Mga Kababayan,

Salamat sa panatag at maunawaing pagtanggap ng higit na nakararaming mamamayan at mga merkado sa ating pagkilos upang ipagtanggol ang ating demokrasya sa banta ng komunistang rebelde at ilang sundalong ligaw at politikong kasabwat nila.

Malaki ang naitulong ng inyong pang-unawa at payapang pagtanggap upang mapanatag ang sitwasyon.

Buo ang loob ng inyong pamahalaang bumalik sa pangunahin nating misyon na palakasin ang ating ekonomiya, iangat ang mahirap at tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mamamayan.

Tungo sa ganoong hangarin, ibig kong bawiin ang proklamasyon ng state of emergency sa lalong madaling panahon.

Humihingi ako ng tatlong ulat na isusumite sa akin sa loob ng 24 hanggang 72 oras upang suriin ang kalagayan ng seguridad.

Mag-uulat sa akin ang Kalihim ng Katarungan tungkol sa mga pagkilos ng destabilisasyon, ang Kalihim ng National Defense tungkol sa kontrol ng hukbo at ang hepe ng pambansang kapulisan hinggil sa katahimikan at pag-iral ng batas.

Aalisin ko ang state of emergency kapag kumbinsido ako na matitiyak sa akin ng bawat opisyal na lubusan nating kontrolado ang sitwasyon.

Kumilos ang pamahalaan upang pangalagaan ang kaligtasan at katiwasayan ng ating Republika at wawakasan natin ang state of emergency oras na matamo ng lubos ang mga panuntunang ito sa destabilisasyon, sandatahang lakas at pag-iral ng batas.

Umaasa akong magkakaroon ng mga mas matimbang pang pagsulong sa mga usaping ito sa mga darating na araw.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today she will lift her proclamation of a State of National Emergency as soon as possible.

In a televised address to the nation this noon from the Kalayaan Hall of Malacanang, the President said she has given Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Arturo Lumibao 24-72 hours to submit their assessments of the overall security situation nationwide.

The Chief Executive has scheduled a meeting with the Cabinet and other key officials on Saturday to assess the latest developments in the country’s security situation.

"Aalisin ko ang state of emergency kapag kumbinsido ako na matitiyak sa akin ng bawat opisyal na lubusan nating kontrolado ang sitwasyon. (I will lift the state of emergency proclamation if the three officials assure me that the situation is fully under control)," she said.

The President had said that she was compelled to proclaim a state of national emergency to preempt a conspiracy hatched by the communists, elements of the political opposition and military adventurists to bring down the government.

She moved swiftly last Friday to ensure the security, stability and serenity of the country by declaring a state of emergency.

As soon as the danger posed by those out to overthrow the government is over, Proclamation 1017 will be lifted, she pointed out.

She thanked the overwhelming majority of the Filipino people and the business sector for their understanding of the action she had taken to protect democracy against the threat posed by communist rebels and a few misguided members of the military in conspiracy with certain opposition politicians.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita appealed to the public today to leave the military alone, away from the political controversies that threaten to dampen the country’s stabilizing economy, a strong peso and a growing investor confidence.

In a media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Ermita said a few disgruntled members of society are trying to get the military enmeshed in political destabilization for their own personal agenda as shown by the events of last Friday and Sunday.

"I am appealing to our leaders outside (the government): leave the military alone. Let them and the police perform their duties. They have a mandate under the Constitution to preserve the Republic, maintain peace and order, and preserve national security. Let’s not try to get the military involved in politics," he said.

Ermita, a former three-star general and secretary of the Department of National Defense, lamented that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were being drawn into the political arena as unwitting props to the political agenda of certain parties.

"I note that in an effort to achieve their ends, there are political leaders, as well as those who have an ax to grind against the country’s leadership, are trying to draw the military into the political arena which should not be done," Ermita said.

Recalling a famous line, Ermita said: "He who rides the tiger, ends up in the stomach of the tiger."

We appreciate the forbearance shown by the High Court in regard to Presidential Proclamation 1017, and we assure full compliance of the Executive to any mandates of the court.

Meanwhile, the President and Commander-in-Chief is on top of the situation, in close consultation with economic and security advisers and weighing her options in the public interest.

She is taking stock of the situation in a deliberate manner unperturbed by threats and pressure; and she will only make a well thought of decision based on the facts and the vital factors impinging on the domestic and international milieu.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo condoles with the families of construction workers Abel Monterela and Felix Lorando who were killed by crossfire while on their way to work in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

She is deeply saddened by this news and she asks all Filipinos to pray for the safety of our modern-day heroes, many of who risk life and limb to work overseas in order to bring about a better future for their families.

The President has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs to oversee all arrangements for the immediate repatriation of the bodies of the two workers. The Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration has been ordered to extend full assistance to the families of the two workers.

We are heartened by the positive forecast of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., one of the world’s biggest investment banking and securities firms, that the peso could strengthen to 48 to a dollar in 12 months.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally congratulated World Boxing Council (WBC) light-flyweight champion Brian Viloria who called on her today at Malacaņang’s Heroes Hall.

Viloria, known to many as the "Hawaiian Punch," arrived in Manila yesterday afternoon fresh from his successful title defense against Mexican Jose Antonio Aguirre at the Aladdin Resort in Las Vegas last Feb. 19.

Viloria was accompanied by his father Ben, Games and Amusement Board Chairman Eric Buhain and Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Trade Secretary Peter Favila were among those who welcomed the diminutive boxer from Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

After a brief photo shoot, the President presented to Viloria a chiffon-pandan-butter cake replica of his championship belt specially prepared by the chefs of Malacaņang.

Chef Alexis Santos, the brains behind the new sweet confectionare, said that like the empanada-shaped boxing gloves presented earlier to another Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, he and his crew made the cake as a "labor of love" to show support to Viloria’s accomplishment in the ring.

When asked if he would be willing to help President Arroyo and her government’s push for economic and political reforms, Viloria said: "Whatever it takes to help better the political community."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved Tuesday a P1,000 across the board additional monthly compensation to all employes of the national government, including military and uniformed personnel, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006.

She also authorized Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs) to grant the additional compensation to their employes subject to the availability of funds.

Announcing her decision during a roundtable discussion with her economic managers at Malacanang’s Kalayaan Briefing Room, the President noted that the total monthly compensation of national government workers has not been increased since 2001, or over the last five years, "notwithstanding the periodic wage adjustments granted to the private sector and increases in prices of basic commodities."

In Administrative Order (AO) 144, the President said the additional compensation "shall cease upon approval of any legislative measure authorizing adjustment in compensation of government employes."

She was referring to House Bill No. 5013 granting a P1,000 across the board additional monthly allowance to government employes. The House has approved the measure on 3^rd and final reading

Pursuant to Section 21 of Republic Act No. 6758 and Section 5 of Presidential Decree 1597, the "President may approve grant of additional allowances and other fringe benefits to employes of the national government."

"Until such time that a bill authorizing adjustment in compensation has been signed into law, the amount of P1,000 per month increase in additional ADCOM (additional compensation) shall be granted to national government employes in agencies covered by R.A. No. 6758, as amended, and to military and uniformed personnel," AO 144 added.

The funds for the additional compensation of state workers will be taken from appropriations provided under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Funds.

Malacanang said today it is encouraged by Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.’s bullish outlook for the peso notwithstanding last week’s failed attempt to overthrow the Arroyo administration.

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the positive forecast by Goldman Sachs that the peso would surge to P48 to $1 within the year "shows confidence in our political stability and strong economy."

"We are heartened by the positive forecast of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., one of the world’s biggest investment banking and securities firms, that the peso could strengthen to P48 to a dollar in 12 months," Bunye said.

The investment banking firm based its bullish outlook on the peso on recent political and macroeconomic developments in the country.

"(President) Arroyo has been good for the economy," the report said.

"It’s looking more and more that she’s able to deal with these kinds of threats so over time the market will realize that and see the political risk is less and less," Adam Le Mesurier, an economist of Goldman Sachs in Singapore said in his report.

He said the President’s ability to deal with the threats against her administration would eventually lead to a stronger currency.

The report also said that the President continues to outmaneuver her opponents as there is no clear opposition leader.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condoled today with the families of two overseas Filipino construction workers killed in a crossfire between militants and police in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the President is deeply saddened by the death of Abel Monterela and Felix Lorando who were on their way to work in the morning of Jan. 27 when they were caught in the crossfire.

"She is deeply saddened by this news and she asks all Filipinos to pray for the safety of our modern-day heroes, many of who risk life and limb to work overseas in order to bring about a better future for their families," Bunye said.

The President also ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to oversee the immediate repatriation of the bodies of the two workers while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was instructed to extend all possible assistance to the bereaved families.

The Philippine embassy in Riyadh said the two Filipinos died at the Riyadh Medical Center-Shimeisly Hospital, where they were taken after the incident, while three of their Filipino companions are still undergoing treatment at the King Fahd National Guard Hospital.

Bunye said the Philippine embassy in Riyadh would continue to look after the three wounded identified as Rodel Miranda, Salvador Bibon and Jimmy Pactor.

All the five OFWs are employed by the Bader Al Soubo.

The President has hailed the OFWs as the new heroes of the country for helping the economy through their remittances.