LUBAO, Pampanga – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has asked the leadership of Lakas-Kampi-CMD “to fix” the glitch affecting the administration coalition, including its reported disintegration, the defection of its members, and the lack of funds.

Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, who replaced former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as Lakas-Kampi-CMD chairman, said President Arroyo directed them to iron out the number of issues hounding the party.

She said the President wanted to look into the reported defection of some of its members, which fired up speculation that Mrs. Arroyo and her allies had deserted Teodoro and sided with Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar.

“She says do something about these talks. Ayusin (Fix it),” she told newsmen in an ambush interview, shortly before she arrived at the St. Augustine Parish Church to attend her thanksgiving mass to celebrate her 63rd birthday.

Villarosa said party’s funds are more than enough to run Teodoro’s and his senatorial bets’ campaign, downplaying the statement made by Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan.

Guico, the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines and member of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD executive committee, revealed that the other local officials have not received support from the coalition.

Villarosa said the party’s support to Teodoro remains solid amid talks of defection, which according to her, were only aimed at bringing him down. “But, we will bring him up,” she vowed.

She said in their national executive meeting Tuesday (April 6), they are expected to release a manifesto of support reassuring him of the party’s overwhelming support.

She said in the remaining weeks of the campaign, the party will change its strategy, but she did not divulge how they will maneuver the party’s campaign plan.

Presidential sons, Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” and Camarines Sur 1st District Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo also pledged their support to Teodoro.

The younger Arroyo sibling will host a campaign sortie for Teodoro Tuesday (April 6) in Camarines Sur, a day before older brother will hold the same campaign.

“He will be here in Pampanga on Wednesday. We will campaign for him,” said Mikey, dousing cold water to speculation that the Arroyos are supporting Villar.

“Speculations will always be there. To those who don’t believe, we can’t do anything about it,” he said.

Mikey was with the President during the mass, along with her wife, Angela and two daughters, Mikaela Gloria and Marie Angelique. Presidential daughter Luli Arroyo-Bernas also attended the mass. However, “Dato” was not able to attend because of his campaign schedule.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo asked the public not to be influenced by brewing talks against the administration coalition, including the defection.

“Sa pagpili ng ihahalal, tingnan ang mga nagawa para sa bayan, ang mga programang isusulong, at ang pagtulong sa kapwa. Wala sa text at tsismis ang katotohanan, kundi sa record at plataporma ng paglilingkod-bayan,” he said. (“In choosing our candidates, we should look at what they have accomplished, the programs they pushed and their hearts for others. The truth does not come from text or gossip, but from record and platform of service.”)

GMA’s wish
Asked about her birthday wish, President Arroyo said she wants the Philippines “to get to the verge of first world in 20 years.”

Clad in blue-violet pant suit, President Arroyo expressed her desire for the country to join the ranks of first world nations in two decades.

Since she assumed presidency in 2001, she envisioned taking the Philippines to such world status, in which the poverty rate is dramatically reduced and the government and private institutions are strong and stable.

In her first public engagement after taking First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to St. Luke's Medical Center in Global City, Taguig, last March 25, President Arroyo was warmly welcomed by her cabalens, who have been expressing their all-out support to the President’s congressional bid in the second district of Pampanga. The singing of “Happy Birthday” by her cabalens, her Cabinet men, local executives and other top government officials marked the beginning and end of the President’s thanksgiving mass.

Before the mass ended, the President was invited to go to the altar to receive blessing from Aniceto, who urged the faithful to “continue praying for the President and her First Family.” The Pampanga bishop prayed over the President and blessed her with holy water.

During his homily, Pampanga Bishop Aniceto Paciano Aniceto cited the President’s efforts to unify the nation, including the implementation of key infrastructure projects, which serve as a “bridge” for national unity.

A number of Cabinet men and top government officials also attended the mass. Among them were Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Press Secretary Cris Icban Jr., Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Trade Secretary Jesli Lapus, Presidential Political Adviser Butch Pichay, and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque.