MANILA, Philippines—It is just “motherly love.”
Take it from Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who himself had personally experienced the temper of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo several times.
“I have known her for eight years and for me that is just normal of her,” Zubiri said in a phone interview when asked to comment on Ms Arroyo’s recent display of her temper.
Zubiri said Ms Arroyo had also yelled at him several times during meetings, and although the first time he felt slighted, the next occasions did not bother him anymore, as his friends in the cabinet explained to him he should not worry.
“It is just like what a mother would tell his son—after a while she would talk to you again,” Zubiri also said. He said the occasions he had been yelled at were usually discussions of policy matters with Ms Arroyo.
“That is really (part of) her character. She does not mean to insult you. I got used to it. I don’t take it personally,” he said.
But opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson said “a good leader is one who maintains his or her composure (and shows) stability under pressure.”
“If a leader panics, and throws things, she would be unable to make sound decisions. That is why the Philippines is in such bad shape,” Lacson told reporters in Filipino.
Malacańang has denied reports that Ms Arroyo threw a laptop during her outburst.
