evidence or witnesses to support their allegations or course their complaint through the legal processes.

At the same time, Defensor sounded out the President’s call for national unity to ensure the conduct of clean and credible elections. He also cited the support given by the Iglesia ni Cristo and the El Shaddai charismatic movement as factors that would ensure the President’s victory in Monday’s elections.

"We will not do anything to harm democracy and the democratic institutions, including the elections. The President wants to deliver the message that the elections will be credible and peaceful to strengthen national stability," he said.

The presidential plane touched down at Mactan’s Benito Eduen Airbase at about 2:20 p.m.

Among those in her official entourage were Mrs. Gina de Venecia, wife of Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., Defensor, television host Kris Aquino, and Press Secretary Milton Alingod.

After her meeting at the Waterfront Hotel, the President boarded a coaster to lead a convoy of some 50 vehicles that passed through the major throughfares of Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City and Cebu City with occasional whistle stops on major public markets.

Meantime, four foreign observers are now here to monitor the conduct of the elections in Cebu City and surrounding areas.

The four are part of a 16-man team under the International Observer Mission of the Compact for Peaceful Elections, a coordinated campaign of the civil society groups to uphold clean and non-violent elections.

A finance officer of the Office of the President (OP) today charged Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) lawyer Hector Villacorta with two counts of falsification of documents before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the payment of a check for the services of actress Nora Aunor.

Lawyer Cipriano Jose Mercado, acting as legal counsel for Leonila D. Sioson, director for finance of the Office of the President, told a press briefing at Malacanang that his client had decided to file the criminal case to vindicate her name.

Mercado said that Sioson has been in the government service since 1965.

In the 14-page complaint, Sioson alleged that Villacorta and other John Does presented to media a falsified Land Bank, Malacanang Branch, check with number 0000-422544-80 and dated March 4, 2004 in the amount of six million two hundred pesos (P6,200,000) payable to Nora C. Villamayor, also known as "Nora Aunor."

Sioson said that the original Land Bank check paid to Villamayor was only for six hundred twenty thousand pesos (P620,000) and that the date was September 3, 2003 and not March 4, 2004.

She said that the check was in payment for services rendered in 2003 by Villamayor in connection with several government outreach projects and not in connection with any electoral campaign.

She also accused Villacorta and his accomplices with falsifying an OP Voucher, which supposedly has number 045-035639, but in truth was originally numbered 03-09-5638.

Sioson attached to her complaint annexes showing her as one of the signatories to the falsified check and the OP voucher.

A survey allegedly conducted by a group called Proberz and showing Fernando Poe leading by 13 percent against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was debunked by Gil Gamiilla, M.D., president of the UST Faculty Union.

According to Dr. Gamiilla, this (Proberz survey) had no connection whatsoever with the University of Sto. Tomas and the name of the university should not have been included in the news item as the alleged surveyors could not have acted as faculty members of the university.

The article on the so-called survey, he said, implied that there were as many as 4,000 UST faculty members when there are only some 1,500 in the entire university.

"Truth to tell, there was a mock election held in the university on March 10, 2004. Of 3,140 votes, President Macapagal-Arroyo obtained 1,415 votes, followed by Raul Roco with 885 votes, Lacson with 502 votes, and Bro. Eddie with 123 votes," Gamiilla said.

No mention was made on how many votes Fernando Poe received in contrast to what the alleged Proberz survey revealed.

Meanwhile President Macapagal-Arroyo continues to garner big numbers in surveys and mock polls in various offices and institutions, reaffirming the results of the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia surveys.

A May 6 survey conducted by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Corporate and Regulatory Offices, Manila Water Company (MWCI), and Maynilad Water Services (MWSI) showed President Arroyo getting 225 votes, or 42 percent, of the 534 officials and employees of the said firms.

Senator Panfilo Lacson obtained 130 votes or 24 percent; Bro. Eddie Villanueva landed third with 69 votes or 13 percent; while Fernando Poe, Jr. and Senator Raul Roco, 62 votes (11 percent) and 48 votes (9 percent), respectively, in the same survey.

In the MWSS corporate office, almost 69 percent of the officials and employees picked Mrs. Arroyo while 21 percent chose Lacson. Only 4.2 percent were for Poe; 3.5 percent for Villanueva and 2.8 percent for Roco.

Former US President William "Bill" Clinton has expressed support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and cited her success in improving the economy of the Philippines.

In a one-page letter signed "Bill," Clinton expressed regret that he could not personally "swing through Manila" to demonstrate his support because of his upcoming book tour.

Clinton’s letter was faxed to the office of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto R. Romulo by the former US president’s policy adviser for international affairs.

Clinton said that it was his "honor" to have President Arroyo as his friend since they met at Georgetown decades ago and said that he was proud of the President’s "successes" as a "skilled" economist, senator, trade official, and President.

"The world has clearly taken notice of your leadership. In your short time in office, you’ve overcome many critical challenges and seem to be making significant progress on many fronts," Clinton said.

The President is leading in all the polls going into Monday’s voting and is generally seen to carry this election. She campaigned on the platform of performance.

The former US president had noted that the President had focused much of her energy on the economy of the Philippines. "I agree with that, and your ‘pro-poor’ agenda is right on target," Clinton said in his letter.