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Monday, August 22, 2005
Evangelist vows to reconcile Arroyo, Erap
MANILA -- Evangelist Mike Velarde, leader of the religious group El Shaddai, said Sunday that he would find ways to patch up the "longstanding dispute" between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and deposed president Joseph Estrada.
Velarde issued the statement after the reported failure of the reconciliation talks between the two quarrelling state leaders during the celebration of his birthday and the 21st anniversary of El Shaddai Group at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila last Saturday.
He said he would not give up talking to both camps because they are amenable to reconciliation.
"The time is limited and I had just arrived from the US last July 31. I talked to both sides for the good of the country and they are both receptive," he said.
Estrada arrived at the affair after President Arroyo left the Quirino Grandstand.
Erap speech
Estrada, who was given the chance to speak before about 1 million El Shaddai members, said he has forgiven the people who "conspired" to remove him from Malacañang and put him in detention.
"For over four years of my life in jail, I've learned to forgive. My displeasure with the people who accused, vilified and judged me of a wrongdoing that I never did has been lost," he said.
In addressing the El Shaddai crowd, Estrada said that the only regret he had was the chance to finish his term and serve the people who voted for him during the 1998 presidential elections.
The former president said that his four years of detention at the Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal gave him more time to reflect and be closer to the Lord.
"During my presidency I only spent little time in praying. I have accepted what happened to me and I know that God has a purpose for me," he said.
And if he would be able to overcome the crises in his life, Estrada said he would devote the remaining time of his life in serving the people and God.
He appealed to the people to be united and pray so that the country will be able to surpass the present challenges.
"The truth shall set me free. The truth shall set us free," he said.
In a statement, Velarde appealed to President Arroyo and her critics to leave their personal interests and consider the welfare of the country.
"We offer to broker a government of solidarity for the Filipino people by calling on President Arroyo to reach out her political adversary to arrive at a workable, acceptable and doable accord which we the people can guarantee the faithful compliance by all the signatories thereto," he said.
Work together
The El Shaddai leader also urged other political leaders to do the same and instead put their concerted efforts in arresting the possible impact of the reeling prices of petroleum products.
He said: "This is now the right time for us to work together in the atmosphere of trust and confidence."
Caloocan City Bishop Deogracias Iniguez and Paranaque City Bishop Jesse Mercado, meanwhile, welcomed Velarde's reconciliation efforts.
"It's an option and if El Shaddai thinks it's an option that they can help realize and thinks that it's the way to solve the political crisis then it's worth trying," Iniguez said.
Mercado, for his part, said he is also amenable to the proposed reconciliation of the two camps. He appealed to the Filipino people to be united in praying for the recovery of the country from political and economic crises.
Vice President Noli de Castro and House Speaker Jose de Venecia also agreed that the reconciliation plan is a good move.
But de Venecia said that using the reconciliation effort in exchange for the freedom of Estrada from plunder charges should be out of the deal.
"Well that could be the product of discussions; as you know, there is a pending case at the Sandiganbayan so I do not wish to comment on issues that are in the court. But the idea of a successful peacemaking is something we have to pray for. I hope the Lord will bless this initiative," he said.
De Castro believes that reconciliation could be the answer to the ongoing political crisis in the country. He, however, would not comment when asked if he was amenable to settlement with his political rival, former senator Loren Legarda. (MSN/Sunnex)
(August 22, 2005 issue)
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