Saturday, November 08, 2003
Gloria links up with local showbiz entertainers on anti-drug campaign
* Ate Glow promises to support Arroyo's anti-drug campaign
* President says after US DEA training of sea-based law enforcers; land-based personnel will be the next to be trained
IT'S all work and not politics.
This summarizes the explanation of Malacaņang for President's Arroyo's sudden penchant to be seen and even photographed with movie or television personalities.
The President, after entertaining Taiwanese actor Jerry Yan of the Asian boy group F4 in Malacaņang Thursday afternoon, spent a couple of hours Friday with local showbiz stars, mostly teen stars, to launch the government's latest anti-drug campaign program.
Arroyo, in an interview at GMA 7's Debate Thursday night, said spending a few minutes with stars like Yan is part of her work, adding that it is only a fraction of time she spends in addressing the country's problems like poverty and corruption.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said tapping local showbiz personalities has nothing to do with politics.
"The President is tapping volunteer services of as many sectors as possible. You will note that in some occasions, those who participated are barangay officials. There are NGOs. It just so happens that in this particular occasion majority of those who attended were (showbiz) personalities," he said.
He added that even action star Fernando Poe Jr., who is being convinced by several sectors to run against Arroyo in the Presidential elections, is welcome to join the campaign "for as long as the offer is sincere."
"I believe that the gesture would be welcomed," he added.
Among the teen stars that attended the "Sagip Kabataan sa Droga" program launched at the Heroes' Hall of Malacaņang were Jolina Magdangal, Anne Curtis, Nancy Castiliogne, Tanya Garcia, Antoinette Taus, Luis Alandy, brothers Leandro and Carlo Muņoz, sexy stars Maricar De Mesa, Andrea del Rosario and Assunta Da Rossi, and singers Sarah Geronimo, Tootsie Guevarra and JR. Comedian Leo Martinez and variety show host German Moreno were also present.
Impersonator Rene Boy Facunla, more popularly know as Ate Glow of television programs "Sharon" and "Ok Fine! Whatever", was also present. Facunla, who had a photo taken with the President, was dressed in a red terno with floral and sequins design.
Facunla said he attended the event to participate in the campaign against illegal drugs even going as far as attending raids garbed in his "Ate Glow" outfits but he is willing to campaign for Arroyo in 2004, if asked to do so.
He said his support has nothing to do with Arroyo's praises for him. Arroyo, during the photo shoot, told him "Very intelligent daw yung dating ko sa TV. (Wow!) Feeling ko nanalo akong Ms. Universe. Sabi niya lalo niya raw akong pinapanood. Hindi siya nagagalit although I am taller than her nga lang. Sinabi niya, wala raw nakakainis."
"I think she's (Arroyo) capable. Kaya niya pa ring maging presidente ng Pilipinas. Ang lahat naman ng ginagawa niya sa ating bansa ay para sa kapakanan ng lahat at nakikita ko naman na ginagawa niya ang lahat para sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan. Kung hihingin niya ang suporta ko, tutulungan ko si Madam," he added.
Arroyo enlisted the help of the showbiz personalities, whom she said, are not only idolized by a lot of the young but also serve as role models.
She said the young stars should set an example and even encourage heir followers to be wary of strangers, especially those offering suspicious looking things particularly drugs.
She added that she does not want to see her granddaughter Mikaela Gloria grow in an environment where drugs continue to proliferate, stressing that she wants the Philippines to be drug-free by the time her granddaughter becomes a teenager.
Meanwhile, Arroyo said during the graduation of the PNP and Navy personnel who joined the US-RP joint Fusion-Piston training in Sangley Point, Cavite, she expects the 52 graduates to contribute more on the country's anti-terrorism and anti-narcotics campaign.
The graduates include 12 Coast Guard officers, 24 Navy personnel, 19 policemen, and four operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
"I expect you to form the nucleus of our maritime base of our maritime based, anti-terrorism, anti-narcotics operations and I know that as you were especially chosen you will especially do your work for the good of our country for a strong republic that is peaceful and prosperous free of drugs, free of terror, where you and your children can enjoy the blessings of peace and prosperity," she said.
The training focused on improving the participants' capability on counter-terrorism, medical emergencies, weapons and small arms tactics, maritime interdiction, evidence-gathering, search and seizure operations, and basic drug raid tactics.
She said the "sea-based" training would be followed by a land-base activity wherein members of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency would again provide the training.
Arroyo also ordered Dangerous Drug Board Executive Director Efren Fernandez to fast-track the creation of a Drug enforcement Academy to further strengthen and complement the campaign. ST
(November 8, 2003 issue)
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