PRESIDENT Arroyo said on Tuesday her administration will not allow controversies affecting government projects to delay the country’s infrastructure development and flow of investments.

In her opening statement at the National Security Cabinet (NSC) Group meeting, the President said that the national leadership is focused on economic development and translating this in terms of benefits to ordinary people, despite the “destructive politicking” emanating from the opposition.

“Infrastructure and investments should not be stalled by criticisms. . . . Despite attacks and politicking, we will continue to pursue the path to progress,” she said.

She said that she has ordered concerned officials to ensure that the cyber education project will not be hounded by any allegations of irregularities.

The President said she has ordered the China Projects Oversight Panel under Trade Secretary Peter Favila “to ensure that there will be no obstacles to the very important cyber education project.”

“They will consult the Education Task Force under Fr. Ben Nebres of Ateneo to ensure that this will fulfill educational requirements. They will also be assisted by the Procurement Transparency Group and the Civil Society Organizations for Procurement Reform, to ensure that the project is open and transparent,” the President said.

The Chief Executive said that the NSC Group meeting and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Cabinet Group meeting held one after the other that day were devoted to “several very important programs,” including the passage of crucial administration bills like the proposed 2008 budget, the amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, and the cheaper medicine bill.

“In defending the budget, I reiterated to the Cabinet my directive to show Congress, the media and the people what the government had done for the people,” she said.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement that despite the recent controversies, the government’s agenda for providing jobs, better health and education “remains on course” especially in view of the economy’s continued strength as reflected in “record-high financial gains and a robust, stable peso.”

Bunye added: “We thank the business community and all our citizens for uniting with the government to insulate  these gains against destabilization and divisive politics.”

PRESIDENT Arroyo said on Tuesday her administration will not allow controversies affecting government projects to delay the country’s infrastructure development and flow of investments.

CHAIRMAN Camilo Sabio of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) on Tuesday hinted at the possibility of entering into compromise settlements with the family and cronies of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be able to recover a total of P180 billion in assets in favor of the government.

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) continues to lag behind its monthly collection goals with its total shortfall over the first eight months coming to P14 billion already.

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Some 12,000 households in 390 villages in seven Mindanao provinces joined Monday night the 2nd Light Festival by simultaneously turning their lights on in time for the observance of Lailatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, in Islam, one of the holiest and blessed nights among Muslims occurring in one of the odd nights on the last 10 days of Ramadan.

CITING numerous tax measures and rising prices of basic commodities, a militant legislator is seeking to prevent public and private higher-education institutions from implementing tuition and other fee increases within three years.