Malacañang welcomes MJ’s call for unity

Malacañang said yesterday it does not view former Manila congressman Mark Jimenez as another potential critic of the administration, even as it welcomed his call for unity.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the Palace would not comment on the possible political implications of Jimenez’s return to the country.

"All we can say is that he (Jimenez) has every right to come home, this is where he wants to stay," Bunye said in a telephone interview. "We don’t have any cause for concern and we welcome his call for unity."

He also said Jimenez — who returned after spending two years in a US prison on charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to commit fraud — was accompanied by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, a staunch ally of President Arroyo. This could indicate that Jimenez is no longer interested in anti-administration politicking.

Presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio refused to comment on the implications of Jimenez’s return, saying the former lawmaker is already a private citizen and may prefer to be left alone when it comes to politics.

Jimenez’s return to the country Sunday prompted talk that he might repeat his allegations of attempted extortion against former justice secretary Hernando Perez, whom he accused of asking for $2 million in exchange for approval of a contract with an Argentine energy company.

The former legislator told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that he was happy to be back after two years of serving sentence in a United States federal prison. He said he constantly prays for guidance with regards to Perez.

Jimenez accused Perez of demanding $2 million from him in exchange for the approval of a contract with Industrias Metalurgicas Pescarmona Sociedad Anomina. The IMPSA deal was approved just two days after Mrs. Arroyo took office in January 2001.