The positive outlook of foreign and local investors is fueled not only by fiscal stability but also by the enforcement of the rule of law.

The President and Commander-in-Chief leaves to the AFP command and the major services to deal with residual issues of military adventurism and destabilization.

The chain of command has already shown itself to be unbreakable and the people can be assured that the great majority of our soldiers are on the side of the Constitution and the rule of law.

The President is confident that her forthcoming dialogue with soldiers will help clear the air about certain issues that are leveled against her by the opposition.

From the start, we have drawn the line between responsible reportage and the media being used as a propaganda tool of groups out to overthrow the democratic system.

The principle of necessity and survival guides the actions of the state.

The country’s democracy has been as healthy as ever, with our public institutions operating within transparent, lawful bounds. Cases of human rights violations are squarely being handled by an independent commission with which the national government has been working closely in the investigation of specific cases, as well as in the proper education of the uniformed services.

As to the state of our jails, the Justice Department has already taken cognizance of this problem and had, in fact, been holding meetings with the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government, and BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) to improve the current situation. Since last year, the DSWD has been gradually moving children-in-conflict-with-the-law (CICL) from different prisons into their facilities with social workers as guardians.

We look forward to the passage of the Juvenile Justice bill as a vital step towards prison reforms. We also call on LGUs to set aside a portion of their IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) to improve local jails and build separate rehabilitation facilities for CICL.

"I am sure the committee will consider the capability of the government to meet the financial requirement of the proposed allowance," he added.

On the other hand, the Senate approved on third and final reading last Wednesday an amended version of the House bill by increasing the amount to P2,000 a month. Under the Senate version, government workers will start receiving the P2,000 allowance in July.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the inauguration this noon of Cebu Pacific’s brand new A320 Airbus at the Airline Operations Center of the Manila Domestic Airport.

The inauguration of the first of two A320 Airbuses acquired by Cebu Pacific coincided with the celebration of the airline company’s 10^th anniversary.

Cebu Pacific started operation in March 1996, more than one year after the airline industry was liberalized by the government.

The two new planes are the latest addition to Cebu Pacific’s fleet, which includes 14 new A319s. The airline firm has launched a $650 million re-fleeting program aimed at making it the No. 1 domestic carrier in five years.

The President, together with Cebu Pacific Air chairman emeritus John Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific Air president and chief executive officer (CEO) Lance Gokongwei, poured champagne on the A320’s nose cone to inaugurate the new plane before touring the aircraft’s interior.

The young Gokongwei told the President that Cebu Pacific’s re-fleeting program is a "manifestation of the airline firm’s commitment to the country’s tourism agenda by connecting all the people in the islands on time and with great service but low fares."

Gokongwei also said that Cebu Pacific will continue to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life of the Filipino by being an active partner of government in working for the nation’s progress.

"We are committed to the Philippines. We want to be a partner in its growth. This huge investment will make travel and tourism a more vibrant sector," he said.

Cebu Pacific is the country’s second largest airline, next to the flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bared today three steps to strengthen government efforts to curb smuggling activities and monitor terrorist movements in the country.

The President explained the measures in an ambush interview after she inspected the smuggled 37 container vans of imported ceramic tiles worth P20 million from Hong Kong at the designated examination area (DEA) of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Port Area, Manila.

The first step is her directive to Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to release P5 million to the BOC as initial fund of the Big Brother Watch Project, a group of Customs intelligence operatives tasked to watch, inspect and monitor smuggled goods in seaports and terminals all over the country.

Her second step is to expedite the government-to-government purchase of high-technology X-ray machines from China. The X-ray machines will be used by the BOC to speed up and shorten their inspection work on all imported goods.

"This X-ray machine is better because it can detect not only smuggled goods but also terrorists materials. It’s good for business and also for our anti-terrorism efforts (Ang kabutihan nitong X-ray machine ay hindi lamang smuggled goods kung hindi terrorists materials and puwedeng ma-detect. Kaya hindi lang pang-negosyo, pang anti-terrorism pa)," the President said.

For the third step, the President instructed Finance Secretary Margarito Teves to make a formal request to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to help the government root out the cause of graft and corruption in the country.

She also wants the Department of Finance (DOF) to closely coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman in expediting the investigation up to the final resolution of the cases filed against erring and corrupt public officials.

This move, she said, will definitely boost the morale of the revenue generating agencies like the collectors from the Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and to protect the interest of the local and foreign investors in the country.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged today the men and women of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to be more vigilant against smuggling and help end all forms of revenue leakages and other fraudulent activities in all customs operations.

The President made the remarks as she commended Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales and his entire team during an inspection of the confiscated 37 container vans with P20 million worth of smuggled ceramic tiles from Hong Kong at the BOC zone.

"Congratulations to all of you. Keep up the good work," the President told Morales and shook the hands of Enforcement and Security Services (EES) Director Nestorio Gualberto, Intelligence and Enforcement Group (IEG) Deputy Commissioner Celso P. Templo, and Port of Manila (POM) District Collector Horacio P. Suansing Jr.

The President was escorted by Morales and other Customs officials to the smuggled goods confiscated recently from big-time smuggler Sammy Lee.

She then instructed Morales to donate the confiscated ceramic tiles to the National Housing Authority (NHA) after the shipments are forfeited in favor of the government following forfeiture proceedings.

The President said the tiles would be used by the NHA in building houses under the government’s housing program for the poor.

Morales informed the President that the apprehended shipments were originally consigned to Sea Net International Phils. Inc., a forwarding company, under master bill of lading numbers ES235MN350, ES235MN351 and Q307SSM104.

He identified consignees of the shipments as N.B. Duque General Merchandise and F.R. Tecson General Merchandise.

Morales said he directed the confiscation of the goods after ESS operatives discovered that Sea Net Int’l. Phils. Inc. has not been in operation since January 2005.