President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today she is looking forward to a stronger relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.

The Chief Executive expressed her upbeat view on the two countries’ ties during the presentation of the credentials of the new Indonesian ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Philippines at the Rizal Hall in Malacaņang this morning.

Similarly, Dr. Irzan Tanjung, the new Indonesian envoy to the Philippines, expressed confidence that RP-Indonesia relations "would be further strengthened" with his posting here.

A former lawmaker belonging to the Democratic Party of Indonesia, Dr. Irzan Tanjug also served as the chief economic adviser of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

He is also a professor of the University of Indonesia.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Indonesia were formally established on Nov. 24,1949. But even before that, friendly ties already existed between the two states.

Then President Manuel Luis Quezon visited Batavia, now Indonesia, in 1934,1936 and 1938.

Indonesia played a crucial role in the conclusion of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP)-Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Agreement in 1996.

Relations between the two nations gained greater vigor following the organization of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) of which the Philippines and Indonesia are founding members.

Renowned evangelist William Franklin Graham III wished today President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s success in her efforts to unite the Filipino people and revive the country’s economy.

Graham made the remarks during the "National Leadership Breakfast" forum at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel this morning, kicking off the start of the Metro Manila Franklin Graham Festival (MMFGF).

The noted evangelist expressed his elation after hearing the President expound on her programs to end the war against poverty, terrorism and HIV/AIDS, among other problems.

Graham said he and the President had serious talks on the administration’s efforts to resolve the political issues in the country.

Bishop Fred Magbanua, president and chairman for communications of the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC), prayed over the President and asked the Almighty God to give her enough strength to face the country’s problems.

The MMFGF, which will be held at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park on Feb. 2 to 5, is an evangelistic event that aims to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the greatest number of Filipinos.

Graham is in Manila upon the invitation of the evangelical Christian churches composed of the Alliance of Baptist Councils (ABC), National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), Philippines for Jesus Movement – Jesus is Lord (PJM-JIL) church, and the Independent Churches and Christian Organizations with the cooperation of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Graham serves as president of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization; chairman of the board of World Medical Mission, the medical arm of Samaritan’s Purse; and has been ordained as a Christian minister.

A graduate of Montreat-Anderson College and Appalachian State University, Graham holds honorary doctorate degrees from Toccoa Falls College, Lees McRae College, and National University.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her preference today for a uniform P1,000 a month across the board increase in the salaries of government employees for the benefit of lower-level workers who comprise the bulk of the state personnel.

The other proposal calls for an average 8 percent across the board pay hike for government employees.

The President made known her stand on the proposed salary increase in her brief remarks following the ecumenical mass on the occasion of the 70^th founding anniversary of the Court of Appeals (CA) this morning at the CA Auditorium on Maria Orosa St., Ermita, Manila.

She said she had been assured that the House of Representatives would approve the proposed P12 billion supplementary budget to cover the proposed salary increases of the more than one million government employees.

Instead of an average of 8 percent across the board salary increase, "why not just make it P1,000 a month across the board so that the lower level employees will get an increase at that level," she said.

The President proceeded to the CA main office from the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion where she led government officials, business and civic leaders at the National Leadership Breakfast with American evangelist Franklin Graham.

At the 15^th anniversary celebration of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last Monday, the Chief Executive disclosed that she had asked Congress to pass a P12 billion supplementary budget for salary increases of government workers.

In her remarks, the President lauded Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban for approving P5,000 extra bonus for court employees. This is the same amount that the executive department personnel received last Christmas.

"I’m very happy to hear that on your 70^th anniversary Chief Justice Panganiban has instructed that employees of the judicial branch of government be also granted P5,000 extra bonus, the same amount that employees of the executive branch received last Christmas," she said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has invited 12 personalities to compose the Charter Change Advocacy Commission tasked to promote the revision of the 1987 Constitution, including the shift from the present presidential to a parliamentary form of government.

In a press briefing in Malacaņang this afternoon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said invited by the President to join the commission were Ronald Adamat, for the indigenous people sector; Andres Bautista, lawyer/academe; Atty. Romela Bengzon, lawyer/business; Joji Ilagan-Bian, Mindanao business;

Jarius Bondoc, media; Rita Linda Jimeno, lawyer; Raul Lambino, lawyer; Liberato Lauz, business; Lito Lorenzana, business/non-government organization; Carmen Pedrosa, media; Ephraim Tendero, religious; and Richard Alvin Nalupta, youth.

Ermita said Consultative Commission (ConCom) chairman Dr. Jose Abueva was recommended to act as chairman emeritus or adviser of the group.

The list of the recommendees to the commission was drawn up by Ermita, Secretary Gabriel S. Claudio, and Secretary Rigoberto D. Tiglao.

Under Executive Order (EO) 495, which was issued by the President last January 23, members of the commission shall not exceed 15 individuals, including former members of the Consultative Commission and representatives from the academe and private sector organizations.

The commission is mandated to recommend changes in the 1987 Charter, including the form of government, the structure of government (autonomous territories and/or federal states), and economic liberalization.

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila has urged the public to immediately report cases of profiteering by traders and retailers as a result of the implementation of the two percent expanded value-added tax (EVAT) increase.

Favila issued the call at the media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and members of the government economic team headed by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves.

Favila said that according to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the two percent EVAT rate hike "should only result to about 10 centavos increase to P1.70 per kilogram on certain select wage goods."

Favila said the public must immediately report to the DTI any and all cases of profiteering. There are reports from monitoring teams that some unscrupulous traders are mulling to unduly increase certain prices by up to P10 to P15 per kilogram.

Favila said violators would be issued summons to appear in hearings at the DTI offices which could earn them administrative action or penalties. Recidivists, he added, would be criminally liable and could be penalized with imprisonment.

The Trade Secretary said the economic team would post price guides with suggested retail prices of prime commodities in major markets to inform and protect consumers from unscrupulous traders.

"If you see anyone selling beyond that (suggested retail prices), that’s already a good sign of profiteering," Favila said.

Finance Secretary Teves said the government economic team would hold public forums on prices on Friday in Butuan City, Saturday in Cagayan de Oro City, and later in other urban areas with the local governments concerned to further inform the public on the impact of the two-percent VAT increase.

As added mitigating measures, Teves said government agencies like the Department of Agriculture would coordinate with producers in the countryside on how to reduce their production costs to cushion the VAT hike effects on basic farm products such as palay, vegetables, fish, pork and poultry products.

The reformed VAT (RVAT) Law authorizes the President to increase to 12 percent the VAT levy provided certain specific conditions are met, which condition have already been satisfied.

The RVAT Law was implemented starting November 1 last year, after the Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order it issued on July 1, 2005

With its implementation, the government expects to generate some P75 billion this year that would help reduce the country’s budget deficit and fund vital social services and development programs