Arroyo meets with 180 solons in Malacanang

Amid the noise generated by the latest impeachment complaint against her, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo early Thursday morning met with members of the House majority bloc. Radio dzBB reported President Arroyo presided over the meeting with more than 180 majority congressmen before receiving boxer Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao in Malacañang. Rep. Roque Ablan Jr (Lakas-CMD), one of those who attended the meeting, told dzBB radio that Arroyo called for the meeting but did not discuss the impeachment bid against her. Ablan said they merely discussed ongoing efforts to pass the P1.227-trillion national budget for 2008. He said about 185 members of Congress attended the meeting. House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr earlier assured Mrs Arroyo that Congress will pass the budget bill early, to increase the chances of Arroyo signing it into law by Christmas. Ablan also said De Venecia was to meet again with President Arroyo during the day. - GMANews.TV