President Arroyo's administration should take seriously the recent US reports on corruption and the illegal drug trade in the Philippines to be able to thaw the "freezing" diplomatic and political relations of the country with America, a political analyst said Tuesday.

"We can say that it's [diplomatic relation] is in a freezer...," political analyst Ramon Casiple told ABS-CBN's morning show, "Umagang Kay Ganda."

Casiple said the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is turning cold probably because of US President Barack Obama's earlier declaration against corrupt and deceitful governments.

He said Obama's advocacy of change is obviously not only meant for America, but also for other nations with close ties with the world's most powerful country.

He said Obama was serious when he declared: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history..."

Casiple said Mrs. Arroyo's administration can still heal the weakening relations by "seriously" looking into corruption and the "immense" drug problem reported by the US Department of State instead of "shooting the messenger."

In a report released late February, the US State Department included the Philippines in the list of countries with serious money laundering problems because of the illegal drug trade.

The US State Department had also released a report that said corruption in the Philippine judiciary system is widespread.

The World Bank had also come up with a report about corruption in the biddings of its road projects in the country. A copy of the purported WB report, which was leaked to the media, included the name of Mrs. Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo.

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who is identified with Mrs. Arroyo's administration and chair of the Senate economic affairs, had investigated the supposed bid-rigging.

However, the last hearing headed by Santiago, instead of looking into the allegation of corruption, turned into a World Bank-bashing session.