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Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Glo seeking divine guidance on 2004: aide
By She Caguimbal-Torres
MANILA -- A Malacaņang official said President Arroyo is seeking divine guidance on whether or not she should run for president in 2004, a far cry from her December 30 declaration that she will not join contest the presidential polls.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the country's welfare is foremost in Arroyo's mind, when asked if the President had changed her stance about not running.
"Wala namang masama na magdasal e," he said, adding that everyone prays for guidance in the face of difficult decisions. (There is nothing wrong with praying.)
He refused to reaffirm Arroyo's December 30 declaration that she would no longer run. Pressed further, he said: "The President is praying very hard."
Nevertheless, he was quick to point out that his statement should not be taken to mean that Arroyo's earlier declaration was not good for the country and that she wanted to correct it.
"I'm saying that our President is faced with so many decisions on any given day, in any given week. Whatever her decisions are will really impact on many of our countrymen and it will impact not only on the Philippines but also perhaps on the rest of the region and of the world. So, these are very important decisions. And it's only proper that she seeks guidance," he said.
Bunye admitted there are a lot of people who are trying to convince Arroyo to run in the 2004 presidential elections.
"It's an open secret. Her partymates are very insistent that she reconsiders her decision and there are many other well-meaning leaders na, mga members ng business sector, that are also making the same suggestion," he said.
He added that what the people could do was to pray that whatever her decision, it would be good for the country.
Only Arroyo can answer questions concerning her political plans, he pointed out.
He refused to admit that Arroyo has changed her mind, saying she always asks for divine guidance especially concerning major decisions.
Bunye answered questions about Arroyo's softening stance with: "Let's just pray for the President, that all her decisions would be good for the country and our countrymen. Let's just hope for the best. Let's just pray for our countrymen and our President will be guided accordingly."
He did not answer questions on whether Arroyo's audience with Pope John Paul II in Sept. 27 will provide her the necessary enlightenment to make a decision.
Asked if Arroyo is willing to become a "transition president" if Charter changes are implemented, Bunye said Arroyo is leaving to Congress the issue of constitutional amendments.
(September 23, 2003 issue)
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