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Pre-midnight Mass at Malacañang baffles officials

November 8, 2008 1:06am
MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the First Friday Mass celebration at Malacañang that was held shortly before midnight Friday.

Officials could not say why the Mass, organized by the civil society group “Mahal Ko, Bayan Ko," was held at the Palace at such an hour.

Radio DZBB reported that Lucena Bishop Emilio Marquez officiated the Mass. He has committed the support of the Church for Mrs Arroyo and prayed for the country’s continued stability, unity, peace, solidarity and the safe travel of the President to US on Monday.

Aside from Mrs Arroyo, also present at the Mass were Reps. Rafael Arenas (Pangasinan), Martin Romualdez (Leyte) and Danilo Suarez and former classmates of the President from Assumption College. - GMANews.TV