MANILA, Philippines?An invitation to an election.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday invited independent foreign observers to help ensure the integrity of the May 10 elections.

?To protect the integrity of the vote and the election results, we encourage, we welcome independent, outside election observers to verify that the elections are in fact free, fair and open and the results valid, free from any political interference,? she said.

Ms Arroyo also said she would not interfere in any way in the coming polls, saying it was her hope that a ?free and fair elections? would be one of her legacies to the nation.

In a speech before the Philippine Councilors? League in Cebu City on Thursday, the President said her government was already laying the ground for a ?smooth transition to a new government.?

?This election is about hope and building a brighter future for the next generation. The next government must continue to build on the investments we have been making to move our nation forward in the areas of job creation, new vibrant sectors like climate change adaptation technology and investments in our people through better education and health care,? she said.

?I will be staying out of the election process,? Ms Arroyo said in her speech.

?I will trust the Comelec to ensure the new voting machines work, the votes are protected and counted and the results are delivered in a rapid manner to the satisfaction of voters,? she said.

Ms Arroyo steps down on June 30 after nine years in office, but will not be bowing out of politics. She is running for a congressional seat in her Pampanga home province and, if successful, will be the first former head of state in Philippine history to slide down to a lower post.

There is considerable skepticism and fear over the May 10 balloting mainly because the country is conducting fully automated elections for the first time.

But mostly, it comes from distrust by various sectors critical of her that the President would keep her hands off the elections and not maneuver to influence the balloting or stop the vote so she can ostensibly stay on in power.

In mid-2005, Ms Arroyo faced the worst crisis of her administration when the ?Hello Garci? wire-tapping scandal broke out, setting off allegations that she had called an elections commissioner to rig the results of the 2004 presidential elections in her favor.

She apologized for calling the elections official but denied the charges that she had conspired with the latter to rig the results. She survived subsequent attempts to impeach her.

Independent verification

In her speech on Thursday, Ms Arroyo acknowledged the crucial role of foreign observers and election watchdogs in ensuring that the results of the elections are credible.

?Here in Cebu, there is a very credible election watchdog, and that is something we encourage all over the country, both from the Philippines and from outside,? she said, adding that it is for the Commission on Elections to take the lead in inviting a team of foreign observers.

She pointed to the need for an independent verification of the results ?to give the people the confidence that the election works and the transition to a new government comes in smoothly.?

Ms Arroyo reiterated her commitment to prepare for an orderly transition on June 30.

?The people come first. Our accomplishments today must be passed on to the new leaders to continue the forward march to progress. To that end, let us do everything, we will do everything to make sure the new president and his team hit the ground running when they assume office,? she said.

Focus on governance

Between now and May 10, the President said she would remain ?focused on governance? and press ahead with key programs like infrastructure, education, health care, job creation, economic stability and climate change adaptation.

?First the typhoons and now El Niño. That?s part of the work that you and I have to do until our last moment in office,? she said.