Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

“ We are not an archipelago of false hopes but a nation joined together by the progress we seek.
Our ability to unify will be judged by our ability to come together under a common vision that will erase the divisions that hold us back as a nation.
The government must make tough choices, but this I promise: they will be tougher on those who have it easy than on those who have it tough already. In this way alone lies unity and not exploitation and division. We must include in our national goals the hopes and dreams of our poorest citizens in order for us to succeed. ”

“ I say to them: do not tell us what we all know, that democracy can be threatened. Tell us what you will do when it is attacked.
I know what to do:
As I have shown, I will defend democracy with arms when it is threatened by violence; with firmness when it is weakened by division; with law and order when it is subverted by anarchy; and always, I will try to sustain it by wise policies of economic progress, so that a democracy means not just an empty liberty but a full life for all. ”

“ After Years Of Hard Struggle And Brilliant Achievement, My Father Took His Oath As President Of The Philippines On Ground Made Hallow By The Martyrdom Of Our National Hero. A Hero Whose Name He Would Honor, And Whose Ideals He Would Pursue.
Indeed, In A Democracy, A Man May Rise To The Nation’s Highest Service By Dint Of Energy And Intelligence Alone, Without Regard To Wealth And Connections Of Which My Father Had None.
It Was Jose Rizal Who Wrote: “A Life Not Dedicated To A Great Ideal Is Useless; A Mere Pebble In The Field That Forms No Part Of An Edifice.” ”

“ Higit sa lahat, salamat sa sambayanang Pilipino, para sa inyong mga sakripisyo, sa inyong tiyaga, for believing, in the face of the greatest hardships, in our ability to surmount the obstacles to the future you deserve; you who have resisted persistent if not pathetic calls for despair instead of faith, for anarchy instead of harmony, salamat, salamat, taus- pusong pasasalamat.
So I stand before you today to deliver a state of the nation that is focused on what the people want; the people want to know the plan to put us on the path to prosperity. ”

“ To attain our full potential as a nation, let us come to terms with the fundamental issues in Mindanao. Let us forge consensus on a just, lasting, and honorable peace in one country. Peace and development are inseparable twins. But our framework must not compromise constitutionality, national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Instead, let us recognize that we have a multi-ethnic society which should be founded on social justice for all and institutionalized accommodation of ethnic traditions. This would finally introduce a new culture in our nation’s attitude towards mindanao. ”

“ I did not sacrifice policy to save a human life. I applied policy for that purpose. The Philippines has no policy that demands sacrifice of human lives.
Ask yourselves this: if Angelo de la Cruz had been sacrificed, what would change-for the better in Iraq today?
Having saved one Filipino from a painful and pointless death, we must seize the unity we attained to improve our government and save our economy. ”

“ Through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have the money to care for our people and pay for food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spikes.
Neither we nor anyone else in the world expected this day to come so soon but we prepared for it. For the guts not to flinch in the face of tough choices, I thank God. For the wisdom to recognize how needed you are, I thank, you Congress. ”

“ Our unity as a people will be defined by a strong vision of a nation built on common values of hard work, shared sacrifice and love of country.
The unity we seek is not one of conformity but unwavering respect for the rules and institutions of democracy. A modern country founded on social justice, enjoying economic prosperity.
To achieve a united country, we need to face the deep divisions of our nation squarely, not only the truth but also the solution. That solution must engage all segments of society in a new government of political reform and economic change. ”

“ The Words Of Diosdado Macapagal Echoed This Theme As He Assumed The Mantle Of National Leadership Forty Years Ago: “No President Can Build The Whole Edifice Of A Nation. All That He Is Called Upon To Do Is To Add A Fine Stone To That Edifice, So That Those Who Shall Come After Him May Add Other Fine Stones That Will Go For A Strong And Enduring Structure.” ”

“ We need to promote a new politics of true party programs and platforms, of an institutional process of dialogue with our citizenry. This new politics is the politics of genuine reform. It is a structural part of the solution.
We have long accepted the need to level the playing field in business and economics. Now, we must accept the need to level the playing field in politics as well. We have long aspired to be a world class economy. Now, we must also aspire to develop a world class political system, one in tune with the 21st century. ”

“ Sometimes stamping out deficits too vigorously can slow down growth. But ignoring them can kill the economy. It sends the wrong signal that we don’t understand our fiscal predicament and will not help ourselves. This will drive away investments, exacerbate the deficit and hurt job growth.
Chronic deficits drastically reduce government’s ability to make those infrastructure investments that business needs to grow and create jobs. ”

“ I will need very single Filipino to come together, get involved and help us bind the wounds of the past. I will need every single Filipino to get our nation healthy for tomorrow.
I challenge our business community to rise to the occasion and embrace selfless nationalism. Invest in our people and our country instead of giving excuses for keeping your money abroad where it cannot put our people to work.
I challenge our young men and women: there is a role to play in the re-creation of our nation, some in honest public service, most in productive private endeavor. ”

“ At Stake In This War Is The Very Life Of Society, The Very Possibility Of Basic Rights And Liberties, Which Have Been Under Attack For Too Long.
The Right To Work In Peace Is As Basic As The Right To Life And Liberty, And When Both Are In Danger Their Preservation By All Lawful Means Becomes Not Just A Higher Right But An Overriding Duty. ”

“ Perhaps we have strained the present political system to its final limit.
It is time to turn to the people, bring them into government — and change the way that government is done.
The people want government that works for them at every level. They want good government that begins at their doorstep in the barangay, and does not end before the closed door of a bureaucrat in Metro Manila.
The system clearly needs fundamental change, and the sooner the better. It’s time to start the great debate on charter change. ”

“ As the leader of the nation, I say in behalf of the Filipino people to the world: we are strong and principled believers in democracy. Four generations of fighting Filipinos have ceaselessly struggled against totalitarians and terrorists, for our freedom, for the freedom of our people and the people of the world. ”

“ As Louie Villafuerte argues, to step into the future, a country that wants to be a player in the global economy needs bold and well-funded research and development initiatives of its own. To this end, we will continuously increase the budget for science and technology, and education. For in today’s global economy, knowledge is the greatest creator of wealth. ”

“ There isn’t a day I do not work at my job, or a waking moment when I do not think through a work-related problem. Even my critics cannot begrudge the long hours I put in. Our people deserve a government that works just as hard as they do.
A President must be on the job 24/7, ready for any contingency, any crisis, anywhere, anytime. ”

“ And i ask congress to enact a law giving overseas Filipinos, who continue to play a critical role in the country’s economic and social stability, giving them the right to vote.
Preparing our growth sectors of the future enables us to tap the opportunities of the 21st century.
We will promote fast-growing industries where high-value jobs are most plentiful. One of them is information and communications technology, or ICT, our English literacy, our aptitude and skills give us a competitive edge in ICT Filipino workers are ranked number one in the field, number one among knowledge workers. ”

“ A Strong Republic Takes Care Of The People And Takes Care Of Their Future. Thus, A Strong Republic Is The Bedrock Of The Victory We Seek Over Poverty Within The Decade.
During These Past Eighteen Months, Our Efforts To Build The Strong Republic Have Been Difficult, With Both Domestic And Global Conditions Extremely Harsh. At Home, The Poor Were Pitted Against The Rich To Further Inflame Our Nation’s Social Divisions
Abroad, The Contracting Economies Of Our Main Trading Partners Were Further Aggravated By The Tensions Generated By The Global War Against Terrorism. ”

“ Only the lessons of unity, courage and a just closure kept alive in their hearts.
We must end with justice the conflict brought about by EDSA 1, 2 and 3. There are more things that bind rather than tear us apart as a nation. We are a vibrant country with a lively democracy and fervor burning in our hearts. Industry, patience, fear of God and love for family are common values we hold dear.
The Filipino is known worldwide for his honesty, honor and dignity. We fight for what we believe in. ”

“ We must be bold in our national ambitions, so that our challenge must be that within this decade, we will win the fight against poverty. 2. We must improve moral standards in government and society, in order to provide a strong foundation for good governance. 3. We must change the character of our politics, in order to create fertile ground for true reforms. Our politics of personality and patronage must give way to a new politics of party programs and process of dialogue with the people. ”

“ As a first step, let us declare that technology is the foundation of future economic development, as China did in 1998. ICT will jumpstart our old stalling economy and make it leapfrog into the new economy. ”

“ The roof cannot collapse when the value pillars of government and society are sound and strong.
I fervently support the judicial reforms being carried out by our supreme court.
I ask congress for a law making the ombudsman’s function as effective as Hong Kong’s independent commission against corruption.
Bureaucratic corruption with its numerous leakages is bad. So is government incompetence. Unlike in the private sector, where the free market punishes mistakes, government incompetence punishes only the public. ”

“ As your President, I care too much about this nation to let anyone stand in the way of our people’s wellbeing. Hindi ko papayagang humadlang ang sinuman sa pag-unlad at pagsagana ng taong bayan. I will let no one – and no one’s political plans – threaten our nation’s survival.
Our country and our people have never failed to be there for us. ”

“ Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean. To be sure, the system is still capable of achieving great reforms. But, by and large, our political system has betrayed its promise to each new generation of Filipinos, not a few of whom are voting with their feet, going abroad and leaving that system behind. ”

“ To my friends in Congress who, in the face of grave political consequences, championed and passed some of the most severe and critical fiscal reforms to save our economy, maraming salamat. You are the true friends of the Filipino people. For the real challenge has never been to blame but to fix what is wrong in our country and our economy. ”

“ From Bonifacio at Balintawak to Cory Aquino at EDSA and up to today, we have struggled to bring power to the people, and this country to the eminence it deserves.
Today the Philippines is weathering well the storm that is raging around the world. It is growing stronger with the challenge. When the weather clears, as it will, there is no telling how much farther forward it can go. ”

“ Can we not work together to rally the nation behind the paramount objective of its salvation?
To win and realize our dream, we must all unite. We must come together by tearing down the barriers of social division and building up economic opportunity for the poor and establishing justice for all. This is the foundation of genuine unity. ”

“ I am certain that pride will reign supreme as Filipinos recall the heroism and sacrifices and prayers of Jaime Cardinal Sin, Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, Chief Justice Davide, the legislators who fought the good fight in congress, the leaders whose principles were beyond negotiation, the witnesses in the impeachment trial who did not count the cost of testifying, the youth and students who walked out of their classroom to be at EDSA, the generals in the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police, and the Filipino out there who stood up to be counted in these troubled times. ”

“ While we may know how to grow rice well, topography doesn’t always cooperate.
Nature did not gift us with a mighty Mekong like Thailand and Vietnam, with their vast and naturally fertile plains. Nature instead put our islands ahead of our neighbours in the path of typhoons from the Pacific. So, we import 10% of the rice we consume.
To meet the challenge of today, we will feed our people now, not later, and help them get through these hard times. To meet the challenges of tomorrow, we must become more self-reliant, self-sufficient and independent, relying on ourselves more than on the world. ”

“ To reduce the cost of power, we will begin implementing the power sector reform law which the previous congress just passed.
To reduce deterrents to investments in agriculture, I ask Congress to enact a law making farm land acceptable as loan collateral.
To reduce excessive friction in labor and management relations, we will go the extra mile to work for industrial peace, and to work with labor and business to retrain workers for the fast-changing technologies of the new economy. ”

“ By definition, public services are what the private sector will not do except for a price the public cannot pay.
Where the private sector can do it better and cheaper, government may have to step aside. But the watchwords are better and cheaper. Where privatization only spells public pillage, government will continue to do the work. ”

“ WHEREAS, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police have effectively suppressed and quelled the rebellion.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby declare that the state of rebellion has ceased to exist. ”

“ I ask congress to pass the pre-need code to rehabilitate, reform and regulate the pre-need educational programs that worked so well in the past as a major vehicle for youth education entitlement.
College education is the great Filipino dream. But in a world of rapid technological change, getting a job or keeping it depends as much on how well one reasons as how well one uses his hands. ”

“ Housing policies were designed to lift up our poorer citizens so they can live and raise a family with dignity. Ang ating mga puhunan sa agrikultura ay naglalayong kilalanin ang ating mga magsasaka bilang backbone ng ating bansa, at bigyan sila ng mga modernong kagamitan to feed our nation and feed their own family.
Had we listened to the critics of those policies, had we not braced ourselves for the crisis that came, had we taken the easy road much preferred by politicians eyeing elections, this country would be flat on its back. ”

“ With The Drug Menace Now Elevated To The Level Of A National Security Problem And No Longer Just A Police Problem, I Am Instructing The Armed Forces Of The Philippines To Field Military Resources For Intelligence And To Field Soldiers In Drug Raids In Support Of Civilian Law Enforcement. Drug Lords Will Be Treated As Enemies Of The State!
In This War With The Drug Trade There Will Be No Compromise And No Quarter, Not For Fear Or Favor. ”

“ We will take a hard look at education and ask: is it preparing the youth for the jobs of the new economy? Or is it just-keeping-them-off-the-streets-until-they-are-thrown-there jobless after graduation? If they finish school at all.
To increase the chances of Filipino children finishing school, we will minimize the cost of going to school. When we stopped the collection of miscellaneous fees last enrollment day, 900,000 more students enrolled than anticipated. And to reduce the time and money spent to actually travel to school, i want a school building in every barangay by 2004. ”

“ Everything right can be undone by even a single wrong. Every step forward must be taken in the teeth of political pressures and economic constraints that could push you two steps back – if you flinch and falter. I have not flinched, I have not faltered. Hindi ako umatras sa hamon.
And I have never done any of the things that scared my worst critics so much. They are frightened by their own shadows. ”

“ The people are safer in the streets, in their homes, and in their places of work.
Every government in the world is at war with its own corruption; we have made lifestyle checks a lethal weapon, and adopted procurement reforms to take the fight forward. ”

“ Criminal Syndicates Will Be Treated As What They Are, Direct Threats To National Security. Criminals Are Criminals, Whether Of The Common Kind Or The Kind That Kill In The Name Of Political Advocacies. They Will Feel The Full Brunt Of The Arsenal Of Democracy. Freedom, Too, Is Entitled To Self-Defense. ”

“ I invite the taipans and other business people all over the country to start pump-priming the economy by investing once again in the Philippines. I invite you to create jobs, accelerate progress, and thereby address the root causes of the crime and unrest that so much alarm us. ”

“ But the story of the Philippines in 2008 is that the country weathered a succession of global crises in fuel, in food, then in finance and finally, economy in a global recession, never losing focus and with economic fundamentals intact.
A few days ago, Moody’s upgraded our credit rating, citing the resilience of our economy. The state of our nation is a strong economy. Good news for our people, bad news for our critics. ”