I have forgiven Bing - GMA

That’s what friends are for.

President Arroyo has forgiven a former aide and classmate dating back to elementary school who implicated First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in a P50-million bribery scandal.

At a press conference yesterday, Mrs. Arroyo said she has forgiven her resigned correspondence secretary Veronica "Bing" Rodrigo who had disclosed that her information that Arroyo tried to recall the veto of two telecom franchise bills was second-hand.

"As a friend, I am always forgiving. You can always talk to me about your problems," she said. "That’s the kind of friend I am — forgiving."

Rodrigo and the President go back a long way, having been classmates in grade school at Assumption College.

But Mrs. Arroyo clarified she has not spoken with Rodrigo since the misunderstanding: Rodrigo had reacted to Arroyo’s tirades over a radio interview that a certain Palace secretary resigned because of the alleged bribe try.

"We haven’t talked with each other, not after she had her radio interview," the President said.

It was in that interview where Rodrigo claimed the information of the suppose bribe money given to Arroyo was told to her by her friend, Malou Nuñez.

Alluding to this exchange of radio interviews between Arroyo and Rodrigo, the President said yesterday she suggested to her husband it might be better for him to hire a spokesman.

"Because like me I have a spokesman, so I only speak once a week. I was the one who suggested that my husband should get a spokesman because he is fair game right now for the media," she said.

"I am the public servant. I am the one who comes from a political family. I know how to roll with the punches. But my husband, if his integrity is assailed, he can shoot from the hip and I think I would rather it not happen," she said.

Over a late night TV program over Channel 5 Thursday, the President said her husband is still not used to such "intrigues."

The President and her husband celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary that night in a "very private dinner" with their three children, Mikey, Luli and Dato.

A deeply religious woman, Mrs. Arroyo said she is one person whose friends come from her childhood days, in school and later among her colleagues at work.

She quoted from the Bible when asked what would be the worst thing a friend can do to her which may not merit forgiveness: "Jesus Christ said, ‘Even if they hurt you seven times, seven times you have to forgive’."

She admitted to not being "thoughtful" because of her "focused" personality, where "you are not sensitive to the very subtle needs or feelings or problems of your friends."

But she said she could tell if a person was sulking (nagtatampo) because of a slight or oversight. — Marichu Villanueva