"A LAPSE IN JUDGEMENT"

thanks to jtm for this transcript. this was the much-awaited statement the president made at 7pm today. all day long, i received calls from congressmen and their staff asking for advance info on what the president would say. you judge if it was worth the loooong wait.

STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT

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 infuence the outcome of the election, and it did not. As I mentioned, the election had already been decided and the votes counted every major public opinion poll, and adjudged free, fair 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 judgement. 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// pinananagutan ko nang lubusan ang aking mga ginawa, at humihingi 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 oppurtunity 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 will 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

******
all throughout the statement, the president had a look on her face that appealed for understanding, for awa. and right after she sez the last line, she breaks into a smile.

and did you notice the pictures of the apo conspicuously placed in the background, to the right of the president? when a president delivers a statement, whether it be recorded or live, nothing in the frame - in the foreground, background or beside the president - just happened to be there by accident. everything is well-planned, deliberate. di ko naman ata type yung gamitin ang mga apo para makakuha ng simpatiya. kayo? ako, nanay ako. kahit kailan, di ko gagamitin ang mga anak para sa kahit ano. kung puwede nga lang, di na sila masilayan ng ibang mata.

immediately after the president delivered her statement, text messages circulated. one of which said this: padadala ka ba sa drama ni nora aunor? hahayaan ba nating paglaruan nina ronie puno et al ang katalinuhan ng mamamayang pilipino. forgive? yes. forget? NO!!! her public apology? NOTED!!!

it cannot be determined yet who the source of this message is.

but a few minutes after the president's statement, i heard erap's phonepatch interview on tv where he said, "the president's public apology has been noted." hmmmm....

for those who have been out of touch with the goings-on in the phils, heto ang bakcgrounder. ang "noted" eh ang laging sagot ng congressional canvassing committee members who were allied with the administration sa lahat ng reklamo ng oposisyon nung bilangan ng boto. the reference to nora aunor? isn't it obvious?

the president has appealed to the public for support and unity. will you begrudge her?