By Roy Pelovello

PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday warned that ?too much politics? would not help the country address the challenges brought about by the global financial crisis.

Mrs. Arroyo made the statement a day after the Senate Blue Ribbon deplored her ?inaction? on the alleged misuse of the P728-million proceeds from a fertilizer distribution project.

?According to a survey, many lawyers are politicians, too. But too much of politics is something else, especially now that we have to unite to overcome this difficult challenge [of the global financial crisis],? the President said at a gathering of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Pampanga chapter.

In a report, the Blue Ribbon headed by Senator Richard Gordon recommended the filing of plunder charges against former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, the project implementor, and 10 individuals who allegedly conspired with him in diverting the public funds to private bank accounts. The Gordon panel said there was no direct evidence linking President Arroyo with the fertilizer fund mess but said that by her lack of action she practically ?acquiesced? to the irregularity.

But Press Secretary Cerge Remonde rejected the allegation and said that Mrs. Arroyo had ordered the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to investigate the matter even before the senators began looking into the controversy.

In her speech, President Arroyo noted that while two-thirds of the world experienced a decline in their gross domestic product, the Philippines fared better.

?In the fourth quarter of 2008, Japan?s GDP declined by 12.7 percent, US by 5.1 percent, Taiwan by 9.2 percent, Thailand by 4.3 percent, Singapore by 3.7 percent, and South Korea by 5.6 percent. But in that same quarter the Philippines managed a 4.5- percent growth and for the whole year a GDP growth of 4.6 percent, and gross national product of 6.1 percent,? Mrs. Arroyo said.

The government managed to do this by ?rebooting? the economy several years ago with the implementation of economic reforms: raising taxes, going after smugglers and reforming tax collection system and banking laws.

As the threat of economic slowdown persisted, President Arroyo said the government would step up spending and spur income-generating activities with its P300-billion stimulus package.

?Our $7-billion stimulus spending is bigger than Indonesia?s $3.6 billion and Thailands $3.4 billion, but it?s not meant to break the bank. We have brought forward investments to further stimulate our economy, to help our people, and to sustain the growth that has been so important to our economic success,? Mrs. Arroyo said.