Arroyo Admits Difficulties, Vows to Realize 'Strong Republic'

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 23, 2002

Arroyo Admits Difficulties, Vows to Realize 'Strong Republic'

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said on Monday that her 18-month-old administration's efforts to build a strong republic have been difficult, but vowed to lead the country forward.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said on Monday that her 18-month-old administration's efforts to build a strong republic have been difficult, but vowed to lead the country forward.

"It has been 18 months of putting out small fires and soothing hurt feelings, while taking what I hope have been giant steps forward in the economy," she said in her 48-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In the SONA, Arroyo also reported the resolution of immediate crises including economic, political and security problems that have hit the country. Her administration achieved the resolution by showing tangible results in the delivery of government services;preserving and defending the republic against forces that seek to destroy its unity; and by restoring macroeconomic stability and winning back investor confidence.

Still, she admitted that there "were large long-term crises of social justice and the capitalist system itself, whose resolution awaits events well beyond one small nation's ability to influence in the short term."

Among these large long-term crises, Arroyo said, are tensions between main trading partners which were aggravated by the global war against terrorism, and the shocking corporate scandal that hasseverely eroded public faith in the free market.

One of the focuses to resolve the crisis and build a strong republic was to "restore macroeconomic stability and win back investor confidence,"which can be accomplished by controlling the fiscal deficit, adopting strong administrative measures and keeping interest rates low and the peso stable, Arroyo said.

"But now the time has come. We must devote ourselves entirely to taking more of those giant steps towards the achievement of thestrong Republic."

"I will lead our country towards the strong Republic," she vowed.

"In any event, I promise to work even harder if that is possible, and do even better because I believe that there is always room for improvement. I cannot grow taller, but I can always get better," she said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Missing Worker Found, Relatives Mourn ( 5 Messages)

China's Economy Grew 7.8 Percent in First Half Year ( 18 Messages)

Chinese Office Software Challenges Microsoft's Win98 ( 13 Messages)

Gang of 66 Criminals Get Heavy Sentences ( 74 Messages)

Secret of China's Manned 'Spaceport' Revealed ( 3 Messages)

How to View Major Problems in China's Income Distribution System ( 134 Messages)