The high court’s decision paves the way forward for the opening of the NAIA 3 terminal and furthering the national interest.

As we bolster the government’s authority to take full control of the controversial terminal, all stakeholders may be assured of just compensation under the law.

Meanwhile, the bull market continues to prevail as investor confidence drives the New Year.

Overseas remittances have climbed to an all time high while corporate profits have soared.

Malacaņang today said work on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 is on track for its scheduled opening in six months.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye told Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) that work on 42 construction defects of the controversial airport is proceeding smoothly.

A team of government officials led by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza discovered the defects during an inspection of the mothballed air terminal. Some of the construction defects were classified as minor, but others would take longer to correct, Bunye said.

It is important that the safety of all concerned is assured before the airport is opened, he added.

The Supreme Court yesterday stopped Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 117 Judge Henrick Gingoyon from forcing the government to pay Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (PIATCO), the airport contractor, $62.2 million for the expropriation of the facility.

In a two-page ruling, the high court also stopped Gingoyon’s order creating a three-man commission to determine the just compensation for PIATCO for the construction of the air terminal.

"Considering the allegations contained, the issues raised and the arguments adduced in the petition, it is necessary to issue" the temporary restraining order (TRO), the Supreme Court said.

Malacaņang today said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is looking forward to the approval by Congress of the administration’s reform measures ahead of the enactment of the 2005 national budget.

"The President’s attention is focused on governance, which includes the urgent reform measures; the passage of the general appropriations bill, and the campaign against corruption in government," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye told Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) this morning.

Bunye said congressional approval of the 2005 general appropriations bill would provide funding for the implementation of her 10-point legacy agenda.

The President believes that with the cooperation that Congress has given her, the administration’s 10-point legacy agenda would be attained, Bunye said.

He said Malacaņang was grateful to Congress for its support and cooperation in pushing the President’s tax reforms proposals.

Bunye pointed out that the cooperation and support of those in the various levels of the bureaucracy and the local govern units (LGUs) are important for the reform programs to succeed. "But most important of all is the cooperation of our citizenry," he said.

Malacaņang said today the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stands on solid ground and any destabilization plot will not succeed.

In a radio interview this morning Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said there are more "positives" than "negatives" in the way the President runs the government.

"The economy is improving because of the way it is being handled," he said.

Bunye cited the recovering peso and the bullish stock market as strong indicators of an improving economy.

"So wala talagang pagkakataon para ang anumang destabilization plot ay magsa-succeed," he said.

Reports that former President Joseph Estrada is planning to lead efforts to unify the opposition has fanned destabilization rumors.

But Bunye immediately dismissed such reports.