Lacson offers prayers for erstwhile adversary ex-President Arroyo
Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson — who in the past has criticized the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — offered prayers for the ex-leader’s family, who is facing several medical issues.
Lacson said in a radio interview with DZWT said he has forgiven Arroyo, now a Pampanga 2nd District representative for the House, and her husband, former first gentleman Mike Arroyo, for what they have done to him since 2001.
“I’m a very forgiving person. All of those who harassed me, I have forgiven them because that is what my parents taught me,” he said in Filipino.
Arroyo revealed in a statement on Monday night that her family has faced health struggles recently, with the former first gentleman facing another set of heart issues while their son, former Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo, was battling thyroid cancer.
‘Emergency repair’
“First, my husband Mike’s dissecting aortic [aneurysm] that required an emergency repair in 2007 is expanding again, and he will have to undergo a big surgery, [including] a bypass and aortoplasty, on April 7 to avert another emergency,” Arroyo said.
“Then, our son Mikey’s biopsy revealed Stage 1 cancer of the thyroid gland, and he underwent surgery last March 18, thankfully a successful one,” she added.
READ: Ex-President Gloria Arroyo opens up about family’s health ordeal
Arroyo also said that one of her close relatives recently died.
According to Lacson, he prayed for the first gentleman before, and he would pray again for him.
“What more now, when so much time has passed?” Lacson asked.
“I may be forgiving, but I always remember the act. Still, we must forgive and not hate the person. It’s also better if you live without the burden of hating,” he added.
‘Edsa Dos’
Lacson and Arroyo were two key figures during the second Edsa People Power Revolution, which ousted then-President Joseph Estrada through a peaceful protest. Lacson used to be one of Estrada’s most trusted men, being the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, while Arroyo was the vice president then.
Both Lacson and Arroyo bolted away from Estrada’s administration, which then led to its collapse. However, what seemed to be an alliance turned sour after senior military officers under Arroyo claimed in 2001 that he had foreign bank accounts containing hundreds of millions of dollars from his alleged involvement in criminal activities when he was PNP chief.
Lacson said he might be one of the first victims of “fake news” as his accusers recanted and apologized for making up the stories.
READ: Lacson: I was a victim of fake news 17 years ago
In her 2022 memoir, “Deus Ex Machina,” Arroyo lamented that there were “political reconciliation” talks between her and Lacson, but these collapsed due to the false accusations.
The former president said in her book that this claim against Lacson “could not be substantiated.”
READ: In new book, Arroyo regrets fall of ‘political reconciliation’ with Lacson
Lacson faced several ordeals back when Arroyo was still in office. In 2010, Lacson went into hiding before a warrant of arrest was issued against him by a Manila court for his alleged involvement in the killings of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito, in 2000.
In 2011, the Supreme Court junked with finality the case against Lacson on the Dacer-Corbito murder case.
