Addressing the 2008 Philippines Development Forum at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, the President sought the help of the Senate and House of Representatives to pass urgent legislations that would bolster the fight against corruption and improve the country’s banking and finance systems.

Mrs. Arroyo noted that the recent passage of the 2008 national budget already showed that the Senate and House could come together to work with the Executive branch "to get things done for the nation."

"Political noise there is, but it need not interfere with economic progress and reform. This budget helps make that point," she said.

"The people are tired of partisan wrangling, they want all of us to do our job, which is to work for the interest of the people, keeping the nation strong and stable, and always moving forward," she added.

While she trumpeted the series of economic gains in the past year, the President acknowledged that much more remains to be done to improve the plight of the poor especially in the face of global economic slowdown and rising prices of oil and rice in the world market.

Mrs. Arroyo promised to work hard the next two years until her term ends in 2010 to fulfill the Philippine Reform Agenda.

"This includes legislative efforts to improve our banking and finance system; to strengthening our tax collection and continue to broaden our taxpayer base; and crack down on corruption and red tape," she said.

The President pledged to pursue economic reforms while providing peace, order, and stability in the remainder of her term.

Meanwhile, Malacañang is willing to sit down with the Senate and craft common "ground rules" on the appearances of government executives in legislative inquiries to avoid bitter confrontations.

Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita said mutually acceptable rules on such activities could help foster better relations between the Executive branch and the legislature.

Ermita hailed the SC decision upholding the right of Neri to invoke executive privilege in the Senate NBN inquiry.

"Now that the decision had been issued by the Supreme Court, we hope that we will be enlightened that it is important to have ground rules (to facilitate) understanding," Ermita said.