Escudero: Dureza prayer on term extension a trial balloon

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday said Press Secretary Jesus Dureza's prayer on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's serving beyond 2010 was a trial balloon to get the reaction of the people on the latter's term extension. Escudero said being the official spokesperson of the President, Dureza relays to the public what Mrs Arroyo wants. "Alalahanin natin na si Sec Dureza, kung hindi man niya alam ay tagapagsalita ng Pangulo. At maski sa dasal o sa talumpati parang ang Pangulo ang nagsasalita (We should remember that Sec Dureza, if he is not aware, is the spokesperson of the President. Even if it is a prayer or speech, he is speaking in behalf of the President)," Escudero said. The senator believed Malacanang raised the matter through a joke and in the weeks to come will make it a subject of serious discussions. He even advised Dureza not to make public his prayers as it might not be granted. "Kung nagdasal ka na maraming nanonood at na-camera at na-media pa, nakuha mo na ang kapalit ng iyong pagdarasal at hindi yan ibibigay ng Panginoon (If you pray knowing the people are watching you, you have already received the result of your prayer and it might not be granted)," Escudero said. For his part, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked the public not to be bothered by wishes made known through prayers. "That is simply a wish, don't be bothered by those kind of statements," Enrile said. He believed the Dureza's wish will not come true as procedures have to be followed. "No matter what they want in the Palace even if they want the President sit beyond (her term)… it will not happen if Congress will not amend the Constitution and if the people will not agree to it," Enrile said. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV