‘Sin’s encouragement won’t make GMA change her mind’

Although President Arroyo remains steadfast in her decision not to run next year, the "encouragement" of Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin is a sign that the prelate approves of how she is running the country, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday.

Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo was very grateful for the vote of support which Sin expressed to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo during a visit to the archbishop’s Villa San Miguel residence in Mandaluyong City on Friday.

"We are very thankful for these words of Cardinal Sin and we consider this an approval of the things that the President has been doing," Bunye said. "But (on) whether this would affect (her decision not to run), the President’s stand is very firm that she will not be distracted by political consideration."

After giving the cardinal a P1 million donation for priests and nuns, the First Gentleman quoted the cardinal as saying "Please tell Gloria, I insist that she runs."

Mr. Arroyo said he felt "very proud" to hear such words of encouragement from Sin that he decided to issue an official statement to the press.

"We have no doubt whatsoever that these conversations took place. We would like to thank the good cardinal for his nice words of encouragement," Bunye said.

Ambassador to Laos Antonio Cabangon-Chua, chairman of the First Gentleman’s Golf Cup that raised the P1 million donated to the Manila archdiocese, said he was also heartened by the Cardinal’s words of encouragement.

"I am happy for this because I think, as an appointee of the President, I think our country really needs continuity," Cabangon-Chua said.

The ambassador noted that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by Robin Sy, has already urged Mrs. Arroyo to reconsider her decision.

But Bunye emphasized that the President "really does not want to be distracted from what she is doing to push our political, economic, legislative and electoral agenda."

At the same time, Bunye dismissed suggestions that Mrs. Arroyo issue a personal statement on her resolve not to run for president so people would focus on vital issues instead of electoral politics.

"I don’t think that is needed because our President has already declared it so I don’t think there is a need for that again," Bunye said. "The President has already spoken and we believe that this stand has not changed."

The President’s partymate Malabon-Navotas Rep. Federico Sandoval II echoed Bunye’s statement and said "politics has to take a backseat given the enormity of the problems facing the country today."

Sandoval urged the opposition to stop wasting their time in speculating whether the President would run and instead "focus their efforts in helping the government solve the country’s problems.

"No matter what the opposition says, only destiny will tell whether President Arroyo will remain the country’s Chief Executive beyond 2003," Sandoval said.

On the other hand, Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles said it is up to the President to decide whether she will run or not.

"If she really wants to run, she will file her certificate of candidacy even without endorsements," Nograles said during the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo forum.

Nograles said the members of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats are forced to look for alternative candidates outside of the party because none of their members appear to be strong contenders in next year’s elections. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Ding Cervantes