GMA keeps cool, takes stroll at Baywalk

At the Nuestra Señora de Guia Church in Ermita, Manila, President Arroyo found time to chill out on a Sunday morning after the most politically turbulent week of her presidency.

The President was joined by immediate members of her family, the city mayor and the Speaker’s wife for the 9 a.m. Mass in which the priest made no mention of the current political situation.

Instead, the priest asked that the people pray for Mrs. Arroyo, her family and the country.

Wearing an all-white ensemble of shirt and slacks, the President with her children Evangeline (Luli) and Ignacio (Dato) and daughter-in- law Ma. Victoria (Kakay) and 15-month-old granddaughter Evie, later strolled along the Baywalk of Roxas Boulevard with Mayor Lito Atienza and Mrs. Gina de Venecia.

At the Baywalk Mrs. Arroyo waved, shook hands and greeted some strollers. She even borrowed a fishing rod from one of the fishing enthusiasts by the bay and tried her hand at hooking a fish.

The First Family was later joined by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco and lawyer Jesus Santos, spokesman for the First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who is now abroad.

"She (Mrs. Arroyo) was emotionally affected by the treachery of some of her former Cabinet officials," Atienza said in a telephone interview. "Obviously, she needed a break."

He said it was very clear that some groups wanted to "stampede" her into stepping down from office.

After the brief stroll, the presidential party proceeded to the Aristocrat Restaurant where they had coffee, soup, "tapa," chicken and pork barbecue and rice for breakfast.

Pichay said there was not much political talk, except for "recapping" the tumultuous events last week. He said the President was busy attending to her granddaughter seated on her lap.

"It would be business as usual on Monday," he said.

The President is battling calls for her to resign over allegations that she committed electoral fraud and that her family has benefited from illegal gambling payoffs.

In a press conference on Saturday at Malacañang, presidential political affairs adviser Gabriel Claudio said the common observation of those working with Mrs. Arroyo is that she remains calm even in the face of a painful political and personal crisis.

"She is consistently even in the face of crises, in the face of turmoil and political challenges," Claudio said. "She is constantly and consistently in a sense, in a state of equanimity."

In an interview over Radio Mindanao Network yesterday, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye Jr. said the President continues to enjoy the support of a majority of the country’s political and local leaders.

"Her political enemies have alternatives other than constitutional to bring her down. There are other constitutional alternatives but definitely, the President believes there is no basis for her to resign," Bunye said. — Paolo Romero