Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said here today that the bombing of the Glorietta 2 shopping mall at the Ayala Center in Makati City last Friday, where 11 innocent people were killed and dozens of others were seriously injured, is a clear attempt by a certain group to destabilize the government and frustrate the positive outcome of the economy.

She made the charge as she called on the nation to unite and help the government in the continuing fight against terrorism in order for the country to move forward, she lamented, that despite the attempt to disturb the peace and order situation in the country, the economy has continued to display its bullish performance.

In fact, she said, the economy has reached another new level of maturity and stability with some of the strongest macroeconomic fundamentals in 20 years. 

The President flew in this typhoon-prone province to inform the residents that since she assumed the presidency in 2001, the national government has been able to generate large revenues unprecedented in history, cut down tax cheats, strengthen the peso and move the stock market.

“And no one thought that we could bring our budget deficit down, pre-pay our debts and raise employment, but we have,” she stressed, adding that with this development the Philippines is on a path to permanent economic growth and stability.

 She assured the nation that in the next three years, the government will translate the positive results of the gains from the reforms that she already implemented to the real benefits of the Filipino people.