Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded the House of Representatives Wednesday for approving the anti-terrorism bill, describing it "a bold and unambiguous stand in the interest of national and global security. "

Arroyo thanked House Speaker Jose de Venecia, one of her political supporters, and other lawmakers present at the Mass in Lubao, Pampanga Province, for such a wonderful gift on her 59th birthday.

"We stand beside the region and the world against the evil that twists the faith of its disciples and turns them into bombers and takers of innocent lives," she said.

The anti-terrorism bill, according to Arroyo, said, is a preemptive legal strike intended to limit the terrorists' space. " It augurs well for the safety and well-being of our people as well as our neighbors and allies," she said.

The House also passed other bills including the national budget bill for 2006 after Tuesday midnight, Arroyo said, adding that many congressmen texted her "Happy Birthday" using cell phone messages early morning Wednesday because they were still awake.

The President said now she was hoping to push for Charter change to improve the country's political system primarily by shifting to a federal-parliamentary form of government.

After a period of amendments, the House plenary approved the anti-terrorism bill. One of the major amendments provides that an act of terror will no longer be punished with death. Those found guilty of terrorism will instead be imposed of life imprisonment and fines.

However, analysts said the bill will still meet strong blocking in the opposition-led senate before it was signed by Arroyo into law.

Source: Xinhua