Palace: Gloria is just 'sour graping'

MANILA, Philippines - Former president and now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is just “sour graping” when she reportedly said that there is a “vacuum of leadership” under the Aquino administration, a Malacañang spokesman said Monday.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said there is no vacuum of leadership and that they are on top of the situation in confronting problems by exploring measures that “are not papogi lamang.”

“I think tapos na ang kanyang term. Let us do our job. If there is one thing clear, there is no vacuum. There is no vacuum of moral leadership here. We believe we have a responsibility to fulfill. We intend to fulfill our obligations to the Filipino people I think the statement of former President Arroyo is sour graping," he said.

Following the filing of a tax evasion case against Arroyo’s son, Mikey, Malacañang assured former President Arroyo that the Palace is not out to harass Mrs. Arroyo, her family or her allies.

Lacierda said, “Let me assure Congress[woman] Arroyo that we are going to provide each and every member of the opposition the due process that all of us deserve. She should not worry about being harassed. The evidence will be there if judgment against her will be warranted.”

Malacañang adds it is “not demonizing” Mrs. Arroyo or her partymates. “We are not demonizing Lakas, we are not demonizing the former President, but admittedly we inherited an administration that is full of controversies that we are unearthing so we let the ax fall where it should. Wala pong personal vendetta po sa dating Pangulo,” Lacierda said.

Lawyer Raul Lambino, Lakas-Kampi-CMD deputy secretary general and spokesman, earlier said the party welcomes Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma’s call for the opposition to keep criticisms “issues-oriented.”

“I must point out—it is the administration that has been engaging in demonization of our colleague in the House, Congressman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and those whom they perceive to be her allies,” he said.
“In the words of our party president, Senator Bong Revilla, we will ‘continue to play our role as a check and balance.’ As reiterated by our party chairman, House minority leader Congressman Edcel Lagman, we will maintain ‘critical cooperation’ with the administration and refrain from ‘virulent and baseless opposition,’” Lambino said.

He added that the opposition wants President Benigno Aquino III to succeed in leading the country.

“This is why, as Congressman Arroyo recently warned, we are truly alarmed by the emergence of a ‘vacuum in leadership; at the top. This is a problem that can be solved by paying more attention to the issues that matter to our people, and less on personalities and politicking,” Lambino said.

He added that the government should focus on serving the people and learn from the lessons “in the success of the previous administration.”

“For the sake, not just of our party, but of our country, we fervently hope that the administration will match its future actions to its latest words and seek to become healers as well as builders,” he said.