Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Date of Birth: April 5, 1947

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Biography

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is a prominent Filipino stateswoman who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010. Born into a political family, she is the daughter of Diosdado Macapagal, the 9th President of the Philippines. Arroyo’s political career began in earnest when she was appointed as the Undersecretary of Trade and Industry in 1987. She later became a senator and then the Vice President of the Philippines in 1998 under President Joseph Estrada. Her ascent to the presidency occurred in January 2001 following the ousting of Estrada during the EDSA II revolution. During her presidency, Arroyo focused on economic reforms, including tax reforms, and infrastructure projects aimed at stimulating economic growth. Her administration was also marked by various controversies, including allegations of electoral fraud and corruption, which led to her arrest in 2011. She was acquitted of all charges in 2016, after which she returned to politics, serving as a member of the House of Representatives and later as the Speaker of the House from 2018 to 2019.

5 Interesting Facts about Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

1. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the second woman to serve as President of the Philippines, after Corazon Aquino.

2. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of the Philippines, making her one of the most academically accomplished leaders in Filipino history.

3. Arroyo’s presidency saw the passage of the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) law, which was pivotal in improving the country’s fiscal health.

4. She is the first former Philippine president to be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

5. Despite various controversies, Arroyo’s administration achieved an average GDP growth rate of 4.5% annually.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

1. “I am not here to talk about constitutional change, I’m here to talk about change in the way we do politics.”

2. “We must be the change that we wish to see in the world.”

3. “Good governance is not just about policy and programs, it is also about leadership and personal integrity.”

4. “Economic progress must be felt by every Filipino, not just a privileged few.”

5. “Our challenge is to make democracy work not just for the many, but truly for all.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s net worth was estimated to be around PHP 200 million (approximately USD 4 million).

Children

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, have three children: 1. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo – A politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives. 2. Evangelina Lourdes “Luli” Arroyo-Bernas – A former investment banker and government official. 3. Diosdado Ignacio “Dato” Arroyo – Also a politician, having served as a member of the House of Representatives.