Senators Tuesday lauded President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III for thumbing down Malacañang’s proposal for a joint meeting between members of his incoming Cabinet and outgoing President Arroyo’s officials.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. said he is pleased over Aquino’s decision to refuse such meeting saying such proposal belies the Arroyo government’s intention to pursue its personal interests.

“It’s good that Noynoy turned down the joint Cabinet meeting ploy proposed by PGMA (President Arroyo’s initials) manipulators,” Pimentel said in a text message to Senate reporters.

“It had one overriding subtle intent: To establish personal contacts with the incoming Cabinet,” Pimentel said.

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan also scoffed at the idea of a joint Cabinet meeting because it has never been done in the past.

“It has never been done in the history of the Republic. It is also apparent that the outgoing administration only wants to use the Aquino administration to act as its ‘deodorant,’” Pangilinan said, in Filipino.

Pangilinan also said the proposal only reeks of hypocrisy and insincerity.

“The Arroyo administration is not thinking of the interest of the nation when it suggested a joint Cabinet meeting but the own interests. Let’s stop deceiving and fooling the people,” Pangilinan said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada branded as “ridiculous and absurd” the unsolicited advice being given by the current administration to the Aquino camp on matters of good governance and proper state management.

“How can they give away advice when Mrs. Arroyo’s regime is laced with public disapproval, corruption and abuse of power? They’re acting as if the next administration can emulate something good from them. For me, it’s absurd, even ridiculous,” Estrada said.

Estrada is reacting to a series of reports quoting Malacañang Palace officials urging President-elect Aquino to respect institutions and start the healing process of a divided nation.

A Cabinet member also advised the incoming President to promote justice and hold consultations in pursuit of national unity.

He said the Arroyo administration should stop giving out advice already for they are not in a good moral position to do so.

For him, Estrada said the Aquino administration looks promising as so-called Cabinet screening committee are putting premium on integrity and honesty.

“For me, what they say now doesn’t matter anymore. They have nine long years to practice what they preach and they blew it,” asserted Estrada.

Estrada said he trust that the Aquino administration will be a much better time for the Philippines and for all Filipinos, especially for the masses.