I'm delighted, honoured and proud that the European Parliament has confirmed my appointment.

I know that most Portuguese people will be very proud today to have a Portuguese national as future president of the European Commission.

I will be a commision president for all Europeans, from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, from EU founding states to new entrants, from the poorest to the richest and from the smallest to the biggest.

I'd like to express my profound European conviction. I pledge to work for Europe, and to respect our common heritage.

In a Commission led by me there will be no first or second-class commissioners.

I see myself as someone who can build bridges.

Europe is not enough on its own. We need to bring out major partners with us. Among those major partners is the United States.

I shall defend the common European interest, and I shall not let Europe be treated as a second-rate power in any relationship.

José Manuel Durão Barroso*
Former portuguese PM, new European Comission president

"The serious humanitarian situation in Darfur, which has recently stirred up a public outcry, is a cause of great concern.

The Holy Father hopes that the voice of the people of Darfur will be heard and recognized, and that their fundamental human rights are respected.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano*
Vatican's Secretary of State

We now need to craft a foreign policy that takes care of the millions of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in the Middle East.

There is no guarantee that no Filipino will be taken hostage again, although I think there is a low probability that that will happen.

Sen. Manuel Villar*
chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee

By saving the life of Angelo de la Cruz, the government proved true its policy of protecting the rights of our OFWs and recognizing their needs of our OFWS. It also recognized the contribution of OFWs to the economy.

In other words, commercial interest will be primordial in the decision-making process in so far as contracts and hiring OFWs are concerned. Political decisions that the President made would play no hand in the commercial decisions by private companies involved in the rehabilitation of Iraq.

The President decided on the basis of our national policy and our national interest, the national policy being to protect our OFWs. Over and above the so-called commitments in Iraq, I think the government’s action is a clear manifestation of our policy toward OFWs.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon*

We are calling on the public, particularly Metro Manila residents, to conserve water to avoid the possibility of water rationing or water distribution.

Rodolfo German*
manager of the Angat River Hydro Electric Plant (ARHEP)

We still consider the United States as our big brother in the security arena. Our long-standing and maturing relationship with the United States will survive this hostage crisis. We will maintain our strong stand against terrorism in the face of this isolated event.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye*
in an official press statement

We're always glad to see somebody who has been in captivity get released.

It's good to see that he’s safe... Our policy on how this came about has certainly not changed.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher*
Washington

"We in the Unification and Jihad warn Arab and Muslim governments from sending troops to Iraq and supporting the American forces and its allies... (the group) will not stand still if any Arab or Muslim troops are sent."

"Do like what the Philippines did... No one will help you if you don't and we will not forgive or disregard anybody who came to Iraq. You didn't come to support the Iraqi people but to protect the Americans; your fate will be exactly the same as the Americans and others."

"And for Arab and Muslim forces, we advise you not to obey if you are forced to be sent to Iraq and if you don't, then, the laden cars will be waiting for you and we will not stop."

the Khaled ibn Waleed Brigade website*
a message said to be from Unification and Jihad's military wing

"To the government of Japan: do what the Philippines has done. By God, nobody will protect you and we are not going to tolerate anybody."

"We will hit with a fist of iron all those supporting the Americans or (interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad) Allawi or his cronies."

the Khaled ibn Waleed Brigade website*
a message said to be from Unification and Jihad's military wing

These OWWA funds are private funds to be used exclusively for the benefit and welfare of OFWs.

They should be made to account for these private funds. The government acts only as trustees. They cannot be converted to public funds... it is also 'of public knowledge' that Mrs. Arroyo distributed millions of health cards from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to ensure her victory in the last presidential elections.

The OWWA funds financed the acquisitions made by several diplomatic posts in the Middle East, the humanitarian assistance to Iraq, and the reelection bid of President Arroyo.

For GMA to order the release of P200 million for election fraud is a clear act of betrayal of public trust.

I am meeting eight more people to execute affidavits to say they were part of a scheme to distribute rice, medicine and cash in Mindanao under Oplan Mercury.

Rice, equipment, fertilizers and money were issued to politicians to help GMA win through cheating in the greater part of Mindanao through Pagcor, Department of Health (DOH), National Food Authority, and Department of Agriculture (DA) funds.

No funds of government were spared from the campaign and electoral cheating in Mindanao. Our fight against graft continues. Honor is dead among government officials. We must restore honor in public service.

Oplan Mercury was executed through tampering of election results with the connivance of Commission on Election officials, buying off opposition candidates, and massive use of government resources.

by former solicitor general Francisco Chavez*
Task Force Anti-Election Fraud (TFAEF) chairman

We know that some newspapers have engaged in speculation that Manila paid up to six million dollars to buy the liberty of Angelo de la Cruz.

That is not true.

The Philippines has had a long experience with terrorists in our midst... We'll apply the same pressure to those who threaten Filipinos or Philippine interests.

presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye*
told a news conference