I would like to thank the House of Representatives for ratifying the anti-terror bill and other measures of national interest.

I urge both houses of Congress to strike while the iron is hot and join hands to complete the bill so that we can have uninterrupted momentum in our fight against terror—with all the legal teeth we need to curtail the clandestine movement of funds, materiel and persons out to sow evil.

It is somewhat saddening that this day of statesmanship is clouded by the death of Congressman (Antonio) Serapio on his way to join his colleagues on the House floor; and as we sympathize with his loved ones and constituents, we dedicate our relentless efforts to work for the peace and safety of all Filipinos wherever they are.

With the passage of the anti-terror bill, our nation would have a potent weapon and armor to shield not only the people but our economy as well from this global scourge.

We join the media organizations and the public in condemning this recent atrocity.

President Arroyo has already ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to produce clear results in the soonest possible time in the investigation of this case.

We do not condone such attacks on journalists especially if these relate to the curtailment of press freedom.

We would like to thank the opposition for recognizing, and we hope not grudgingly, that the economy has grown under President Arroyo.

We invite the opposition to listen today to the report of the President on the economic performance of the Philippines in 2006, and we are confident that they will be enlightened even more that the economy has not only grown but is delivering a strong social payback to the people in terms of growing confidence, investments, jobs, food, infrastructure, health and education.

The economy would have grown more if we had less political noise and destabilization attempts.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a thorough investigation of the killing of the editor-publisher of a weekly newspaper in Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan province.

Police reports said Hernani Pastolero, 54, editor-in-chief of the Lightning Courier Weekly based in Cotabato City was walking to a coffee shop near his home on Monday when he was shot twice in the head by men who quickly escaped on a motorcycle.

"We join the media organizations and the public in condemning this recent atrocity," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said, adding that President Arroyo "has already ordered the PNP to produce clear results in the soonest possible time in the investigation" of the case.

Bunye stressed that the government does not condone such attacks on journalists, especially if these relate to the curtailment of press freedom.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Hernani Pastolero and assure them that justice will be served," he said.

Citing the country’s sustained economic growth over the last six years, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stressed today that there will be no turning back in her efforts to lift the nation up.

In a speech at a Conference on Economic Growth hosted jointly by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) and the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City this noon, the President pointed out why the nation is better off today than it was six years ago.

"We have proven that we can sustain economic growth and not be derailed by political sideshows," she explained. "We aim to stay this course and prove to ourselves and to the world that the Philippines has arrived…"

The President said that the painful steps her government took like the tough economic and fiscal reforms she initiated, are finally paying off.

She emphasized that for the first time in a long time, the Philippines is doing what every household should be doing – moving towards a balanced budget and not borrowing.

"We have forged new partnerships that have created five million more jobs. We have strengthened military and security alliances with the rest of the world, cracking down on terrorists that have made our barangays and our nation more peaceful, more stable," she said.

The Chief Executive then thanked the House of Representatives for ratifying the anti-terror bill which she described as a potent weapon and armor in the fight against terror.

Reforming the economy, according to the President, is not an easy task.

"It is not easy to raise revenues by raising taxes and making people angry. It is not easy to crack down on tax cheats but necessary if we are to invest in education and health care. It is not easy to balance the budget but necessary to modernize the nation and lift up the poor," she explained.

In the next three and a half years, the President said her administration will invest a trillion pesos to build the infrastructure that will support the economy and attract further investments.

It will focus, she said, on her national agenda of more jobs, stable prices and peace and order. It will also push for a green Philippines agenda "to improve the environment and beautify our communities."

"We’re working hard to create an environment conducive to businesses and economic growth," she pointed out.

President Arroyo then outlined five comprehensive strategies for competitiveness, namely:

• Make food plentiful and affordable.
• Reduce cost of electricity.
• Modernize infrastructure at the least cost.
• Mobilize, upgrade and disseminate knowledge and technologies for productivity.
• Reduce red tape in all agencies to cut business costs.

The President said there is still much to be done "if we are to work for a just modern and prosperous nation."

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the midterm election in May is all about the future of the country and voters must carefully select candidates who would work for the good of the nation.

In a speech during the takeoff campaign of her Team Unity senatorial slate at the Pampanga Convention Center here, the President said progress should not only be confined in urban areas but also to the countryside.

"Team Unity candidates would help bring progress to the countryside," she intoned as she endorsed the candidacy of the administration slate composed of reelectionists Edgardo Angara and Joker Arroyo, Mike Defensor, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, Gov. Vicente Magsaysay, Cesar Montano, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Prospero Pichay, Ralph Recto, Gov. Luis Singson, Tito Sotto III and Miguel Zubiri.

The President described the Team Unity candidates as "pro-poor, pro-growth, and pro-modernization.

All 22 Pampanga mayors have pledged to work for a clean sweep of the administration candidates, according to the President.

More than 5,000 people, led by Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid and the representatives and mayors of the province, jampacked the venue.