PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo warned on Friday that her government would not tolerate corruption "in any form" and said no high official was "indispensable or untouchable." At the same time, Arroyo ordered a stop to the use of public funds for the “perks and lavishness” of some government officials.

"The administration will not tolerate corruption in any form and no high officials are indispensable or untouchable on this score," Arroyo said in a statement she read during a news briefing in the municipality of Limay in Bataan province.

“As to the perks or lavishness of officials involving the use of public funds, these should be immediately stopped,” said Arroyo who inspected a refinery of Petron Philippines.

Arroyo said her administration would “continue to take grafters into account as we push for good governance, transparency, and top quality public services.”

The President also urged whistleblowers in corruption cases to bring evidence before the Ombudsman, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), and the courts.

Arroyo acknowledged the role of media "in exposing alleged anomalies," and called on "each official, department, or agency charged or alluded to in such anomalies to set the records straight if the allegations are wrong, or submit themselves to impartial administrative or judicial probes.”

Earlier this week, resigned Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chief Haydee Yorac exposed the alleged overspending of executives of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) using coconut levy funds.

On Thursday, US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said the Philippines could not withdraw up to 20 million dollars from the Millenium Challenge Account (MCA) pending refinements in its anti-corruption plan.

In her closing statement during Friday's briefing, Arroyo also appealed to the public for “understanding” as the government puts its fiscal position in order.

Apparently referring to increased taxes, the President said “painful remedies” must be applied to address the country's debt and budget deficit problems.

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Nagpapatawa ba si GMA ......Paano si M1, M2 and JS6?