GMA ready to reconcile with critics

Ever an obedient member of the Roman Catholic Church, President Arroyo said yesterday she listens to the advice of Mike Velarde, leader of the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai, and would continue to pursue efforts to reconcile with her critics.

Speaking before a crowd of 400,000 El Shaddai members late Saturday night, Mrs. Arroyo said she has been attending the group’s anniversary celebrations because she relies on the spiritual advice of Velarde, who she said has remained faithful to his covenant with God.

"It is for this reason that I often seek the advice of Bro. Mike and he always said reconciliation," she said.

Velarde said the President has been attending their prayer gatherings for the past 15 years. At the weekend El Shaddai had a double celebration to mark the group’s 22nd anniversary and Velarde’s 67th birthday.

He said while it was his birthday, he did not ask anything for himself. Instead he requested that God grant one wish to everyone who attended Saturday night’s prayer gathering at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park.

And when Velarde asked the crowd to raise both of their hands and shout their wish, Mrs. Arroyo said, "I asked for reconciliation para ang ating anniversary ay laging basbasan ng Panginoon (so our anniversary would always be blessed by God)."

She said many people have wondered about the group’s staying power. After 15 years of joining their religious activities, Mrs. Arroyo said she understands the reason for this accomplishment.

A former classmate, who accompanied her to an El Shaddai gathering in 1996, said Velarde was truly "anointed" and that the blessings received by every El Shaddai member come from God.

The Mass started at 10:20 p.m. and lasted for two and a half hours. Members of the administration bloc dominated the center stage. Among those who attended were Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Sen. Lito Lapid, Mayors Feliciano Belmonte of Quezon City, Lito Atienza of Manila with his wife Beng and son Arnold, and Florencio Bernabe of Parañaque City.

Also present were Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Reps. Ed Zialcita of Parañaque, Miles Roces of Manila, Rene Velarde of Buhay party-list and Rudy Bacani of Manila, a brother of El Shaddai overall spiritual adviser Bishop Ted Bacani; as well as business leaders such as Miguel Varela, Francis Chua and Ambassador Donald Dee, and Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Mel Robles.

Robles, who was once Velarde’s spokesman, said that to his knowledge, Mrs. Arroyo did not discuss any issue with the El Shaddai leader.

"They did not get the chance to talk. She immediately left because it was already late. As for the businessmen, well, they regularly attend the anniversaries," Robles said.

During previous anniversaries, Mrs. Arroyo would often share a meal with Velarde after the Mass.

The Presidential Security Group also implemented tight security in the area and even prevented the media from entering the grandstand’s back door.

When asked if there was any security risk, Robles said he had no idea and that it was the "PSG’s call" since the President would be present. He said the PSG personnel’s behavior was different from the 2005 El Shaddai anniversary since there were more well-known figures present because Velarde attempted to bridge a reconciliation between Arroyo and former President Joseph Estrada.

But instead of bringing them together on his birthday this year, Velarde’s guests were able to skirt around his unification efforts. Estrada and other opposition leaders only arrived after Mrs. Arroyo and her allies left.

Last Saturday, Estrada’s son Jude also came but he missed seeing Mrs. Arroyo.