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Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Roco returns from medical trip
* Arroyo welcomes return of rival
MANILA -- After two weeks of undergoing medical treatment in the US, Alyansa ng Pag-asa presidential bet Raul S. Roco flies back to the country Wednesday to resume campaigning.
Roco decided to leave the campaign trail two weeks ago to seek medical treatment in the US for chronic back pain.
President Arroyo, for her part, welcomed the return of Roco.
"I am glad that Raul Roco is coming home and is faring well. I welcome him back to the campaign and wish him the best. This election has ample space for those who like him have waged an issues-oriented campaign," Arroyo said Tuesday.
Roco will be on board Cathay Pacific Airways Flight CX901 from Hong Kong, which is expected to arrive at 10:55 a.m.
He will meet with his vice presidential running mate Herminio Aquino and then hold press conference to announce the results of his medical examination and reveal his health condition.
He flew out of Houston last Monday noon (Philippine time) and went to San
Francisco. From San Francisco, he proceeded to Hong Kong where he stayed overnight.
Meanwhile, the Alyansa ng Pagasa is preparing a grand welcome for Roco with the hope that he is healthy and fit to run for president.
The party has scheduled a motorcade in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila and a thanksgiving mass at the Sta. Maria de la Strada Parish Church in Quezon City.
Roco's camp said his return would only prove that the former senator and education secretary is serious in his campaign even if his pre-election survey ratings have plummeted.
Meanwhile, Arroyo said she would continue to pray for Roco and his continued recovery.
Deputy presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo, on the other hand, shrugged off the planned talks between thumbed Roco and Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas and their possible merger.
Saludo said Arroyo welcomes the unification of her rivals so that they can come up with clearer and specific platforms and campaign styles and eventually help the voters compare and decide who they would vote for.
Aside from the Roco-Villanueva merger, opposition candidates Panfilo Lacson and Fernando Poe Jr. are also trying to talk about unifying their camps, but their meeting has yet to push through after five rescheduled meetings. JPM/JMR
(April 28, 2004 issue)
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