GMA: Don’t believe in ‘trending’

Malacañang warned the public yesterday against prematurely concluding the result of the senatorial elections through tallies being released by various media entities.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said even President Arroyo was confused over the conflicting tallies by two television stations, that she advised the people to just wait for the official count by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"We’re puzzled over the different results of quick counts," Tiglao said. "While we respect each quick count, we really have to wait for the official results."

The President was reportedly not worried that the administration’s People Power Coalition (PPC) will not be able to sweep the 13 seats up for grabs in the Senate race.

Tiglao said Mrs. Arroyo spent the whole day monitoring election results yesterday. "She’s not worried at all," he said.

Earlier yesterday, the President expressed satisfaction that the elections were able to push through.

"So far, so good," she said. "To me, the most important thing is that the elections were held and after all the traumatic things we’ve gone through, we’ll be united again."

Unofficial quick counts list opposition candidates Edgardo Angara, Gregorio Honasan, Juan Ponce Enrile and Panfilo Lacson in the so-called "Magic 13." Former First Lady Luisa "Loi" Ejercito made it in other tallies.

The President said she sees no difficulty in working with the next Senate even if a majority of its members belong to the opposition. She pointed out that certain laws backed by her administration will surely pass on their own merit.

"The Lord will find a way. If it’s good legislation and the Lord wants it for our country, He will find a way," she said.

The President also said that the coming weeks will be a time for "healing and reconciliation" between her and those who attempted to grab power from her administration.

"I’m really praying about it," she said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang has received signs from opposition leaders that they will cooperate with the administration once the counting of votes is over.

According to Tiglao, several leaders of the Puwersa ng Masa opposition coalition already said in interviews on television and radio that they will not oppose the administration just for the sake of opposing.

"In fact they pointed out that they would be cooperative," he said. "Of course, we expect them to be fiscalizers and that’s their role. But I’m sure they’ve realized that after all these political developments, we really need to start uniting and push the country forward."

Tiglao added that they expect the usual realignment of forces after the winners have been proclaimed. "We expect opposition leaders to reassess their situation and seek alliances."

However, he stressed that those charged of rebellion for influencing supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada to attack the presidential palace last May 1 will still have to face the legal consequences of their action.

"We will still pursue the cases. We have strong evidence against them," he said.