The bullish trend in investment backs our strategy of 8 blessings for 08 delivered to every household and community throughout the country.

Making the hard decisions is not enough. I am resolved to cut through the political noise and bring the benefits of the economy to the people, with the Cabinet as the vanguard of action and the candidates of Team Unity as the guarantors of continuity.

We shall never let go of the strategic picture because this is what drives confidence in the Philippines and gives us the edge in competition.

A strong economy, a deep social impact on the lives of Filipinos, and a broad program of law and order will stoke the enthusiasm of the world and bring home the fruits of job creation; a better cost of living; a strong peso; more investments; pro-poor education; pro-poor healthcare, housing, food; green Philippines and Anti-terrorism.

Our battle cry of "8 by 08" is taking root in the hearts and minds of the people and we must continue to take it to every family and home in this great country.

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed today to remain focused on governance and in her crusade of bringing the effects of the positive growth of the economy to the Filipino people.

The President announced recently her ambitious "Plan 7, 8, 9" which refers to the growth targets of the administration for the next three years ending 2009 and her new economic policy direction of "8 by ‘08" or achieving the eight blessings of a strong economy by 2008 that concretize her administration’s commitment of bringing the benefits of the strengthening economy to the people soon.

She said that these eight blessings involve job creation; better cost of living; a strong peso; more investments; pro-poor education; pro-poor healthcare, housing, food; green Philippines, and anti-terrorism.

"Making the hard decisions is not enough. I am resolved to cut through the political noise and bring the benefits of the economy to the people, with the Cabinet as the vanguard of action and the candidates of Team Unity as the guarantors of continuity," the President said in a statement today.

The President said her latest strategy will improve investor confidence in the country and "give us the edge in competition."

"A strong economy, a deep social impact on the lives of Filipinos, and a broad program of law and order will stoke the enthusiasm of the world and will bring home the fruits of job creation; a better cost of living; a strong peso; more investments; pro-poor education; pro-poor healthcare, housing, food; green Philippines and anti-terrorism," she explained.

"Our battle cry of ‘8 by 08’ is taking root in the hearts and minds of the people and we must continue to take it to every family and home in this great country," she added.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye echoed the sentiments of the President, saying, "The administration is firmly focused on governance rather than a daily tit-for-tat exchange with the opposition."

Bunye said that although the administration is supporting the idea of holding a debate between candidates on either side of the political fence, it should be focused on "current issues and real problems rather than the phantoms of the past that subsist on the rhetoric of hate and innuendos."

"We as a nation have gone a long way in pulling our country out of the financial rut. It makes no sense to indulge in fiery oratory against one another – to rely on the rhetoric of hate rather than ideas for progress at this time of fiscal momentum," he added.

Bunye pointed out that "Although elections are inherently divisive," this divisiveness must spring from a sincere desire to build a nation and not "destroy what foreign investors and the international community recognize as genuine economic progress."

In ending, Bunye quoted President Arroyo who said keeping the election campaign at a high level "is our only time to break free from the drag of past complaints and move forward. Let us not waste time but use it to grab every opportunity to advance, prevail over our conflicts and doubts and win the future."

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