GMA woos Velarde for crusade

Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is trying to woo the seven-million-strong El Shaddai Catholic charismatic movement to join in her crusade to make President Estrada resign.

In a television talk show Wednesday night, Arroyo admitted that she met with El Shaddai leader Brother Mike Velarde last Monday. However, she declined to give details of their talk.

Velarde, the spiritual adviser of President Estrada, has so far been supportive of the Chief Executive. However, Velarde has said he may withdraw his support if Mr. Estrada fails to curb gambling.

El Shaddai spokesman Mel Robel said their group is also keen on joining tomorrow’s prayer rally dubbed Ipagdasal ang Bayan, Bantayan ang Katotohanan.

However, he said that they will only join the affair if they are invited. "We normally take part in any prayer activities if we are invited," he said.

Robles also clarified that their leaders’ decision to postpone their own prayer rally tomorrow has nothing to do with the scheduled mass action in EDSA, which is being organized by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

He said there were several members who requested that the rally be moved to Sunday because a number of them went to the provinces during the All Saints’ Day holidays.

Former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos are expected to attend the EDSA rally, which will start at 1 p.m.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it has also instructed all bishops to also lead a "mobilization for prayer" in their dioceses.

CBCP spokesman Msgr. Hernando Coronel told reporters that the CBCP has called on Catholics "to pray for our leaders that they may place the common good above private and partisan interests, and that they may be open to God’s enlightenment."

Coronel said that as early as Oct. 31, the CBCP has been coordinating with all the dioceses throughout the country for updates on their programs of action for the Nov. 4 simultaneous prayer rallies.

"This is the time of the year when we pause to remember and pray specifically for our dear departed," he said. "But we must not forget that these are also critical times for our country." – Sandy Araneta, Nestor Etolle