The President, along with Postmaster General for Administration Mama Lelento, presented the late Victoria Lopez de Araneta Award with a Centennial Stamp of Recognition which was received by Carmen Araneta Segovia and Regina Araneta Teodoro.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the move of London-based Fitch Ratings to maintain a positive outlook for the Philippines was a recognition of the government’s significant progress in putting its fiscal house in order.

"We appreciate Fitch for the continuing positive outlook for the Philippines as well as its well-meaning recommendations," she said during a Roundtable Discussion in Malacaņang aired over NBN Channel 4 this afternoon.

"This is a crystal clear sign that the economy is on the right track," the President said as she recognized the fact that there is still much to be done to sustain improvements in the government’s public finances.

"We also take this rating as a challenge to improve on our fiscal gains and drive the momentum of investments and jobs. We acknowledge that the work is far from finished and we have to sustain our economic, political and social gains," she added.

The President also said the successful conduct of the May midterm polls would "further seal our democratic stability" even as she expressed optimism that the people’s support for her "8 by 08" agenda would further spur development and economic growth in the entire country.

The President’s "8 by 08" agenda involve job creation; better cost of living; a strong peso; more investments; pro-poor education, pro-poor healthcare, housing and food; green Philippines and anti-terrorism.

She said among the factors that the international financial community took notice on the Philippines was the very strong peso, lower budget deficit and interest payments.

She said that due to the trimming down of the budget deficit to P62.2 billion last year, the lowest in eight years, and the disciplined government spending, the government now has funds for projects that would improve the lives of the people, including the caring of the environment.

The President specifically took note of the problem on global warming that is now taking toll on the environment.

She said the government must take on a massive reforestation program especially in the country’s watersheds.

"Massive reforestation requires government money will have to be spent. We thank the rating agencies for giving us a good rating so we can keep our interest rates down so we have savings for fighting poverty and keeping the environment clean," the President said.

She said people exhale carbon dioxide, one of the gases that deplete the ozone layer, but it is inhaled by plants, thus the need for a Green Philippines.

Through private organizations such as the Green Army and the Earth Day Net, the government must "start planting more trees," she said.

The President explained that a good massive reforestation program, especially in Central Luzon’s watersheds in the Caraballo and Sierra Madre mountain ranges, would at the same time provide livelihood to the indigenous people there who would plant trees and be the watchdogs of the forests.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed today the incoming envoys of Greece, Russia and Spain and expressed hope of stronger diplomatic and bilateral relations between the Philippines and the three countries.

The three Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary who presented their letters of credence this afternoon in Malacanang were George Chrysostomos Nikolaidis of the Hellenic Republic of Greece, Vitaliy Vorobiev of the Russian Federation, and Luis Arias Romero of the Kingdom of Spain.

"Thank you very much. Welcome to the Philippines. I am looking forward to stronger diplomatic and bilateral relations and hoping for a harmonious relations between our countries," the President told the envoys.

Joining the Chief Executive in the welcome rites were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin and Assistant Secretary Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) extended separate arrival honors for the three envoys at the Malacanang grounds before escorting the dignitaries to the Palace’s Reception Hall.

Nikolaidis, accompanied by his wife, Madame Alkmini Nikolaidis and honorary Consul-General Milton Adamson, told the President that he’s honored and privileged to be the link between Greece and the Philippines.

"I am honored and privileged to work here in your country and promote diplomatic relations between our two countries," he said.

Vorobiev, who was accompanied by Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Vladimir Malyshev, for his part, said he intends to uplift the spirit of friendship between Russia and the Philippines.

"I am honored to present my letter of credence. I am here to uplift the spirit of friendship between our two countries and hope for a fruitful diplomatic relations," he told the President.

Romero, accompanied by his wife Madame Soledad Lavina and Spain’s Deputy Chief of Mission Javier Gonzales, reminisced Spain’s very special relations with the Philippines and his country’s contribution to the rich historical and cultural heritage here.

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye dismissed today as malicious and baseless insinuations and allegations that the National Printing Office (NPO) would be used in manipulating the mid-term elections in May.

In a press briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Bunye pointed out that NPO operations are under the direct supervision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during the election period while all duly-accredited political parties are entitled to observe its operations from the printing, bundling, distribution, and even destruction of spoiled election materials.

"Insinuations and allegations that the agency will be utilized for poll rigging are malicious and baseless," he stressed. "At no point will the operations of the NPO be compromised."

The NPO is mandated under Executive Order No. 285 with the exclusive printing of government standard and accountable forms, the official ballots, public documents and development information materials.

However, its operations become under the jurisdiction of the Comelec once the election period sets in.

Bunye said the case against NPO Director Felipe Evardone is now undergoing due process based on the recommendations made by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC).

"There are no sacred cows in the fight against graft and corruption and should the evidence warrant, the PAGC recommendations will be given due course," he said.

Bunye said he had already approved the application for leave of absence of Director Evardone following the designation of his brother, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, as media coordinator of Team Unity.

"In fairness, Director Evardone filed this application for leave on March 1, following the designation of his brother, Gov. Ben Evardone, as media coordinator of Team Unity. Director Evardone cited delicadeza as reason for his application for leave," he explained.

Only those who wish to work in the United States may take the repeat examination for Tests 3 and 5 of the June 2006 nursing licensure exams to be conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced today the retake is voluntary and only for those interested to go to the United States.

"If they have no plans to go to the United States, they have passed the exams. The Supreme Court said there is no need for retake," he said at a regular press briefing this afternoon in Malacanang,

Ermita said that the government, through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), has been contesting the decision of the US-based Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) for a retake of Tests 3 and 5 prior to the grant of a Visa Screen Certificate needed to work in the US.

Ermita said the CGFNS has agreed that the DOLE and the PRC conduct and validate the retake of the exams which was tainted by a leakage scandal.

"And they (CGFNS) agreed that to validate those going to the States, it is the DOLE who will tell them yes PRC has conducted a validation examination for Tests 3 and 5," he explained.