The Philippine Presidency On Stamps

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

"Join me therefore as we begin to tear down the walls that divide. Let us build an edifice of peace, progress, and economic stability."

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was born on April 5, 1947 in San Juan to Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal and Evangelina Macaraeg. She was a professor of economics and became assistant secretary and undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry during President Aquino's term. She served as senator and was cabinet secretary and vice president under President Estrada.

She was sworn in as president on January 20, 2001 after President Estrada's removal from office by the Second Edsa Revolution. She was elected to a full six year term and took her oath of office on June 30, 2004. She married Jose Miguel Arroyo and has three children - Juan Miguel, Evangelina Lourdes, and Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria. President Arroyo is continuously harassed by questions of legitimacy, graft and corruption scandals, impeachment threats, military adventurisms by rebel soldiers, peace and order problems, the CPP-NPA communist insurgency, the Abu Sayyaf terror threat and the latest economic crisis hounding the country. Inspite of it all, the Arroyo presidency has shown a strong leadership by weathering the storm in all issues.