Visit of Archbishop Cruz and VP de Castro to FPGMA Former Vice President Noli "Kabayan" de Castro and Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz visited former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center today, January 4, at 10 AM. Cruz, a staunch critic of the former President during her administration, said in the spirit of reconciliation, unity and compassion, he decided to pay the former leader a visit. He said that since her legal cases are already in court and she is under detention, the spirit of cooperation and reconciliation must be observed and reign in the hearts of the Filipino people. De Castro served as Vice President during Mrs Arroyo's term. Brother Eddie Villanueva, with JIL Bishop Leo Alconga, had also visited the former President for a Christmas pray-over last December 14. He said she needs prayers and well-wishers for her health condition. He also said it was his apostolic duty to deliver Christ's message of justice with compassion and mercy.

ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS oscar cruz visited CGMA this morning to wish her well and pay respect for her strong faith in our Creator. He said the Good Lord has always been close to the oppressed and the marginalized. BROTHER EDDIE VILLANUEVA with JIL Bishop Leo Alconga also visited cgma for a christmas pray over last dec 14. he said cgma needs prayers and well wishers for her health condition. he also said that it was his apostolic duty to deliver Christ's message of justice with compassion and mercy.

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PHILSTAR: ARROYOS FILE BILL GRANTING SCHOLARSHIPS TO TEACHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN Cam Sur 2nd District Rep. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo and his mother, Pamp 2nd District Rep. Gloria M-Arroyo filed a bill granting scholarships to public school teachers and their children.

ABS-CBN NEWS: Philippine economy to slow down in 2014 - economist-In an interview on DZMM, Diokno said he expects economic growth to slow to 5.5% to 6.5% this year, lower than the government forecast of 6.5%-7.5%. "As a nation parang mas divided tayo dahil sa mga pangyayari ngayon. Nakita ng mga tao na may pagka-vindictive talaga ang Presidente natin and demonstrated incompetence sa paghandle ng ekonomiya. Unang-una, yun PPP hindi naman nagtake-off. At nakita ng mga tao ang pag-responde nila sa mga natural calamities," he said.

MANILA TIMES: AMERICANS HAVE 9/11, FILIPINOS HAVE 11/8 by YEN MAKABENTA 11/8 is a grim reminder that nations do not choose a president for the good times. The good times can take care of themselves. ?We elect a president for troubled times,? says the writer Ellen Goodman. ?We pick the man who will be waked up in the middle of the night with decisions to make.? Sadly, we don?t have that kind of president today. He is busy. He?s having a coughing fit. Bahala na tayo sa ating sarili. We are on our own.

MANILA STANDARD: JOJO ROBLES - A CRYING SHAME For a presidency that has already wasted more than half of its time pursuing its political vendettas and conducting damage control after natural and man-made disasters, two years will go by in the bureaucratic equivalent of a blink of the eye. And what will Aquino have to show for his entire term, some achievement that is his alone and that will stand the test of time? Nothing, really, except probably his ban on sirens ? and even that could be gone even before he leaves. What a waste. What a crying shame.

ARCH OSCAR CRUZ: ?AQUINO BIGGEST PROBLEM OF 2013? Cruz, who is dissatisfied with Aquino?s administration, sees a brighter 2014 if Aquino will resign for the sake of the Filipino people who suffered a lot because of his leadership since he was elected as the president of Philippines three years ago. For Cruz, the Aquino administration was like a ?big joke.? ?First, he does not know how to lead. He is not capable of leading. Second, the country had become more problematic when he became the president,? he said. ?I?m sorry, I hope I was, but I am not,? the bishop said when asked if he was satisfied of Aquino?s presidency.

ABSNEWS 12/19 9:30 AM The Sandiganbayan allowed the family of former President Gloria Arroyo to spend Christmas eve and New Year's eve with the latter at the hospital. The court said Arroyo's relatives will be allowed to stay at the former President's room at the Veterans' Hospital past visiting hours on Dec. 24 and 31.

ANC: House Speaker Sonny Belmonte backs more visiting hours for detained former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during Christmas and New Year.