MANILA, Oct. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Wednesday expressed confidence that her administration is strong enough to withstand any destabilization effort or military adventurism, as well as the corruption issue, in the military.

    The Philippine government will not succumb to any threat from outside forces, Arroyo told the presidential press corps in an informal luncheon interaction.

    "I am confident that our institutions are strong enough to withstand all the destabilization and it would continue to be strong," she said.

    In boosting the morale of the soldiers, Arroyo enumerated initial actions that her government has undertaken based on the analysis and suggestions made by the Feliciano Commission, a body formed to oversee reforms in the military following the short-lived Oakwood mutiny last July 27, 2003 due to alleged corruption within the government and the military.

    The reforms are the result of an analysis of the situation in the armed forces which included several opportunities for graft that have been recognized, particularly those related to procurement, Arroyo said.

    Another reform that Arroyo has instituted was the appointment of a civilian, lawyer Avelino Cruz, as defense secretary. The Feliciano Commission specifically called for the appointment of a civilian in the Department of National Defense.

    Likewise, Arroyo said there are several other reforms related to the Logistics Command, adding that "there are reforms that are being proposed that we do intend to carry out, and in fact, these things are part of a medium term development plan."

    On Wednesday, the Philippine presidential palace said no one will be spared in the government's anti-corruption drive as it stepped up crackdown against rampant graft in public service.

    Meanwhile, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye dismissed talks of destabilization plots allegedly triggeredby corruption in the military as "misplaced and sensationalized."

    The issue of corruption in the military once more surfaced whenthe Office of the Ombudsman ordered the investigation of Major General Carlos Garcia, a former Armed Forces comptroller, for allegedly having 100,000 US dollars of unexplained wealth. Enditem