Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Saturday as the country's 14th President following a resolution of the Supreme Court declaring the presidency vacant.

She ruled out immediate amnesty for her disgraced predecessor Joseph Estrada, saying she would "let justice take its course" on the graft charges against him.

She outlined four core tasks in her inaugural address: winning the fight against poverty within the decade; improving "moral standards" in governance; replacing the traditional politics of personality and patronage with politics of party programs and consultations; and leadership by example.

Day 2
January 21

President Arroyo moved to restore international confidence and ensure a smooth transition, as officials prepared to bring ousted leader Joseph Estrada to trial.

She selected Director-General Leandro Mendoza as PNP chief, replacing longtime Estrada loyalist Panfilo Lacson.

Arroyo devoted part of her first Sunday as President at a thanksgiving mass.

Day 3
January 22

On her first day at work, President Arroyo Monday filled key Cabinet posts (see complete list in Members of Cabinet) and ordered fresh peace talks with rebels as criminal proceedings began against her ousted predecessor Joseph Estrada.

Arroyo met military and police leaders and underscored the need for continuity by reappointing Estrada's defense secretary Orlando Mercado.

Day 4
January 23

President Gloria Arroyo appointed former President Ramos as her special international envoy, paying tribute to a man seen as instrumental in her rise to power.

At a reception for the diplomatic corps three days after coming to power, Arroyo said Ramos would represent her at the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland and other important international events.

She vowed to strengthen the country's global competitiveness as she outlined an economically oriented foreign affairs strategy.

Day 5
January 24

U.S. leader George W. Bush may visit Manila later this year upon the personal invitation of President Arroyo, who received a personal call from him on Wednesday.

Arroyo exchanged congratulations with Bush and expressed hope of strengthening bilateral ties during the 10-minute telephone conversation.

The two leaders, whose fathers were also former presidents, were sworn in within hours of each other on Saturday.

Day 6
January 25

President Arroyo appointed more officials to her cabinet. She named former Deputy Speaker Simeon Datumanong as secretary of public works, the first Muslim in the country to be given a Cabinet portfolio.

In her press conference since assuming the presidency, she said she believed the information technology sector was the key to the country finding its place in the 21st century. She cited the country's competitive advantage in its skillful and trainable workforce.

After the press conference, Arroyo held her first Cabinet meeting. She maintained, in an interview, that her assumption to power was constitutional and would reject attempts of ousted president Joseph Estrada to reclaim the presidency.

Day 7
January 26

President Arroyo signed Administrative Order (AO) 1 banning not only her relatives from government transaction but also relatives of her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

The order also bans the relatives of the First Couple from appointment in any government position.

The President, at the same time, admonished government officials to "live simply" and filled out the rest of her Cabinet. She brushed off the shock resignation of her defense secretary and rejected criticism by big business over her choice of some senior advisers.

She returned Manuel Roxas to his post of trade secretary, also held in the deposed regime of former leader Joseph Estrada, and named another young politician, Michael Defensor, as housing secretary. Arroyo also retained Estrada's Science and Technology secretary, Filemon Uriarte.

Day 8
January 27

President Arroyo expressed her confidence in the military, despite rumors of in-fighting and destabilization plots within the AFP that have cast a shadow over her week-old administration.

She told the military she firmly believe that, "despite the rumors of dissension and destabilization initiatives allegedly from your ranks, the dedication and professionalism which you have demonstrated in the past will remain the cornerstone in guaranteeing the sovereign will of the people."

She addressed active and retired officers in her first appearance at military headquarters since she took power last week.

Day 9
January 28

President Arroyo said prosecutors would pursue the corruption charges against deposed leader Joseph Estrada but that she could not force him into foreign exile.

She was reacting to calls to send the fallen leader abroad to prevent his supporters from sowing problems for the government.

Day 10
January 29

A lawyer of ousted president Joseph Estrada questioned before the Supreme Court (SC) the constitutionality of President Arroyo's assumption to office.

Lawyer Oliver Lozano, a Marcos loyalist, asked the High Court to nullify Arroyo's proclamation as president that she be declared "acting President" while Estrada be declared president-on-leave."

Immigration officials, meanwhile, have been told to keep a close watch on Philippine international airports for fleeing cronies and mistresses of Estrada.

The move is reportedly aimed at keeping Estrada's friends and mistresses from fleeing abroad to escape prosecution on corruption charges.

Day 11
January 30

President Arroyo warned in a national broadcast she would "crush" any attempt by allies of deposed predecessor Joseph Estrada to destabilize her newly-installed government.

Arroyo also announced she was withdrawing the appointment of her national security adviser, retired general Lisandro Abadia, who has been tainted by allegations of corruption.

In a separate forum, the President also said she will likely name her vice president next week and will not shy away from appointing potential future rivals.

Among the contenders are Senate President Aquilino Pimentel and Senate minority leader Teofisto Guingona, both of whom are known to harbor presidential ambitions.

Day 12
January 31

President Arroyo is reviewing the appointment of all top officials following criticism of two controversial cabinet nominees.

In particular, the choice of National Security Adviser Lisandro Abadia and PNP Chief Leandro Mendoza were "being studied."

The President also expressed interest in selling or privatizing in a bidding forum all inventoried presidential assets to augment the budget deficit hounding her administration.

These presidential luxury assets include the presidential yacht BRP ang Pangulo, and all identified presidential houses and rest houses nationwide.

Day 13
February 1

President Arroyo met with a fundamentalist religious sect and the urban poor -- key constituencies of her toppled predecessor Joseph Estrada.

The meetings were seen as part of efforts by Arroyo to cement her grip on power after warnings of destabilization attempts.

The AFP, meanwhile, may suspend its offensives against Muslim separatists and communist insurgents to jump start stalled peace negotiations, acting Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

The ceasefire would form part of "confidence building measures" sought by President Arroyo, who upon assuming office last week immediately ordered a resumption of talks with the rebels.

Day 14
February 2

President Arroyo vowed to weed out graft, rein in a rocketing budget deficit and spur economic growth.

Topping the new administration's agenda will be to trim down the expected budget deficit of about P225 billion to P146 billion for the current year, the President said in her first meeting with business leaders since assuming power.

She also assured the business community she would make sure that every peso of public fund is spent wisely.

This day, Arroyo also met with senior national police officials in a bid to tighten her control over the country's security forces.

Day 15
February 3

President Arroyo, who was on her first official visit in Cebu since she assumed into office, tasked the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to conduct a thorough review on Executive Orders (EO) 189 and 190.

Arroyo also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P8.9 billion as funding check for distribution to LGUs nationwide.

The release was meant to offset complaints by local leaders that more functions have been devolved to them without an appropriate funding counterpart.

EO 189 obliges the LGUs to submit their annual investment plans to DBM before their 20 percent development fund is released.

EO 190 also mandates the DBM to remit LGU contributions directly to the national agencies or government financial institutions and government-owned and -controlled corporations instead of the local units concerned.