“I will trust the Comelec to ensure the new voting machines work, the votes are protected and counted and the results are delivered in rapid manner to the satisfaction of voters,” President Arroyo said.

CEBU – Expect no more telephone calls to a poll officer, like the controversial “Hello Garci,” or any other form of interference from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the May 10, 2010 automated elections.

This, after President Arroyo vowed to stay out of the electoral process during the 2010 elections.

She also has vowed to leave her most important legacy – clean and credible elections this May – as she encouraged independent local and foreign groups to observe the country's first automated polls.

Addressing an assembly of councilors at the Cebu International Convention Center Thursday afternoon, the President also promised to leave the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to handle the computerized democratic exercise.

There is no more important legacy than to leave the nation with a free and fair elections and a smooth transition to a new government. Our people deserve to have confidence that their votes counts and that our democracy works,” she said.

“To protect the integrity of the vote and the elections results, we encourage, we welcome independent, outside election observers to verify that the elections are in fact free, fair and open and the results valid, free from any political interference,” she added.

Mrs. Arroyo said she welcomes the deployment of election watchdogs all over the country “both from the Philippines and from outside” as the nation elects its new set of government leaders on May 10 through automated machines.

“It is important to have independent verification to give the people the confidence that the election works and the transition to a new government comes in smoothly,” she said.

The President, who made a public apology in 2005 after admitting she called an election officer during the 2004 presidential elections, also said she “will be staying out of the election process.”

“I will trust the Comelec to ensure the new voting machines work, the votes are protected and counted and the results are delivered in rapid manner to the satisfaction of voters,” she said.

The President was accused of manipulating the 2004 election results after a wiretapped recording apparently between an election commissioner and her was released to the public five years ago. President Arroyo denied she tried to influence the results of the polls, which saw her narrow victory against opposition contender the late Fernando Poe Jr.

In her remarks, the President reiterated her vow to ensure a smooth transition to a new government, adding her accomplishments must be passed on transfer to new leaders to continue the forward march to progress.

“To that end, let us do everything, we will do everything to make sure the new president and his team hit the ground running when they assume office,” she said.

With less than three months in office, the President said she would remain focused on governance and advancing the key programs namely infrastructure, education, healthcare, job creation, and economic stability.

“This election is about hope and leaving a brighter future to the next generation. The next government must build, must continue to build on the investments that we have been making to move our nation forward,” she said.