By Ed de Leon

Pili, Camarines Sur (14 February) -- The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) yesterday renewed its support and confidence in the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the midst of calls for her resignation.

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, LPP national chairman, said President Arroyo had launched the country in the right ditrection towards making the Philippines a first world country in 20 years.

Villafuerte said the economic and political gains under the Arroyo administration had surpassed similar efforts by past administrations topped by a record 7.3 percent growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) IN 2007.

Among other leading accomplishments of the Arroyo government is the Moody's Investor Service upgrade from stable to positive thereby reaffirming international business confidence and; the strong performance of the peso notwithstanding financial turmoil in other countries among them the United States.

Villafuerte submitted to the president an LPP manifesto of support reiterating the resolute and unswerving support of the League of the Provinces of the Philippines in her latest visit to Camarines Sur.

Said document was handed over to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upon her arrival at Villa Del Rey, Capitol Complex where she delivered her keynote address at the opening of the 2nd General Assembly of the LPP.

Villafuerte said that the resolution was filed as a unanimous call by the governors for all sectors to defy any unconstitutional moves to unseat the President and disrupt the socio-economic reforms that she persistently pushed to improve the plight of the poor.

He said The tyranny of Imperial Manila has no place here in the countryside. Worn out issues of politicking is destabilizing the economic gains that we Filipinos have been enjoying for the past seven years.

Also encluded in said document is the league's call on the political opposition to allow the present administration to finish its term, and for them to wait for the 2010 presidential elections.

He said President Arroyo's persistent and unrelenting determination had placed our country in the tourism and investment map so that we may be at par with the world's best.

President Arroyo, in her speech before the 49 governors, underscored the increasing job employment, better healthcare and more educational opportunities as the key elements in uplifting the poor and alleviating poverty in the country.