As this historic biennial event nears its end, we join our Southeast Asian neighbors in leaving a mark of renewed cooperation and unity in the region to enable us to face the challenges of world competition in terms of trade, investments and tourism; and to forge enduring regional security.

More than the medals proudly reaped in the Games, what matters is how this event would further seal the bonds that envelope our region into a higher level of solidarity and friendship for the common good-- along our great SEA Games’ theme—One ASEAN, One Heritage.

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Malacaņang’s program to help jobseekers find employment through the jobs fair program will continue, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said today.

The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) cancelled the Dec. 3-4 jobs fair on Mendiola st. near Malacaņang after some quarters questioned the "exorbitant" fees charged fair participants.

Press Undersecretary Robert T. Rivera, however, explained that the fees collected from the participating entities were used to cover charges for the putting up of tents, construction of booths and other legitimate expenses.

In an interview over dzXL-RMN this morning, Bunye said Rivera has clarified the issue in interviews with media outlets as he assured that job fairs will be held in other venues outside Mendiola.

"To prevent the further spread of questions and speculations on this issue, we decided to cancel the jobs fair on Dec. 3-4 for another time and another place," said.

Bunye stressed that despite the hitch over the alleged exorbitant fees, fair participants have expressed continued support for the program to help thousands of Filipinos find jobs.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reported that 3,000 Filipinos have found employment through the two job fairs conducted by the OPS this year.

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the 23^rd edition of the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games will further strengthen regional solidarity and friendship among the participating countries along the SEAG theme of "One Asean, One Heritage."

"More than the medals proudly reaped in the Games, what matters is how this event would further seal the bonds that envelope our region into a higher level of solidarity and friendship for the common good," she said.

The President issued the statement as the nine-day biennial sports competitions come to a close tomorrow (Monday) with host Philippines leading the race for the most number of medals won.

The Chief Executive underscored the need for close cooperation and unity among the regional partners to surmount the challenges posed by global competition.

"As this historic biennial event nears its end, we join our Southeast Asian neighbors in leaving a mark of renewed cooperation and unity in the region to enable us to face the challenges of world competition in terms of trade, investments and tourism; and to forge enduring regional security," she said.

The President has been following closely the sports events as they unfolded daily in various venues in different parts of the country. Aside from watching the events on television, she also visited several venues of the Games to personally show her support and cheer the Filipino athletes.

"Let us show to the world that our spirits will never be broken amid political storms and economic constraints and that we are willing to endure the tough national training for a better future just as the hard training of our athletes are now starting to pay off in victory," the President said early this week as the Filipino athletes started to overpower their rivals in the race for gold.

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Malacaņang welcomes reports that the Senate has shown greater openness toward the proposed constitutional change through a constituent assembly.

In his weekly column, "The View from Malacaņang" that comes out tomorrow (Monday), Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye called upon the leaders of the country to waste no time in addressing the "weaknesses of a poisoned political system" by amending the 1987 Constitution.

"We are glad to hear reports that the Senate is now more open to consider charter change even through the more expeditious method of constituent assembly," Bunye said.

Saying that fundamental political reforms are important components of the government’s road map, Bunye added that "charter change now is a great opportunity to ensure a better future."

"We call upon our leaders to seize the moment and waste no time to address the weaknesses of a poisoned political system," he said.

He noted that among the presidential candidates in the May 2004 elections, it was only President Macapagal-Arroyo who included constitutional change as part of her campaign platform.

Bunye said memory appears to be failing those who are now claiming that the proposed shift to the parliamentary government through a change of the charter is only being done for political expediency.

The President has strongly batted for charter amendments as the "first step towards sweeping political reforms."

In a statement last week, she welcomed the approval by the House of Representatives of a concurrent resolution on the proposed shift from the current presidential to parliamentary form of government.

"We appreciate and welcome the action of the House of Representatives on the mode of effecting charter amendments, and we hope that this is the beginning of a broader consensus for the better future of the Philippines," she said.

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The sterling performance of our athletes and the show of courage and determination to win should subliminally be related to our efforts to lift the economy that has shown an equally sterling performance.

We can communicate that we are on the verge of winning the gold in the economic and political spheres through fundamental and meaningful reforms carried with political will.

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took time out of her busy schedule today to cheer on Filipino athletes during the Muay and Waikru competitions held at the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) gymnasium in Pasay City.

The President, who arrived midway through the competitions, wore a casual blue denim outfit and black shoes. She was met by Philsports Commissioner Leon Montemayor, Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) chairman of the Board Jose T. Pardo, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Robert Aventajado and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chief William "Butch" Ramirez.

The President watched Filipino Roland Claro clinched the gold medal in the Muay 45-48 kilogram weight division besting Thailand’s Uchant Yingram.

Another Filipino, who won the silver medal in the Muay competition, was multi-awarded Bret Velasco who competed under the 51-54 kgs weight division.

Muay and Waikru are part of the ongoing competitions at the 23^rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) which the Philippines is hosting this year.

Muay, also known as Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing), is a close-combat sport that allows fighters to more effectively use their elbows, knees, feet and fists than in other martial arts.

On the other hand, Wai Kru (respects to the teacher) also known as Ram Muay (boxing dance), is a dance-like ceremony surrounded by tradition and belief. Wai Kru reflects the feeling of unity, respect and gratitude of each fighter.

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