PHILIPPINES: Outgoing president of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, bids farewell to her countrymen and boasts of the economic achievements in her term

Record ID: 1530554

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Outgoing president of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, bids farewell to her countrymen and boasts of the economic achievements in her term
  • Date: 24th June 2010
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JUNE 22, 2010) (REUTERS) ARROYO SHAKING HANDS WITH MILITARY OFFICIALS AND DEFENCE SECRETARY ARROYO WALKING WITH ARMY GENERALS
  • Embargoed: 9th July 2010 09:23
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Economic News,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6RD0GL4HGV5B8E8TLTCNVQK3M
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Outgoing Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bid farewell to her countrymen on Wednesday (June 23), thanking them for letting her serve them, and defending her legacy of economic progress.
    "Each successive government must build on the successes and progress of the previous one, advance the programmes that work, leave behind those that don't. I feel confident that we are leaving this nation much stronger than when I came to office, but I leave that for history to judge," Arroyo said from the presidential broadcast studio, in a farewell address that was aired nationwide over television and radio.
    After nine years as president, Arroyo will step down on June 30 when President-elect Benigno Aquino takes his oath.
    In her address, Arroyo defended her policy of raising taxes, saying it paved the way for economic growth. She boasted of new roads and bridges, wider access to health insurance, tens of thousands of new classrooms, and 9 million new jobs, many from a flourishing call centre industry.
    "We have had 37 quarters of uninterrupted economic growth even against the headwinds of a major global recession. Look around you in our cities as you drive by the office towers that have changed the skyline. Look around you in our provinces," she said.
    Arroyo was thrust to the presidency in 2001 after a popular revolt ousted then-leader Joseph Estrada. She ran for the post in 2004 and won, but was accused of election fraud.
    Her rule was characterised by divisive politics and her legitimacy was marred by allegations of corruption, foremost of which was a graft scandal involving a deal with a Chinese telecoms firm, which Arroyo has denied.
    Despite her unpopularity in civil society, Arroyo enjoyed the support of the military and she appointed several generals as armed forces chief in the course of her presidency. Her latest appointee, General Delfin Bangit, stepped down this week because President-Elect Benigno Aquino had said he would be replaced.
    Arroyo appealed for national unity as the new leadership begins.
    "As our nation moves forward, let us all join hands in unity and walk confidently towards a better tomorrow. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for giving me the honour and privilege of serving you."
    The incoming president Aquino, a member of the opposition, has vowed to investigate the allegations against Arroyo and her administration.
    Arroyo will serve as congresswoman for her home province of Pampanga, "a quieter public role", she said in her speech.
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