Among those present at the meeting were Department of Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye, and several undersecretaries of the NDCC-member agencies.

I am glad over our country’s upgrade in the US anti-piracy watch list. Filipino excellence in all fields will be protected in the long run by our adherence to global intellectual property standards, which intend to keep on improving until we are finally out of the list.

Fighting piracy is fighting poverty because it enables Filipino excellence and enterprise to rise in the global arena, expanding opportunities and jobs along the way.

Upholding IPR promotes diffusion of knowledge, develops local talent and creativity, and at the same time encourages more foreign investors to endow their strong qualities to the Philippine market.

We appreciate the help of civil society and private groups in this vigilant campaign against piracy and we must not relent in our combined efforts.

Yesterday’s command conference was part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) quarterly report to the President as Commander-in-Chief. It highlighted the continuing gains in the battle against terrorism and insurgency driven by a strong and unified chain of command.

AFP commanders vowed as one to match the nation’s economic gains with a big push on the law and order front; and to give no quarter to terrorists, insurgents and military fugitives.

Anti-government forces are losing their relevance amidst sustained government efforts in battling social, economic and political ills through fundamental reforms that are gaining ground.

The professionalism, discipline and morale of the troops remain strong, thus making the Armed Forces impervious to adventurist threats.

The President’s detractors should take part instead in the debate on the fundamental changes in our political system instead of engaging in personal attacks. We have before us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change our flawed political system and we should not let it pass.

Charter Change is a campaign promise of the President and we appreciate our allies who are fighting for its fulfillment.

The true meaning of EDSA resides in the national memory and in the hearts and minds of every Filipino and not in pomp and ceremony or rhetorics.

This is a triumph for good governance. We applaud the Filipino people and different government agencies that made this happen.

We thank the Senate for ensuring the approval of the much-awaited P1,000 across-the-board increase for government workers. This assures the people of an executive-legislative effort to respond to their most critical needs.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed elation today over the removal of the Philippines from the US "priority watch list" of International Property Rights (IPR) violators.

"I am glad over our country’s upgrade in the US anti-piracy watch list. Filipino excellence in all fields will be protected in the long run by our adherence to global intellectual property standards, which intend to keep on improving until we are finally out of the list," the President said in a statement this afternoon.

She said the fight against piracy is also a fight against poverty "because it enables Filipino excellence and enterprise to rise in the global arena, expanding opportunities and jobs along the way."

Aside from promoting the diffusion of knowledge, upholding property rights also "develops local talent and creativity, and at the same time encourages more foreign investors to endow their strong qualities to the Philippine market," she added.

The Chief Executive acknowledged the important role civil society and private groups play in the government’s fight against piracy as she called on all concerned sectors not to waver in their combined efforts against piracy.

"We are matching gains in the economy with a strong drive in the law and order front and we expect this to multiply confidence, investments and jobs," she said.

The US placed the Philippines in the priority watch list of notorious IPR violators in 2001 in a stern warning that Manila was on the brink of getting slapped with trade sanctions if it continued to fail to stem the tide of piracy of US products covered by IPR, including audio and video discs, books and apparel.

On Thursday, however, the Office of the US Trade Representative announced that it had upgraded the Philippines from the priority list to the ordinary list, noting the improved coordination among government agencies responsible for the enforcement of the IPR.

During a round table discussion at Malacanang’s Kalayaan Briefing Room last night, the President called on the Supreme Court to speed up the establishment of special courts to handle IPR cases and to expedite the resolution of pending intellectual property (IP) infringement cases.

"As I have repeatedly said, intellectual piracy is a crime. It is immoral. It is a crime against person and to the country. It destroys our campaign to collect taxes, to attract more foreign investment and to improve our economy," she said.

Following the creation of Intellectual Property Office (IPO) last year, the President proposed to the SC the creation of special IP courts to try infringement and intellectual property rights cases.

Since 2005, sustained efforts of the government to fight piracy resulted in five convictions.

In the same discussion, the President commended Optical Media Board (OBM) Chairman Edu Manzano, IPO General Manager and Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. and Intellectual Property Coalition (IPC) Chairman John Lesaca for their sustained efforts to win the battle against IPR piracy.

Malacanang said today anti-government forces are losing their relevance amidst sustained government efforts in battling social, economic, and political ills through fundamental reforms that are gaining ground.

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said in a press statement that any attempt to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through another People Power revolution is doomed to fail due to lack of support from the general public and the military which has remained loyal to the chain of command.

"AFP commanders vowed as one to match the nation’s economic gains with a big push on the law and order front and to give no quarter to terrorists, insurgents and military fugitives," he said.

Bunye was referring to Thursday’s Command Conference of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Malacanang in which the military top brass highlighted the continuing gains in the battle against terrorism and insurgency driven by a strong and unified chain of command.

"The professionalism, discipline and morale of the troops remain strong, thus making the Armed Forces impervious to adventurist threats, " he said.

In a press briefing this afternoon at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacanang, Bunye allayed fears of another EDSA-type of revolution amidst swirling coup talks.

He said the national leadership is on top of the situation and there is no cause for apprehension or alarm as the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) remain loyal to their Commander-in-Chief.

"The ingredients are not there for a successful destabilization move and, we have said this before, that the people are tired of destabilization. The number one ingredient, which is people’s support, is not there; military support is also not present because the military is loyal to the chain of command," Bunye said.

Malacaņang said today it’s entirely up to the Sandiganbayan to decide whether or not to grant temporary liberty to former President Joseph Estrada as proposed by three religious leaders.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye told a press briefing this afternoon that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has always been for humanitarian treatment of the former president, but that anything involving Estrada’s case is up to the Sandiganbayan.

The graft court is hearing the plunder charges against Estrada.

Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor has reported that Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai and Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eraņo Manalo were willing to serve as guarantors for Estrada in the event that he applies for temporary liberty.

Bunye pointed out that Malacanang would respect whatever decision the court makes on the proposed temporary freedom for Estrada.

"The decision here is not with us, the decision is with the Sandiganbayan. So, they will decide on the merits of the case and I guess everybody will just have to respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan," Bunye said.

Malacanang said today the upgrading by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) of the anti-piracy rating of the Philippines is a plus factor for the country.

Press Secretary and concurrent Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye told a press briefing in Malacanang this afternoon the USTR’s lowering of the Philippines from its Priority Watch List to the Regular Watch List under the Special 301 Review means the US appropriately recognized government’s efforts against piracy.

"Definitely it is a plus factor for the Philippines. It would improve the confidence of the international community (on RP). It would have positive effect on the media and related industry," Bunye said.

"It is a seal of approval of the good housekeeping (efforts of the Arroyo administration) as far as the fight against piracy is concerned," he added.

The Press Secretary noted that the upgrading of the rating was due to the government’s efforts to prosecute suspects which resulted in several convictions for the past few months.

"This is a triumph for good governance. We applaud the Filipino people and different government agencies that made this happen," he said.

"We acknowledge that the work is not yet over, and there are more milestones to be achieved as we hope to be taken off the watch list on a permanent basis," he added.

Malacanang emphasized today the important role the Filipino people play in the great Charter change debates as it said that in the end of all the discussions, they would be the ones to decide in a plebiscite.

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said it is imperative that the people are well informed of the issues on constitutional reforms to help them make a wise choice.

"There are so many ways to change the Constitution. What is important is that all the proposals would be studied and the people informed on the advantages and disadvantages of the different systems," Bunye said in a press briefing in Malacanang this afternoon.

He said that whether the manner in which to change the Constitution would be through a constituent assembly or a constitutional convention, "the important thing is participation by our people in this great debate."

The Press Secretary said the Charter change, particularly on the shift in the form of government from the present presidential form to the parliamentary/federal system, was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s campaign promise.

"We have before us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change our flawed political system and we should not let it pass," Bunye said as he enjoined the President’s critics to participate in the debates instead of engaging in personal attacks.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her appreciation today to all sectors of society for extending help to cancer victims up to the time of their recovery from the deadly disease.

"Thank you to the people who help our cancer victims to survive, and hopefully more victims will survive," the President said in her brief remarks during the opening ceremonies of the 2^nd "Relay for Life" at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Roxas District, Quezon City this afternoon.

Upon her arrival, the President joined the cancer victims in a symbolic 200-meter walk at the Amoranto oval. The walk symbolizes the following:

• Hope – that those who fall victims to cancer will find an ever more meaningful life ahead.
• Courage – to find the strength to carry on and to walk resolutely ahead in spite of difficulties.
• Continuity – the lap marks the start of the relay which continues the whole night.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, other city officials and the organizers of the Relay for Life also joined the President.

The President thanked the non-governmental organizations and private individuals who are providing guidance and concern to the cancer victims.

She said the occasion is very important to her because her mother was also a cancer victim.

"My mother died of cancer and this occasion is really important to me, reminding me of the fate of my mother. And I know many families are affected by this deadly disease," the President said.

"Relay for Life" (RFL) is a signature event by the American Cancer Society (ACS). It has become one of the most successful events with regard to community involvement, visibility, volunteer, recruitment, advocacy efforts and fund-raising.

Relay also provides an opportunity to share valuable information about cancer prevention, early detection and other services available through cancer control organizations such as the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).

The Philippines is the second Asian country that conducted Relay for Life through the efforts of the Philippine Cancer Society. The first RFL here was held in 2004.