In a global arena, what our businessmen need in order to be competitive is transparency and a level playing-field.

We must promote solid traits such as work ethics, a dignified lifestyle, matching actions to rhetoric, performance rather than grandstanding.

We've supported the U.S. every step of the way. The Philippines was the first government in Asia after September 11, in fact, the night of September 11; it was nighttime for us then. It was daytime here. We were the first government in Asia to come out and say that we're supporting the U.S.

On the economy, the U.S. cumulatively is our most important investor, most important trading partner, most important sort of tourists, and we have now a tie that will... a link that will be here for many, many years to come, and that is the big Philippine-American community in the United States - three million of them.

It is the civilian part of the politics that is very, very bad, and we have to change that.

The military is very constitutionalist, and I have my faith in them and in the cooler heads of the people.

In all the things I've gone through as a politician, I have seen that in this system it is really very difficult to make any headway without being somehow tainted. And let me say, 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.'

I can say that I have not done any culpable violation of the constitution.

It is simply the truth that the political system that I am part of has degenerated to the point that it needs fundamental change.

I'm not worried. I'm in control.

In the time one is given, the steward must make the most of the talents one is given by the Lord.

I want ordinary people to enjoy a decent standard of living, with ever increasing security, comfort and joy.

I want justice to be so pervasive that it will be taken for granted, just as injustice is taken for granted today.

While there's been much progress on terrorism, there's still much work to do and it is very important that the countries work together in order to address this threat together.

We look at the world and analyze the world, and see what we can do that is in line of our mutual interest and also in line with, you know, what the whole world needs, because this is a world where we really have to all work together.

Now I ask you to make your sacrifice. Take a gamble. I took the plunge and I'm glad of it.

Our children are our most cherished possession. In their early years, we must make sure they get a healthy start in life. They must receive the right food for a healthy body, the right education for a bright and inquiring mind - and the equal opportunity for a meaningful job.

I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision. From where I sit, I can tell you, a president is always as strong as she wants to be.

I shall work with Congress, civil society groups and local government executives who are convinced that charter changes are needed to enable the country to surmount the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.

I am very grateful to our Muslim population. One of the things we've been doing is stepping up our inter-faith dialogue with the Muslim population. And I think that helped very much in their support for me.

I was invited by President Bush to come to the United States on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the mutual defense treaty.

We have the hardest working people in the world, the most adaptable and the most congenial to employ.

Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean.

Even before 9/11, the Philippines was already fighting terrorism in southwestern Philippines. That's why when 9/11 happened, we could understand the pain.