MANILA, Philippines, December 30, 2002 — The woman who once described her presidency as "made in heaven" said Monday, December 30, that God has told her not to seek another term as the Philippines' President.
Speaking on local radio, 55-year old Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced she had decided to drop out of the presidential race in 2004. "It is God who puts ideas in my heart," explained Arroyo.
"In fact, in my attendance at Mass, it felt to me like He was telling me that He chose me to become president because He also knows that when He tells me not to run, then I would not run," she said.
A Devout Catholic
Arroyo, a devout Catholic announced her decision not to run Monday, December 30, at Manila's Rizal Park, where earlier this year an estimated 2.8 million people prayed for the president at rally with American evangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).
Nation Healing Requires Sacrifice from Leaders
| Fact Box: Philippines |
Population:
84,525,639 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.6% (male 15,731,451; female 15,169,264)
15-64 years: 59.7% (male 24,990,500; female 25,478,245)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 1,399,862; female 1,756,317) (2002 est.)
Ethnic groups:
Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages:
Two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Literacy:
Definition: Age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.6%
male: 95%
female: 94.3% (1995 est.) |
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- Source: CIA World Fact Book
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Arroyo made clear she hoped her resignation could heal the wounds and political rifts that have marked the Philippines in recent years.
"If I don't make this sacrifice, what will happen to our country...to prevent all of this, a sacrifice is needed. The first one who should make the sacrifice is the one who leads the country," Arroyo said in the radio interview.
Bishop Socrates Villegas, spokesman of influential Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, described the announcement as "a heroic" decision. "This is what 'country first before self' means," he said.
Some opponents also praised Arroyo's decision. "Now that the president has paved the way toward one goal -- that is, to uplift the lives of Filipinos -- by setting aside her political ambition, we all have to support her," said opposition senator and potential 2004 challenger Panfilo Lacson.
Separatists and Scandals Crippled her Government
Arroyo came to power in January 2001 when President Joseph Estrada was ousted in a popular revolt backed by generals and bishops. The former matinee idol is now behind bars, on trial for economic plunder.
An economist by training and an admirer of Britain's "Iron Lady," former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, the 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) Arroyo wore the look of a warrior in the early days of her presidency, the Reuters news agency commented.
Yet the uphill battle against Muslim separatists and corruption scandals within her government amid a struggling economy has tainted her legacy, commentators noted.
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