‘Process of government of national unity begins’

DAVAO CITY — Speaker Jose de Venecia said the process of establishing a government of national unity has begun.

"This is part of the process of reaching out. This is the beginning of the government of national unity," De Venecia told The STAR Sunday night as he was about to leave the birthday celebration of House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles at the Apo View Hotel here.

The party was also attended by President Arroyo, who sat between two top House opposition lawmakers — Agusan Rep. Rodolfo Plaza and Iloilo Rep. Rolex Suplico.

De Venecia said the presence of the two opposition congressmen at the party signified the start of the making of a new government of national unity.

The Speaker cited Nograles as one of the "catalysts" of the government of national unity and stressed that efforts have been made to reach out to the other major political parties.

De Venecia said Sunday night’s birthday party would be followed by a meeting of all major political parties to draft a common reform agenda for the proposed government of unity.

Mrs. Arroyo arrived here for an overnight stay with a small entourage that included De Venecia, his wife Gina, and Lupita Kashiwahara. Also seen at Nograles’ party was National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, who came with his wife but avoided any media interview.

When asked how he was able to bring together the President and the opposition lawmakers in his party, Nograles told The STAR that he used his charm.

"It was all charm. I used my charm. But seriously, they are all my best friends, even if they are from the administration or the opposition," Nograles said.

"This is purely a celebration. This is a non-political and non-partisan party," Nograles said. "I just invited all of them regardless of party affiliation and they all came." Nograles said he did not allow anyone to give speeches, not even himself.

"No speeches, no anything. Just fun," he added.

Suplico and Plaza, both staunch critics of Mrs. Arroyo, stressed that they attended Nograles’ party not to coalesce with the administration but just to greet the House Majority Leader on his birthday.

"This is not a unity government. And we still say no to such an option," Suplico said.

Both described their brush with the President, in the midst of the ongoing political turmoil, as "civil."

"I was invited to the party by Congressman Nograles and I came here. He is my friend, period," Suplico said.

The Iloilo lawmaker said the right to invite anyone to a birthday party belongs to the celebrator. And Nograles has the right to invite anyone, including the President.

Plaza, on the other hand, said he was invited to Nograles’ party and his being also a congressman from Mindanao made him attend the affair.

"I was invited and I decided to attend. It just so happened that the President was also here. It is nothing more and nothing less,"

Plaza said, adding that his political stand against the President still stands.

Suplico, who sat between the President and Gonzales, further said that he remains firm in his being in the opposition.

"But we could not talk because the music of the band was too loud. I do not want to shout at the President nor would I want to be shouted (at) by the President. So, it happened that we did not talk at all," he said.

Suplico said he shook the President’s hand twice — when they met at the party and when she left the ballroom.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, on the other hand, said he respects the position of Suplico and Plaza as opposition congressmen.

"These are principled people. For men like them, there must be a compelling reason if ever they decide to cross the political fence. And a birthday party such as this is not enough. It is a matter of principle," Pichay told The STAR.

The President arrived at around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday evening and stayed at the party for a little over two hours, hopping from one table to another, posing for photographs with the over 300 guests.