Aquino refrains from taking potshots at Arroyo, Corona

President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

PHNOM PENH—It’s the holiest time of the year for Roman Catholics so President Benigno Aquino III will not take potshots at his chief enemies in his messages to the Filipino people.

But he will pray for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Chief Justice Renato Corona, though he doesn’t have messages of goodwill for them, unlike Jesus who had the gladdest message for the good thief on the cross on Calvary.

Arroyo is detained at Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City while under trial on charges of electoral sabotage, brought by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and graft and ethical breach, filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Corona, on the other hand, is facing removal from office after being impeached by the House of Representatives for graft, violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. His trial in the Senate impeachment court will resume on May 7.

“Sorry, it’s Lent, that’s why I won’t pick a fight,” President Aquino told reporters who asked him whether he had any Lenten message for Arroyo and Corona. He spoke to the journalists at Sofitel Hotel, where he was billeted while attending the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.

Asked if he had a birthday wish for Arroyo, who turns 65 today, Maundy Thursday, Mr. Aquino said he had none. “She will not listen [to my wish for her, anyway, so] why [should I make] one?” he said.

“Still, I do pray for them,” Mr. Aquino said, referring to both Arroyo and Corona.

The President returned home Wednesday night after attending the two-day Asean summit.

He had said he would take only Good Friday off this Holy Week, as he intended to monitor travel conditions and services for people returning to Manila after spending the Lenten break in the provinces.

Originally posted at 02:49 pm | Wednesday, April 04,  2012