GMA extends hand of reconciliation to Estrada loyalists

President Arroyo has extended the hand of reconciliation to loyalists of deposed President Joseph Estrada.

Mrs. Arroyo addressed a handful of Estrada’s supporters who staged a rally a few meters away from the venue of the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the first people power revolt Thursday night.

She urged Estrada’s followers to join the new administration in its effort to unify the nation and rebuild the country.

"You who are outside, I invite you to join us. I say come to the bridge and we will meet you there," she told them.

The President said she wants to reach out to the former actor’s fans because they, too, are Filipinos.

"If we can do that with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, we can also do that with these people who are still dreaming of the previous administration," she said.

Meanwhile, the senatorial team of the opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino - Puwersa ng Masa (LDP-PM) asked Mrs. Arroyo yesterday to spend less time on the senatorial campaign "so she can attend to the pressing needs of the nation and economic recovery."

The President has appa-rently reconsidered her earlier decision against campaigning to make a personal pitch for the 13 senatorial candidates of the People Power Coalition.

Her change of mind came after her advisers said it is to the best advantage of her administration if she does everything to ensure a 13-0 win in the May elections.

Senate President Pro Tempore Blas Ople, however, declared the 13-0 prediction "a pipe dream," as he described the administration ticket as "lightweight" compared to the opposition’s.

The LDP said it is no good for the country to see so much presidential time and resources spent on the campaign. The opposition urged the President to leave her candidates alone and focus on her job and commitment to be a good president.

"There are many things that cry for urgent attention. So many pressing national concerns are waiting for presidential action. Ms. Arroyo should focus on these things and not on partisan politics," the LDP said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, the opposition candidates for senator will intensify their campaign in Metro Manila this morning by visiting strategic markets. The campaign will also see the first participation of television personality Noli de Castro, former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and re-electionist Sen. Gregorio Honasan III in the opposition campaign.

De Castro filed his certificate of candidacy as independent but was adopted by the PM. Fellow senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson said that De Castro should be more involved in party activities to make sure that De Castro’s popularity would be translated into counted votes.

Lacson said that while De Castro was ranking high in surveys, the latter should realize that it might be difficult to make sure his votes would be counted without the assistance of a political party.

De Castro, Mercado and Honasan did not join the campaign of their fellow opposition candidates in Cabanatuan City, Butuan City, Davao City, Surigao City and General Santos City. Only candidates Edgardo Angara, Juan Ponce Enrile, Dra. Loi Ejercito, Lacson, Jamby Madrigal, former Press Secretary Ricardo Puno and Dr. Ombra Tamano joined those swings.

After the tour of Metro Manila markets, the opposition ticket will go to Guiguinto, Bulacan in the afternoon to attend a caucus organized by Ople. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Efren Danao