“If AlQaeda is here, their presence is limited, the Abu Sayyaf group that operates in Mindanao Like to say they have Al-Qaeda links, but they are really not much more than a hated criminal gang. Adding the Philippines has been a leader in the fight against terrorism.” Gloria Macapaqal- Arroyo told “Alhayat” News Paper in an exclusive interview conduct in Her office in Malacanang palace, in Manila, The president whose term of office ends at 12 noon on June 30, emphasized the problem with the Moslems in the south of the country is,”not a question of one religion versus another, but a question of peace in Mindanao, adding this area is poised for peace, but the question is when.” President Arroyo defended her record in Office, saying “ I want to be remembered for Leaving office, with a very different Philippines than the one I inherited 9 years ago, a country with a strong economy, and an adminstration that has invested heavily in a modern infrastructure. NoyNoy Aquino the son of the late president Cory Aquino, is expected to become the new president, however he is yet to proclaimed winner of the elections, after accusations from several candidates of a rigged elections. * Madame president,I must start with this question, comes June the 30th and it's 1:00 o' clock. What will you be doing? The first thing you want to do after leaving office? - I will probably take my oath of office as congresswoman of my district. *Is this the first thing you will be doing? - Yes, because as my term as president ends, my term as congresswoman begins. *I see, interesting, no rest, no vacation. - I haven't decided. No, I haven't done my schedule yet. Because as congresswoman of my district, I will have some legislation that I have to prepare for. *So, work as usual. - Yes, yes. That's right *Are you a workaholic? - Ah, so they say. Certainly, I am a hardworking person. * Most of us want to leave a legacy in whatever we do. And we want to be remembered for something special we have done. What is it; you think you want to be remembered for? - Well, first let me say, how honored I have been to have been able to serve the country as President of the Philippines. And I am really gratified that we have been able to make improvements on a wide range of fronts. The Philippines, that is today, is very different from the Philippines that I have inherited nine years ago. And let's start from the most recent achievement, the automated elections that we had for the first time in history. So this has been something that has empowered our people in a democratic society in ways that were never possible before. But, of course, we have other achievements, on a very wide variety of fronts. These past elections were automated and also very peaceful. And let me; also say that our country is enjoying more peace and stability. The Philippines is, in fact, safer and more secure than ever before. Now it's not only the people who are safe and secure, the economy is also stronger. We've been able to survive quite well the global economic crisis. We've been able to invest in new and modern infrastructure that will make our country more competitive. We've been able to create millions of new jobs, provide health and education services to millions who did not have access to them before. So, all the while, we're also meeting our fiscal obligations. So we have achieved a great deal, I believed, although more remains to be done. Our country, as a whole, must continue to translate our gains into real benefits for the people. Our country as a whole must continue to invest in what I call the three “Es” -- Economy, Education, and Environment. But I am happy to say that I will be able to leave the nation in better shape than I found it. *Let me pick up two points here. You mentioned the elections, the automated elections that are obviously a very good point. However, these elections are in question, and people are talking about rigging and about the imperfection of the system. So, how do you answer these allegations? - Yes. Well, as far as the elections are concerned, let me say there is a process, there is a process for finding out whether the allegations are true or not. But it's certainly a better system than what it was before. *You talk about prosperity and economic stability, while the country is obviously still poor. - As far as the country being poor is concerned, at least during my administration we graduated from being one of the poorest countries to being a middle-income country. And in the past, we had boom-and-bust cycles. Now we had nine years of continuous growth and our poverty rate has gone down, both in terms of objective measures and self-rated poverty. * How would you describe the highs and the lows of your presidency? What would those be? - Well, I don't want to dwell into the lows because I really think it is very counterproductive to be negative. But as far as being gratified is concerned, I feel great satisfaction that I was able to deliver what I feel the people of the Philippines deserved which is economic progress, permanent change in their lives, opportunities for the future – that has been the focus of my administration. We have succeeded in very big ways. We've been able to do this while turning around our fiscal situation. And as I said, we've been able to build a better foundation for sustainable economic growth, not the boom-and-bust that always kept the people in a poverty trap because when you have sustainable economic growth that is the most important step to be able to get out of poverty. And we have been able to create more jobs and better prospects for our people. * Madame President, I've interviewed all your presidents since Marcos, and every time, I find myself asking about the Muslim problem in Mindanao and the lack of peace. Although, you have been giving this matter good efforts. Nevertheless, it remains unsolved. Is this an unsolvable problem? What can be done to finally achieve peace in that area? - Well, first of all, this is not a question of one religion versus another. It is really a question of finding peace in Mindanao. And from what I can see, Mindanao is poised for peace whether it will be achieved very soon or not, remains to be seen. For sure, there's more work to be done. But I think the efforts we have made over the last nine years have brought us closer to achieving lasting peace in the region. For one thing, I can say, that we have a working ceasefire since 2003. Sure, it's been broken a little bit sometimes by skirmishes, but never a major break in that ceasefire which continues to hold up to now. How have we broken down barriers? We've broken down barriers by encouraging the people to concentrate on building better lives not on destroying lives. We've done this through the use of “soft power” by building or providing economic opportunity, healthcare, education, basic necessities like water, food, housing for the people of Mindanao. And we recognized from the start that this requires a two-way dialogue, and it cannot be achieved only through the barrel of a gun. So, this commitment of ours to this belief is what has made significant progress in the peace process. And as I said, we have a working ceasefire on the ground. What I think is needed now is recognition by all parties that this working ceasefire should be translated into a political settlement so that the peace will be just and long lasting and permanent. * What is the main obstacle to reaching the peace? - Well, as I said, there is peace on the ground. But what we need is a political settlement. That is the political settlement that has to be agreed on. * Do you think there are other factions interfering that's why you are not achieving peace? - Well… * Like regional or international or...? - If you talk about regional and international factors, they are all towards peace. They have been very, very helpful to us. And I'm very, very grateful to our Arab brethren for having supported the peace process so much. So, what is the correct formula for the political settlement? That is what we have to look for. And we have made much progress, as I said, on peace on the ground, so at least, now we can concentrate our efforts on finding that formula for the just and lasting peace political settlement. * You have visited many Arab countries. How would you describe relations with these countries? - Oh, the relations are very strong. First of all, we have millions of Filipinos who live and work in the Arab world. So, we have a mutual interest in having good labor relations. Secondly, the Arab world is, as I said earlier, a key element to support our peace process. And we are very grateful for the Arab community giving diplomatic, material and moral support to our quest for a comprehensive and long, lasting peace in Mindanao. Then thirdly, as the trade and economic relations improved between our regions, the Arab countries have become now a very important source of foreign direct investment. And my visits to the many Arab countries including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and U.A.E, LIBYA have brought about... * And Syria recently. -… Syria recently, yes, has brought about a lot of progress and cooperation in these areas, trade and economic partnership between the nations. So, I am very glad and very gratified and I believe that one of the key elements of my foreign policy has been strengthening our relations with our Arab brethren. And I am very happy about the fruits of that relationship. * I am sure you must have discussed the Arab-Israeli, peace process. How do you view this peace process or lack of it? -Well, of course, as far as we are concerned, peace in the Middle East is very important to us. We have so many Filipinos there. Also, because we have Muslim brothers in our country, in fact, our region is a Muslim region; Southeast Asia is a Muslim region. To us, peace and development in the Arab world and the Muslim world is very important. * What impressions have stayed with you from these visits? I remember you where there at the opening ceremony of the King Abdullah University…. - Yes, yes... Oh, what a great university. That's going to be the Harvard of the future and I am very proud that we have some Filipino scholars who are there. They're very happy and it really establishes Saudi Arabia as a center for academic excellence in the whole world. You have come from Bahrain, HRH Prince Khalifa Ben Salman Alkhalifa Visited the Philippines many times and we have visited Bahrain also a few times. Bahrain is a very very good friend of the Philippines. You know occasionally we have had for instance hostage problems in the Middle East, not in Bahrain. In other countries, but Bahrain has helped us a lot to solve those problems. And then we've had problems also sometimes with a few of our Filipinos who've gotten into trouble with the law in the host countries and some of them have been convicted and adjudged with the death penalty and Bahrain has helped us very much to have the death penalty commuted. So, a lot of help as far as our Overseas Filipinos are concerned even Filipinos outside Bahrain. Because of course within Bahrain their life is very nice, the Filipinos lives are very nice there. So the Bahraini government has helped us even outside of Bahrain. And then we have now stronger economic relations, trade and investment relations, so we have some Bahraini investments here in the Philippines especially in agriculture. * Are you satisfied with the work conditions that the Filipino works are enjoying in the Arab world? - Yes, yes. Certainly, in general, I'm very happy. I mean we have two million and a half Filipinos in the Arab world so by and large they are making a good contribution to the Arab world and they are making a good contribution to our country as well. And of course, we honor our Filipinos who are working abroad because of their devotion to the country, to their families and to their work. But we hope that the Philippines will be rich enough one day so that for a hardworking Filipino going abroad will be a career choice and not the only option. * Madame President, you are a woman president, and I a woman journalist, and we women still feel we have not really gotten all what we want from our societies at large. So, I wonder how were you able to serve woman causes as a president? And, indeed, did you feel as a woman president in a club of nearly only men intimidated at all? How did you feel? - Well, you know, men and male or female they bring their own strengths to the table. I would say that there is a natural tendency for women to be more compassionate, and certainly, that is a very important character for leadership. You are right about many women feeling aggrieved, in terms of the empowerment of women though, I am very proud that the Philippines has one of the best track records. In fact, in the UN and in World Economic Forum assessments, the Philippines is number six in gender parity in the whole world. The only countries that beat us are the four Scandinavian countries and New Zealand and then, we're number six. So, we have a very good track record there. Having said that though, I recognize that's not the way it is in all cultures. There are many cultures and many societies where the contribution of women to economic and social development is undervalued. So, if a society is truly to become prosperous and modern it is very important that policies be in place to ensure that the rights and welfare of women are protected and promoted. *How is the participation of Philippine woman in the Senate and in Congress as CEOs, etc.? - Very high. Very high that's why we rank number six in the world. *But what have you done personally for women, anything specific to improve their welfare? -Well, when I was doing legislation I worked on economic empowerment of women and by having laws, for instance, to give them affirmative action rights towards credit and also working on legislation against domestic violence. So, when I became president I signed a number of laws also to protect the rights of women, for instance, against trafficking. *I was the last journalist to interview Indira Gandhi before she died, I remember she told me that she thought woman make better rulers than men. They have this ability to see details, also they're more compassionate and loving being mothers? Do you agree? -Well, as I said male and female bring their own strengths to the table but I do agree about the women having a natural tendency to be more compassionate which is very important for leadership. *Let us talk a little bit about the presence of Al-Qaeda in your country, as there has been reports to suggest this, also the Philippine has been a victim to some of the acts of violence by Al-Qaeda. So, do they exist, how strong are they? Where are they? What are you doing to tackle this problem? -If Al-Qaeda is here their presence is limited. The Abu Sayyaf group that operates in Mindanao like to say they have Al-Qaeda links. But they're really not much more than a hated criminal gang. Anyway, having said that, the Philippines have been a leader in the fight against global terrorism. We've strengthened our intelligence gathering, our sharing with allies, the professionalism and training of our soldiers. So that we can eliminate room for terrorists to breed in our country. Also, I believe strongly that poverty breeds terrorism, so therefore we have been aside from aggressively pursuing terrorists like the Abu Sayyaf, we have also pursued soft power, which I mentioned earlier: building schools and basic infrastructure, providing food, security, shelter and access to healthcare and better social services. So this paradigm for peace combining soft and hard power has narrowed down the lair of hardcore terrorists in the South and the people are safer than ever. * How strong is the Abu Sayyaf group...? - As I said very limited if ever they... *Limited, are they in the hundreds in the thousands? - Oh, I don't think they're in the thousands. * About one hundred? - Yes, yes. * Why is the military unable to sort them out, and get the country rid of them finally. - Well, certainly the military has narrowed their where about * So, you are rather optimistic that you can overcome this problem for Al-Qaeda if it indeed exists? You're not sure that it does exist even? - As I said, if it exist it is very limited. The Abu Sayyaf are the ones claiming that they're connected. But they're really looked upon more as a criminal gang than anything else. * Does the Philippines suffer from Islamic Militancy or Fundamentalism at large? - What I can say is that we've gone a long way with regard to interfaith dialogue, and interfaith dialogue is one of the achievements that have brought us closer to peace on the ground in Mindanao. And, hopefully, will bring us closer to a political settlement. * I want to talk a bit about ASEAN. The Philippines is a member of ASEAN. What role does Philippines play in ASEAN? And how do you see the future of this organization? It seems to me it is moving rather slowly, - But we have a timetable, 2015. * Yes, I know. Are you able to meet that? - In fact, it was supposed to be 2020 but when we had the ASEAN Summit here in the Philippines, we moved it forward to 2015. What I can say about ASEAN is that it has really made significant progress towards integrating our economies, bringing down trade barriers even having macroeconomic... more control over our macroeconomics of our country with our agreements on the multilateral zed Chang Mai Initiative and the surveillance system in order to avoid being contaminated by the global economic crisis. So, it's because of this dedication to creating a strong regional economic bloc that we as a region, in fact, we're able to withstand the global economic crisis. Now, it's very important to continue on this track that we have started so that we can become an ASEAN community by 2015. And that will bring unprecedented growth opportunities in our region. * How do you see cooperation as far as foreign policy is concerned? - Well, as far as the Philippines is concerned in my administration, I made one of the eight points of my foreign policy was that more and more our foreign policy should be done in the context of ASEAN. And I think, we move... * So there is visible coordination between the ASEAN countries? - Yes, yes. We have moved very much in that direction. * Madame President, is there anything you really want to do during your presidency and you have not really been able achieve? - As I said I don't want to dwell on the negatives. I am very... * Do you still have hopes for a leadership role in the future...? -Well, certainly, as I said earlier much work still remains to be done. No President can achieve everything by herself. And certainly, what we have to continue is to try to keep translating our economic gains into real benefits for the people. And as a country, we have to continue investing in the health, in the economy and environment and education. And when I talk about the economy I don't only mean the infrastructure and the macro economy but also services like health. * My last question must be, do you see another big role for you, Madame President? For example, if the system changes from a presidential to a parliamentarian system, do you see yourself becoming the first prime minister of the Philippines? - I've always left my political career to what we call divine providence in my religion and maybe kismet in your culture. So what will be will be. But right now, until the last minute of my term as president I have to work for the country. I have to be active in my governance and then after that, I have an obligation to the people of my district. *I don't think we have seen the last of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo? No, you still have great ambitions. -As I said, my political future even my personal future is always in the hands of divine providence.
