Arroyo’s credibility questioned

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gestures during her State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday, July 27, 2009. Arroyo said she has no desire to extend her term beyond next year. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

CAGAYAN DE ORO — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s credibility as a leader figured heavily during Tuesday’s Sun.Star Online’s post-Sona chat, which reunited two First Quarter Storm personalities as primary guests.

Deputy Spokesman Gary Olivar and former United Nations official Manuel E. Valdehuesa, however, found themselves on the other side of the fence this time — the latter refusing even to grade President Arroyo’s performance in office.

Political instability

Olivar, one of the many firebrands in the activist circle of the University of the Philippines (UP) before and after Martial Law was declared, said figures laid out by the President on the economy during her State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday had undergone a vetting process complete with “200 page technical report” to back them up.

He also defended Arroyo’s accomplishments and blamed “political instability” to the troubles hounding the administration. (more)