MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday she would be retiring from government service next year.
“Yes, because we all have to move on. People do reach retirement age,” Arroyo told reporters in Pampanga, where she attended the blessing of a newly renovated hospital.
“I was saying yesterday that one of the blessings of being Speaker at this time is that I’ve come to work with the younger congressmen, and seeing how they work, seeing how good they are, I’m confident that the new generation will be very good in taking over the reigns of government,” she added.
On June 30 next year, Arroyo will have completed her three successive terms totaling nine years as representative of Pampanga’s second district.
She served as president for nine years. Before that, she was vice president and senator. She also held various executive positions. – With Delon Porcalla, Ghio Ong