Ailing Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unable to come to aid of suffering ‘cabalens’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—During her nine-year term, former president Macapagal-Arroyo was reputed to have spoiled Pampanga, the home province of her father, by showering it with several projects and personal attention.

But now, Arroyo could not even pay a visit to Pampanga’s second district which she represents in Congress since she has been confined at home following a series of neck surgeries since July.

Her absence has been felt in many flooded parts of the province.

When asked if Arroyo has extended aid to flood victims in Pampanga, Gov. Lilia Pineda replied: “Walang pondo (She has no funds).”

Pineda, a good friend of the former president, also said that Arroyo is ill. “Arroyo has not been allowed to leave home. She’s not even allowed to move,” she said.

In contrast, the sisters of President Benigno Aquino III began relief missions in Pampanga and Bulacan on Friday.

Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abellada and Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz inaugurated a two-classroom school building in Barangay Tabuyoc in Apalit town, and distributed relief goods there and in nearby Candaba town. Victoria Eliza “Viel” Aquino-Dee distributed relief goods in Calumpit, Bulacan.

Abellada said they were not trying to make up for their brother’s absence, for which he drew sharp criticisms at the height of the typhoons.

The President was in Japan when Typhoon “Pedring” struck, but had flown home before Typhoon “Quiel” entered the country.

“We were [distributing relief goods] because we wanted to help,” Abellada said:

“I knew he was on top of the situation. I saw him last Sunday for our usual lunch but we could not talk to him. His mind was preoccupied with the disaster. He was silent all throughout lunch,” she said.

What was more important for the President was that government agencies were working and bringing help to flood victims, Abellada said.

The President’s sisters and his friends also help through the civic group, Aklat, Gabay at Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (Agapp), which facilitated the construction of 203 kindergarten classrooms using private donations collected over the last 14 months.

Last week, Agapp turned over the classrooms to the Department of Education in Angeles City, City of San Fernando and Apalit.

Help continues to pour into Pampanga and Bulacan towns submerged by severe flooding.

Last Thursday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) delivered 3,000 hygiene kits and 3,000 water kits to local governments and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Luzon. With a report from Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon  and Jocelyn R. Uy in Manila