Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declares the existence of "a state of rebellion", hours after thousands of supporters of her arrested predecessor, Joseph Estrada, storm towards the presidential palace at the height of the EDSA III rebellion.

Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo, often recognized by her initials GMA, is a prominent Filipina academic and politician whose distinguished career saw her serve as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010. Born on April 5, 1947, and pronounced [makapaˈɡal ɐˈɾɔjɔ] in Tagalog, she holds the distinction of being the longest-serving president since Ferdinand Marcos.

Her journey to the highest office was paved through significant political roles. Before ascending to the presidency, Arroyo served as the 10th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001. Notably, she achieved this milestone under President Joseph Estrada, despite having run on an opposing political ticket, making her the country's first female vice president. Prior to her vice-presidency, she was a respected Senator, serving from 1992 to 1998.

Early Life, Education, and Entry into Public Service

The daughter of a former Philippine President, Diosdado Macapagal, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inherited a legacy of public service. Her educational pursuits led her to Georgetown University in the United States, where she studied economics. It was during this period that she forged a lasting friendly relationship with a notable classmate who would later become U.S. President Bill Clinton. Upon returning to the Philippines, she dedicated herself to academia, becoming a professor of economics at Ateneo de Manila University. Interestingly, among her students there was Benigno Aquino III, who would eventually succeed her as president.

Her formal entry into government began in 1987, when she was invited by President Corazon Aquino, the mother of her future student and successor, to serve as the assistant secretary and later undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Path to the Presidency and a Full Term

A pivotal moment in her career arrived amidst political turmoil. When President Joseph Estrada faced accusations of corruption, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, then serving as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, resigned her cabinet position. She subsequently joined the burgeoning opposition movement that called for Estrada's impeachment. The culmination of this national unrest was the Second EDSA Revolution in 2001, a peaceful civilian-backed military uprising that ultimately forced Estrada out of office. In a swift transition of power, Arroyo was sworn into the presidency by Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. on January 20, 2001.

Her presidency was not without its challenges. In 2003, the nation witnessed the Oakwood Mutiny, a brief but significant protest by junior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which occurred amid public concerns about potential martial law declarations under her administration. Despite the controversies, she was elected to a full six-year term in the highly debated 2004 presidential election, taking her oath of office on June 30, 2004.

Post-Presidency and Return to Legislative Leadership

Following her nine-year term as president, Arroyo continued her commitment to public service, a path less frequently taken by former heads of state. She was elected as the representative of Pampanga's 2nd district in 2010, making her only the second Philippine president—after José P. Laurel—to pursue a lower office after their presidency. Her political journey saw another remarkable ascent when, from 2018 until her retirement in 2019, she served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. This controversial shift saw her replace Pantaleon Alvarez and marked her as the only person in Philippine history to hold three of the country's highest offices: vice president, president, and house speaker.

During her tenure as Speaker, she spearheaded various legislative initiatives, including a particularly controversial bill that sought to lower the age of criminal liability to 12 years old.

Legal Battles and Ultimate Acquittal

Her post-presidency was also marked by significant legal challenges. On November 18, 2011, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was arrested on charges of electoral sabotage. She was held at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City but was eventually released on bail in July 2012, with these charges later being dropped due to a lack of evidence. However, her legal woes continued when she was rearrested in October 2012, this time on charges alleging the misuse of $8.8 million in state lottery funds. Citing "life-threatening health conditions" certified by her doctors, she was placed under hospital arrest.

A turning point came during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte when the Supreme Court, in an 11–4 vote, acquitted her of the charges. Concurrently, the Supreme Court declared the Department of Justice's 'hold departure orders' against her unconstitutional. Following these legal victories, Arroyo's lawyers announced that she no longer required her medical paraphernalia, leading to her release from the hospital.

Cultural Contributions and The EDSA III Uprising

Beyond her political and legal battles, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also engaged with cultural preservation. She is a member of the Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language and, during her presidency, actively supported the teaching of Spanish within the country's education system, reflecting a nod to the Philippines' colonial heritage.

Her early presidential term was immediately followed by a period of intense public unrest known as the May 1 riots, or more commonly, EDSA III (pronounced EDSA Three or EDSA Tres, with 'tres' being the Spanish word for three). These protests, which transpired from April 25 to May 1, 2001, were ignited by the arrest of the newly deposed President Joseph Estrada. For seven days, protestors converged on the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), a major highway in Metropolitan Manila, eventually culminating in an attempt to storm Malacañang, the presidential palace.

Occurring just four months after the Second EDSA Revolution, EDSA III was perceived by many as a more populist uprising compared to the earlier demonstrations that had led to Arroyo's ascension. Despite the widespread protests and the bold assault on the presidential palace, the movement ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. The classification of EDSA III as a genuine "People Power" event remains a point of contention, disputed by participants and supporters of EDSA II. Acknowledging the divisive nature of these historical terms, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo once stated her hope to be recognized as the president of "EDSA II and EDSA III," signifying a desire to unite these differing political narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gloria Macapagal Arroyo best known for?
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is best known for being the 14th President of the Philippines, serving from 2001 to 2010. She also uniquely held the offices of Vice President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Was Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the first female president of the Philippines?
No, she was the second female president, following Corazon Aquino. However, she was the country's first female Vice President.
What was the Second EDSA Revolution?
The Second EDSA Revolution was a peaceful civilian-backed military uprising in January 2001 that led to the ouster of President Joseph Estrada and the subsequent peaceful transfer of power to then-Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
What happened during the Oakwood Mutiny?
The Oakwood Mutiny in 2003 was an attempt by a group of junior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to stage a coup against President Arroyo's administration. It was quickly quelled and involved a standoff at the Oakwood Premier serviced apartments in Makati City.
What was EDSA III?
EDSA III refers to a series of protests and riots that took place from April 25 to May 1, 2001, following the arrest of former President Joseph Estrada. It involved protestors attempting to storm Malacañang Palace and is seen by some as a populist uprising, distinct from the Second EDSA Revolution.
What were the legal charges against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after her presidency?
After her presidency, she faced charges of electoral sabotage (later dropped) and the misuse of state lottery funds. She was eventually acquitted of all charges by the Supreme Court during the Duterte administration.
Did Gloria Macapagal Arroyo support the teaching of Spanish?
Yes, as a member of the Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language, she supported the reintroduction and teaching of Spanish in the country's education system during her presidency.