MANILA — Saying it was her voice in recordings that have sparked calls for her to quit, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has apologized for a lapse in judgment but insisted she did not sway last year’s election.

The opposition, which also accuses members of Mrs. Arroyo’s family of taking kickbacks of illegal gambling, has seized on the recordings of conversations with a senior election official as proof she cheated her way to a fresh term in May 2004.

“I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec (Commission on Elections) official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election and it did not,” she said in a televised speech, breaking three weeks of silence over the recordings.

“I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I am sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter.”

There is no law to stop candidates from talking to election officials. But the opposition says the recordings, which seem to show Mrs. Arroyo calling on Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano for a bigger margin of victory, broke the ethical limits.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, who is also Mrs. Arroyo’s spokesman, had previously said the recordings had been doctored.

Nothing has been proven against Mrs. Arroyo or her family, with the government saying the accusations are part of a plot to undermine and oust her.

But the political noise has rattled financial markets over fears for Mrs. Arroyo’s fiscal reform agenda.

Here’s the full text of Mrs. Arroyo’s televised address:

“For the last several weeks, the issue of the tape recordings has spun out of control. Tonight, I want to set the record straight. You deserve an explanation; from me, because you are the people I was elected to serve.

“As you recall, the election canvassing process was unnecessarily slow even after the election results were already in and the votes had been counted.

“I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not. As I mentioned, the election had already been decided and the votes counted. And as you remember, the outcome had been predicted by every major public opinion poll, and adjudged free, fair and decisive by international election observers, and our own Namfrel.

“That said, let me tell you how I personally feel, I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I’m sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter. I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events. I want to assure you that I have redoubled my efforts to serve the nation and earn your trust.

“Nagagambala ako. Maliwanag na may kakulangan sa wastong pagpapasiya ang nangyaring pagtawag sa telepono.

Pinagsisisihan ko ito ng lubos. Pinanagutan ko nang lubusan ang aking mga ginawa at humihingi ako ng tawad sa inyo, sa lahat ng mga butihing mamamayan na nabawasan ng tiwala dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ibig kong tiyakin sa inyo na lalo pa akong magsisikap upang maglingkod sa bayan at matamo ang inyong tiwala.

“I took office with a mandate to carry out a plan for the nation. Since that time, I have focused on making the tough but necessary decisions to make up for years of economic neglect. We passed a comprehensive fiscally responsible national budget; raised new and necessary revenues to reinvest in the people; and implemented new anti-corruption measures that have led to the highest collection of taxes in history.

“Nothing should stand in the way of this work, or the next phase of my reform agenda, which includes new investments in education and social services with our new revenues; and an expansion of our successful anti-corruption and lifestyle checks.

“That is why I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing.
“I ask each and every one of you to join hands with me in a show of unity, to help forge One Philippines, where everyone is equal under the law, and where everyone has the opportunity to use their God-given talents to make a better life.

“Our nation is strong and getting stronger. The progress is steady and I ask you to walk with me on this journey to rebuild our great nation. I remain your humble servant and promise you that I will fulfill my constitutional oath of office to serve the people to the best of my ability.” (MNS)