WHAT follows is the full text of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's statement on June 27, 2005 on the issue of the tape recordings:

Mga Minamahal kong Kababayan,

For the last several weeks, the issue of the tape recordings has spun out of control. Tonight, I want to set the record straight. You deserve an explanation; from me, because you are the people I was elected to serve.

As you recall, the election canvassing process was unnecessarily slow even after the election results were already in and the votes had been counted.

I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not. As I mentioned, the election had already been decided and the votes counted. And as you remember, the outcome had been predicted by every major public opinion poll, and adjudged free, fair and decisive by international election observers, and our own Namfrel.

That said, let me tell you how I personally feel, I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I'm sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter. I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events. I want to assure you that I have redoubled my efforts to serve the nation and earn your trust.

Nagagambala ako. Maliwanag na may kakulangan sa wastong pagpapasya ang nangyaring pagtawag sa telepono.//pinagsisisihan ko ito ng lubos.// Pinana'gutan ko nang lubusan ang aking mga ginawa at humuhingi ako ng tawad sa inyo, sa lahat ng mga butihing mamamayan na nabawasan ng tiwala dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ibig kong tiyakin sa inyo na lalo pa akong magsisikap upang maglingkod sa bayan at matamo ang inyong tiwala.

I took office with a mandate to carry out a plan for the nation. Since that time, I have focused on making the tough but necessary decisions to make up for years of economic neglect. We passed a comprehensive fiscally responsible national budget; raised new and necessary revenues to reinvest in the people; and implemented new anti-corruption measures that have led to the highest collection of taxes in history.

Nothing should stand in the way of this work, or the next phase of my reform agenda, which includes new investments in education and social services with our new revenues; and an expansion of our successful anti-corruption and lifestyle checks.

That is why I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing.

I ask each and every one of you to join hands with me in a show of unity, to help forge One Philippines, where everyone is equal under the law, and where everyone has the opportunity to use their God-given talents to make a better life.

Our nation is strong and getting stronger. The progress is steady and I ask you to walk with me on this journey to rebuild our great nation. I remain your humble servant and promise you that I will fulfill my constitutional oath of office to serve the people to the best of my ability.

God Bless the Philippines.

a day late and a dollar short...

but in the name of "stability" let's make patawad

or

literally slap her on the wrist multiplied by the number of votes she won over FPJ

Baka kailangan parehong wrists at pati ankles na yung kailangang i-slap para ma-accommodate yung winning margin na yan

She just dug her own grave. Oh, well.

For once, I would like to see closure in this case, and not just sweep dirt under the rug under the disguise of "moving forward".

Let there be an investigation on whether or not the president committed fraud. It the investigation proves fraud, then let there be impeachment proceedings where both sides can present their case. If she is found guilty, let there be appropriate punishment even if it means removing her from office. If the legislators in the majority railroad her acquittal, then let them be made accountable to voters in the elections.

Anyway, what does the Philippines have to lose? Even without juetengate and garcigate, no serious reforms that would have improved the quality of life for most Filipinos were in the offering from the administration, or were proposed by the opposition. Taking out GMA won't make a difference in the country's misfortunes.

I think this admission was fence-sitting at its finest. Please take note that GMA never admitted that it was her voice on the recording. All she said was she made phone calls to a COMELEC Commissioner (who, curiously is unnamed) to "safeguard her votes". Baloney, mesays. COMELEC officials should be like Caesar's wife and should be beyond influence. Her logic does not wash.

While not admitting to being the voice in the recording, I think she is goading her detractors to file an impeachment complaint against her, gambling that she has the numbers in the House to shoot down the complaint and free her from another one, at least for one year. Note that she has opened the door for impeachment admitting to her impropriety.

I agree with rabbaddal that closure on this issue is needed. Closure was never achieved with the Ninoy assassination, People Power (the real People Power) and the Marcoses and with the Estrada brouhaha. Heck, closure was never even achieved with the killing of Bonifacio...

On the side, it feels like the passing of an age with the death of JPII, Teddy Benigno and Cardinal Sin. I wonder what these stalwarts of principle would have said regarding last night's soap opera?

GMA should resign. There is no ifs or buts about it.

i agree with you. it is not right to "sweep it under the rug", but it would be best if we go through it all via legal means. enough of rallies and shourtcuts and let those who have sinned be punished accordingly. but until then, the people should keep calm and pray that God guide and help our country. it is best to maintain objectivity and serenity amid the political turmoil we are experiencing.

I want to get to bottom of things. I want a recount of the contested votes to establish if fraud really took place in 2004 elections. If Gloria is found guilty of electoral fraud, she should step down or be removed from office (constitutional or extra-constitutional means). Betrayal of pulic trust for me is the gravest thing that a public official can do.

But, I don't think that she should be asked to resign or be removed from office without clear grounds with physical and legitimate pieces of evidence.