In a move to further promote the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) as an economic haven in the Asia – Pacific region, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued an executive order granting tax and duty incentives to "duly registered business enterprises that will operate in special economic zones to be created by proclamation inside the CFZ."

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President signed on April 26 the Executive Order No. 619 "Creating and Designating Special Economic Zones Pursuant to Republic Act No. 7916, as Amended by R.A. 8784, in Relation to R.A. 7227, as Amended by R.A. 9400, Inside the Clark Freeport Zone."

With the issuance of the EO, duly registered business enterprises that would operate at the special economic zones "to be specifically designated by the President by way of proclamation" inside the newly-created CFZ would be entitled to the same tax and duty incentives as provided for under Republic Act 7916, or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, as amended.

E.O. 619 provides that the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) "shall register, regulate and supervise all registered enterprises within the said special economic zones" so these business enterprises could avail themselves of tax incentives.

In signing E.O. 619, the President noted that the amendments in R.A. 9400 "provide for the applicability of R.A. 7916, as amended, and the role of the PEZA with respect to Special Economic Zones (SEZ) that may be created in Bataan, Zambales as well as in John Hay SEZ, but did not so provide for the applicability of R.A. 7916, as amended, in the Subic SEZ, Poro Point Freeport Zone, and the new Clark Freeport Zone."

"There is a need to make R.A. 7916, as amended, also applicable to the Clark Freeport Zone in areas to be specifically designated by the President by way of Proclamation," E.O. 619 states.

The renaming of the former Clark Special Economic Zone to Clark Freeport Zone was one of the major amendments to R.A. 7227, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992 and for Other Purposes," now embodied in R.A. 9400.

Updates on the government’s infrastructure program as well as ways to encourage further private sector and business community participation in the program top the list of topics to be discussed at the 2^nd National Government Infrastructure Forum tomorrow at the Quezon Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

In a press statement, Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force (IMTF) and Presidential Management Staff Head Cerge Remonde said the forum will also highlight government’s efforts to implement a massive infrastructure buildup that will spur economic growth and development in the country.

Remonde pointed out that since the first infrastructure forum held in October last year, three major projects have been completed, namely: the Maasin Port in Southern Leyte, the Lucena Port in Quezon, and the New Iloilo Airport development project.

He said that priority will now shift to the implementation of the priority development initiatives, especially the infrastructure projects in the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB), which are considered with "high socio-economic impact."

Aside from Remonde, other government officials expected to attend the forum are: Luzon Urban Beltway champion Edgardo Pamintuan, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza.

Grateful for surviving a delicate open-heart surgery with a very low survival rate, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo withdrew today all libel suits he had earlier filed before the courts including those against media men.

In a statement read for him by Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye at the Reception Hall of Malacanang this morning, the First Gentleman expressed gratitude to all those who have kept vigil during his surgery, including some of his harshest critics, saying he is taking the opportunity " to make peace and pursue a more positive and constructive relationship with those who will accept my offer of a handshake."

"Both in sincere gratitude to a nation that deserves a more harmonious leadership, and as a gesture of peace to the many kind hearts who have helped my family weather this crisis, I have instructed my attorneys to withdraw all libel suits pending before the courts," Atty. Arroyo said.

The First Gentleman pointed out that seeking redress for all the grievances that the libel suits sought to address pales in comparison to taking on a genuine chance to make peace and to pursue a more positive and constructive relationship with his critics.

"I am determined to keep in touch with the God that has been magnanimous to me, and to let His spirit of generosity steer me through any future conflicts," added the now-recuperating husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The First Gentleman, who was released from the St. Luke’s Medical Center on Labor Day following a dreadful ordeal that started April 8, Easter Sunday, said he is looking forward to a "complete recovery with the help of my wife, my family, and particularly my grandchildren who never fail to lift my spirit when I need it most."

She described President Arroyo as "the constant light in my life who steadied me, and who has been by my side throughout."

"A lesser person would not have been able to take care of me, and still take on the duties of a President," he stressed.

The First Gentleman also expressed his deep and sincere gratitude to the many people who stood by his family over the past few weeks.

He thanked the supportive clergy, including Cardinals Sanchez and Vidal and Fr. Fernando Suarez, plus at least 24 doctors who attended to him including the unnamed doctors and staff of the St. Louis Hospital in Baguio City where he was first brought after the Holy Week retreat there.

He also cited the unnamed doctors of the PSG (Presidential Security Group) who diligently provided him with continuous care and faithfully carried out the endorsements set by both the St. Louis and St. Luke’s medical staff.

He made mention of the St. Luke’s medical team for its "world-class care and teamwork you brought to bear to save my life."

The team includes Dr. Juliet Cervantes, his main attending physician, and Dr. Rommel Carino who performed the major heart operation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the Shariah courts in Saudi Arabia, including its ruler King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, for the release yesterday of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Sarah Dematera who was convicted to hang for allegedly killing her female employer in the oil-rich kingdom in 1992.

In a statement released last night, the President thanked all those who contributed and helped raise the required amount for the settlement of Sarah’s case.

"Today, Sarah’s life has been spared, due to the beneficence of the Saudi Arabian government, particularly the Governor of the Eastern Province, Prince Muhammad Bin Adulaziz Al Saud, who made possible the expeditious release of Sarah after the court had ordered the closure of her case," the President said.

The President received word of Sarah’s release yesterday from Ambassador Tony Villamor of the Philippine Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Three years ago, upon learning of Sarah's predicament, the President immediately instructed the Philippine Embassy to open negotiations with the victim’s family for the possible settlement of the case that included the hiring of a Saudi lawyer.

The President lauded the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the men and women of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, including the victim’s husband, Mr. Al-Ghanam, and his family for accepting diyah, or monetary compensation, in lieu of the execution.

"I also wish to extend our gratitude to the Shariah courts in the Kingdom for their show of mercy and to His Royal Highness King Abdullah for his continued assurances of good treatment of all Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia," the President said.

Dematera, now 35, was sentenced by a local Sharia Court in Dammam after concluding that she killed her female employer, the verdict of which was execution by beheading issued on Nov. 14, 1993.

Dematera, who has spent one-third of her life in prison, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 11, 1992 to work as a domestic helper in the Eastern Province. Four days later, the wife of Sarah’s employer, Loloa Saileh Al Humaidi was bludgeoned to death in the house. Sarah said in defense that she was framed up.

In 2004, President Arroyo instructed government officials to do back channeling work in getting the support of the Saudi Royal family including its ruler King Abdullah and other prominent citizens in the Eastern Province to intercede with members of the victim’s family for them to accept monetary compensation in lieu of execution.

The President is saddened at the news and has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure the immediate repatriation of the remains of our overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and the delivery of due benefits to their bereaved families.

The DFA has also been directed to conduct a quick reassessment of the situation to determine if more OFWs there need or want to be repatriated.

The President unveiled the marker and made the ceremonial drive- through on both bridges.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to immediately work for the repatriation of the remains of four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were reportedly killed during a rocket attack in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday.

In a statement, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the President is deeply saddened by the news and has directed a quick review of the situation in Iraq to determine if other OFWs there want to be repatriated.