We shall continue to work with our partners in the UN and the EU and receive their constructive recommendations on how to proceed effectively in resolving and stopping the incidents of ideologically-motivated killings.

Human rights is a universal issue which the Philippines is determined to uphold, notwithstanding the fact that we have to fight an insurgency that uses propaganda to project the contrary.

Malacanang assured today the government will continue to work with the United Nations and the European Union in resolving the incidents of what it called ideologically-motivated killings.

"Human rights is a universal issue which the Philippines is determined to uphold, notwithstanding the fact that we have to fight an insurgency that uses propaganda to project the contrary," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement.

Bunye made the pronouncements in reaction to clamors by foreign diplomats for the government to release a report by the Melo fact-finding commission on the series of extrajudicial killings in the country.

The recommendations of the initial Melo report, according to Bunye, have been ordered implemented by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and are now part of the government’s uncompromising effort to stop the killings permanently.

The President gave National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales the go-signal Tuesday to transmit copies of the document requested by the European Commission, the executive body of the EU and UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston.

The report was submitted last month to President Arroyo by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, chairman of the commission.

Bunye had earlier expressed hope that with the inputs of the UN and other well-meaning agencies, the government could come up with a more comprehensive appreciation of the issue and undertake all means to resolve it permanently.

CEBU CITY----Stressing that there is much more to be done so the benefits of a growing economy would trickle down the grassroots, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said today the administration’s senatorial slate called TEAM Unity, would be her partner in further improving the lives of every Filipino.

In her message at the proclamation rally of TEAM Unity at the Cebu Coliseum, the President asked Cebuanos to support the administration’s senatorial slate just as they supported her during the May 2004 elections.

"I ask you again this time, help us. We will focus on the national agenda...we need your support so the benefits of a growing economy would be felt by every Filipino," the President said in the Cebuano dialect.

The President pointed out the national agenda would include a stronger anti-terror stance, a better jobs creation program, keeping up with the peso’s strength, gain more investments, better education program, enhanced healthcare, housing and hunger mitigation program and promoting a green Philippines.

The President's national agenda form part of TEAM Unity's platform.

The President expressed optimism that the Cebuanos would give TEAM Unity the overwhelming support they gave her in the last 2004 presidential elections where her more than a million votes margin over her closest presidential rival came from vote-rich Cebu.

The Cebu Coliseum was turned into a sea of colors as the hues of the administration's senatorial candidates filled the area sans the usual traditional glitz that come with campaigns packed with entertainers. Instead, each candidate espoused his or her platform.