Former president and speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has so much to thank President Rodrigo Duterte for, but it was his successful leadership of the nation that left her in “awe and admiration” of the current chief executive.
In a valedictory speech at an intimate appreciation dinner thrown for her by congressmen at the Manila Hotel, Arroyo recounted the many reasons why she owed Duterte a debt of gratitude.
President Duterte was present to personally accept her thanks, and even serenaded her and husband, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo with a song.
“Let me take this opportunity to express Mr. President, not only my gratitude for what you have done for me but also my awe and admiration for what you have done for Davao as mayor and now for our people,” Arroyo said.
“You are the only Philippine president more popular in the middle of your term than in the beginning honeymoon period. You are the president most loved by his people, among all leaders in the world today,” noted the former chief executive.
Arroyo completed the speakership in an 11-month period that started when House members ousted her predecessor, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, shortly after President Duterte delivered his 2018 State of the Nation Address.
In less than one year, the Lower House, under Arroyo’s leadership, was able to pass a total 250 bills, including the Duterte administration’s priority legislative proposals.
The House Secretariat also disclosed that a total 880 bills were approved by the Lower House, which was able to process 2,500 legislative measures before adjourning sine die on June 4.
Arroyo was feted by colleagues in the Manila Hotel dinner party that was organized by Reps. Yedda Romualdez (Lakas, Leyte); Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas (PDP-Laban, Pangasinan); Fredenil Castro (NUP, Capiz) and Rida Robes (PDP-Laban, San Jose del Monte City); together with former Minority Leader and now Quezon Gov. Danilo Suarez.
Speakership candidate and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said Arroyo’s actions “inspired others to learn, contribute and dream more for the progress of the nation.”
“She has been a provider of hope not only to her colleagues in public service, but also to ordinary people who look up to her guidance in achieving their goals.
She is an economic and political genius whose competence, workaholic attitude, track record, integrity and strong decision-making skills earned her the respect even of the world leaders,” said Romualdez in a statement yesterday.
In her speech, Arroyo said Duterte supported her in successful political campaigns for senator, vice president and president.
She recalled Duterte declaring in one of his campaign speeches that he would rather not gain the support of voters in Davao City if they will not vote for Arroyo.
She noted that in their three decades of friendship, she saw Duterte carry out his “formula for development” which was peace and order and good governance.
“It worked in Davao and it is now working in the country under your leadership,” Arroyo stated.
During her term as president, Arroyo said Duterte actively helped in the fight against drugs, kidnapping and all other threats to peace and stability.
The former speaker also credited Duterte for her acquittal from “trumped up chargers” filed against her by former President Benigno Aquino III.
“Most of all, thank you that when you became president, you provided the atmosphere in which the Court had the freedom to acquit me of the trumped up chargers my successor and your predecessor filed against me, so that the Court voted 11-4 in my favor, including half of those who were appointed by my accuser,” she revealed.
Her only misgiving in her friendship with the president was that he had been “very difficult to deal with.”
“It was never my intention to be difficult with you. How could it have been with all my gratitude for all that you have done for me,” she told Duterte.
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This article first appeared on Manila Bulletin.
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