Malacañang on Wednesday called for a truce on fierce political mudslinging in deference to the observance of Holy Week.

Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo urged politicians to take a breather from campaign-trail feud and respect the solemnity of Lent, saying this is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal.

Asked if the Palace was calling for a political ceasefire during the Holy Week, Saludo said: “I think this is not just the appeal of the Palace but also the public and especially our religious leaders.”

People observing the Holy Week obviously wants to have a few days of peace and be away from conflict, which is the essence of Lent, he pointed out.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibits any political campaign today, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Saludo, likewise, appealed to the President’s critics to leave her alone as she deals with a medical emergency in the family.

The President has not left the side of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo since he was confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center last week for heart ailments. Skipping her annual trek to Baguio, she is expected to keep watch over her husband who is recuperating in the hospital this Holy Week.

Latest medical bulletin stated that theFirst Gentleman’s health condition is improving

“This is a season, a time for reflection, for prayer, and really for peace both inner peace as well as peace among ourselves. We expect that even in the heat of campaign, our candidates, their campaigners, other parties that are involved in the election campaigning will also respect our people’s wish for peace, prayer, and solemnity at this time,” Saludo said in a news conference in the Palace.

“We again join the nation in prayer during the holy week to commemorate the death and eventual resurrection of our Lord and again a special prayer also for the First Gentleman, the First Couple, and the First Family,” he said.

On efforts by some groups to drag the President in campaign issues, Saludo said he was not sure if the President will be “so deeply into some of the machinations” while her husband is recovering.

“Maybe we should let the President be for now so that she can attend to her husband while at the same time attending to the nation and leave the political speculation to another time,” he added.

The medical situation involving the First Gentleman has forced the President to suspend her public engagements as well as campaign for a congressional post in the 2nd District of Pampanga.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Charito Planas, meanwhile, said the President is likely to spend her 63rd birthday on Monday, April5, at the St. Luke’s hospital if her husband will remain confined at the facility.

The President usually travels to Lubao, Pampanga to hear mass on her birthday and host a feast for friends, relatives, and other cabalens.

Planas, in a radio interview, said the President is concerned about the First Gentleman’s health and does not want to leave his side.

The President has set up a temporary office at St. Luke's since her husband was rushed at the facility last March 25 to continue her governance work.

The First Gentleman has been moved to a regular room from the intensive care unit after the doctors declared the tear in his aorta has stabilized. He is now undergoing progressive aggressive physical rehabilitation.