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PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — PRESIDENT Arroyo repeated her promise to finish her term in 2010, and to keep on setting up reforms to leave the country to her successor in a much better shape.

She made the statement in a speech before signing a law creating the Civil Aviation Authority in Malacañang, and she made it before Vice President Noli de Castro, lawmakers and businessmen.

“I will uphold the Constitution and my personal decision to step down from my office when my term ends in 2010,” she said.

“Until that day, we will continue to strive in putting down reforms so we can leave a strong country for the next leader.”

The President is facing calls to resign over alleged irregularities in the government’s $329-million national broadband network deal with ZTE Corp. of China.

But she has repeatedly told her critics to let the courts decide on the case, and yesterday she vowed to spare no one who would be found guilty of any wrongdoing in the deal.

Another group made up of former government officials—known as the La Salle 60—yesterday demanded that Mrs. Arroyo suspend all government officials involved in the deal within seven days, and to order the delivery of all documents on the canceled broadband deal to the Senate.

“The President must demonstrate her commitment to the truth through these actions within one week as more and more of our people make their judgment,” the group said in a manifesto.

Malacañang shrugged off the group’s demand.

“Well, I’ll just sit through that,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

“We know very well that they just want to weaken the government. I don’t want to comment [any further] on that matter.”

Over in Washington, the US-Asean Business Council expressed confidence in the Arroyo administration in a meeting with Philippine agriculture officials on Monday.

“Unlike the situation three years ago, most American businesses think that this administration will complete its time in office,” group president Matt Daley told Philippine officials at the Mayflower Hotel.

“The [Arroyo administration] , barring unforeseen events, is going to finish its term.”

In her speech, Mrs. Arroyo stressed that the rule of law must prevail to protect citizens’ rights, ensure peace and stability and promote investor confidence in the country.

“That is why we uphold the principle of due process in investigating and adjudicating criminal allegations against any citizen, whatever the political cost,” she said.

“No one’s rights must be sacrificed just to spare government from the ire of protesters and the fire of politicians.”