No romantic dinner for First Couple

There will be no candle-lit dinner tonight at Malacañang to mark the 34th wedding anniversary of President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Instead, they will host a cocktail reception for Cabinet members. Then, then the couple will attend the annual Ateneo Law School alumni homecoming at The in Fort Bonifacio in Makati City where Mrs. Arroyo was invited as special guest of honor. The First Gentleman is an alumnus of Ateneo Law School Class ’72.

Mrs. Arroyo decided to attend the Ateneo homecoming because she would like to use the occasion to recruit lawyers who will offer pro bono or free legal services to help government prosecute the first batch of 300 tax-evading and cheating firms for violation of the Value Added Tax Law.

"I’m going to go to the Ateneo Law School homecoming... so that I can get volunteers to file cases on the 300," the President.

"I’ll get also some of the lawyers who volunteered when I was Vice President... I’ll ask them to volunteer also with this one," she said.

The First Gentleman said he was confident that the President would be able to recruit volunteers from his fellow Ateneo Law School graduates.

Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., Justice Secretary Hernando Perez and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye are alumni of the Ateneo Law School.

Last year, the President and the First Gentleman spent a quiet and romantic evening at Malacañang. At the time, he surprised the President with a bouquet of one white and 11 red roses.

Yesterday, the First Gentleman said that while he and the President will not be able to have a quiet night during their wedding anniversary, he was consoled by the happy memories of his family throughout these years. An addition to their children Mikey, Luli and Dato was Angela Montenegro who married eldest son Mikey in June 24.

"One of our happiest moments was when we traveled together to Disneyland... but now I only see our children on Sundays or in some instances, when they see me in my room," he said.

He said he has not yet bought a gift for the President.