B-DAY ADVICE TO PGMA: FAMILY FIRST -- SONIA ROCO

LP BET SAYS GMA CAN APPOINT NOLI AS ACTING PREXY

Liberal Party senatorial candidate Sonia Roco today advised President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to go on leave and concentrate on caring for her sick husband instead of dividing her time between being a wife and being president of the country.  

Roco said President Arroyo’s acting as both a wife and president at the same time is unduly prejudicing government functions. To be fair to the Filipino people, the president should just focus on ensuring the full recovery of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo at the St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City in Taguig City. 

“As mother and wife, PGMA should priority the condition of her husband. There is a need also for her to file a vacation and allow VP De Castro in an acting capacity so that she can concentrate to the welfare of her husband,” Roco said. 

Roco said Mrs. Arroyo, who is celebrating her 63 birthday today, should immediately file a vacation leave and appoint VP De Castro as acting president so as not to unduly prejudice the executive department’s public service commitments. 

Citing her grief when her husband, former Senator and Education Secretary Raul Roco was still alive and fighting prostate cancer, the LP senatorial candidate said she fully comprehend how the President is feeling right now.  

“Ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan ni Mike Arroyo ang kanyang asawa. Mahalaga ang pamilya. Ito ang dapat laging prayoridad ng isang misis (Mike Arroyo needs his wife now. Our family is very important. Wives should always prioritize their families),” Roco stressed.  

“They promised to stick by each other through sickness and in health. And if you’re the wife, you should be beside your husband to see to his needs, especially during times like this,” she added.  

Atty. Arroyo had been at the St. Luke’s for almost two weeks now – the third time he was hospitalized with a heart ailment - after complaining of back pains. Doctors said Atty. Arroyo’s condition had tremendously improved.

04-05-2010