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Sunday, July 10, 2005
RP president embarks on charm offensive amid broiling political crisis (1:00 p.m.)
MANILA -- Facing her gravest political crisis, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid a surprise visit to a Roman Catholic church Sunday then strolled down a crowded Manila Bay promenade, holding babies and having her picture taken with ordinary folks as part of a new charm offensive.
Arroyo has tried to project a business-as-usual air amid rapidly growing calls for her resignation over allegations that she rigged last year's closely fought elections. But the crisis worsened Friday when 10 Cabinet members defected and called for her resignation. Former president Corazon Aquino also sided against Arroyo.
The country's influential Roman Catholic bishops have been meeting this weekend and many thought they would take a position on the raging crisis.
But Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, one of about 10 bishops who have urged Arroyo to step down, said the Catholic leaders probably wouldn't ask her to leave because it wouldn't solve the fundamental problems.
"Resignation will not really solve the problem. There are many things to consider," Cruz said.
Wearing white pants and blouse, Arroyo went to church in the tourist district of Ermita with a daughter, son and granddaughter. She knelt in a front pew and bowed her head in deep prayer as bodyguards scrambled to secure the church compound.
A group of church leaders later approached and prayed for her, closing their eyes and raising their hands over her head.
Arroyo, holding her daughter by the hand, later strolled down a nearby bayside promenade dotted with coconut palm trees, shaking hands, signing autographs and having her picture taken with surprised strollers. She stopped by a group of men fishing at the bay and playfully borrowed a rod and tried to fish herself.
She then walked off, waving and smiling at gathering crowds and patting the heads of children, before entering a restaurant to have breakfast with Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, a strong backer.
After breakfast, Atienza said, "She feels emotionally hurt by the treachery of her most-trusted lieutenants but quitting is not on her mind. She knows the people are with her," he told The Associated Press.
Arroyo won a few hearts during her public stroll, but others remained skeptical --a reflection of the deep division that the crisis has sown.
"We want her to stay on rather than have the vice president take over. She's more intelligent," said 27-year-old Cristina Velasco, who posed with her daughter for a picture with the President that she saw for the first time.
Velasco referred to Arroyo's vice president, Noli de Castro, a former popular radio broadcaster who was bound to succeed her under the Constitution. Some have expressed doubt over de Castro's ability to lead. He has been a political novice despite having once served as a senator.
A man at the promenade criticized Arroyo: "She's not a good woman. It's best for the country if she leaves." But he was pulled away by his apparently pro-Arroyo wife before he could give his name. "He's just joking, he's just joking," the wife shot back at a reporter.
Another promenader, student Michael Abanto, was undecided. "I think she cheated in the elections but maybe she can still do good. I'm still undecided," he said.
A poll released on Wednesday said only two of every 10 Filipinos still trust Arroyo and nearly half believe she should no longer be president amid allegations of election fraud and corruption accusations against her family.
Arroyo has repeatedly said she would not step down but would be ready to face impeachment complaints in Congress. (AP) |
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