GMA celebrates 63rd birthday in Lubao

LUBAO, Pampanga, Philippines – President Arroyo celebrated her 63rd birthday yesterday with Mass at the San Agustin church in Barangay San Nicolas I here, without First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo who is still recuperating in a hospital.

The same church commemorated her 54th birthday nine years ago after the ouster of then President Joseph Estrada and her installation as the 14th President of the republic, and then again on her 58th birthday in 2005 after she won her full presidential term the previous year.

Each time, the First Gentleman had been at her side on the right hand pew of the church.

Yesterday, her eldest son Rep. Mikey Arroyo, who attended the Mass with his daughter Micaela, occupied the place usually reserved for the First Gentleman.

Mikey, in an interview, declined to comment on the health of his father who has remained at the St. Luke’s Medical Center since March 24. He said doctors at the hospital would issue medical bulletins on his father’s condition.

The Mass here was the President’s first appointment since she held office at St. Luke’s to be with her husband.

She was supposed to attend a Mass in the same church on the first campaign day for local candidates last March 26, but she begged off to be with her husband.

San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto led 14 other priests in the Mass that was attended by some 500 people, including Cabinet members and local government officials, repeatedly singing “Happy Birthday” for 15 minutes as the President shook hands with her well wishers.

Mikey’s wife Angela, their daughters Micaela and Monique, presidential daughter Luli, brother Arturo Macapagal and his wife Lou, and gubernatorial candidate Lilia Pineda also shared the presidential pew.

Vice President Noli de Castro was in the first pew on the left side, with Mrs. Pineda’s son Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda.

Media folk covering the event from one side of the altar observed that the President seemed “forlorn.” Observers commented that her ash-blue pantsuit complemented her mood.

With the exception of posters announcing her candidacy as representative in Pampanga’s second district and those of Mrs. Pineda, as well as a few people wearing shirts endorsing some local candidates, yesterday’s Mass was devoid of any political color.

In his homily, Archbishop Aniceto cited the significance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection as a “passing over,” as he urged his audience “not to be afraid, no matter how huge your problem is.”

After the Mass, Fr. Jun Mercado invited the President to approach the archbishop who prayed for her for about 30 seconds. Unlike in the past, the President did not deliver any remarks after the Mass.

Instead Mrs. Arroyo proceeded to the open church patio where buffet was available for guests, then went to the convent building where only a few people were allowed.

Most local folk who were at the Mass went home immediately and did not partake of the buffet.

When Mrs. Arroyo became president after Estrada’s ouster in 2001, she said she would like to be remembered as a “good president.”

She reiterated this wish after winning the 2004 polls.

“Many have said, even those in the opposition like Sen. (Juan Ponce) Enrile, that when the dust has settled and the smoke has cleared, she will be judged fairly and history will be kind to her and appreciate her because they will realize how hard she worked as president,” Mikey replied when asked how history would judge his mother.

Mikey also cited the President’s accomplishments in infrastructure and “sound economic reforms that have resulted in strengthening our economic backbone.”

Maza: Don’t plot to stay in power

Meanwhile, Nacionalista Party senatorial candidate Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza said her birthday wish for President Arroyo is not to plot to stay in power beyond 2010.

“She should not have any illusions to stay beyond 2010,” Maza said at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Hotel media forum.

Maza said the state of Filipino women had worsened during Mrs. Arroyo’s nine-year term.

“The condition of Filipino women worsened under a woman president. We are not proud of President Arroyo. That is also a lesson… it’s not enough that we elect women, we must ensure that the women we elect have the platform that will benefit women,” she said.

The Liberal Party (LP), led by stalwarts senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Mar Roxas, also wished the President well on her birthday, urging her at the same time to leave a legacy of clean and honest elections.

“Probably the best gift President Arroyo can give the Filipino people, which is really very important, is that she makes sure that there will be clean, honest and credible elections,” Roxas said.

“This would be a legacy where Filipinos can be proud of the outgoing President, which every Filipino family will never forget,” the LP vice presidential candidate, who was accompanied by Bulacan Gov. Jonjon Mendoza and other local officials during their Bulacan sortie, added.

Aquino greeted his former economics professor at the Ateneo but also asked the people to pray that the President be enlightened on her obligation to the country. 

LP senatorial candidate Sonia Roco, on the other hand, advised the President to go on leave and concentrate on caring for her sick husband instead of dividing her time between being a wife and being president of the country.

Roco said Mrs. Arroyo should immediately file a vacation leave and appoint Vice President De Castro as acting president so as not to unduly prejudice the executive department’s public service commitments.

“Mike Arroyo needs his wife now. Our family is very important. Wives should always prioritize their families. They promised to stick to each other in sickness and in health. And if you’re the wife, you should be beside your husband to see to his needs, especially during times like this,” Roco said.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano also greeted the President with a fervent hope that she will usher the peaceful transition of government to her rightful successor amid fears that she wanted to prolong her term in office beyond June 30.

As for the First Gentleman, Cayetano said he would still wish the President’s husband well although they had traded barbs in the past.

“As I have always said, we hate the sin but not the sinner. We may criticize a politician or a public servant but we don’t wish them any harm, so I hope he gets well and be able to be closer in his relationship with the Lord during this time of trial in his life,” he said. - Helen Flores, Ric Sapnu, Aurea Calica, Delon Porcalla, Dino Balabo, Christina Mendez