Saying that being a non-political president, she does not have to be popular, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today pointedly warned vested interests that she would not allow them to sabotage her efforts to institute sweeping reforms in the government bureaucracy and move the nation forward.

"Let there be no mistake about it," she declared at the breakfast forum of the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) at the Dolce Fontana restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan, "I will move this nation forward and I will take on whatever vested interests that stand in my way."

In what has been her strongest declaration yet against vested interests and "destabilizers" since she was elected to a full six-year term, the President said: "If these interests believe they can destabilize or sabotage our efforts, they better think twice. Our people are behind me. I have their mandate, and I am here to serve that mandate for our nation’s best interest."

She said the overall economy climbed up by 6.35 percent in the first half of the year, the highest growth in the last 16 years, an indication that the Philippines is on the right path to full economic growth.

The President said this situation is a stark difference when she assumed the presidency three years ago when the country was on the edge politically, economically and socially.

The forum was hosted by The Philippine Star chairman-publisher Max Soliven, who is also MOPC chairman; MOPC vice chairman Emil Jurado; and MOPC president Tony Lopez.

Among those present were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, members of the diplomatic corps and local and foreign media.

The President said the country is ready for the 21st century and the Filipino people are united in the common purpose to work together as patriots to contribute to the new Philippines.

"Today, I believe we are poised for the success that this nation truly deserves and our people are more than ready to call for change, change for a new, hopeful and more modern nation," the President said.

She pointed out that the country’s march to progress was a challenge that would not be easy, and the government needs everybody’s help to implement sweeping reforms.

"I cannot do it alone. I need every single person, company and leader to continue to do their part with greater commitment to unlock the concealed wonders of this nation, create a new middle class and eliminate poverty," she said.

The President said Congress must pass vital legislations to raise much-needed revenues and to remove the obstacles to increased investments and growth.

The government, she said, would bolster education, invest in infrastructure, encourage more investments all over the country, and provide more teeth to the enforcement capabilities of revenue collecting agencies.

She said she is adding values formation to the lifestyle checks on government officials that has been noted by the World Bank as a commendable effort to weed out corruption.

The government is also building an anti-corruption capability modeled after Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and increase the budget of the Office of the Ombudsman to enable it to build capacity and train its team of investigators.

The President said her administration would aggressively pursue restructuring and reforming the energy sector to "plug the big hole in our fiscal position," privatize power generation and transmission of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), and increase investments in new energy-related projects.

Most importantly, the President said, government must live within its means by eliminating what is old and inefficient, and reallocating funds into areas of vital investments that would build a strong foundation for the future.

"A consolidated fiscal budget by the time I step down as President in 2010 can only mean reduced spending for debt service and greater allocation for public services and infrastructure," she said.