Since the country’s first woman president Corazon Aquino was a widow, Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of the country’s second woman president, finds himself without a role model.
"Just call me Mike," quipped Arroyo, when asked by reporters yesterday whether he preferred to be called the "First Husband" or the "First Gentleman."
The 54-year-old lawyer was addressed by Papal Nuncio Antonio Franco, dean of the diplomatic corps, as the "First Gentleman" in yesterday’s reception for the diplomatic community at Malacañang.
"It has not sunk in yet. I mean, it hasn’t sunk into my head yet," Mr. Arroyo quipped.
But although he has no particular preference about his title, Mr. Arroyo is sure about one thing: his role as spouse of the country’s president.
"I’ll just take photos of her," he said.
Like other spouses of presidents, Mr. Arroyo also plans to take up certain socio-civic causes.
"Because I’m a lawyer and I can help the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) in fact-finding and getting the assistance of police agencies," he pointed out.
"With me there, I hope we can get more things done and we will go against illegal drugs," he added.
He also plans to promote a livelihood program for the "poorest of the poor" in which beneficiaries will be extended at least P1,000 in credit payable over a three-month period.
Mr. Arroyo said he will enlist the services of former First Lady Amelita Ramos for the Piso Para sa Pasig project for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.
"I will ask Mrs. Ramos to continue to run this project. She will be the administrator and I will just help her," he said.
Mr. Arroyo said he and his wife and their three children will live at Malacañang Palace, in the same building where the President lived as a teenager.
They will occupy quarters beside a hall where the portraits of the country’s past first ladies are hung. Mr. Arroyo will have the distinction of the being the first man in the roster, literally, the odd man out.
But the uniqueness of his new position does not seem to bother the husband of the country’s 14th president.
Before Palace reporters could ask him any more questions about his new role, Mr. Arroyo excused himself, saying, "The boss is already calling me!." – Marichu Villanueva