By Lolo Bobby M. Reyes of Sorsogon City and West Covina, CA

Buhay pa si Gloria Arroyo sagkud an mga alipores niya pero sinusunog na an mga kalag ninda sa impierno – a saying in Sorsogon Province

Thus, some folks in Sorsogon say unkindly that “Gloria Arroyo and her ilk (presumably including Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee) are still alive but their souls are already burning in hell.” These folks usually have relatives that have been victims of human-rights abuses such as extra-judicial killings during the Gloria Arroyo Dispensation, as tolerated by her then-local officials and warlords.

Perhaps this Season of Lent, Filipinos (and Sorsoganons) who are Christians must include in their prayers Gloria and Mike Arroyo, their children and followers like Governor Lee. If Christians are taught to be kind to animals, with more reason that they should be kinder to mortals like Gloria Arroyo and Company during the Holy Week of penance and prayers.

This writer has always remembered during Lent, Advent and other Christian happenings Mrs. Arroyo and her husband, Mike, who was his acquaintance at the Ateneo de Manila College of Law. In fact, I have said prayers for the Arroyos and even their Rasputins that implored the Almighty to enter their hearts and minds and change them for the better. Like giving up their ill-gotten wealth and paying restitution to the thousands of victims of human-rights abuses during her presidency.

I have sent private messages through former Ateneo classmates to then-First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to remember the teachings of our College of Law chaplain, Rev. Fr. Leo Cullum, SJ. Father Cullum, now deceased, used to tell his students the great lessons found in the Bible, especially Matthew 16:26 that says:

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

W ith divine intervention in mind, a la Deus ex machina, this writer has penned the following articles while hoping against hope that Gloria and Mike Arroyo, their Rasputins and followers accept the Good News and follow the ways of the Lord:

Christmas Reading Materials for Gloria Arroyo, Kin and their Rasputins as They Spend their Last Advent in Malacañang

Why Gloria and Mike Arroyo, Et Al, Perhaps Are Not Even Christians But There’s Hope for Redemption

The Great Filipino Holocaust Continues under the Arroyo Dispensation

President Arroyo’s Sadness Over Aborted Fetus Highlights Filipino “Holocaust”

Aug. 12, 2010— Thursday Meditation (Mercy Said No!) But Bobby Reyes Asks If There Can Be Forgiveness Without Repentance and Restitution?

The Parable of the Long-distance Phone Calls from Hell to the Philippines

Why Gloria Arroyo Is Afraid to Face Overseas-Filipino Journalists in a Press Conference

O h, yes, the Lord works in mysterious ways. Who knows that if the Filipino people would continue praying for Gloria and Mike Arroyo and Company, they may still give up their stolen loots and even become men and women of the cloth? Please read this piece about the conversion of Gloria and Mike Arroyo:

Our Idea of the First Couple Entering the Monastery Is Like Federico Pascual’s Proposal

Amen. # # #