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Thursday, June 19, 2003
Kabalens urge Arroyo to run in 2004
By Minerva Zamora-Arceo
SAN FERNANDO -- President Arroyo's province mates in Pampanga are urging her to run in 2004 and even signed a manifesto Wednesday to ask her to reconsider her decision not to contest the presidential polls.
They believed there is a big chance Arroyo will change her mind about not running in 2004, as they showed up Wednesday at a restaurant in the city for the biggest convention of Kapampangan leaders.
Led by Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid, Arroyo's province mates shouted "GMA, Eka mamako, Emu ke lalakwan." (GMA, don't leave us.)
Other Pampanga leaders present during the meeting were National Housing Authority (NHA) general manager Edgardo Pamintuan, Health Undersecretary and Aguman Kapampangan national chair Efipanio Lacap, Transportation Assistant Secretary Rene Maglanque, Lakas-NUCD member Jerry Pelayo, Pampanga Mayors' League president Mabalacat mayor Marino "Boking" Morales, and Pampanga Provincial Board Member Mark Lapid, also the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president.
Lapid later urged the crowd to sing the Kapampangan ditty, "Eka Mamamko, Emuke Lalakwan."
Also supporting the "GMA for President" move are the Pampanga Federation of Associations of Barangay Captains, Pampanga Councilors' League, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Lakas-NUCD party leaders and members, Kapampangan cabinet members and appointed government officials, the National Constructors Association of the Philippines (Nacap), and other civic and religious groups.
Selflessness
"Her Excellency's leadership has inspired renewed hope and confidence among our people. We believe that Her Excellency owes it both our country and our people to sustain the momentum we have gained so far, and to, eventually, lead us to a brighter future. We believe in her total commitment for the good of the greater number," the leaders said in the manifesto.
They also said that when Arroyo announced her decision not to run for president in 2004, she exhibited her sense of selflessness and statesmanship.
"By casting aside political aspirations, she was able to fully use her powers and authority to grapple with the problems that grip our country. The strides we have made thus far under her leadership are all too evident," they further said.
They added: "The dramatic turn-around of the once flagging economy; the determined fight against local and global terrorism; the immediate response against pressing health problems; the respect we have gained from international community; the unrelenting war against poverty, graft and corruption, and crimes are but a few of the many outstanding achievements her Excellency had accomplished in so short a time."
Pampanga leaders also said that three years of President Arroyo's service to the nation is not enough to continue her noble programs for the country's development.
Governor Lapid said the Kapampangans still need the President so she must run in the next presidential elections.
Endorsements
Health Undersecretary Efipanio Lacap, Aguaman national chair, said Kapampangans all over the country have started endorsing the President in the 2004 elections.
He cited hundreds of thousands of Kapampangans in Visayas and Mindanao, as well as those abroad, who expressed support to Arroyo.
"And many Kapampangans are influential leaders in their own communities like the Dizons of Davao, San Pedros of Davao del Norte, Guintos of General Santos, and others. We believe that she might change her mind since many are urging her to run in 2004," Lacap said.
And should Arroyo run, Lacap said her possible running mates are Senators Noli de Castro and Robert Barbers.
Aside from earlier endorsements from US President George Bush and Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, NHA general manager Edgardo Pamintuan also announced Wednesday that the members of the biggest developers' group in the country, the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (Sheda), also passed a resolution urging Arroyo to run for president in 2004.
Pamintuan said that according to Atty. Chito Salud, president of the National Home Mortgage Corp., Sheda forged their endorsement at about 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Makati Shangrila Plaza through the leadership of the group's chairman, Teofisto Guingona Jr.
"I personally believe that the President will run. She seems to be more open to these endorsements now than before," Pamintuan said. Sun.Star Pampanga
(June 19, 2003 issue)
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