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President Dulerte sinos durind an eppreciallon dinner tor tormer president and speakor Glorla Macapagsl.Arroyo at The Ma-
nila Hotelthe other nidht.

Political icon: Rody pays tribute to GMA

President Driterte paid
tribute to former uresi-
dent and speaker Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo, calling
her an icon in politics and
the epitome of stuong politi,
cal will.
"Irerhaps no other chief
executive in our h istory Tuesday night during an "lhave always held presi-
comes close to president appreciation dinner hosted dent Arroyo in high esteem
Arroyo's example of car- bv Arrovo's colleaeues in {or her inspiring and disci-
rying out decisive actions tlie lTthtongress. ' plined leadership, not only
even if such actions would The event was also at- for my presidency. .. but the
prove to be unpopular," tended by Affoyo's closest rest of the public as well,"
Duterte said in a soeech allies and former members Duterte said.
at The Manila Iloiel on of her Cabinet. Turn to Page 6

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 did not follow me, I said," only for the success of Public eveni that lasted past midnight and worked with various sec-
Political ,,o."e"e", Duterte added.
At the' party, Duterte let
offiiials, but also to oldinary
people for them to achieve
in the grand ballroom of the tors to implement legislation
historic hotel. that improved persons' wel-
*reir eoals." fare, brought decentralized
Arroyo imposed martial to deal wittu he said he ad- his guard down as he sang Gredentials development to the poor and
rw in Maguindanao on Dec. rnired her tough leadership his favorite songs, including "H"er pro-poor projects like
"Ikaw," "You Raised Me Up," the aflordable housing units "Indeed, her intuitive and marginalized cons ti tu ('n -
, 2009 through Proclamation skills.
"All of the - my dealings "Matud Nila," "Usahay," and conditional cash transfer hands-on leadership has car- cies and instiluted significanl
Io. 1959 and also suspended
"To All The Girls I Loved program for the poorest of the ried our nation forward, es- fiscal reforms that have sus-
re privilege of the writ of ha- with my president during
pecially during trying times," tained the nation for almost
eas corpus. It was li{ted nine my mayorship day s eh trabaho Before," "You Fill The World fooi benefitted many FiliPi Duterte said. three decades.
ays later on Dec. 13. Iang ho 'yon (it was just work), With Love" and "Send in the noq" he said.
Romualdez's wife,.the Duterte also talked aboui A daughter of former presi-
For her part, Arroyo said malam, and I said you are Clowns."
how Arroyo's "extensive ex-
he regarded Duterte as her hard to deal with at nsgagalit toining Duierte at the VIP Tingog Sinirangan pariYJist dent Diosdado Macapagal,
iend, who did not abandon (and gets angry)," Duterte table were Arroyo's husband representative, also Praised perience as a renowned econo- Arroyo graduated magna
mist and academic was crucial cum laude from Assumption
er during the dark times in said. ]ose Miguel, Leyte Rep. Mar- Arroyo.
er political life. , Dutegq, whq,fas,peep fac- tin Romualdez and hi.s wife "Speaker.Arroyo is a no- in laying down the founda- College in 1968. She carncd a
"Most of all, I thank you that ing criticism for alleged extra- Yedda Marie, socid'lite Bdby nonsdnse action lady and very tions of our country's steady master's desree in econdinicb
rhen you became President, iudicial killings. said he mighl Arenas, Sen. Ricltard Gor- much determined to show economic growth during her in 1978 froin"Ateneo ae'Mdnlta
don and Arroyo's aide Medy concrete and genuine reforms telm." UniversiW and a doctorate in
ou p-r.ided the atmosphere have killed for Arroyo even During Arroyo's 27-year economiis in 1986 from the
r which the Court had the without her ordering him. Poblador for the benefit of FiliPinos,"
"She is a very smart ahd she said. career in the legislative and University of the Philippines.
sedom to acquit me of the
umped-up charges my suc- Gonlidants political genius whose com- Former Malabon vice may- executive branches of gov- She also studied economics
Duterte recalled how he and petence, workaholic attitude, or Jeanne Sandoval, who lost ernment, Duterte said she at Georgetown University in
:ssor and you.r predecessor figure and was
Arroyo talked over the phone track record, integrity and the maYoralty race last MaY, became a major Washington.
led against me, so that the
in ffafting poli.
:ourt voted 14-1 in my favor, even during the wee hours of strong decision-making skills sat beside Duterte later in the instrumental \n 1992, Arroyo won a scat
the cies that made the country's in the Senate and was reelected
rcluding half of those who moming, with Arroyo seeking helped her earn respect evening.
rere appointed by my ac- his advice. even of world leaders," Ro- Renowned violinist JaY economv bullish. in 1995. She was elected vice
user," Arroyo said. "l was there .when lu ou mualdez said. Cayuca serenaded the Political Serving the government president in 1.998.
Although Duterte admitted made the decision, one ma- Romualdez said Arroyo has powerhouse as they entoyed in various capacities, Duterte - Christina Mendez, Delon
rat he finds Arroyo difficult jor... crucial... and since you been "a provider of hopg not glasses of wine during the said Arroyo crossed piirty lines Porcalla, Edith Regalado

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