Arroyo turns 64: I don’t miss the perks of the presidency

LUBAO, Pampanga—On her first birthday out of Malacañang after nine years, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she did not “miss the perks of the presidency.”

Addressing some 1,000 supporters who attended Mass held at St. Augustine Church for her 64th birthday Tuesday, the former president said she did not mind being stuck in traffic or paying toll fees.

She said it should be “no surprise” that she did not crave the special treatment accorded a president because her current duties as lawmaker, wife, mother and grandmother were keeping her busy.

Arroyo, who was dressed in a brown and orange shirt, blue jeans and silver high heels, said she was now leading “a quieter public role.”

She said there was “no culture shock” because she reported for work when Congress was in session and spent the rest of the week going around Pampanga’s second district to consult with residents, deliver services and inspect projects.

Weekends are spent with family and friends, she said.

Flattered

“I have more private time now, more social fellowship,” Arroyo said.

She said she was “flattered” when people noted her slim figure and youthful looks.

“This is not a facelift [but the result of] diet, exercises, spa for facial firming, but most of all, love of God, faith and prayers,” she said, eliciting applause.

Washerwoman Gina Maninang attended the Mass to see Arroyo and pronounced her “beautiful.”

“I work hard every working day because that’s God’s will,” Arroyo said.

She said she was following the priorities set by her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal: “God and people above myself.”

Thin crowd

Of Arroyo’s former coterie of supporters, only former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and former Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza showed up for the Mass.

No more than 20 of her colleagues in the House of Representatives were present.

But Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, who led 30 priests in celebrating the Mass, called Arroyo “our beloved.”

For her birthday, Arroyo sponsored medical and dental missions as well as cataract operations for some 3,300 poor residents in Pampanga’s second district.

Her elder son, Ang Galing party-list Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, wished his mother “happiness and peace now that she’s not president.”

“I hope she will be judged by the programs and projects she did for our people,” he said.

‘Continue being beautiful’

Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, wished his wife would “continue being beautiful, to be the same.”

“We have plenty of time together. We watch movies on DVD. We go to the movies with our grandchildren. We are very happy,” he said.

Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda said she was standing by Arroyo to the end because of the help the latter had extended to Pampanga since Mt. Pinatubo’s eruptions in 1991.