GMA backpedals on Giuliani

Apparently stung by criticisms, President Arroyo is backpedaling on her plan to recruit former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as her consultant on peace and order.

The President said yesterday the idea of hiring Giuliani was broached to her during a meeting in New York on Feb. 1 with her panel of international advisers headed by Maurice Greenberg, chairman of the American Insurance Group.

"Remember, this is (just) a proposal. This is a suggestion of my international board of advisers. When you have the seven world-class community leaders giving a suggestion like that, you don’t throw it away," Mrs. Arroyo told reporters.

She said hiring Giuliani was not that urgent. "It’s not something that we have to do right away. It’s not a matter of urgency."

The President also said the task of conveying the offer to Giuliani was given to Philippine Ambassador to the US Alberto del Rosario.

"So if he (Giuliani) says yes, and we can afford him, fine. If we can’t afford him, fine also," the President added.

She belied reports that Giuliani, who put up his own consultancy firm after giving up politics, has rejected the offer.

Mrs. Arroyo quoted Giuliani as saying he has not received a formal offer as yet.

She doubted the veracity of reports that Giuliani charges as much as P3 million honorarium for a speaking engagement.

"Where did that amount come from? I don’t know. As I said, only if we can afford it," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Giuliani was voted "Man of the Year" by Time magazine for his exemplary performance during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington that left thousands dead or missing.

He was also cited for his efforts to bring down criminality in New York.

Mrs. Arroyo was harshly criticized over her plan to hire Giuliani as one of her advisers. – Marichu Villanueva