'GMA can work with Noynoy on her pet congressional projects'

MANILA, Philippines - It will not be hard for President Arroyo to lobby before Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for support for her pet congressional bills and projects when she assumes her new post as congresswoman from Pampanga and he as the president, Malacañang said yesterday.

Deputy presidential spokesman Rogelio Peyuan raised the prospect of the two leaders dealing with each other as Aquino awaits the official proclamation of Congress declaring him as the new president of the country.

Mrs. Arroyo was already proclaimed last month as winner of the congressional race in the second district of Pampanga and is set to assume her new post when Congress opens on July 27.

Peyuan said Mrs. Arroyo is still relatively young as a lawmaker and is expected to “work hard as usual but this time as a congresswoman in her district.”

“You can’t always be an oppositionist. When you think a measure would be good for the nation, you would do everything for it to be passed and make sure that it would be signed by the president,” Peyuan said.

When asked whether Mrs. Arroyo would be seen at the Palace lining up like other lawmakers, he said: “Congressmen have their ways (of lobbying).”

“There could be a proposal that President Arroyo would warrant the immediate attention of the president and I would not be surprised that the time will come that she will personally talk with the incoming president,” he said.

He said he believes Aquino would somehow soften up to Mrs. Arroyo, especially when they agree on a common cause.

“There is no such thing as a cold heart, especially when the favor you ask for is not personal but for your province or district and for your countrymen. I believe no well-meaning leader is hard-headed or cold-hearted if the welfare of his or her countrymen is at stake,” Peyuan said.

The Palace was earlier rebuffed by Aquino after it proposed that he and Mrs. Arroyo lead a meeting of the members of the outgoing and incoming Cabinet.

It is a common practice among lawmakers to try to be in the good graces of the president to be able to secure pork barrel funds for their projects.

Peyuan said the President is looking forward to her new role as congresswoman.

“Now she will have more time to really push for her pet legislation,” he said.