We are inspired by the sacrifices of our people and these must also be seen as a sign of their fervent hopes for a better future.

Things will continue to look up as we match our people’s faith and courage with the steady will to fight corruption, cut wasteful spending, put our fiscal house in order and grow the economy to create jobs and feed the hungry.

The goal of putting food on every table continues to be among the highest in my list, together with clean water, education and health care.

Every step forward we take in bolstering the economy brings us closer to these goals.

The report is misleading because the majority of cases involving the slaying of journalists have been solved by the PNP’s Special Task Force created for this purpose.

We are determined to protect media practitioners in the course of their professional undertakings.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today urged all Filipino Muslims to renew their faith and exalt their spiritual values towards a common dream of peace, as the country commemorates the Hariraya Hajji (Eid’l Adha) or Feast of Sacrifice tomorrow (Jan. 20).

The celebration of Eid’l Adha highlights the observance of religious rituals for the annual hajj to Makkah Al-Mukkaramah in Saudi Arabia.

Eid’l Adha is the second in the series of Eid festivals that Muslims celebrate. Eid’l Adha is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah.

"The challenges our people are facing, and the continuing scourge of terrorism, calls on Filipinos to bind themselves together for shared harmony, progress and prosperity. Our Muslim brethren in this country are an indispensable part of such a vision," the President said.

The center of the world-wide celebrations of Eid’l Adha is the small village of Mina, a few miles from Mecca. This is the site of the three pillars, which represent the devil (Iblis) and are stoned by Muslims during the Hajj.

President Arroyo as well as other diplomatic and government officials have been invited by the Office on Muslim Affairs to grace the celebration and take part in the Qurban ceremony where cows and goats will be slaughtered and the remains distributed to the different Muslim communities in the capital region.

The occasion is filled with religious and social significance because it re-enacts the supreme act of sacrifice which Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) endured following the advice given to him by God.

Muslims all over the world set this as an example of complete obedience to the Will of God and slaughter of cows and sheeps to commemorate the event.

The OMA is a government agency directly under the Office of the President mandated to preserve the Islamic culture and traditions of the Muslim Filipinos and the protection of indigenous practices.

The message of the President for Hariraya Hajji follows in full:

"Greetings to the Filipino Muslims and the Islamic Ummah on the occasion of Hariraya Hajji or Eidil Adha.

"This offers another opportunity for our Muslim brothers and sisters to renew their faith and exalt their spiritual; values towards our common dream of peace for all.

"The challenges our people are facing, and the continuing scourge of terrorism, calls on all Filipinos to bind themselves together for shared harmony, progress and prosperity. Our Muslim brethren in this country are an indispensable part of such a vision.

"And as we embrace each other in the name of peace, we find solace in that sense of belongingness each and every Filipino feels, being One Nation, One People, in a Strong Republic.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today urged media executives to help move the country forward by working in concert with government on crucial issues and concerns.

"Let’s get our acts together," the President urged the top executives from broadcast and print media in a luncheon briefing on the country’s sovereign credit ratings at the State Dining Hall in Malacaņang.

The President invited the media executives to the luncheon briefing to update them on the recent credit rating downgrade from BB to BB- and the long-term local currency rating to BB+ from BBB- that the global credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) gave the Philippines

S&P also downgraded the country’s short-term local currency rating to B from A3.

The President said the will to fight corruption, cut wasteful spending, putting the fiscal house in order, and putting food in every table continue to be among her highest priorities.

"Every step forward we take in bolstering the economy brings us closer to these goals. We must continue to move with a constant sense of urgency and unity in the path of change and reform," the President said.

Among those present were ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez, ABS-CBN 2 president Cito Alejandro, GMA-7 president Felipe Gozon, GMA-7 executive vice president Gilberto Duavit, Raul de Mesa of ABS-5 representing Antonio Cojuangco;

Radio and television host/commentators Mike Enriquez (GMA-7/DZBB), Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon (ABS-CBN 2/DZMM), Ely Saludar (RMN News), and Jun Nicdao of MBC.

From the print were Manila Bulletin chairman Dr. Emilio Yap, Manila Bulletin vice president Emil Yap III, Philippine Star publisher Maximo Soliven, Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) board chairman Marixi Prieto, PDI publisher Isagani Yambot, PDI business editor Raul Marcelo, Abante managing editor Nicolas Quijano Jr., and Bulgar managing editor Eduardo Maglabe.