Reaction to Arroyo's "Non-Apology" Apology on GLORIAGATE

Headline:

Erap: She is lying and manipulating again
Ping: Umalis ka na!
Escudero: Mananagot ka pa rin
Business group: Tapos na 'to! Time to move on
Drilon: She is prepared to take the full responsibility
De Venecia: An act of conscience and moral courage
KMP: Walang maniniwala sa 'yo!

Ex-Pres. Joseph Estrada: She is lying and manipulating again. Obviously, that was not a lapse of judgment. Bakit ngayon lang?

Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson: Now that she has authenticated the tape, she has to vacate. Hindi bukas kundi ngayon. Kapag hindi nagbitiw si Gloria, sa kalye dadalhin ng oposisyon ang laban. Wala nang bukas para kay GMA. Dapat nang bakantehin ang Malacañang ngayong gabi. Kailangan pa ring ituloy ang hearing sa House kasi marami ang kalahok sa dayaan. Si Gloria huli na, gusto pa ring manatili sa puwesto.

Sa pag-amin ni Gloria, gumawa siya ng sariling hukay at doon siya malilibing.

Rep. Francis Escudero: Ang aking panawagan sa Pangulo ay analisahin n’ya ang kanyang konsensya. Manalamin po s’ya kung magagampanan pa niya nang tama, nang kongkreto at karapat-dapat ang kanyang tungkulin bilang Pangulo.

Taliwas sa opinyon ng ilan na dito nagtatapos ang lahat, ngayon pa lamang ito nagsisimula. Mas maraming tanong ang nabuksan. Kung pagpapatawad, madali iyan. Pero dapat pa rin s’yang managot.

Senate President Franklin Drilon: Her admission indicated that she is prepared to take full responsibility for any impropriety on her part.

House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.: The President has regained the moral high ground by ending her period of isolation and reflection to face the Filipino people on an issue that has touched the heart of her presidency. This is an act of conscience and moral courage. By speaking, she’s setting the record straight to put an end to all the wild and unfair speculations.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago: President Arroyo has committed no crime nor even a mistake in judgment. There is no basis for her to resign or be impeached.

Sen. Ralph Recto: The crisis is now over because the petite lady had sung. After her mea culpa, we must now all move on.

Guillermo Luz, Makati Business Club: Now that she has spoken and admitted she talked to a Comelec official, we will leave it to the legal experts...to look into the matter. Talking to an election official is, I would say, improper.

Donald Dee, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Umamin na ang ating Pangulo, humingi ng tawad. Tapos na ‘to. Ang importante ay ‘yung sinasabi niyang ‘time to move on’. Hindi na political.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva sa pamamagitan ng spokesman na si Atty. Luis Sison: Hindi kami satisfied. Bitin ang paliwanag ni GMA. Marami pa siyang dapat na i-explain. Tuloy ang laban para ilabas ang katotohanan.

Gerry Corpuz, Pamalakaya: ‘Yan ang mother of all fantaserye na tatalo sa Darna, Encantadia at Kampanerang Kuba. Parang roller coaster, inamin n’ya na boses n’ya, ‘di naman inamin ang pandaraya.

Reaction bago ang statement ni Arroyo

Ex-Sen. Rene Saguisag: She did not call Garcillano to pray the rosary. There was an intention to cheat. Can we allow her to stay on? Call me old-fashioned, marami nang masyadong modernong istilo pero some things must not change... Kailangan pa rin ang delicadeza and integrity.

Rep. Prospero Pichay: There’s no impropriety to talking to an election officer. We all do that. Verifying some information with regards to votes counted is not a crime, not even improper.

Danilo Ramos, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas: She can talk all she wants...but the bottom line is no one believes her anymore and she is just wasting her voice on useless prattle.