Arroyo-less admin proclamation rally looms

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may or may not grace the proclamation rally of administration presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday in Antipolo City, a Malacañang official said on Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said President Arroyo has a tight schedule on Tuesday, which includes a trip to Bulacan for a Cabinet meeting and a visit in one of the Urban Beltway infrastructure projects there. “We do not know for sure," Olivar told Radyo ng Bayan in an interview when asked if the President will be present on the proclamation rally of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party that is scheduled at 4 p.m. Tuesday, the official start of the campaign for candidates for national posts, at the Ynares Sports Complex. Olivar said he is not aware if the proclamation rally has been inserted to President Arroyo’s schedule. He added that Teodoro “is very capable in launching and leading the campaign of the administration party." Teodoro was President Arroyo’s former Defense secretary. President Arroyo has been accused of secretly supporting the candidacy of Senator Manuel Villar (Nacionalista Party) – an allegation Malacañang denied. “Iyung mga kumakalat na (All these recent) reports . . . as usual black propaganda. Huwag niyong idamay si Pangulo sa inyong mga kampanya (Don’t campaign at the expense of the President)," Olivar said, referring to Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III (Liberal Party), who made the allegation. Olivar assured that President Arroyo is still with the administration party and continues to support the Lakas-Kampi candidates led by Teodoro and his running-mate Edu Manzano, the former chief of the government’s anti-film piracy unit Optical Media Board. Outgoing Secretary to the Cabinet and Lakas-Kampi senatorial bet Silvestre Bello III, meanwhile, expressed confidence that President Arroyo’s support is still with the administration party, citing her “body language" and pronouncements for Teodoro. - KBK, GMANews.TV