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Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Arroyo passes on political reform to her successor
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Monday she will continue with the country's economic reform until her term expires in 2010, while passing on the daunting work to improve the political system to her successor.
Speaking at an investment summit in Hong Kong, Arroyo acknowledged that the political system of the Philippine is "immature" but she doesn't have time to fix it during her term.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"I would have wanted, just as we've reformed our economy, we'll be able to reform the politics of our country," Arroyo said in her keynote speech at the Asian Investment Conference.
"But there may not be enough time. I just hope the next president will have the political will to make those political reforms," she added.
About 20 Filipinos protested outside the hotel where the conference was held to demand Arroyo's resignation over a corruption scandal involving her and her husband back home.
The President is on a three-day visit to Hong Kong where she is also meeting business executives in a bid to drum up foreign investment in her country, despite its political troubles.
Arroyo said the Philippine's macroeconomics fundamentals are stronger than ever, citing the economic reforms she initiated to boost revenues, crackdown on tax cheats and modernize the banking and financial sector.
While she has been credited for her economic reforms, she has grappled with political unrest stemming from corruption allegations implicating her and her husband, vote-rigging and human rights violations.
Arroyo has survived three opposition impeachment bids and at least four failed coup attempts. (AP)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (April 1, 2008 issue)
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