MANILA, Philippines -- After President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was called "evil" and "lucky b*tch," Malacañang called on government critics and supporters to "respect the institution of the presidency."

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo issued the statement even as she said that the comment of Albay Governor Jose Ma.
Salceda, calling the President a "lucky bitch," was "water under the bridge."

Salceda, who is also Arroyo's economic adviser, said his remark was tongue in cheek.

"We do not wish to further make an issue of the Salceda statement. The governor has explained himself and apologized for the lapse in judgment. It is water under the bridge," Fajardo said in a text message.

"We just wish all would accord respect to the institution of the presidency, regardless of our personal opinions or biases," she added.

Salceda's remark came days after Rodolfo Lozada, the key witness in the national broadband network scandal, claimed that socio-economic planning secretary Romulo Neri had called the President "evil" after the former Cabinet official had informed Arroyo of a bribe offer for a favorable endorsement of the NBN project.

Lozada said Neri told him that the President as telling him that while he should ignore the bribe, he should endorse the agreement that was eventually forged with China’s ZTE Corp.

But following allegations of corruption, the President has since scrapped the $329 million project.