Quezon City (26 October) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Thursday her administration's preparations for the 2007 midterm elections would take a backseat to efforts aimed at improving the country's economy.

President Arroyo said she would rather concentrate on her government's economic programs and see the country moving forward to a "modern" Philippines than be stunted by excessive politicking.

"In times of peace, let us take care of our economy (and) focus on politics during (the) campaign period," Mrs Arroyo told radio station dzRH in Filipino.

She said her administration's programs would be focused on further improving the already thriving economy and pushing for political reforms, which she said would leave behind the "other Philippines" primarily characterized by political stability and wrangling.

The President said she would pursue efforts at making a "modern" Philippines.

"Let us leave behind a system that hinders the country’s progress," she said.

The President said she would pick her senatorial and local candidates at the "opportune" time, recalling that during the 2004 elections, she named her senatorial candidates only in December when the filing of certificates of candidacy was nearing its deadline.