Arenas on hosting Erap: I'm everyone's friend

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan , Philippines  – Philanthropist Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas is confident that President Arroyo would understand why she hosted lunch for former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and his entourage in her farmhouse here the other day.

Arenas said Mrs. Arroyo knows that she is apolitical and a friend to everyone.

“The Arenas farm is a people’s farm and everyone is welcome here,” she told reporters who noted that she and her daughter, third district Rep. Rachel Arenas, are known supporters of Mrs. Arroyo.

“No politics, this is only friendship and love to our district mates that they can also meet everyone before election,” she said. 

Joining the entourage of Estrada, who kicked off his Lakbay Pasasalamat caravan in the province the other day, were Sen. Loren Legarda, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, former Sen. Ernesto Maceda, lawyer Adel Tamano, Joey de Venecia and former Batangas vice governor Ricky Recto. 

Arenas said she believes welcoming Estrada in her farmhouse in Barangay Nancapian would not affect her daughter’s good relations with Mrs. Arroyo.

She said Estrada and Maceda, who called her up about the caravan, are her long-time friends.

She said Mrs. Arroyo herself has been to her farmhouse twice and that she even built a room exclusively for the President’s use whenever she visits the province.

Rep. Arenas has brought in multimillion-peso projects never done before in the third district in barely one and a half years through the generous support of the President.

The young Arenas has been a frequent companion of Mrs. Arroyo in local and overseas trips. During Estrada’s visit, she was with the President in an occasion at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s main office.

“But what is important to us is the people’s pulse. That is what we’re going to follow and not to focus on whatever could possibly be the source of hurt feelings of anyone because everyone is welcome here,” the elder Arenas said.   – With Jose Rodel Clapano