President Arroyo and former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. are friends again after more than two years of strained relations over a bribery-tainted telecoms deal, Malacañang confirmed Monday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said the President has reconciled with De Venecia and hopes her other political enemies would reciprocate her offer of reconciliation.

This was the first time a Palace official confirmed the President’s reported reconciliation with the Pangasinan lawmaker which circulated in the media last week. Even Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita previously could not confirm if the two erstwhile allies have reunited but admitted any reconciliation was welcomed.

Arroyo and De Venecia were staunch political allies but parted ways when the latter’s son implicated the President and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the anomalies hounding the scrapped national broadband deal.

"We're gratified that our call for reconciliation has struck a responsive chord. However, it still seems to be misunderstood and so deserves clarification. First, we can reconcile at a personal level. The President has shown an example by mending fences with the former Speaker,” Olivar said. When pressed for details, Olivar did not elaborate on the President’s reunion with De Venecia.

“The President does not have to extend her hand in reconciliation; it has always been out there, waiting to be reciprocated. If we turn away from the politics of revenge and instead come together in the continuing task of building our nation – before, during, and after the elections -- we will be doing ourselves and our country a historic service,” he added.

In calling for renewed reconciliation amid the celebration of EDSA People Power revolt, Olivar also encouraged the country's warring political leaders to avoid “gratuitous and uncorroborated personal attacks.”

He said the administration and its critics should also look “for a common ground in what unites us, and stand together on urgent issues that rise above partisanships.” Citing an example, he said people could band together to address country’s pressing problems on water and power.

Olivar likewise urged the opposition to follow the example of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, “not other critics who are trying to use even this issue to score political points against the President.”

Rodriguez earlier called on Congress to convene a special session to grant President Arroyo emergency powers to resolve the El Niño-triggered power shortfall in Mindanao.

While having political differences, he said the administration and opposition should also adhere to civility and stick to the basis of legitimate differences of principle.

“Let us respect the rainbow of colors that makes our democracy vibrant. It's not just yellow or red or blue, it's all of the above in our flag,” he added.

Last week, Gina De Venecia, wife of former House Speaker, said her family has patched up its differences with President Arroyo.

Testifying at a Senate hearing in 2007, businessman Jose "Joey" De Venecia III implicated the First Couple in the corruption-tainted telecoms project. The President’s men, however, have repeatedly denied that the Chief Executive was involved in any offenses.

The young De Venecia is now running for senator under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino of former President Joseph Estrada.