Davide lauds Arroyo’s reconciliation efforts

Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. thanked President Arroyo yesterday for taking the lead in reunifying the nation’s leaders after the impeachment controversy.

Interviewed after the "unity lunch" hosted by the President at Malacañang to literally break bread with some of the principal figures in the impeachment move against the chief justice, Davide said he is hoping that something positive will come out of Mrs. Arroyo’s initiative.

"It is a step initiated by the President and I think what we need really is unity after what happened to our country. I think we should really move forward for national progress," Davide told Palace reporters.

But the two-hour luncheon at the Palace was obviously snubbed by the key characters who initiated the second impeachment complaint against Davide.

Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) Reps. Felix William Fuentebella and Gilbert Remulla were not around but it could not be confirmed if they were invited to the "unity luncheon."

But NPC Rep. Marcelino Libanan, who chairs the House committee on justice where the impeachment complaint was filed, was present at the gathering.

Davide himself shrugged off observations that the unity lunch was snubbed by the prime movers of the impeachment complaint against him.

"I did not try to count who were here really because I’m just a guest. But whether they are present or not, the call has been made by the President," Davide said.

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Gabriel Claudio told Palace reporters that about 35 congressmen, including six NPC congressmen attended the affair.

In her opening remarks before lunch was served, Mrs. Arroyo thanked those who have accepted her invitiaton to her call for reconciliation.

"This is a historic time in our nation and we are glad to have leaders with a keen sense of history. Our gathering here is not only in celebration of the triumph of national unity and solidarity in the aftermath of a threatened crisis. It is a reaffirmation of our collective faith in the Filipino and the future of the Republic," she said.

"As we break bread today, I trust that we shall all continue to rise above our partisan, sectoral and personal interests and pledge to serve what is common to us all, the nation and our people," she added.

The House delegation to the "unity lunch" was led by Speaker Jose de Venecia while the opposition was represented by Makati Rep. Agapito Aquino and his nephew, Tarlac Rep. Benigno Aquino III.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, along with Senators Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Ramon Magsaysay Jr., represented the upper chamber.

On the side of the SC, Davide was joined at the Palace by SC Associate Justices Adolf Azcuna, Dante Tinga, Josue Bellosillo and Norberto Quisumbing.

In the presence of her most vocal critics, Mrs. Arroyo appealed anew for national reconciliation.

"We must see even in the widest divide the opportunity for collective patriotism and the will to serve the common good," she urged.

"We shall have reconciliation with justice, reconciliation with democracy and reconciliation with prosperity for all. We shall seek peace with honor and dignity among former foes," the Chief Executive vowed.