We share the joy and pride of the entire Filipino Catholic community on this event.

Cardinal Rosales deserves this honor for the leadership he has shown in spreading and upholding the faith and in guiding our people along the path of moral and spiritual enlightenment.

This is an auspicious day as we reminisce the call of his predecessor, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, for people power in the shining moments of EDSA.

Twenty years ago and today, we celebrate the guiding role of the Church in defending what is good and right for the people.

CEBU CITY – In a reiteration of her "nothing will make me resign" declaration before the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) last Tuesday (Feb. 21), President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed last night that she will not break her oath to serve the Filipino people until the end of her term in 2010.

Speaking at the celebration of the 69th Charter Day of Cebu City held at the Cebu City Sports Complex, the President said the trend in the ongoing recount of the votes cast for vice president in Cebu showed no indication of irregularities in the 2004 elections.

Former Sen. Loren Legarda has lodged a protest against Vice President Noli de Castro before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) alleging that she was cheated in Cebu in the 2004 polls.

President Arroyo said she was informed by her election lawyer, Atty. Romulo Macalintal, that the voting trend as shown in the recount of the votes cast for the vice president was indicative of how Cebuanos voted for the presidential candidates.

"And for that reason, I will not run away from my solemn oath to serve our people, especially the people of Cebu, who gave me your mandate and your trust and your confidence through the ballot," the President said.

She said Macalintal informed her last Wednesday that as of Feb. 14, the PET had opened 37 percent of the ballot boxes containing the protested ballots and recounted the votes.

According to Macalintal, who is also the vice president’s election lawyer, the recount did not show any sign of cheating in Cebu City and the entire province of Cebu.

The President stressed that she is very confident that her victory will be affirmed.

"I am also personally confident that my vote in these places will be affirmed not because you cheated for me because Cardinal Vidal would not allow any cheating here in Cebu, but because you voted for me," she said.

"The evidence being uncovered is clear that because of you I won the election fair and square," she continued.

Aside from Cardinal Vidal, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., and boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao were present during the occasion.

"So then I say, with the confirmation of my lawful victory here in Cebu, where the bulk of my national majority came from, I reiterate my pledge and commitment to continue serving our country until the end of my term in 2010," she added.

The President garnered over a million votes winning margin over the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 elections.

During the program, the President, former Chief Justice Davide, Cardinal Vidal and Pacquiao were awarded plaques of recognition by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena.

The President, who received an award as Anak sa Sugbo (adopted daughter of Cebu City), was treated to a spectacular stage show by the Sinulog dancers in a dress rehearsal of Cebu’s cultural performance being lined up for the upcoming ASEAN Summit to be held here in December.

Davide and Cardinal Vidal received lifetime achievement awards for public service and advocacy of justice and peace, and for their unwavering faith in the Lord.

Pacquiao also received a plaque of appreciation from Mayor Osmena in recognition for his contribution to the country.

Cebu officials said the 69th Charter Day festivities were a preview of the cultural activities in the works for the ASEAN Summit.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asked today the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to immediately set aside P50 million to finance the needs of promising start-up businesses.

In her keynote address at the "Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Summit" held at the Plenary Hall of the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the President ordered Presidential Adviser on Jobs Generation Arthur Yap to coordinate with the two state banks.

"I asked Arty Yap to coordinate with the Land Bank and the DBP to set aside immediately an amount of P50 million as an incubation fund with softer rates and longer term provisions for the financing of the needs of deserving and promising start-up business plan winners of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE)," she said.

The President said the summit on entrepreneurship, organized by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose "Joey" Concepcion III, "symbolizes the commitment of the Filipino people to the economy."

She likened the holding of the summit, which is in time with the second day of the celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the bloodless EDSA 1 People Power Revolution, as a new people power that drives entrepreneurship.

"You form a people power in the innovative use of resources to build businesses and provide jobs," she said.

The President said that in her inaugural address in 2004, where she spelled out her 10-point pro-poor agenda, she vowed to create six to 10 million jobs by 2010 by developing one million entrepreneurs and developing two million hectares of land for agribusiness.

The Chief Executive hailed the entrepreneurs as patriots, saying "There is great patriotism in setting up businesses that give jobs and feed the stomach and spirit of our countrymen and their families."

She described the entrepreneurs as "patriots who believe in our country and people and who invest in our nation’s future."

She said the Filipino is inherently an entrepreneur as he is full of creativity and innovativeness but Concepcion’s third trait—optimism--must be added to the Filipino entrepreneur’s distinguishing qualities.

"Being an entrepreneur is a skill inherent in the Filipino…Filipinos are natural entrepreneurs," she said.

The President advised entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs to "be optimistic and be not afraid" and "not to let politicking and destabilization put down or destroy what we have here before us…the Filipino spirit of enterprise."

Borrowing a thought from former Trade and Industry Secretary Jose Concepcion Jr., the President said, "Yes, the Filipino can" which she described as optimism.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hailed today the appointment of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict VI.

"We share the joy and pride of the entire Filipino Catholic community on this event," she said in a statement. "Cardinal Rosales deserves this honor for the leadership he has shown in spreading and upholding the faith and in guiding our people along the path of moral and spiritual enlightenment."

The elevation of Rosales to the cardinalate was announced by outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Antonio Franco during a mass last night at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros.

"This is an auspicious day as we reminisce the call of his predecessor, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, for people power in the shining moments of EDSA," the President said, referring to the memorable events of Feb. 22-25, 1986 that culminated in the ouster of the dictatorial regime of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

President Arroyo said the nation is celebrating not only the 20^th anniversary of that occasion but the guiding role of the Church in defending what is good and right for the people.

"Our solidarity with Cardinal Rosales will be unsullied in the fight against poverty and in building a God-centered society," she added.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the Search for the Presidential Scholars on Entrepreneurship this morning during the Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Summit at the Plenary Hall of the Bonifacio Global City.

The "search" has 10 slots for scholars who will take up entrepreneurship courses at the Entrepreneurs School of Asia (ESA).

Vivian Tan-Co, founder of the ESA, Presidential Adviser on Job Generation Arthur Yap, and Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose "Joey" Concepcion III were with the President during the launch of the scholarship program.

Dubbed the "Generation E" scholarship, the program offers full scholarship in Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship degree.

The scholarship program is open to all high school students graduating next month and college students not older than 18 years.

Established in 1999 as a British College, ESA has pioneered in the integration of entrepreneurship education in all academic programs.

In the same occasion, the President awarded the Presidential Recognition for Entrepreneurship award to business tycoon Henry Sy Jr., founder of the SM Group, for his support to fledging enterprises.

Malacanang has invited members of the Senate and House of Representatives to attend the flag-raising ceremony and Eucharistic celebration on Saturday (Feb. 25) at the People Power Monument and the EDSA Shrine highlighting the four-day celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the historic peaceful revolution that ended 14 years of dictatorship.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in a memorandum the attendance of senators, congressmen and members of the Cabinet in the event will give color and greater significance to the culminating rites of this year’s four-day celebration of the EDSA People Power uprising.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared Saturday as a special non-working day to mark the historic event that restored and ushered meaningful political and economic reforms in the country.

"It is fitting that all sectors should be given the opportunity to celebrate this milestone in our country’s history through simple yet meaningful activities," the President said in Proclamation 1015 which she signed Wednesday.

The Chief Executive laid a wreath at the Libingan ng mga Bayani last Wednesday to kick off the four-day commemoration of the 20^th anniversary of the EDSA revolt.

In her speech at the Libingan ng mga Bayani last Wednesday , the President said the spirit of EDSA lives "whenever we rush to the side of a neighbor in need, a community in distress or a stranger in despair, we relieve the spirit which made EDSA possible."

TANZA, Cavite – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributed today 14 housing units to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of the celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the EDSA People Power 1.

She was assisted by Vice President Noli de Castro, AFP Chief of Staff General Generoso Senga, Tanza Mayor Raymundo del Rosario, Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor and Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) president Romero Federico Quimbo.

The beneficiaries of the first 14 of 252 housing units at the Camp Riego De Dios Village are Capt. Constantino Villegas, Lt. Commander Reynaldo Tacuyan, Lt. Jr. Grade Jonathan Sevilla, LTJG Mylene Bilog, PO1 Lolito Decano, PO2 Wilfredo Nefalar Jr. and Seaman 1^st Class Rodolfo Reyes of the Philippine Navy (PN);

Maj. Manolito Montiel, Capt. Joel Benedict Batara, M/Sgt. Henry Ferranco, M/Sgt. Jorge Barte from the Philippine Army (PA). Col. Manuel Tronco Jr., M/Sgt. Conrado Barnizo and M/Sgt. Danilo Sindac from the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Phase 1 of the housing program was developed jointly by the AFP and Laguna Properties Holdings, Inc. (LPHI), a subsidiary of Ayala Land, Inc. The project is divided into four phases.

A total of 987 housing units for military personnel are programmed for construction in the 18.17-hectare property here.

"Sinabi ko rin na alay ko ito sa mga sundalo pati na rin sa mga pulis dahil matagal na bahagi ng ating selebrasyon ay inagurasyon nitong mga housing na mga ito," the President said.

"Ngayon lamang sa kasaysayan ng mga sundalo na ganito kalaki ang ating ginagawang mga proyekto lalo na sa pabahay sa kaginhawahan ng ating mga sundalo at kanilang mga pamilya," she added.

The President said the housing project is the government’s way of showing its appreciation to the military not only for the critical role it played in the success of EDSA 1 but also in the campaign against rebels and terrorists.

The housing project, she added, is also a tribute to the role of the military in the continuing quest for lasting peace in Mindanao and in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the areas devastated by mudslides in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

The President also announced that she will visit another government housing project in San Miguel, Bulacan on Saturday.

The 1,600-hectare site is being developed into a housing project for members of the AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP), teachers and other government workers.

She said the P1 billion funding for the APF housing project comes from the P5 billion she has set aside the AFP.

"Iyan ang iniisip natin na pinakasenyas o sagisag ng pagpapasalamat sa mga sundalo sa mahalagang papel na ginagawa ninyo in the last 20 years at sa darating na panahon sa ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas," President Arroyo said.

Aside from Camp Riego de Dios, other off-base military housing sites are in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City; Camp Aquino in Tarlac; Camp Tinio in Cabanatuan City; Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City; Ft. Del Pilar in Baguio City and in Bonifacio Heights in Taguig City.

Senga thanked the President for her concern for the welfare of members of the AFP, saying they appreciate her efforts to improve the lot of the soldiers.

Three big foreign investors in the country donated a total of P11 million this afternoon to the government rescue and relief operations in lansdslide-hit St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received the checks -- P5 million from Hyundai Motor Corp., P5 million from Kia Motor Corp. and P1 million from JFE Steel Corp. of Japan -- during the courtesy call made by officials of the companies at Malacanang’s Music Room.

The Hyundai check was handed to the President by Hyundai Motor general manager and chief of Asia Regional Headquarters Il Seung Seo, while the Kia Motor Corp. check was presented by Director Jae Ho Moon.

The P1 million check from JFE Steel Corp. was handed to the President by It Seyi Arak, general manager of JFE Steel Corp.

"Thank you for the two very generous checks," the President told the Korean investors.

The President also expressed her gratitude to the Japanese investors. "Thank you for your support," she said.

She turned over the checks to National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Chairman Glenn Rabonza.

Assistance and donations in cash and in kind for the landslide victims have been pouring in from foreign and local donors.

The NDCC said Wednesday that damage to agriculture and infrastructure in Barangay Guinsaugon in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte was placed at P11 million.

Rescue workers have recovered 107 bodies from the rubble while more than 900 are still missing. Rescue and retrieval operations were still on-going as the President has said that she would not stop until the last body is recovered.

The officials of Toyota Tsusho Corp., another car manufacturer in the country, also called on the President this afternoon.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cited today the critical and important role media played during the bloodless EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.

In a Round Table Discussion on Remembering EDSA 1 aired over national television NBN Channel this afternoon, the President said the broadcast and print media were instrumental in informing the public on the events that transpired during the peaceful revolution that ended the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

"Let us recall the important and critical role media played in restoring democracy in 1986," the President said.

"Thank you for remembering our heroes, the individual heroes such as the three we have today and also the masses of the people that made up the collective heroes," she added.

The President was referring to Father Reuter, June Keithley Castro and Eugenia Apostol.

The President acknowledged Keithley as the "voice of EDSA 1" as she was continuously on air over Radyo Bandido during those critical days of February 1986.

Father Reuter was the station manager of Radyo Bandido while Apostol was the "mother" of the women’s magazine "Mr. And Ms" which had become the voice of the Filipino people at that time.