I continue to support President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the duly elected President of the Republic of the Philippines.  In response to her call for members of her Cabinet to resign in order to give the Executive a free hand to implement various reforms, I have submitted my courtesy resignation.  I was appointed by the President and I serve the nation fully cognizant that I do so at her pleasure.

Amidst calls from various sectors for the President to resign, I remain steadfast in my support of the President’s stand that she remains to be the duly and constitutionally elected President of the Philippines.  President Arroyo has been elected by the people and her mandate shall remain in effect for as long as her authority is not invalidated by any constitutionally-mandated or prescribed democratic process.

The Philippines stands at a politically precarious situation.  How we handle this situation is something that the entire world is watching.  I therefore call for the respect of law and the democratic process to show the maturity and sobriety of our democracy.

I also appeal to all sectors to work towards a democratic and peaceful resolution of this political crisis.  END