Mikey’s wish: Erap-GMA reconciliation

Presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo said yesterday he wants genuine reconciliation and wishes that his mother and former President Joseph Estrada could lead the country together toward progress and prosperity.

"I wish Erap and President Arroyo could lead and unite the country together," Arroyo told reporters during the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City.

Though Estrada is facing plunder charges, Arroyo said he did not lose respect for his mother’s archrival and had always referred to him as "former president."

This is the reason, he said, why he does not hit back at Estrada’s son, Sen. Jinggoy, and wife, Sen. Luisa Ejercito, whenever they issue criticism against him or his family.

"I want genuine reconciliation so that the country can move on," Arroyo said.

He clarified though that he is just expressing his personal view and the general sentiment of his constituents.

"I cannot speak for my mother, that is the job of Press Secretary (Ignacio) Bunye," he said when pressed to answer controversial issues affecting the presidency.

The Pampanga congressman said reconciliation is a slow and tedious process but he is confident that efforts to reach out to their critics will soon bear positive results.

The recently aborted impeachment move against the President is an indication that some of the opposition congressmen who supported the impeachment process last year did not support the renewed bid this year.

He said the change of heart of the 19 congressmen was an indication that reconciliation efforts are paying off. It is, he added, "a showcase of democracy working at its best."

"Even the critics in the movie industry and some members of the civil society who were very critical of the administration are now silently supporting the administration," Arroyo said.

Mrs. Arroyo’s son also emphasized that he harbors no ill feeling against their critics and is always ready to extend his hand for reconciliation.