GMA: Let’s stop divisiveness

Acknowledging the civil society as the "cornerstone of a strong Republic," President Arroyo specifically appealed yesterday to her EDSA II allies to forgive and forget for the sake of unifying the country.

On Thursday night, Mrs. Arroyo said she is the "President of all Filipino people" and not just of a particular sector supportive of her. This statement came on the heels of another plea to Filipinos to firmly back Philippine democracy and her government.

She repeated her statement on being the President of the entire Filipino citizenry Thursday night in an exclusive interview with Net 25 Channel when asked on her clash with civil society groups such as the Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA).

"I am the President of EDSA II and EDSA III. I am the President of all the (Filipino) people. I only owe it to God because it’s all God’s work," she told Net 25.

Meanwhile, COPA secretary general Pastor "Boy" Saycon told The STAR his group will not sponsor protest actions on Monday at the EDSA Shrine, but instead attend Mass at 5:30 p.m. to be celebrated by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas, who is the rector of the shrine.

Saycon said he had already advised Rose Casiguran, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) executive vice president and officer in charge, about his resignation because PDIC president Napoleon Nazareno is in the US. He said he had bid farewell the PDIC officers.

Villegas said Saycon assured him COPA has no plans to hold protest actions at the EDSA Shrine.

Mrs. Arroyo recalled that she is President of all Filipinos when she ordered the release of supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada who were involved in the May 1, 2001 siege of Malacañang.

But despite the conciliatory move toward the general civil society membership, the President attacked yesterday threats from Saycon that segments of civil society will take to the streets for anti-Arroyo rallies.

On Wednesday, the President said "a strong republic cannot afford termites from within," an allusion to Saycon who is relentlessly criticizing her despite being a highly paid member of the board of the state-run PDIC. – With reports from Sandy Araneta, Aurea Calica, Perseus Echeminada, Romel Bagares and Pia Lee-Brago