The buoyant business outlook is founded not only on the strength and endurance of our economic fundamentals, but also on the anticipation of clean and peaceful elections in May.

President Arroyo is geared towards a firm agenda combining economic and political stability to push the national train forward.

Her message is clear that growth is the key to stability and the best insulator to global shocks; and the government is putting a strong stake on the excellence and productivity of the people.

We can only look at the stories of the day to experience the bullish outlook: joint foreign chambers applauding the Philippines for an improved investment climate, Japan increasing its stake in the Mindanao peace process, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) outperforming other Asian bourses as RP stocks stage a big rally, Dell opening its 2nd RP call center, P25 billion from the PLDT sale going to infrastructure and social projects, and small enterprises having created 1.39 million jobs.

We look forward to a debate between the administration and the opposition as a means to advance the people’s platform by drawing the best ideas from aspiring leaders on growing investments, delivering infrastructure and services, fighting terror and defeating poverty.

The people want to see and hear the plan of each and every candidate for the future, not their complaints about the past.

This is not about personalities but about plans and platforms for the national interest. The people want to know more about what and how candidates can deliver in terms of more jobs, better health care and education, more housing and stable prices.

In a move to be "in sync" with the flat world, the Philippine government is going VOIP or voice over-internet protocol in two months’ time with the help of computer software and hardware manufacturer Microsoft Corporation.

"The government is going VOIP," the President said while being presented with a mobile phone equipped with the Microsoft operating system (OS) by Will Poole, senior vice president of the Market Expansion Group of Microsoft, during a courtesy call at Malacanang’s Heroes’ Hall this morning.

Microsoft Philippines managing director TJ Javier said the (VOIP) idea was hatched during the opening of Microsoft Philippines’ office in Cebu province last December.

Initially, the plan was intended for the overseas Filipino workers but Javier said the President asked if Microsoft could maximize the use of Wi-Fi on mobile phones.

Javier quoted the President as saying, "Is there a way we can now activate the Wi-Fi calls in the office?" during that December meeting.

The Microsoft Philippines official said the program would initially be available to members of the Cabinet in two months’ time or in May.

"Basically, it is like having your personal computer on your mobile phone minus all the wires," Javier explained.

He said any mobile phone brand that is "Windows OS" capable could be used, adding, "It’s a phone and a personal computer at the same time."

"Hopefully it would further enhance the team work among Cabinet members," Presidential Management Staff Director General Cerge Remonde, who accompanied the Microsoft officials, said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inducted today newly-appointed Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera in a mass oath-taking that included three other government officials, four flag officers and 18 newly-promoted generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Devanadera replaced former Solicitor General Eduardo Nachura, who has been appointed Associate Justice at the Supreme Court.

Three other officials were sworn in at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall.

They are Alberto Agra as Government Corporate Counsel under the Department of Justice; Andrea Pasion-Flores and Frances Jeanne Sarmiento as Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, respectively, of the Office of the National Book Development Board under the Department of Education.

The President also administered the oath of office to newly appointed flag officers that included Admiral Rogelio Calunsag of the Philippine Navy; Major General Horacio Tolentino of the Philippine Air Force; Major General Armando Cunanan of the Philippine Army and Major General Ben Dolorfino of the Philippine Marines.

Also inducted were Major Generals Josy Leo Fojas and Gilbert Llanto; Commodores Rafaelito Sacdalan, Armando Rodriguez, Danilo Cortez, Feliciano Angue and Rafael Dacanay;

Brigadier Generals Jonathan Martir, Nestor Sadiarin, Reynaldo Sealana, Allan Ragpala, Edgardo Gidaya, Evans Opina, Josue Gaverza, Gregorio Fajardo, Arthur Mancenido, Lino Horacio Lapinid and Henry Galarpe.

In a roundtable discussion in Malacanang this afternoon, the President also pointed to the anticipation of clean and honest conduct of the forthcoming midterm elections as contributory to the favorable outlook.

During the roundtable discussion, the President assured the Filipino people that the P25 billion to be earned from the PLDT sale will finance the priority infrastructure and social projects of the government, and for the small enterprises having created 1.4 million jobs.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed today the European Union’s approval for the export of Philippine marine products that could bring an additional P10 billion annually to the country’s export earnings.

In a speech read for her by Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Cerge Remonde at the annual conference of the Rotary International District 3820 at the Manila Hotel this afternoon, the President said the amount would augment the more than P1 trillion that the government is investing to enhance the competitive advantage of the five super regions she created last year.

"The European Union’s notification that we had fulfilled its Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements for fishery and aquaculture exports is a most welcome news, as this could generate some P8 billion to P10 billion a year which we would flow down to the masses as part of their payback," she said in her speech.

The approval, according to the President, would financially benefit and bring more jobs, particularly to the people of Central Philippines and Mindanao, as the Philippines ranks among the top exporters of tuna, seaweeds, and other marine products due to its vast coastline.

In an effort to tap the EU market for tuna products, the Philippines made several preparations to improve the fishing industry’s practices and performance that included the $26-million expansion works at the 32-hectare fish port complex in General Santos City last year to comply with the HACCP.

The HACCP is an internationally accepted system that aims to assure food safety and quality from the stage of harvest to consumption.

The EU could now become the largest market for the Philippines’ tuna products, particularly for General Santos City as it hosts six of the country’s eight tuna canneries.

On the other hand, Cebu is home to the world's three major seaweed processors with a combined production capacity exceeding 14,000 metric tons, more than half of the world’s combined production capacity of 23,000 metric tons per year.

The EU nod would greatly help the more than 100,000 seaweed farmers all over the country, the Chief Executive said.