Push Admin

What Prime Minister? Arroyo says critics only sowing controversy

Article (news)

RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/24/07232018-gloria-macapagal-arroyo.jpg"/></figure></div><p>MANILA- House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has slammed camps claiming that she was being poised to become Prime Minister, in a new constitution.</p><p>&quot;I think those who are raising those issues are those who want to stir controversy,&quot; Arroyo told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1427148" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="~//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="~//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Arroyo had reversed Davao del Norte Rep Pantaleon Alvarez’s push for term extensions, postponement of the 2019 elections and joint voting for the Senate and the House in a Constituent Assembly that will amend the Constitution. </p><p>&quot;First of all, the Con-Com draft, and the Con-Com was designated, mandated by President Duterte himself, is about a Presidential form of government within a federal structure, so there is no Prime Minister to speak of. As far as elections are concerned, I already said I&#x27;m not in favor of term extension so I&#x27;m not in favor of NO-EL (no-election scenario),&quot; she said.</p><p>With just one year left in office, Arroyo concedes, that charter change may not happen while she is in office. </p><p>“It might not probably be completed in my remaining time in office, especially there will still be a plebiscite. But I hope to move it forward as far as I can during my time as Speaker and so I hope that those who follow after will pick up from where we left off in this Congress,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;To make it move forward, I told the House that we should agree to separate voting, and having passed that in the committee, so we will now work with Senator Sotto and his fellow senators on how to move forward,” she added.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/07/24/18/shes-back-is-speaker-arroyo-poised-to-become-prime-minister">She&#x27;s back: Is Speaker Arroyo poised to become prime minister?</a></li></ul><p>Arroyo hopes her reversal of Alvarez’s positions would be a step in the right direction in engaging the Senate. </p><p>“The best way to engage the Senate was to address the concerns they were raising before my speakership and that was the issue of voting separately and voting together, that&#x27;s the first thing we have to address.”</p><p>While Arroyo may not become Philippines&#x27; first woman Prime Minister, she was the first woman to hold the positions of the vice presidency and speakership. And Arroyo can only hope that there will be more advances in women’s empowerment in the years to come. </p><p>&quot;I am proud, not really so much for myself, but for the sake of Filipino women in general because I am an advocate of advancement of women&#x27;s rights. But I hope the day will come when female leadership in the legislative will be something routine and not something remarkable. But let me add, in the Philippines, as far as the whole world is concerned, we are among the most advanced in terms of women&#x27;s rights.”</p>

<p>House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has slammed camps claiming that she was being poised to become Prime Minister, in a new constitution.</p>

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has slammed camps claiming that she was being poised to become Prime Minister, in a new constitution.

What Prime Minister? Arroyo says critics only sowing controversy

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

What Prime Minister? Arroyo says critics only sowing controversy

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 16, 2018 08:18 PM PHT

|

Updated August 16, 2018 09:15 PM PHT

Read More:

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Prime Minister

House of Representatives

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.