INTRODUCTION
The First Lady and I take great pleasure in being here with you today on the occasion of your eighth anniversary — and take pride as well in noting that you are as proficient at playing hosts to your guests as you are in securing the person of the president and his family.

For me and my family therefore, your anniversary presents an excellent opportunity to offer our appreciation and gratitude for all that you are doing — and doing well, may I add — and to express our faith on your continued vigilance.

In the aftermath of the 1986 EDSA Revolution, it fell on my shoulders as then Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces to help build a new presidential security unit from the ground up to secure the president and the presidency. This was one of the most important tasks of the day, a task moreover that had to be quickly done, or risk endangering the gains of all that we had fought for.

As your senior officers know, I personally attended to the task of founding the presidential security group under a democratic orientation, keeping in constant touch with its officers and men and seeing that their need for finances, equipment and even uniforms were immediately met.

Even at that time, I was impressed with the discipline and dedication of the men and women of the PSG, their high morale even in the face of the sacrifices and travails they faced as the newest unit of the AFP.

Since that time, through my regular visits with you and my undiminished concern and interest in your welfare, I have witnessed your transformation to what you are today — strong, steeped in professionalism, and motivated by a high sense of duty.
PSG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY
But however close we have become, I do not lose sight of the fact that your devotion in safeguarding the president springs primarily from — and manifests — your dedication to our constitution and the republic. Were it not I but some other president at the helm of the ship of state, you will without doubt discharge your duties as efficiently and as loyally. And it should be that way.

This you have demonstrated so nobly during the government of President Aquino, which was challenged seven times by military putschists. Each time you stood your ground and valiantly defended Malacañang.

In successfully repelling the coup attempt of August 28, 1987, five members of the PSG had to pay the supreme sacrifice of their lives.

Let me therefore, on your anniversary, make it known to all that is how high and sacred the PSG regards its duty of securing the presidency and ensuring the very life of constitutional government and democracy in the land.
PSG PROJECTS
Today, happily, our efforts to resolve the conflicts in our society and bring the various sectors together in a common pursuit of unity, peace and prosperity have borne fruit, and we now enjoy enhanced political stability. I can safely say that we no longer face the threat of an armed assault on Malacañang and can now attend peacefully to our common task of building our communities, the PSG included.

Last year, I released p7 million from op funds to rehabilitate the housing and welfare facilities of Malacañang Park. I am indeed very happy that you have spent the funds wisely and made full use of the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Sa araw na ito, binasbasan natin ang inter-faith and ecumenical center dito sa Malacañang Park. Salamat naman at natapos ito kaagad upang magsilbing isang matatag at magandang palatandaan ng ating pagkakaisa. I am certain that the inter-faith and fellowship center will contribute a great deal in bringing our community here closer to God, and in making PSG and OP personnel active participants in our thrust of national spiritual and moral renewal that buttresses our shared vision of “Philippines 2000!!!”.

Atin din bubuksan, kasama ang unang ginang, ang isang proyektong pangkabuhayan na makatutulong ng malaki sa mga asawa at kaanakan ng ating mga sundalo.

Foremost of these is the sewing facility at PSG which can employ some 220 employees. This livelihood project, I understand, came about through the suggestion of retired Brigadier General San Andres of the Fashion Link Corporation, a subsidiary of the AFP RSBS, and actualized through the endeavors of the PSG ladies, and the PSG Cooperative. To support this self-help program, I have approved the request of the PSG Cooperative for fund support from the presidential social fund as livelihood assistance and am releasing today one million pesos for this purpose.

Hopefully, this year we will be able to complete the on-base housing project at madrigal compound for our enlisted personnel. This will benefit more than 600 PSG families and is in keeping with a priority concern of my administration to provide housing units for soldier’s families to improve their living conditions and uphold their human dignity.

This project shall provide relief for PSG personnel squatting in various areas including underneath the Nagtahan Bridge.

As part of your additional duties, the First Lady and I will be most gratified if you can intensify your participation in our efforts to improve the environment, particularly in the Clean and Green Program and the rehabilitation of our Pasig River.
TRUE SOLDIERS
As we mark its eighth year, the PSG can look back with pride at its achievements and in growing to be an exemplary service unit composed of men and women imbued with high ideals, discipline and courage.

I extend my congratulations to the awardees this morning — they are concrete examples of what I have just said about devotion to duty.

Let me enjoin all members of the PSG to continue striving for excellence and render better service not only to the presidency, but to our people and nation as a whole.

I want you to be true soldiers whose pledge is to serve God, country and people. I want you to be the model servants in uniform for others to follow. This is my greatest wish for the PSG — na kayo ay maging mga alagad ng ating demokrasya na makatao, maka-kalikasan, makabayan at maka Dios.

Mabuhay ang PSG!