The President has acted in the public interest and this is a continuing signal for the entire government to strengthen up and consolidate our gains in good governance.

Secretary Ebdane is tailored fit to sustain the clean up and streamlining of the DPWH and former Secretary Soriquez will have a chance to face his detractors, service to the public must be focused and uninterrupted by controversy.

Per AO 115, all national government employees, whether permanent, temporary, casual or contractual, with at least four months of service are entitled to love bonus on February 14.

GOCCs are also authorized to grant bonus to their employees, depending on their savings, but not to exceed P3,000.00.

The opposition is shooting in the dark on this one.

The use of funds is governed by law and nothing has been diverted for ends other than that provided for in the law.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s commitment is to work with Congress for an amendment setting aside a portion of the money for human rights victims.

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said today the move by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s lawyers to seek for the denial of Ms. Susan Roces’ petition to substitute for her late husband Fernando Poe Jr. in his electoral protest is within the legal process and is not a delaying tactic as alleged.

In a radio interview this morning, Secretary Bunye said it is but right for the President’s lawyers to submit a comment to the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) on new developments on the electoral protest, in behalf of the President, if required by the PET.

Bunye, who is also Presidential spokesman, said it is best that President Arroyo’s lawyers directly handle the electoral protest filed by Poe to enable the Chief Executive to focus her energy and attention on governance and nation building.

The President’s lawyers led by Atty. Romulo Macalintal, had submitted to the PET a comment on the petition submitted by Ms. Roces for her to be authorized as substitute of her late husband in the protest case.

"When you are asked to comment, it is but proper that you submit an answer," Secretary Bunye pointed out.

Our vigorous efforts to put our fiscal house in order will spur growth and investments and stave off the impact of any anticipated economic slowdown as a result of El Nino or the anticipated slower growth in services.

The administration has a plan that would meet these contingencies and lessen the impact on the lives of our people.

Newly appointed Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. enjoys the trust and confidence of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye.

In a radio interview this morning, Bunye clarified that the President, in making appointments to her Cabinet, has two important criteria – trust and confidence and the belief that the appointee has the capability to implement her 10-point agenda.

"Definitely, Ebdane enjoys the trust and confidence of the President," Bunye said.

Bunye clarified that one doesn’t have to be an engineer to be Secretary of Public Works and Highways in the same breadth that one doesn’t have to be a doctor to be Secretary of Health.

"What is important is the appointee’s management ability to implement programs," Bunye said.

But the 34-year veteran in law enforcement, intelligence operations and public safety administration is not entirely without any background in civil engineering. He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.

After retiring as a four-star general and chief of the Philippine National Police in 2004, Ebdane was appointed as National Security Adviser and Director General of the National Security Council.

He was also designated by the President as vice chairman of the 45-agency Anti-Terrorism Task Force and National Anti-Terrorism Coordinator.

The Chinese media last night assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of their full support in the implementation of her administration’s ten point program.

In a dinner hosted by the President and First Gentleman, Atty. Mike Arroyo at Malacaņang’s Aguinaldo Room on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, the Chief Executive thanked the Chinese media for their fair reporting of her administration’s accomplishments.

Among those who attended the Chinese New Year dinner were journalists from the Chinese Commercial News, World News, United Daily News, Fil-Chino Daily, Guanming Daily and the Xinhua News Agency.

During cocktails before dinner, the President was presented a gold icon dragon that symbolizes unity and prosperity.

Among the topics discussed during the dinner were those of the coming visit of People’s Republic of China (PROC) President Hu Jintao on April 25 this year, and the Pakistan President Perviz Musharraf before that date.

The President also noted that her administration is nearly "closing the gap" in the country’s school buildings deficiency with the support of the Filipino-Chinese Community. "We only need now about 1,000 school buildings," the President said.

Also taken up were issues affecting the Spratlys group of islands. President Arroyo said China and the Philippines, along with Vietnam, have agreed to conduct joint research undertakings to explore the Spratlys’ natural resources.

On the issue of kidnapping, which is now at its lowest in 11years, the Chinese media lauded Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes for making this possible. Reyes is the head of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF) which the President created during her transition term as Chief Executive.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the military operations in Sulu are not directed against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) but the terrorists and criminals in the area,

The campaign, she said, is being pursued with the help of the local governments, peace constituents, and community leaders.

Addressing the 27th National Assembly of the Vice Governors' League of the Philippines (VGLP) at the Isla Parilla in Alabel, Sarangani, the Chief Executive also assured the government is taking steps to keep the civilians safe from harm.

"The situation in Sulu has brought together the forces of law against the forces of lawlessness. As we deal with the pockets of criminal and terrorist holdouts, we are keeping the line of the law firm with the full cooperation of the local governments, the peace constituencies and community leaders," the President said.

"We will win the peace for the people but we will not give terrorists a moment of peace," she stressed.

The President said evacuees affected by the recent fighting in Sulu are now being sheltered, fed and cared for until they can return safely to their homes.

Mrs. Arroyo said the operation cannot be aimed at the MNLF because many of its ranking members are co-leaders in governance like Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapuddin, Muslimin Sema, Marawi City Mayor Omar Ali, and several other officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

She said the ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) were briefed on the situation this morning and assured that the overall peace agreement with the MNLF as well as the ongoing ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) firmly hold even amid isolated clashes.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday declared Friday, February 25, as a special national holiday to give Filipinos the "opportunity to honor the memory of the EDSA People Power Revolution with appropriate ceremonies."

February 25 marks the 19^th anniversary of the February 22-25, 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Malacanang today reconstituted the Government of the Philippines (GRP) Peace Panel with the National Democratic Front (NDF) to which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has named new members for it to come up with fresh creative approaches in restarting the stalled peace negotiations with the NDF.

In a press briefing this afternoon at the Palace, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced the members of the newly reconstituted peace panel consisting of four university professors and a veteran journalist.

The new team will be chaired by Prof. Nieves Confesor, a former Labor Secretary who has also distinguished herself as a respectable and noted international mediator and negotiator.

The new GRP Panel vice-chairman is Prof. Rene Sarmiento, who has served in the same panel since 1994. His legal mind, coupled with his institutional memory of the peace process, is expected to bring significant perspectives to the crucial peace negotiations.

The other members of the panel include Prof. Sedfrey Candelaria, an experienced international negotiator; Prof. Annabelle Abaya, an equally noted international mediator and negotiator; and Paulyn Paredes-Sicam, the newest member of the team and a veteran journalist who has covered the peace process, human rights, agrarian reform and other major national issues.

Ermita said President Arroyo personally chose the new GRP Panel members with high expectations as the resumption of the peace talks with the NDF nears.

The Executive Secretary said only Sicam has not yet formally responded to the government’s invitation for her to serve in the panel.

The panel’s former head, Secretary Silvestre Bello III, was recently named by President Arroyo to chair the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Board.

President Arroyo articulated the hope that the expertise of the new panel members will effectively accelerate the peace process and bring it to a rational conclusion.

She reiterated her resolve to attain peace which she made as one of the 10 priorities of her presidency.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles said the President has directed the panel to persist in its task of building consensus among the peace stakeholders.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo turned over today to local beneficiaries some P6.6 million worth of development projects under her Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) and rural electrification programs that would benefit some 2,000 households in Malungon, Sarangani.

The President arrived at 10:30 a.m. in Malungon town, some 37 kilometers away from here. She was accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, and Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) Secretary Jesus Dureza.

Warmly welcoming the President and her party were residents and local officials led by Governor Miguel Rene Rodriguez, Vice Governor Bridget Chiongbian-Huang, Lone District Representative Erwin Chiongbian, Malungon Mayor Teddy Padernilla, and Vice Mayor Benjamin Guilley.

The President proceeded to the town gym, where she turned over two (Level II) water supply projects worth P2.26 million for Barangays Upper Biangan and Kawayan, a 37-meter footbridge for Barangay Malabod, and a three-classroom school building worth P1.08 million for Barangay Datal Bila.

The rehabilitation of a four-kilometer, P1.12 million rural road in Barangay Banahaw was also among the newly completed projects in the area.

After a media interaction at the Malungon town hall, the President helicoptered to Barangay Kawayan for the ceremonial switch-on of the local rural electric system. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) had extended a P1.32 million subsidy to the project.

Assisting the President during the simple ceremony were Barangay Kawayan Chairperson Emma Samaringa, and General Manager Rodolfo Ocap of the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative.

The President said the KALAHI-CIDSS projects are being implemented under her 10-point agenda to develop the countryside by providing rural communities with clean water, electricity, easy access to education, and promoting agribusiness.

After lunch, the President met with local officials at the national assembly of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) in Alabel.

The President also visited the Alsons Aquaculture Corporation, last year’s Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Golden Shell Award for Excellence in Exports awardee.

Alsons produces and markets milkfish, shrimp, tilapia, grouper, sea bass and pompano both locally and in Filipino communities abroad.

Only last week, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) declared Sarangani Bay as the seaweed capital of the Philippines following the launching of a P6-million, 12-kilometer seaweed nursery farm in Barangay Tinoto, Maasim town.