LIBMANAN, CSUR - Monsignor Manuel Ricafort, the parish priest of St. James Church here, had received a call from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, that surprised some church leaders here, according to an employee of Agriculture office.

        The source said Ms. Arroyo called Ricafort and asked him what he thought the people of Libmanan needed for the Palace to provide assistance and attention.

        But the priest was not at the convent to confirm or deny the claim of the staff but two male convent helpers told the Bicol Mail on Wednesday they had heard that indeed the President called up.

        According to the source, Ms. Arroyo was told by Ricafort that Libmanan folks needed the repair of the irrigation facilities which have been operating on and off and were destroyed during the typhoons last year.

        The source added that a certain Mr. Jusi or Susi, the chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council in Libmanan, the town where presidential son Dato Arroyo established residence to qualify to run for a seat in Congress, went to the regional office of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to bring the news that the President called up Ricafort and committed to rehabilitate the irrigation system in their town.

        The source said that an employee of the NIA had told the church leader that the agency had already estimated the costs of the rehabilitation projects that he said amounted to P83 million this year.

        The source claimed that the implementation of the rehabilitation project shall be coursed through the provincial government of Camarines Sur.

        The source speculated that Ms. Arroyo may had been informed about the involvement of church groups in the candidacy of the presidential son’s opponent, Mayor Sabas Mabulo, three-term mayor of San Fernando, Camarines Sur.

        When reached to comment on Ms. Arroyo’s act of calling the parish priest, Mabulo said that the President might had been alarmed by the support of church leaders and members of religious groups rallying his candidacy.

        In a statement sent to the Bicol Mail the Christian Life Community of the Philippines (CLCP) announced that it is supporting the candidacy of one of its members – Sabas “Abang” Mabulo – as a representative of the 1st District of Camarines Sur.

        The decision draws from both its commitment to the betterment of the Philippines, and its communal history of engaging the nation, most notably represented in its 1971 document known as the “Zamboanga Stand”, the CLCP statement further explained.

        It claimed that in supporting Abang Mabulo, the CLCP is expressing its deep desire to support men and women like him – committed, dedicated, honest, creative, intelligent, and effective individuals and politicians who strive for communal good and not for personal benefit – in an effort to transform the political situation in the Philippines.

        The group introduced itself as a worldwide association of Christian men and women, adult and youth from all social conditions as a community animated by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

        Accordingly, the CLCP in the Philippines further claimed that it has specifically opted to push for the transformation of the Philippines towards a just and humane society and that toward this end of a more just and humane society.

        The CLCP recently passed its “Stand” on Abang Mabulo’s candidacy in support of a man who has brought a different, fresh and empowering approach to politics and governance in his native San Fernando.

        The CLCP statement also said that it firmly stands behind Mabulo’s campaign and the approach he will take as a representative from the 1st District of Camarines Sur.

        Finally, it said that Mabulo’s work for the authentic development of all in San Fernando that gives hope for a better future for the 1st District of Camarines Sur will benefit from his representation and leadership.