|
By Angelo S. Samonte and Anthony A. Vargas, Reporters
Malacañang downplayed a comment by Gov. Joey
Salceda of Albay who referred to President Gloria Arroyo as a
“bitch” during a lecture on economics attended by reporters.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol
said Salceda, one of the President’s economic advisers, has
apologized to Mrs. Arroyo, and they will talk about the matter if
needed.
“The Palace isn’t making it such a big
deal,” Apostol added.
The comment has not diminished the President’s
image among Cabinet members, and she remains well respected, he
said. “It’s not a big deal for them.”
On Wednesday, Salceda was caught on television
talking about the President and saying, “She may be a bitch but
she’s the luckiest bitch around.”
When Salceda made the comment at the Ateneo
Center for Economic Research and Development, he was talking about
how she has repulsed military rebellions and impeachment attempts.
His talk was about economic growth issues.
He later apologized publicly to the President
for his “joke in poor taste.”
Salceda said he immediately went home to Bicol
after the economic briefing, because he felt embarrassed.
He said he sent three text messages to Mrs.
Arroyo to apologize, but she hasn’t replied.
President Arroyo survived two impeachment
attempts and military mutinies since coming to power in 2001. In
2007, she helped bring about the highest economic growth in 31
years, the lowest inflation in 20 years, and the lowest budget
deficits in 10 years.
More like the strict type
For his part, military Chief of Staff Hermogenes
Esperon Jr. described the President as very “strict” and serious
about work.
The Philippine National Police chief, Director
General Avelino Razon Jr., echoed Esperon’s description of the
President.
“Workaholic,” Razon said when reporters
asked him what Mrs. Arroyo is like.
When asked if she is a strict person, he said he
“wouldn’t know” since the President has not yet scolded him.
The barrage of calling the President names comes
after Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr. told a Senate committee hearing
that Chairman Romulo Neri of the Commission on Higher Education
had called Mrs. Arroyo “evil.” Lozada is the newest witness in
the Senate probe into the controversial national broadband
project.
On the day Lozada gave that testimony, Neri was
at a press conference where he said he couldn’t recall making that
“evil” remark about the President.
|
