Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband Mike Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Malaca帽ang spokepersons on Wednesday took up the cudgels for President Benigno Aquino III as he was assailed by the husband of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for attacking the ailing ex-president during his final State of the Nation Address last Monday.
Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the President鈥檚 remarks relating to his detained predecessor were part of 鈥渁n exercise in truth-telling and sharing lessons learned with the bosses (the Filipino people).鈥�
He said Mr. Aquino 鈥済ave an empirical account of concrete conditions in the bureaucracy and concrete proof of corruption that were confronted and hurdled as he took on the reins of government.鈥�
The President 鈥減rovided our people with the context for implementing bold reforms that reversed the country鈥檚 slide into decadence,鈥� he said.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Mike Arroyo鈥檚 reaction was to be expected.
鈥淯nfortunately for Mr. Arroyo, we cannot rewrite history,鈥� Valte said in a text message.
Mike Arroyo had told House reporters that the President鈥檚 bashing of his wife at the Sona was in 鈥渧ery poor taste.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 revolting, hitting a sick lady, a total turn-off,鈥� he said.
The ex-President, who is suffering from a degenerative bone disease, is on hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City because of a capital offense case filed against her by Aquino officials who accuse her of allegedly plundering the funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
鈥�(Aquino) has been in office for five years and he keeps on hitting her (Arroyo), using her as a prop and a trophy because he鈥檚 done nothing after five years,鈥� said Mike Arroyo.