Gloria Arroyo

Gloria Arroyo is the 14th and current president of the Philippines. The second female president of the country, Arroyo is the daughter of former president, Diosdado Macapagal. Prior to entering politics in 1987, Arroyo was a professor of economics. Arroyo first took the position of president amid revolts and protests and this turmoil has come to characterize both of her terms in office.

Arroyo was placed into office as a result of her Vice Presidency when President Joseph Estrada was ousted after People Power II based on his receipt of bribes and kickbacks.

Arroyo won an election in 2004 although it was plagued with allegations of fraud and improper election violations.

Arroyo is currently running for Congress in her home Province of Pampanga an issue which continues to be challenged by the public.

As election day approaches, many members of the President's party have begun to jump ship, aligning them with other parties either because of the poor showing of party candidate Gibo Teodoro or because of events ongoing within the Lakas party. Allegations of Arroyo supporting candidates other than her own party are sprinkled throughout news reports. Long time party members have expressed discontent over not being kept apprised of when the candidate is visiting their area and House Speaker Prospero Nograles announced his departure from Lakas saying it was “in total disarray.” http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/april/13/news1.isx&d=2010/april/13/ref?

El Nino has taken it's toll on the Philippines with a water shortage hitting the area hard. Water shortages in the area of Mindanao creates power issues since the area operates from hydroelectric plants. The water crisis causes an electricity crisis which in turn has caused opposition party to ask President Arroyo to declare an emergency in the area. A declared emergency is the only way Mindanao can enter into contracted agreements for more power. The relationship between the power brownouts and the election is simple, no power means no automated election in May 2010. No automated election in Mindanao means the 12 million votes may not be counted in time causing disruption to declaration of the new President. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/february/19/news1.isx&d=2010/february/19

As rolling brownouts continue all through the islands, President Arroyo has authorized the expenditure of up to $100M pesos to buy generators to support power in Mindanao for the election period. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/march/13/news4.isx&d=2010/march/13

• 1947: April 5, Gloria Macapagal is born to Diosdado Macapagal and Eva Macapagal

• 1961: Gloria Arroyo's father Diosdado Macapagal is elected president

• 1964-1968: Attends the Walsh School at Georgetown University

• 1968: Gloria Macapagal marries Jose Miguel Arroyo

• 1985: Receives a doctorate in Economics from the University of the Philippines

• 1992: Gloria Arroyo is elected senator

• 1998: Arroyo is elected vice-president

• 2001: Arroyo assumes the position of president

• 2001: May 1, Protesters march on the palace demanding Joseph Estrada's release

• 2003: July 26, Arroyo confronts the Oakwood Rebellion, threatening the use of force

• 2003: August 18, Jose Miguel Arroyo is accused of embezzling campaign funds

• 2004: June 27, Arroyo admits to a "lapse in judgment" concerning that year's elections

• 2006: February 24, Suspicion of coup leads to the declaration of a state of emergency

• 2007: November 29, The Manila Peninsula Mutiny leads to the arrest of Antonio Trillanes

• 2009: Declares run for Congressman of Pampanga [1]

• 2010: Begins building her legend with media coverage of things she did while in office