Estrada Hoping for Better Year Ahead

Saying the year 2000 has by far been the most difficult during his term, Philippine President Joseph Estrada voiced his hope, during his tour to a province Thursday, December 28, that 2001 would bring better times.

A presidential press release issued here quoted the president as saying in Laguna province that he also wishes his impeachment trial could be finished as soon as possible in the coming new year.

"This has been my most difficult year so far. I hope (our problems) will be over by 2001," he said.

Estrada said he would be very happy if he sees the economy improving and the people uniting behind him to fight poverty.

"I am very happy to see that the people still trust and support me. But I'll be happier when -- with the people's support -- I have ably fulfilled my campaign promise to improve the quality of life of every Filipino," he said.

The president said he has been praying hard for an early end to his impeachment trial, so that the public can refocus its attention on supporting and building a strong economy.

In the meantime, he said his administration and his cabinet will continue doing their part to make sure government continues to deliver basic services to the people.

"I have been praying hard for the speedy conclusion of this impeachment case. I want this to end so we can all concentrate on the economy," he said.

The president said that in the year 2000, the country has had its "ups and downs," with the "downs" coming one after the other later in the year.

Estrada considered as this year's "ups" the government's neutralization of threats to national security instigated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao.

Among the year's "downs" were the hike in world prices of crude oil and the weakening of the Philippine peso and other regional currencies against the US dollar.

"We were not alone. Even developed countries saw their currencies fall against the dollar," he said.

But he said the most difficult problem came in October, when South Ilocos Governor Luis Singson accused him of receiving money from jueteng. The accusations brewed a political crisis that spawned an impeachment trial against the president.






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