Exactly a week before she steps down from office, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Wednesday night bade farewell to the Filipino people and urged them to rally behind the administration of the newly-elected Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

The President, delivering her final address to the nation in Malacañang over live television, thanked the people for giving her the privilege of serving the nation, saying she will soon lead a "quieter public role" as representative of Pampanga's second district.

Appearing relaxed in a red polo and black pants in her live televised address, Ms. Arroyo also congratulated anew President-elect Aquino and Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay for their victory. She highlighted the smooth transition of power to the new leadership as a "hallmark of democracy for our great nation," following the historic "open and modern" automated polls.

"I feel confident that we are leaving this nation much stronger than when I came to office. But I leave that for history to judge. Tonight, I call on everyone to unite behind our new leaders. I am optimistic and I am hopeful about our future. Yet until every Filipino child is born to a family free of poverty, we cannot rest," she said.

"We must always set our sights on the future and keep an eye on improving our economy, investing in people, and building bridges. Not just bridges of iron and steel, but bridges between people, generations and governments," she added.

In her speech that lasted around five minutes, the President also reflected on her nine years in power, from inheriting a country reeling from political intrigue and distressed economy to reforming the economy and investing in the people.

She recalled making unpopular choices, such as raising taxes, against the odds “for a very simple reason.” We had to have new money for more and better health care, education, and job creation. We needed new and better roads, bridges, ports, and a technology backbone to attract new businesses and investors to create new jobs," she said.

She also recited a litany of her government's achievements, including 37 quarters of uninterrupted economic growth despite the threat of global recession.

"Look around you in our cities, as you drive by office towers that have changed the skyline. Look around you in our provinces, as you drive along the roads, bridges and the RORO ports where we have made massive investments. This is the face of change," she said.

Other achievements presented by the President are access of 85 percent of the population to PhilHealth insurance, construction of over 100,000 classrooms, and creation of 9 million jobs. The call center industry, built almost from scratch, now employs 500,000 agents, compared to only 5,000 in 2001.

Arroyo acknowledged that her government’s accomplishments, built on efforts of past leadership, are now part of the “continuum of history.”

"Each successive government must build on the successes and progresses of the previous one, advance the programs that work, leave behind those that don’t," she said, apparently giving a reminder to the next leadership.

She also thanked the nation of “industrious, hard working people,” from fisherman, farmer, taxi driver to teacher, for their contribution to help the Philippines achieve its full potential.

Towards the end of her speech, the President said she would soon move to a new phase of life, referring to her assumption as congresswoman of Pampanga's second district.

"We are all on a journey together. As our nation moves forward, let us all join hands in unity and walk confidently towards a better tomorrow. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for giving me the honor and privilege of serving you. Malaking karangalang ang makapaglingkod sa sambayanan bilang Pangulo. Sa inyong lahat na napagsilbihan ko sa mahirap ngunit makasaysayang landas, maraming, maraming salamat," she added.

Present at teh the Kalayaan Hall where the President delivered her speech were Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr., Budget Secretary Jake Lagonera, Monetary Board member Peter Favila, Presidential Management Staff chief Elena Bautista-Horn, Presidential adviser on special concerns Remedios Poblador, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Ignacio Arroyo and wire Kakai.

The speech, that contained inputs from some cabinet members, was written mostly by the President, according to Icban.

The President’s address was aired live simultaneously over all local television stations, a broadcast activity dubbed as “road block.” Philippine Information Agency officer-in-charge Jose Isabelo said this is the first time a “road block” has occured since the martial law declaration in the 1970s.