President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has vowed to put an end to terrorism and destabilization which she said have been the biggest obstacles to the country’s economic security.

Addressing top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and guests at the yearly Vin D’ Honneur in Malacaņang last night, the President said she "will not rest until we have condemned terrorism and destabilization to the dustbin of history."

"Our economic security is deeply affected by our physical security. Peace and order goes hand in hand with a strong economy. And nothing is more important to our personal and economic security than the fight against terrorism and destabilization," she explained.

The President pointed out that aside from sapping the strength of the nation. terrorism and destabilization only bring about "shattered lives, misspent capital and (derailed) economic productivity."

President Arroyo stressed that ending terrorism is the only way to bring back peace, order and security to the daily lives of the people. She called on the Filipino people to join the fight.

"We must fight destabilization in every corner of our country. We must fight terrorism in concert with allies around the world," she intoned.

In the same event she expressed optimism that lasting peace between the government and rebel forces will finally come shortly to war-torn Mindanao.

She stressed that "terrorism and destabilization are evils that we must conquer and overcome, and peace in Mindanao is a noble cause that we must embrace."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has pressed her drive for long-overdue political reforms through charter change this year.

In the traditional new year’s Vin D’ Honneur at Malacaņang last night, attended by the diplomatic corps, top government officials and other guests, the President said that while significant progress have been made, long-overdue political reforms remain necessary.

"We will not achieve the rank of a modern first-world nation in 20 years until we address these issues" of economic and social needs, terrorism and destabilization, and political reforms, she stressed.

She said Filipinos must "create a modern Constitution if we are to build a modern Philippines."

The new charter, the President said must ensure "less gridlock, more local control, greater accountability by the politicians, better service delivery, stronger police protection, less opportunity for official corruption and more jobs and economic development in the local and provincial level."

"People are sick and tired of politics. They want less talk, more action, more jobs, less jaw boxing, more local control not Metro Manila control. The people want to move forward, not stand stationary. Doing nothing is not an option," she pointed out.

The President said she is pushing for charter change because she believes "it is last bastion that holds back the nation and keeps us divided and poor, when we should be unified and prosperous."

Charter reform, she explained, is moving the nation forward and is a referendum on whether Filipinos want a modern nation, free from want and poverty, or a nation that embraces the status quo.

Malacanang branded today as premature any discussion on shortening the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as suggested by former President Fidel V. Ramos.

"The President was elected to serve the country until 2010 and no one can take that mandate from her except the sovereign people through constitutionally sanctioned means," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement.

He said the President sincerely appreciates Ramos’ support for her nation building efforts, but "talk about cutting the term of President Arroyo at this point would be premature."

While acknowledging the former president’s strong views on national interest, Bunye also pointed out that "we also know that he is an eminent leader who stands for the rule of law and the democratic process."

The Malacanang official said that the Arroyo administration has already set in motion the political process to assess the sentiments of the people, referring to the forthcoming meeting of the Council of State, the proposed Constitutional change through a constituent assembly, and Peoples’ Initiative.

"We simply have to follow the process and the train of these events to know and act upon the genuine sentiments and expectations of the people," Bunye said.

He said the economy is growing and the President has a comprehensive plan for social equity and a clear roadmap of political reforms.

Malacaņang described today the wiretapping issue as a dead horse and detractors of the government have nothing to gain in terms of national interest by recycling it.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said in a press statement that the worst that the heavily recycled wiretap issue could bring is over.

"Our detractors will gain nothing in the national interest by kicking this dead horse," he said.

Bunye was reacting to reports that after a long lull in the controversy, a new witness will come out next week allegedly to expose more wiretapping cases.

The Senate will reportedly conduct the hearing.

"The people are already tired of the electoral fraud controversy and are looking forward to better times on the back of a strong, vibrant economy, " Bunye said.

"It’s time to move on," he added.

Earlier in a radio interview, Bunye expressed disappointment that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s detractors appeared bent on pursuing their political agenda and the country can go bust.

"I just hope that they put into consideration the national interest," he said in the vernacular. "I would like to appeal to them (detractors) to consider whether their action would benefit the people or not."

The Palace official cited the improving economy and the strengthening of the peso as signs that the nation is headed for a brighter future.

Local and foreign investors, according to him, are one in saying that the Philippines could do a lot better "if only we would lower the decibel of the political noise."

KORONADAL CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today delivered enhanced health and livelihood services and farm implements to South Cotabato folks.

The President arrived at the South Cotabato Sports Complex here this morning to grace the 66th Foundation Anniversary of Koronadal as a principality and deliver basic services to residents of this province.

To help improve productivity and the lives of farming families, the President turned over a P5 million cold storage and processing plant to the Binhian ng Timog Kotabato Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative (BTKMPAC) here. The support package will benefit some 156 farm family members of the cooperative.

Two other cooperatives – the Polo Samahang Nayon Multi-purpose Cooperative with 1,000 members, and the Tupi Integrated Multi-purpose Cooperative with 1,700 members also received one unit each of 120-horsepower farm tractor to help them mechanize their farm operations.

The farm implements are expected to help bolster food production in South Cotabato which the President said could be developed as one of Mindanao’s and the country's food baskets.

Aside from the cold storage, processing plant and tractors, the President also awarded 151 land patents to as many farming families from the municipalities of Tupi, Polomolok, Banga,Norala, and Koronadal City.

To improve health care, a major plank of her 10-point pro-poor legacy agenda, the Chief Executive distributed 4,665 PhilHealth cards to as many new members here of the Philippine Health Insurance Inc.

Likewise, some P25 million worth of medicines were turned over to Barangays Tablu, Lamlamak, Lemehek, Tambek and Klube of Lake Sebu as seed capital stock for the government's "Botika sa Baranagay" in the area as part of the government’s program to provide quality medicines at half their commercial prices.

"We now have funds for basic services, thanks for the passage of tax measures that increased our revenues. With funds available, we will be able to deliver quality health services to the people, including half-priced medicines," she said.

The President said she her administration has included health services among her five priority concerns to be funded by the P35-billion benefit package she has asked her Cabinet to immediately make available to the people. The other priority programs are food, education, housing and infrastructure.

She urged the people of Koronadal to work harder and support her in improving the lives of Filipinos.

"I see Koronadal as a progressive city. I congratulate you for being adjudged as the "Most Investor-friendly City" by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and as the "Most Competitive City" in the small city category," she said even as she urged the people to work harder for progress.

The President was welcomed at the sports complex by Koronadal City Vice Mayor Jose Ledda Jr. and South Cotabato Vice Governor Eliordo Ogena.

With the President were newly designated Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Environment Secretary Mike Defensor, Special Envoy to the BIMP-EAGA Ambassador Efren Abu, and South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes.

KORONADAL CITY – Some 7,000 residents of this city and its neighboring municipalities were delighted to see President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo grace their native "Hinugyaw" festival here the highlight of Koronadal’s 66th Foundation Anniversary as a principality of the old Cotabato province.

As early as 6 o’clock this morning, participants in the Hinugyaw festival trooped to the city's main streets for the traditional street dancing and parade.

The participants, who represented the city’s 27 barangays, wore colorful and festive attires reflective of the city's native culture.

By 7 a.m., festival participants started going through their performances while awaiting the arrival of the President.

"We are happy and delighted that our President is here to attend our founding anniversary," City Councilor Sergio Morales said, adding that it was the third time the Chief Executive visited the city, the most recent of which was last October when she attended the regional summit of cooperatives.

Aside from gracing Koronadal’s founding anniversary, the President also used the occasion to deliver health benefits and farm support implements to various farmers’ cooperatives in South Cotabato.

"We are very proud and thankful that the President finds time to visit a far-flung city like ours," Morales said.

The President was warmly welcomed by Koronadal residents led by City Mayor Fernando Miguel and other local officials.

Koronadal was established in 1940 as a municipality of the old Cotabato province that has been subdivided into four provinces – North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.