Palace downplays rumors over Arroyo’s absence at PNPA rites

Malacañang downplayed on Friday speculations surrounding President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's failure to attend the graduation ceremony of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Thursday, stressing that her absence was due to conflict of appointments. Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas refused to call President Arroyo's absence as a "snub," and chided critics for putting motives in all her actions. "Hindi naman siguro [ganun]... Wala akong alam diyan na dahilan. Basta alam ko ikot siya ng ikot. Kung minsan, maski ang presidential bet di nakakarating sa kanilang dapat puntahan dahil sa katakot-takot na appointment," Planas said in an interview on dwIZ radio. (I don't think it was a snub. I do not see any reason for her to snub the rites. But I know Mrs. Arroyo has been going around. Even presidential candidates tend to miss events because of so many appointments.) President Arroyo on Thursday skipped the graduation rites at the PNPA, triggering speculations she was not pleased with a previous statement by PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa. Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno represented her at the rites. Concerns over El Niño? On the other hand, presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said Mrs. Arroyo flew to Sarangani, Lanao del Sur and Zamboanga del Sur to attend to concerns sparked by the prolonged El Niño phenomenon. But a Palace schedule showed her activities there had nothing to do with the drought, for instance, she took part in welcoming a delegation of Indonesian businessmen, witnessing a signing ceremony and visiting a high school and public market. The Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper cited unnamed "sources" who said Mrs. Arroyo was not happy with Verzosa's statement that he would not support a move to extend her term. During an interview with Inquirer editors and reporters last week, Verzosa was reported to have said that he would not support Gen. Delfin Bangit, the newly appointed military chief, should he attempt to keep Mrs. Arroyo in power in the event of a failure of the May 10 elections. Verzosa is Bangit's senior at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Verzosa belongs to PMA Class of 1976 while Bangit is a member of PMA Class 1978, which counts Mrs. Arroyo as its honorary member. But Planas lashed back at critics saying, "Lahat na gagawin niya binibigyan ng kahulugan na di naman totoo, [bakit lahat] binibigyan ng kahulugan… (Why is everyone putting a meaning on every act she does)?" Planas said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV