Palace on Arroyo’s Disney trip: GMA needs a break, too

Give her a break. Malacañang defended yesterday the decision of President Arroyo to take a much-needed break with her family at the new Disneyland in Hong Kong.

Government Mass Media Group chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President also deserved to have quality time with her family after what she has gone through the past months.

Remonde did not elaborate but the President has been embroiled in political turmoil since June when a wiretap controversy broke out over allegations she cheated in last year’s elections.

Even members of her family were not spared. Her husband, First Gentleman Jose "Mike" Miguel and son Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo were accused of receiving illegal gambling payoffs.

They later went abroad to avoid stirring controversies that would threaten the Arroyo administration.

Remonde said there is nothing wrong with the President taking a break after attending the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ summit in Busan, South Korea.

Instead of flying back to Manila today, Mrs. Arroyo decided to visit Disneyland in Hong Kong with her family. She arrived last night in Hong Kong from Busan.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye called The STAR last night to say that President Arroyo will arrive in Manila tomorrow.

The President, along with daughter Lourdes Evangeline, will return to Manila tomorrow to report before the nation on her achievements at the two-day APEC summit.

Palace sources said the "grandparents (Mr. and Mrs. Arroyo) want to bring their grandchildren to Disneyland themselves."

It was learned that the Hong Kong Disneyland trip was the First Gentleman’s promise to his eldest granddaughter Mikaela Gloria.

Mr. Arroyo left for Hong Kong Wednesday bringing with him his granddaughters Mikaela Gloria, Eva Angelique and Eva Victoria. The rest of the First Family then followed.

Palace sources revealed the First Gentleman had promised to take Mikaela to the Hong Kong Disneyland as soon as he returned from the United States.

At the height of the political fallout against the President last July, Mr. Arroyo went into self-imposed exile in the US to spare his wife from further political attacks. He had been branded as a "lightning rod" by some quarters.

The First Gentleman and his eldest son left the country at the height of the jueteng controversy in which they and his younger brother, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo were accused of receiving illegal gambling payoffs.

Since their return nearly three weeks ago, Mikaela has reportedly been pestering her grandfather about his promise to visit Disneyland.

"The First Gentleman wants to enjoy the company of his grandchildren at Disneyland," a source said. — Aurea Calica, Marichu Villanueva