GMA set to meet with PMA Class ’71

President Arroyo is set to meet on Friday with members of the controversial Philippine Military Academy Class of 1971, the PMA class to which opposition Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio Honasan belong.

Philippine National Police (PNP) community relations group Director Ricardo de Leon said the meeting with the President will be an informal gathering of sorts, which includes a courtesy call on Malacañang.

Lacson and Honasan are not expected to attend the meeting, although controversial issues surrounding both lawmakers may be discussed.

"We have requested a meeting and we were accommodated," De Leon said. The meeting will be attended "by active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police."

Some retired members of the PMA class of 1971 were also invited to the meeting with Mrs. Arroyo.

The President’s meeting with class 1971 follows a series of talks with various PMA classes over the past two months.

PMA class of 1971 is so far the most senior group of PMA alumni to meet with the Chief Executive, herself an adopted member of the PMA class of 1978, following her dinner meetings with the classes of 1995 and 1988.

De Leon downplayed speculations that the move is aimed at courting Mrs. Arroyo’s commitment to choose the next PNP chief from the batch. "We have forged an agreement that we will respect the President’s decision on the choice of the next PNP chief."

Contenders for the PNP helm are PNP Deputy Director Generals Edgar Aglipay, Reynaldo Velasco and Virtus Gil.

PMA class 1971 was divided over the attacks on the President by their mistahs, Lacson and Honasan.

Lacson is now embroiled in the Jose Pidal controversy stemming from his exposé against First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Honasan was accused of masterminding the failed July 27 mutiny by disgruntled junior military officers at the Oakwood Premier condotel at Ayala Center, Makati City.