MANILA, Philippines--He may have been stopped at the first checkpoint, but biking priest Fr. Amado Picardal was only too happy to hand over his letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through the Presidential Security Group.
"It's okay, I have no problem with that, as long as they make sure my letter reaches the President," said the Redemptorist priest as he gave the Air Mail envelope addressed to "President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo" to Ralph Mamaoag of the PSG at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday
"I just need an assurance na makakarating sa kanya ito (that this letter will reach her)," he told Mamaoag, who nodded and claimed he would personally give it to Arroyo.
Bearing placards saying "no to graft and corruption" and "no to abortion," the 54-year-old priest and his eight biker companions left Baclaran Church, passed by Roxas Boulevard and Nagtahan Bridge before being blocked at the J.P. Laurel gate of Malacañang.
Security was tight as four PSG members in camouflage uniforms and carrying rifles, plus six Manila cops were seen nearby. Civilians are usually allowed beyond the first gate where the St. Jude parish is located, but the priest's group was barred.
"They were prepared for us. They probably think I'm trying to make trouble but I'm not. That's their prerogative, but I think it's an overreaction," Picardal said.
Little did he know, however, that Arroyo was already around the corner as his group was leaving. A source told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the President, who arrived at Villamor Air Base Sunday morning from a provincial trip, was supposed to enter Malacañang through the J.P. Laurel gate but was diverted to Solano Street due to the priest's placard-bearing entourage.
"What is important for me is to deliver the letter. It's important for her to know that many people are disappointed. I'm just a messenger," said the priest who clocked in 3,155 kilometers on Sunday in a journey of 34 days.
Anyway, Picardal stressed, his journey to Malacañang was just a "side trip" of his Philippine Bike Tour for Life and Peace that brought him from Davao to Bukidnon, Bohol, Cebu, Panay, Mindoro, Cagayan Valley, Aparri, Laoag, Abra, Baguio, Alaminos, Bataan and Manila.
The letter he wrote for "Madam President" lamented the cultures of death through extrajudicial killings and corruption in the present government.
The priest, though, did not call for Arroyo's resignation and ponly appealed for her to "redeem herself" by resuming the peace process with the National Democratic Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; probing thoroughly and ending the extrajudicial killings of militant activists; protecting nature through a total log ban and repealing the mining act; and allowing the investigation of corruption by not resorting to executive privilege.
"Madam President, do not allow yourself to be dominated by the dark side but live in the light. Instead of perpetuating the culture of death and corruption, may you promote the culture of life, peace and good governance," he wrote.
Picardal said he had no choice but to have faith that the letter would actually be read by the President.
"I have to trust that my letter would reach her," he said, thanking the cops and soldiers before leaving to take a day's rest.
The Catholic priest will start his way back to Davao on Monday in a 22-day travel period, marking the end of his second biking journey since the Estrada administration.
