CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – President-congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
This seems to be the new title for former Pres. Arroyo by dint of informal consensus here during the swearing in ceremonies for provincial victors in the last May 10 polls.
“I had wondered how to address her, but when I heard her being introduced earlier as president-congresswoman, I thought it most appropriate,” said newly installed Gov. Lilia Pineda in her inaugural speech after Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura administered their oaths at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here last Wednesday.
Reelected Rep. Aurelio Gonzalez of this province’s third district was the first to introduce Mrs. Arroyo as president-congresswoman. From thereon, the former president, who turned over her post to Pres. Benigno Aquino III in ceremonies at the Quirino Grandstand earlier in the morning, had been addressed president-congressman for the duration of the oath-taking rites.
Mrs. Arroyo is the first president in Philippine history to become a member of the House of Representatives after her term. Thus, the issue on how to address her became a conundrum for many, some of whom suggested that she be addressed as “president” as a matter of courtesy to her, while others batted for her to be simply addressed as congresswoman in formal ceremonies.
Yesterday’s consensus, although informal, should resolve the issue, said reelected Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo.
Arriving at the convention center at 12 noon, Mrs. Arroyo, who was wearing a butterfly-sleeved pina gown, took her oath at about 2 p.m. with her husband Miguel Arroyo and their children Mikey, Dato and Luli and brother Arturo behind her. She said in an interview that her gown was not new.
The program started with a Mass officiated by San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto and 14 other Kapampangan priests. In his homily, Aniceto urged political leaders to shelve aside partisanship and personal agenda and unite for the progress of the country.
Mrs. Arroyo still had to have her lunch, together with some 2,000 others in the convention center, at the time she was sworn into office. Packed lunches consisting of fried chicken, pancit, and rice were served after her oath.
Luli, Mrs. Arroyo’s youngest child, said she was relieved that her mother is no longer president when asked by Punto how she felt.
Despite her apparent double stature, Mrs. Arroyo played second fiddle to Gov. Pineda who, for the finale of the finale of the entire program, was the last to be sworn into office.
Master of ceremonies Rosve Henson announced Pineda’s oath taking as the “main event” which, unlike the swearing in of Mrs. Arroyo, was also ushered in by a band music that played the score “Can’t Take My Eyes Out of You.”
Mrs. Arroyo smiled almost throughout the swearing in ceremonies that also installed the newly elected congressmen from three other Pampanga districts, board members of municipal and city councils, town and city mayors and, provincial board members.
In her speech, Pineda vowed to focus on health and education, even as he thanked her predecessor former Gov. Eddie Panlilio for the latter’s accomplishments in Pampanga.
Pineda also expressed hopes that Pres. Aquino will continue to help Pampanga, while she appealed to her constituents in the province to support the Aquino administration.
This seems to be the new title for former Pres. Arroyo by dint of informal consensus here during the swearing in ceremonies for provincial victors in the last May 10 polls.
“I had wondered how to address her, but when I heard her being introduced earlier as president-congresswoman, I thought it most appropriate,” said newly installed Gov. Lilia Pineda in her inaugural speech after Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura administered their oaths at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here last Wednesday.
Reelected Rep. Aurelio Gonzalez of this province’s third district was the first to introduce Mrs. Arroyo as president-congresswoman. From thereon, the former president, who turned over her post to Pres. Benigno Aquino III in ceremonies at the Quirino Grandstand earlier in the morning, had been addressed president-congressman for the duration of the oath-taking rites.
Mrs. Arroyo is the first president in Philippine history to become a member of the House of Representatives after her term. Thus, the issue on how to address her became a conundrum for many, some of whom suggested that she be addressed as “president” as a matter of courtesy to her, while others batted for her to be simply addressed as congresswoman in formal ceremonies.
Yesterday’s consensus, although informal, should resolve the issue, said reelected Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo.
Arriving at the convention center at 12 noon, Mrs. Arroyo, who was wearing a butterfly-sleeved pina gown, took her oath at about 2 p.m. with her husband Miguel Arroyo and their children Mikey, Dato and Luli and brother Arturo behind her. She said in an interview that her gown was not new.
The program started with a Mass officiated by San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto and 14 other Kapampangan priests. In his homily, Aniceto urged political leaders to shelve aside partisanship and personal agenda and unite for the progress of the country.
Mrs. Arroyo still had to have her lunch, together with some 2,000 others in the convention center, at the time she was sworn into office. Packed lunches consisting of fried chicken, pancit, and rice were served after her oath.
Luli, Mrs. Arroyo’s youngest child, said she was relieved that her mother is no longer president when asked by Punto how she felt.
Despite her apparent double stature, Mrs. Arroyo played second fiddle to Gov. Pineda who, for the finale of the finale of the entire program, was the last to be sworn into office.
Master of ceremonies Rosve Henson announced Pineda’s oath taking as the “main event” which, unlike the swearing in of Mrs. Arroyo, was also ushered in by a band music that played the score “Can’t Take My Eyes Out of You.”
Mrs. Arroyo smiled almost throughout the swearing in ceremonies that also installed the newly elected congressmen from three other Pampanga districts, board members of municipal and city councils, town and city mayors and, provincial board members.
In her speech, Pineda vowed to focus on health and education, even as he thanked her predecessor former Gov. Eddie Panlilio for the latter’s accomplishments in Pampanga.
Pineda also expressed hopes that Pres. Aquino will continue to help Pampanga, while she appealed to her constituents in the province to support the Aquino administration.
