President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday assured the public that she would not meddle in the May 10 national elections, saying that she remained focused on governance and the implementation of major infrastructure projects in her last few months in office.

Keynoting the 113th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army at the Philippine Army Grandstand, Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig, the President asked the Philippine Army to help the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring that there will be credible, orderly and honest polls on May 10.

“I will stay out in the process... I remain focused on governance,” she said.

In her Memorandum Order No. 309 dated Jan. 15, Mrs. Arroyo concurred with the Comelec’s Resolution No. 8718, which was promulgated on December 17 last year which would deputize the military “for the purpose of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct of the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.”

“You are deputized to assist the Comelec and it is the Comelec’s job to ensure that voting machines work and the results are delivered,” the President said calling on the Philippine Army to take active role in ensuring clean, honest, and reliable elections in May.

Mrs. Arroyo also vowed that there would a smooth transition of power in June when her term expires.

She also took the opportunity to thank the Philippine Army for their overwhelming support to her nine-year old administration.

“In the past nine years, in the best and worst of time, the Philippine Army has given my administration tremendous support in protecting the nation. I thank you for your sincere and excellent service to our Filipino people,” she said.

In early January, Malacañang asked the police and military to only take cue from the Comelec this election period as it expressed confidence that the Comelec is in full control of the situation.

It said the police and military should only take orders from the poll body on electoral matters.