I condemn in the strongest terms this most recent attack in Sulu. The Armed Forces and Police shall leave no stone unturned in the hunt for the perpetrators and I ask our people to remain calm and vigilant.

Meanwhile, firm security measures are in place to contain the threat of terror and prevent its resurgence anywhere in the land.

I sympathize with the families of the victims and direct that the treatment of the wounded be given priority by our health services.

Indeed, terror never sleeps and we need to consistently carry out our comprehensive action plan to rid our country and the world of this grave threat.

The Palace has allowed the democratic process to run its course without any interference and we are glad that the people are responding to the call for transformation and change.

Charges of fraud and manipulation in the sign-up drive are unfounded and farfetched.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo condemned today "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Jolo, Sulu on Monday which killed nine persons and left 20 others, including a seven-year-old girl, wounded.

In a statement this morning, the President also directed the armed forces and police to leave "no stone unturned in the hunt for the perpetrators and I ask our people to remain calm."

She said that security measures have been put in place to contain the terrorist threat and "prevent its resurgence anywhere" in the country as she expressed her sympathies to the families of the victims.

The President also directed the government health authorities to act immediately and treat wounded survivors of the blast.

"Terror never sleeps and we need to consistently carry out our comprehensive action plan to rid our country and the world of this grave threat," she added.

In the wake of the latest terrorist attack, the President prodded Congress anew to pass the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law to give law enforcement agencies "teeth" to effectively combat terrorism. The measure defines certain acts that would constitute terrorism such as indiscriminate acts against civilians and property, kidnapping, hijacking and launching electronic attacks through computers.

It also outlaws illegal manufacturing or selling of chemicals and biological, radiological or nuclear agents that can be used as weapons of mass destruction.

"Once more and with a deep sense of urgency, I ask Congress to pass the anti-terrorism law that will enable our nation to constrict, contain and control this threat more effectively," the President said.

Malacaņang said today President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo looks forward to an early and honorable peace settlement of the Mindanao conflict in accordance with the Constitution and respect for cultural diversity.

"The President is committed to an honorable and peaceable settlement of the decades-long separatist problem in Mindanao in line with the constitutional provisions of territorial integrity and respect for cultural diversity," Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said this morning.

The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiators held last week formal talks in Kuala Lumpur centered on the contentious issue on ancestral domain.

A public forum was held Monday in Zamboanga City on the peace talks where some 2,000 Zamboangenos expressed strong opposition to the inclusion of Zamboanga in the MILF-proposed Bangsamoro homeland in Mindanao.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza, however, assured the Zamboanga City residents that the government has been transparent in the ongoing peace talks with the MILF.

Malacaņang said earlier the resumption of the peace negotiations with the MILF has drawn the support of the international community.

Malacaņang underscored today the need to make sure that all structures and facilities of the entire Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 are safe and "devoid of any hazards to the public" before the new airport is finally opened.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye issued the statement after a portion of the ceiling of the new airport’s arrival area collapsed yesterday. No one was injured in the incident.

At the same time, Bunye urged the public not to speculate on the NAIA Terminal 3 incident, and instead wait for the result of the thorough investigation being conducted by the authorities headed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

"An investigation is ongoing and let us not speculate on the NAIA 3 incident, which is a temporary setback to our plans," he said.

Bunye reiterated that the Terminal 3 of the airport would be open within this year after the repair of the damaged ceiling and the conclusion of the investigation.

"We want to open the facility to serve the public at the soonest possible time, on the condition that all structures and facilities are secure and devoid of any hazards to the public. The DOTC is on top of the situation," Bunye said.

Malacanang branded today as unfounded and farfetched the charges of fraud and manipulation being heaped by the opposition on the administration as regards the ongoing sign-up drive to amend the 1987 Constitution or what is commonly called as people’s initiative.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye pointed out in a statement the government has allowed the democratic process to run its course without any interference and that it is happy over the response of the people to the call for transformation and change.

"Instead of continuing the destructive politicking on the issue of people’s initiative, we suggest that our politicians let the process roll on to its natural course and let the people decide if indeed there is popular support for substantive changes in our Constitution," he said referring to critics.

Bunye made the reaction in the light of opposition claims that the Palace is initiating the sign-up drive and enticing people with perks just to complete the requirements for amending the Charter via a people’s initiative.

Some opposition congressmen have also vowed to challenge before the Supreme Court the entire exercise in the event the Commission on Elections accepts the signatures for Charter change (cha-cha) that administration allies started gathering last week.

Bunye belied such claims, noting that the country’s democratic system allows such a process to continue.