Manila: Weeks after the Supreme Court issued a ruling releasing her from years of detention, former President and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is poised to take her post as one of the House leaders.
“I am a Deputy Speaker,” said the 69-year-old Arroyo, who was re-elected congressional representative of the district in Pampanga province for the third time during the May 9 vote.
Her mood was a far cry from the sombre disposition she had during her years in detention while undergoing trial for a barrage of cases filed after her term in office ended in June 2010.
As deputy speaker, Arroyo is considered the second highest official in the House of Representatives.
A known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, she said she would assist the latter in realising his legislative agenda which includes the transition towards a federal structure of government in place of the present presidential system.
Public reception on news concerning Arroyo was a major turnaround from the indignation heaped on her during her nine-year presidency.
She is now back in her elements.
During her moments with the press recently, video footages captured her smiling and on Thursday, she also broke the news that she would be travelling in Europe and in Asia to seek further medical treatment for her ailments which include a spine disorder that makes it difficult for her to swallow food.
Arroyo also said she plans to go visit Germany from September 20 to 29 to consult medical experts on her condition. Reports said she intends to undergo stem cell therapy.
After that, she will fly to France from September 29 and remain there until October 2 on a vacation.
During her stay in Europe, she plans to visit Filipino communities there.
From October 29 to November 4, she plans to spend time with her family in Hong Kong.
The trip would be the first for Arroyo in five years.
Despite being released from detention, her trips are still subject to approval by the anti-graft court.
Her tenure had been marred by allegations of corruption, particularly by her husband Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo.
She had been president for nine years — the longest since that of the late President Ferdinand Marcos who was in office for 24 years.
On July 19, Arroyo won the last and most crucial of cases filed against her, the charges concerning her alleged misuse of P366 million (Dh28.6 million) military intelligence funds provided by the state-run lottery, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
