SILANG, Cavite, Philippines?President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo skipped the graduation rites of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Thursday, the last one she could have graced as president before her term ends in June.

Instead, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno represented Arroyo as this year?s guest speaker.

Philippine Public Safety Colleges president Margarita ?Tingting? Cojuangco said it was the first in the past four years that President Arroyo missed the rites.

?Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo extends congratulations to all of you for a great career in the public service,? Puno said during his speech before the 198 cadet graduates of PNPA class Mabikas here.

Puno, in an interview with reporters, said Arroyo was in Mindanao ?for some other activities.?

In his speech, Puno boasted of the accomplishments made in the public safety under the Arroyo government.

He described his stint as the DILG secretary under Arroyo?s term as ?far more productive than the first one,? citing the modernization of airborne and seaborne assets, vehicles, modernized programs in public safety and additional personnel.

He said these were achieved ?under a regime that values public safety and values the essential foundations of the society.?

Puno denied knowledge of President Arroyo?s other reasons for not attending the police academy graduation.

?I was told (since) last week that she would not be able to attend today,? he said.

Asked by a reporter if the President was out campaigning, ?I don?t know that she?s campaigning. (She?s) looking at the projects that are on stream (because) she wants them completed at the soonest possible time,? Puno said.

Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa, however, kept mum on speculation of souring relationship with the President.

?I don?t want to answer speculative, hypothetical questions anymore,? he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Verzosa earlier said he would not support Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit, who was recently appointed as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, if his actions would help ensure the extension of Arroyo?s term.

?We have never spoken about that statement. (Besides) General Verzosa never said anything opposed to the beliefs of the President,? Puno said in Filipino.

Puno backed the police chief's statement, saying he only wanted to assure the public that ?speculations? of possible electoral frauds had no basis.

?Sa totoo na lang, specially kay General Verzosa (at) ako na rin ang magiging testigo, wala akong nalalaman na iniutos na iligal ang Pangulong Arroyo kay General Verzosa kahit minsan (Truth to tell, specially in the case of General Versoza, and I stand witness to this, I don?t know of anything illegal that President Arroyo asked of General Versoza, ever),? he reiterated.