CAVINTI, LAGUNA: GMA PRAYS FOR PEACEFUL POLLS
MANILA, February 11, 2004 (STAR) President Arroyo officially took to the campaign trail yesterday by attending Mass in Cavinti, Laguna to pray for peaceful elections on May 10.Mrs. Arroyo, who is seeking a full six-year term, started her political campaign with a Mass at the El Salvador del Mundo Transfiguration Church in the scenic town near Pagsanjan Falls and Lake Caliraya.
She later told a crowd of supporters that she wanted to start her party’s campaign on high ground, not only altitude-wise but also moral and political.
Mrs. Arroyo said her campaign will be based on her government’s platform and not on mudslinging.
"As the campaign period kicks off today, we reiterate our call to do away with traditional ways of campaigning by focusing on platforms instead of deception or mudslinging," Mrs. Arroyo said.
Mrs. Arroyo, who trailed her main rival, movie star Fernando Poe Jr., in recent voter surveys, told the crowd to choose experience over popularity. She said the nation is too wise to vote her out of office just because her opponent is an action movie star.
"The nation may be divided now as to who is the most fit to run the country but it is our responsibility as aspirants for the highest public office of the land to bring Filipinos together for democracy, sound governance and a bright future," the President said.
A few hundred people lined the street leading to Cavinti Church, where Mrs. Arroyo, in a white vest and fisherman’s cap, prayed for peaceful elections. School children braved the rain and waved Philippine flags, while others hugged and applauded the movie stars campaigning for the President.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo told a radio interview that voters have apparently grown tired of the traditional mudslinging and intrigues by candidates during elections.
Saludo said the various exposés against different personalities along with the intrigues and issues against candidates contributed to the decline of the peso and investor confidence in the country.
"We believe that the people are looking forward to a campaign and election that is geared towards issues or important discussions as well as programs and platforms that will be beneficial for the country, instead of continuous mudslinging," Saludo said.
After spending the night in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Mrs. Arroyo arrived by helicopter in Lake Caliraya before proceeding to Cavinti.
"The President wanted first to go to mystic Caliraya," presidential adviser Marita Jimenez told The STAR.
The Parish of Transfiguration Church in Cavinti is itself considered "miraculous."
Church elders had a hard time trying to contain the rain-drenched crowd as the more popular candidates of the administration K-4 slate started arriving for the Mass.
Among the attractions were re-electionist Sen. Robert Jaworski, and actors Lito Lapid and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. who are both running for senator.
Later, Mrs. Arroyo and her running mate Sen. Noli de Castro had a meeting with sectoral leaders at the school to discuss the administration’s programs and projects that will benefit Laguna.
De Castro couldn’t resist punning on the province’s growth, "Lagu-na! Lumalagu-na ang Laguna!"
Mrs. Arroyo made fun of her standing beside a much taller De Castro. "Totoo po akong maliit lamang kaya alam ko ang damdamin ng maliliit," Mrs. Arroyo told Cavinti residents.
The President said "small Filipinos," referring to indigent families expect that government would meet their needs for jobs, stable prices of goods, livelihood, education, health and shelter.
At the National Arts Center at Mt. Makiling in Los Baños town later in the day, former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago caught up with the presidential party. Santiago, who is again running for the Senate and whose nephew Michael Defensor is the campaign spokesman, was wearing a neck brace.
Also in Los Baños, Mrs. Arroyo declared that more than 3,500 landless families who have been settling at the foot of Mt. Makiling for generations are no longer squatters.
She said their land, formerly a military reservation, now falls under a socialized housing program.
Speaking before the opening of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association Meet on Monday, the President promised to provide teachers tapped for poll duty this May with a "very generous allowance."
"I told (Education) Secretary (Edilberto) de Jesus here that we should give you a very generous allowance to make up while you do not have your salary increase," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo said it was only during her administration that teachers were able to receive substantial benefits, specifically during Christmas.
Local political leaders led by Cagayan Gov. Edgar Lara and Isabela Governor Faustino Dy, national president of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) declared Mrs. Arroyo would definitely win if elections are held today.
Local leaders from the administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats led by former police general Thompson Lantion, himself a congressional candidate, accompanied Mrs. Arroyo to Solano town market where thousands of vendors and supporters welcomed her.
In a pre-campaign message Monday in Cagayan, Mrs. Arroyo urged her rivals "to take the high road of prudence, decency and civility in the fight for the vote."
"Our people deserve an electoral campaign that gives them a good view of the platforms of each contender, a balanced presentation of issues by the media and a high regard for democratic principles," Mrs. Arroyo said.
On the other hand, Poe kicked off his campaign yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City packed with about 20,000 supporters, complete with giant video screens and fellow celebrities.
Poe, a 64-year-old high school dropout who is courting the mostly poor voters, says he wants to restore confidence in government.
But the actor said very little of his program during his speech that lasted 12 minutes. He has also avoided media questions, raising concerns over his lack of experience in government.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said many from the opposition had switched to Mrs. Arroyo and the administration since Poe, as the candidate of the opposition, has no platform of government and political experience to boast of.
Pichay said among the prominent political leaders who are now supporting Mrs. Arroyo’s candidacy are Nueva Ecija Gov. Thomas Joson, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Camarines Sur. Gov. Luis Villafuerte.
Pichay said the decision to support Mrs. Arroyo by Villafuerte, former President Joseph Estrada’s point man in the Bicol region, is crucial in delivering the needed votes for her from Bicolandia, considered the bailiwick of Roco.
The alliance forged by Joson with Lakas is also a big factor which would ensure Mrs. Arroyo’s victory in the vote-rich province. This also holds true in Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa, three of the largest cities in the south where the influence of Duterte, Emano and Hagedorn will be a major factor in Mrs. Arroyo’s bid. - Marichu Villanueva, Marvin Sy, Delon Porcalla, Charlie Lagasca, Artemio Dumlao, Rene Alviar
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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