Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon and Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday expressed their support for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as she marked her 59th birthday yesterday, amid calls from her critics "to do a Thaksin."

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Tuesday announced his resignation amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power that had triggered mounting protests in Bangkok.

However, Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Gabriel Claudio said Arroyo will not follow the footsteps of Thaksin, her situation was "altogether different."

Arroyo, in Lubao, Pampanga yesterday for her birthday mass, said her wish is more jobs, better education and health services for the Filipino people.

The president announced that more jobs are forthcoming because of the favorable developments in the tourism sector, a Malacañang press statement said

She said the number of tourist arrivals in the country continues to increase, thereby creating more job opportunities for Filipinos.

"(Tourism Secretary) Ace (Durano) told me that the number of tourist arrivals increased by 11 percent and if this continues, we may have around three million tourists coming into the country and that means more jobs for the people," she said.

The President also said that she has directed Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to release an additional P500 million for PhilHealth cards to cover the health insurance of more poor Filipinos.

She said the government has earmarked P700 million to buy half-priced medicines which will be sold in more than 5,000 Botika sa Barangay all over the country. The Botika sa Barangay sell cheap but quality medicines for common diseases.

"Because of more revenues due to the revenue generating measures passed by Congress, we have more funds for basic services," she said.

Gov. Marañon in his message to the president said: "We are aware that giving you material possessions would not make today more meaningful than for us to express out full support and absolute commitment to all your noble endeavors in making life brighter for our fellow Filipinos."

He also wished the president good health.

Leonardia wished the president a happy celebration of her birthday and more strength to deal with the many problems of the nation.

I wish her administration more stability and that those opposing her will accept her as our president and observe due process, he said.

We should respect government, we cannot afford to have a nation threatened by instability, Leonardia said.

But Rodolfo Parreño of the Negros Movement for Moral Regeneration said Arroyo will be driven away by force if she will not do a Thaksin. The choice is hers, he said.

Felipe Levy Gelle, Bayan Negros secretary general, said Arroyo should make the supreme sacrifice like Thaksin to put an end of the division faced by the nation.

The issues of corruption, poll fraud, poverty and oppression serve as the rallying call of the people for her to step down, Gelle said.

Valladolid Mayor Ricardo Presbitero said on the President's birthday, "she should remember where she came from, it's the people who put her in office, if the people don't want her she should follow footsteps of Thaksin in Thailand.

Claudio, however, said the Philippines has every reason to move forward and look forward to better things ahead, which is not the situation in Thailand.*CPG

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