Philippine government Monday justified President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's mandate after she confessed her involvement in "wiretapping" scandal earlier.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a statement that there was nothing illegal in the president's cellphone conversation with the election commissioner, Virgilio Garcillano, about the result of the votes.

But he said that it is expected that the president's detractors will feast on the "political embarrassment" caused by her admission.

"No doubt her detractors will continue to stoke the controversy for their own personal gain. But for most reasonable people, this issue is now behind us," he added.

At 7:00 PM, Arroyo delivered a TV speech on "vital concern", breaking her three-week silence on the wiretapping tapes.

Arroyo said that she has had conversation during the slow election canvassing process last May with many people including the officials from the independent Comelec because she was anxious to protect her vote but she did not intent to influence the outcome of the election.

However, Bunye noted that there was no illegality in the president's conversations with the election official. "There is no crime here. The only value in pursuing this at this point is political embarrassment."

Bunye also said the president should be credited for taking full responsibility and for addressing the issue head-on.

"The president was strong, confident, and truthful," he added.

Echoing Bunye's statement, pro-administration Senator Ralph Recto told reporters that the crisis should be over with Arroyo's admission.

"The crisis is now over because the petite lady had sung. We must repay her candor with cooperation. What's important is that after her confession, she had outlined her acts of contrition, that of working doubly hard," Recto said.

Arroyo also noted her economic accomplishment since the beginning of her mandate last July.

"I have focused on making the tough but necessary decisions to make up for years of economic neglect," Arroyo said, citing the passage of a comprehensive, fiscally responsible national budget; the raising of the new and necessary revenue to reinvest in the people and the implementation of new anti-corruption measures leading to the highest collection of taxes in history.

Arroyo stressed the need to continue the ongoing economic reform after the end of the first phase of her agenda. "That is why I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing."

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2005)