Arroyo snubs PNP chief during military rites

More than words? President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has not openly confirmed her reported disappointment over Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, but in a speech Monday during the anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army, she noticeably did not acknowledge the presence of the top police official as a guest of honor. “[Armed Forces chief] General [Delfin] Bangit, (Philippine Army chief Lt.) General [Reynaldo] Mapagu, Vice Admiral [Emilio] Marayag, other officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, members of the diplomatic corps, men and women of the Philippine Army, ladies and gentlemen. Maligayang anibersaryo sa (Happy anniversary to the) Philippine Army," she said in her opening address. Last Thursday, President Arroyo skipped the graduation rites of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) for the first time since she assumed power in 2001. Palace officials said the President had a previous appointment connected with the dry spell currently causing serious damage in many of the country’s farmlands. Upset These came amid reports that President Arroyo was upset with Verzosa’s earlier statement that he would not support a military-backed move to keep her in power beyond June 30, 2010. Administration critics raised this scenario after President Arroyo appointed Bangit, her mistah (classmate) at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1978, as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last March 10. Bangit formerly served as the President’s top security aide. Verzosa, for his part, denied the reported rift with President Arroyo. In an interview, he said he did not notice that his name was not mentioned in the President's speech. “She has a very brief speech ... I did not notice anything unusual," he said, adding that he was busy talking with his colleagues during President Arroyo’s speech. He said he and President Arroyo continue to communicate even after his controversial statement, which came out during an exclusive interview by editors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer last week. "Functioning relationship" Verzosa also dismissed reports that there is a misunderstanding between him and Bangit, saying Bangit’s recent visit to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame had nothing to do with the alleged failure of election scenario being raised by administration critics. “Let us not create a wedge between two institutions, they are your protectors," said Verzosa. In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said President Arroyo has kept a “functioning relationship" with her top police official. “It’s still a functioning relationship between the PNP chief and [his] commander in chief," Olivar said. - KBK, GMANews.TV