Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

(2001-2009)
14th Philippine President
5th Republic

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, holds many records. Elected as Senator during her first try 1992 and was re-elected in 1995. She was sworn in as the 14th President of the Philippines on January 20, 2001 by Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. after the Supreme Court unanimously declared the position of the President vacant, the second woman to be swept into the presidency by a peaceful People Power Revolution or also known as the EDSA II.

The president is the daughter of the late President Diosdado and Eva Macapagal who were well known for their integrity and simple but dignified lifestyle. During the Presidency of Diosdado Macapagal, the Philippines was second only to Japan economic progress in Asia.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, born in April 5, 1947, was valedictorian of her high school class at Assumption Convent, was consistent on the Dean’s List in Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and graduated magna cum laude at Assumption College. She obtained a Master’s degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila and a doctorate degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines.

Macapagal-Arroyo joined the Philippine government in 1986 during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, who appointed her Undersecretary of Trade and Industry during her tenure in the Senate, she authored 55 laws on economic and social reforms and was named outstanding Senator several times. When she was elected Vice President, President Joseph Estrada appointed her as concurrent Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, a post she held until her resignation from the Cabinet on October 12, 2000.