Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday said she has considered a consultancy position in her home province of Pampanga when she steps down as congresswoman on June 30.
Arroyo revealed her plan during her interview with Tina Monzon Palma’s program at ANC.
Arroyo has held elective office for nearly three decades.
Arroyo served as president from 2001 to 2010. Upon stepping down from the presidency, she ran for Congress and won three consecutive times in her district.
Arroyo, 72, said it was outgoing Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and Gov.-elect Dennis Pineda who offered her the consultant post.
“I thought it was a good idea. I think I would be happy to help out from time to time,” said Arroyo.
An economics professor, Arroyo said that now that she is given a chance to serve as consultant for Pampanga, wants to “focus on the development of the Pampanga megalopolis”—to transform Central Luzon into a business and financial district.
Arroyo said Pampanga is gearing towards becoming a business hub, with the provincial economy growing at 9 percent, The provincial poverty rate is at 7 percent compared to thecountry's 23 percent, she added.
“We are a fast growing province. Clark is a very big factor, the infrastructure,” she said, referring to a former US Air Force base that is being built as an industrial hub.
In a separate development, Arroyo led the unveiling at the House of Representatives of the “No. 1” sculpture which represents excellence in legislation.
“A country has to have soul and heart [and] that’s part of our soul and heart—having artwork in the grounds,” Arroyo said at the sidelines of the ceremony held at the lobby of the Library Archives and Museum Building of the Batasan Complex.
Arroyo also witnessed the signing of the Deed of Donation for the “No.1” sculpture which was made and donated to the House of Representatives by renowned visual artist Joe Datuin.
“The House leadership, together with the Secretariat, is profoundly grateful to Datuin for making the House of Representatives the home of the ‘No.1’ sculpture,” Arroyo said.
The Deed of Donation was signed by Datuin and House Acting Secretary-General for Dante Roberto Maling on behalf of the House of Representatives.
The House Secretariat, led by Maling, expressed its sincere appreciation to Arroyo’s presence in the event as it signified her support for the endeavors of the House Secretariat and participation in the momentous undertaking.
After the Deed of Donation signing, Arroyo led the unveiling of the “No. 1” sculpture at the Rotunda of the Legislative Library, Archives and Museum Building.
Datuin said the 12-ft. sculpture encompasses details that signify a legislator’s pertinent roles while the red colored ‘No. 1’ shape is a visual reminder that “excellence in legislation ensues when the interest of the Filipino people is regarded a foremost priority.”
Datuin was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2008 International Olympic Committee Sport and Art Context (Sculpture Category) Contest held in Lausanne, Switzerland in celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Datuin’s art works are on display at the House South Wing Lobby. These include about 20 stainless steel sculptures, mosaics and mixed media paintings. The exhibit is a visual narration of three decades of his creative and prolific life and experiences in all of his travels as well as a reflection of Filipino ideals.
The Deed of Donation and unveiling of the “No.1” sculpture were made possible through the collaboration of the Office of the Speaker, the Office of the Secretary General, the Legislative Information Resources Management Department and the Engineering and Physical Facilities Department.