GMA vows ‘age of change and renewal’

ILOILO CITY — Unfazed by the intensified attacks on her tenure at the helm of government, President Arroyo vowed yesterday to bring the country out of "political and economic deterioration."

In her speech at the celebration of the third Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day at the Iloilo provincial capitol, the President made only a slight reference to the intensified efforts to remove her from office.

"I am committed to moving this nation up from political and economic deterioration to an age of change and renewal," Mrs. Arroyo said. Her statements showed a marked departure from the tone of her speeches in the past days, in which she criticized the opposition for being "economic saboteurs."

She pointed to the looming oil crisis, which she said threatened to derail the country’s fragile economy, as the one issue the entire nation should immediately address.

The President issued the statement as protest rallies demanding her resignation continued to mount despite her dramatic televised apology on Monday. The President had apologized for talking on the phone to an election official during the counting of votes last year. Days later, she announced that her scandal-prone husband was going into exile.

The visit to Iloilo was Mrs. Arroyo’s first out-of-town trip since making these announcements and she remained composed despite the heated political atmosphere.

"The challenge of the Philippines is to become greater each passing day as we are faced with the rising cost of fuel at a time when we need to boost the acceleration of our economy," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Upon landing at the Iloilo Airport yesterday morning, the President met with a group of pro-administration rallyists outside the airport and shook hands with some of them, thanking them for their support.         

She then inaugurated the Jalandoni Bridge and proceeded to the capitol for the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day ceremonies and lunch.

On the way to the next event, the President’s convoy was met by a small group of protesters brandishing red cardboard signs saying "GMA resign!" A minor commotion ensued when some members of the Presidential Security Group pushed aside the signs and were slapped at by a female protester. One of the guards hit back and local police intervened.

Iloilo Behind GMA

>Iloilo Gov. Neil Tupas declared the entire province was totally supportive of Mrs. Arroyo, pointing out that she obtained half a million votes from the region.

"If you want, Madam President, you can transfer the Office of the President to Iloilo," Tupas said.

After the event at the capitol, Mrs. Arroyo proceeded to the residence of Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo for a private one-on-one meeting in which no other people, not even her close aides, were allowed to enter.

Senate President Franklin Drilon and Cabinet officials who accompanied Mrs. Arroyo said they had no idea what was discussed by the President and Lagdameo.

Also present at the ceremonies were Spanish Secretary General Rafael Dezcallar and Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz.

The President thanked the two Spanish officials for their continued support for the Philippines, noting that the country receives the highest amount of official development assistance from Spain, as compared to the rest of Asia.

The Philippines was a Spanish colony for nearly four centuries until it won independence through the Philippine Revolution of 1898. — With Leo Solinap