29 July 2004 – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continues to receive greeting cards, messages and correspondence from various heads of state, heads of government, heads of missions and international organizations congratulating her for her election last 10 May 2004 and assumption into office on 30 June 2004. International observers were present during the conduct of elections in May and they also witnessed the conduct of the canvassing of votes sent by various Foreign Service posts overseas.

Among those who sent their congratulatory correspondence were H.M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain who has been known to be a champion of democracy in his country, President Vicente Fox Quesada of Mexico, whose country is currently exploring the exercise of Overseas Absentee Voting for the next scheduled elections and from the Royal House of Cambodia, H.M. King Norodom Sihanouk and his son H.R.H. Prince Nordodm Ranariddh, who is the President of the National Assembly of Cambodia.

Dr. Mohamed  Ahmed Sherif, Secretary of the World Islamic Call Society also expressed his warm congratulations to the President. Other prominent leaders from predominantly Muslim countries such as President Seyed Mohammad Katami of Islamic Republic of Iran, President Islam Karimov of Uzebkistan President Ahmet Necdet Sezer of Turkey, President Bashar al-Assad of the Arab Republic of Syria and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait also sent their warm congratulatory messages to President Arroyo.

Isareli President Moshe Katsav also expressed his felicitations for President Arroyo and, through Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Yehoshua Sagi, expressed his wish for limitless opportunities for advancement during her second term of office and the continuing enhancement of Philippine-Israeli bilateral relations.

The City Mayor of Los Angeles, James Hahn sent a congratulatory message extending good wishes on behalf of the City of Los Angeles. In his message he expressed that her wisdom and leadership “reap fruitful rewards in your efforts to establish an improved institution of government and in enriching the quality of lives of Filipinos throughout the world”. He also commended the Arroyo administration’s efforts in combating terrorism and for preserving democratic ideals. Los Angeles is home to the largest number of Filipino-Americans in the entire North America. END