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Monday, September 05, 2005
Arroyo to Pinoys: Stay with me
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Sunday asked Filipinos to keep on the course with her, saying that the economy grew under her watch by five percent despite the political turmoil.
"Our record breaking revenues for August show that nothing, not even the worst form of machinations at the expense of the rule of law, will distract the people from their responsibility to build a strong nation upon the foundations of civic duty," Arroyo said.
Government revenue collection exceeded targets by P10.5 billion for August as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) surpassed its target collection by P3.3 billion while the Bureau of Treasury (BOT) overshot its performance by P8 billion.
"To our people, I ask that they stay the course with me as we continue to take the brave path towards meaningful reforms to help us obtain freedom from debt and grinding poverty. While others pray for my downfall, I humbly seek Divine guidance to do what is best for our people," Arroyo said.
"The road ahead of us will be difficult and challenging and we shall go through all of these hardships together, just as our families and the generations to follow will reap the economic fruits of our sacrifices together a few years from now," she said.
The President said the higher revenue collection shows that Filipinos have become mature in bearing the burden of nation-building and that revenue agencies are becoming more effective.
She said the Supreme Court's (SC) decision upholding the constitutionality of the Expanded Value-Added Tax (e-VAT) Law will boost the reforms and services essential to investments and jobs.
She said the government will maintain the safety nets needed to insulate the poor from the high prices that will affect them due to the e-VAT. (JMR)
(September 5, 2005 issue)
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