GMA sends Clinton a ‘get well’ note

"Dear Bill, get well…"

President Arroyo has sent a get-well note to former US President William Clinton — her former college classmate — who will be undergoing a heart bypass surgery.

Malacañang released to the Palace Press Office yesterday Mrs. Arroyo’s brief message to Clinton, who became her classmate during a two-year stint at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

"I am sad to read about your projected bypass operation but I am also glad you are in high spirits," Mrs. Arroyo wrote.

"I hope everything will go smoothly and you will soon be back on the political circuit as a world mentor of contemporary change and statesmanship. My family wishes for your speedy recovery."

Mrs. Arroyo studied in Georgetown from 1964—1966 when her late father, former President Diosdado Macapagal was still in office. She would finish her degree in economics in Assumption College, graduating magna cum laude in 1968. Clinton would graduate the same year from Georgetown with a degree in foreign service.

Mrs. Arroyo earlier told The STAR that Clinton is one of two former Georgetown schoolmates who later became head of state. The other is President Alfredo Christiani of El Salvador.

Clinton was supposed to visit Manila earlier this year at the height of Mrs. Arroyo’s presidential campaign but backed off because of scheduling conflicts with the book tour for his memoirs of his two successive terms in the White House. — Marichu Villanueva