Ample and effective security measures are in place to protect the President as we do not want to underestimate the desperation of power grabbers who refuse to give up their lost cause. But the public must not be unduly alarmed since the full scope of this left-right conspiracy is already known to all, and its key players are being brought to justice.

The President will not be distracted by these fear mongers. She has a job to do and she remains focused on keeping this nation whole, its future vibrant and the people well served. The President has a promise to keep and nothing can stop her from fulfilling them by leading the fight against poverty, instability and our degenerated political system.

The Filipino people are overjoyed at the elevation of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales as a member of the elite College of Cardinals.

His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales is assured of the full support of the Filipino Catholic community here and abroad as he proceeds to help Pope Benedict in spreading the message of peace, hope, and love throughout the world.

The ball is now in the court of the Senate. Our people are rendering their share of the sacrifices for the nation and it is about time that we return what is due them.

Everyone has been saying that we must listen to the voice of the people. This is the time to do it. Let us take the debate down to the grassroots and discover their genuine sentiments.

For too long, all we have heard are the ranting of pretenders who are just out to grab headlines. We say that the Barangay assemblies are a symbol of democracy at work.

We invite all, including the opposition, to observe these exercises and hear for themselves what the people have to say about their own destiny.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo remains focused on her job of keeping the nation whole and improving the lives of the Filipinos as she is undaunted by the assassination plot against her.

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the President went on her scheduled attendance at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation rites today in Baguio City with the military on red alert as a precautionary measure to thwart the assassination plot.

"Ample and effective security measures are in place to protect the President as we do not want to underestimate the desperation of power grabbers who refuse to give up their lost cause. But the public must not be unduly alarmed since the full scope of the left-right conspiracy is already known to all, and its key players are being brought to justice," Bunye said.

The Press Secretary said the President remains undistracted by the destabilization moves being mounted against her administration as she remains committed in fulfilling her promise to the Filipino people to improve the economy, create more jobs and protect the country’s democracy.

"The President will not be distracted by these fear mongers. She has a job to do and she remains focused on keeping this nation whole, its future vibrant and the people well served. The President has a promise to keep and nothing can stop her from fulfilling them by leading the fight against poverty, instability and our degenerated political system, " Bunye said.

He warned the power grabbers that they would fail in any attempt to unseat the President as they do not have the support of the majority of the Filipino people who have become tired of destabilization acts and violence.

"Let me add. Those who seek to overthrow the government or continue to plot for her downfall will not succeed because the overwhelming number of Filipinos know that she is doing her best for the country," Bunye said.

The assassination plot against the President was uncovered from the computer documents seized from Magdalo Group member Army 1Lt. Lawrence San Juan during his recapture in San Juan, Batangas last month.

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today the combined might of the government, the military and assistance from international allies will pave the way for the final settlement of the decades-old Mindanao conflict.

Keynoting the commencement exercises formally inducting the graduating Mandirigmang Dangal ng Lahi (Mandala) Class 2006 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) into active duty, President Arroyo cited the role the military would play in bringing this peace about.

"Against the backdrop of the threats posed by extremists and faithless thugs who wish to tear down everything that we believe in, you, our military compatriots are a vital part of bringing us to the brink of peace in Mindanao," the President said.

"The combined political will of our government of which you are a part, and our international friends and neighbors will make a lasting peace in Mindanao that will make us proud," the President added.

The President said the military would be tasked to maintain peace and order while she focuses on pressing issues that affect the country, specifically poverty alleviation.

"While you wage war against the enemies of the state, I am also waging war against poverty and its destructive power," the President explained.

Malacaņang assured today Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, who was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI yesterday in the Vatican City, that the Filipino people would give their full support in his task of spreading peace, love and hope all over the world.

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the Filipino people are proud and happy that a Filipino is again chosen as one of the new "princes" of the Church who will serve as the advisers of the Pope and choose his successor.

"The Filipino people are overjoyed at the elevation of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales as a member of the elite College of Cardinals," Bunye said in a statement.

"His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales is assured of the full support of the Filipino Catholic community here and abroad as he proceeds to help Pope Benedict in spreading the message of peace, hope and love throughout the world," he added.

Bunye said Archbishop Rosales deserves this honor as he has guided the Filipino people along the path of moral and spiritual enlightenment and has tirelessly helped the poor.

"This is a singular honor for our beloved Archbishop and it is very well- deserved considering his noble work in pursuing the mission of the Church especially among the poor," Bunye added.

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz today to immediately adopt the Philippine Defense Reform Program (PDRP) so that crucial modernization upgrades for the military can be implemented.

Speaking at the graduation rites of the Mandirigmang Dangal ng Lahi (MANDALA) Class 2006 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here, the President cited the need to modernize the military for it to be in step with the modernization of the country.

"You need guns that work, shelter for your families and an undivided focus on security concerns, not political intrigue. To that end, I have tasked the Secretary of Defense to follow a road map called the Philippine Defense Reform Program for reforming our military into a world-class fighting force," the President said.

"We have a plan to modernize our economy and we will fulfill it. We have a plan to modernize our system of government and we will fulfill it. And we have a plan to reform our military, to protect and strengthen our nation and we will fulfill it," she stressed.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who accompanied the President, said the PDRP will cost the government P40 billion and will take five to eight years to be implemented.

The funding for the modernization program would be taken from funds that the government can "muster," Ermita said, adding that if the economy continues with its upswing, there would be no problem.

"Implementation of the Philippine Defense Reform Program will depend on the availability of funds that the government can muster and if our economic growth is okay, we will be able to sustain the expansion of the AFP and the PNP into becoming a real force that will provide security and protection for the country," Ermita said.

The PDRP provides the framework for introducing a comprehensive, institutional, structural and systemic reform package at the strategic level for the defense and military establishment.

It will focus on 10 key areas of reform, namely:

1. Implementation of a strategy-driven, multi-year defense planning system that will enhance defense resource management in the DND and the AFP;

2. Improvement of operational and training capacity;

3. Improvement of logistics capacity to enhance operational readiness and reliability rates for all platforms and weapons systems;

4. Improving operational level expertise by addressing organizational, management and operational systemic deficiencies;

5. Improvement of personnel management systems;

6. Planning, programming and execution of a multi-year capability upgrade program for the AFP;

7. Optimizing the defense budget and improving management controls;

8. Creating a professional acquisition workforce and establishing a centrally-managed defense acquisition system;

9. Increasing capability of the AFP to conduct civil military operations to diminish the underlying socio-economic conditions and spur development in the countryside insurgency; and

10. Information management development program to support and enhance the decision making system of the DND and the AFP.

The overall direction of the PDRP is to enhance DND and AFP capabilities from a strategic and comprehensive perspective

Malacaņang said today the prompt passage by the Senate of the 2006 national budget is indispensable in the implementation of the government’s reform programs that include the provision of basic and social services for the poor.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the approval of the P1.053 trillion national budget is now up to the Senate after the House of Representatives approved it on second reading following a marathon hearing last Thursday.

"The ball is now in the court of the Senate. Our people are rendering their share of the sacrifices for the nation and it is about time that we return what is due them," Bunye said.

The House is expected to immediately forward to the Senate the proposed 2006 General Appropriations Act (GAA) once it is approved on the third and final reading before its Holy Week recess in April.

"The passage of the budget is indispensable for more investments and jobs, as well as direct services for the benefit of the poor," Bunye said.

Earlier, the Palace official said the passage by the House of the proposed national budget "disproves unfounded allegations based on politically-motivated fears on why the budget approval is taking such a long time."

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye described the barangay assemblies being held today nationwide as indication of a real democracy in action.

Bunye said now is the right time to hear the voice of the people and know their genuine sentiments.

"Everyone has been saying that we must listen to the voice of the people. This is the time to do it. Let us take the debate down to the grassroots and discover their genuine sentiments," he said.

Bunye deplored that "for too long, all we have heard are the ranting of the pretenders who are out just to grab headlines. We say that the barangay assemblies are a symbol of democracy at work."

The Presidential Spokesperson also invited the President’s detractors to listen to the people’s voice for change and reform.

"We should welcome, and not demean or resist, the people’s initiative for change and reform," he said.